12:30pm: Dance

Traditional to Modern Chinese Dance

Discover the elegance of traditional Chinese dances, including the graceful ribbon dance—where long, colorful ribbons flow through the air. Then, blend these classical movements with modern styles to create your own choreography. Taught by veteran dancers and educators Xiaohong Chen and Christopher Yaeger, who have performed with local Chinese troupes for over twenty years.

2:15pm: Masks

Beijing Opera Masks

Beijing opera has been the entertainment of emperors and important officials since the 18th century in China. It combines singing, mime, dance and acrobatics, as well as elaborate face painting known as lianpu. The exaggerated facial expressions and colors signal character traits to the audience, for example, yellow for evil, red for courage, blue for fierceness. Learn about this fascinating tradition with artist Julie Boada, and then create your own dramatic opera mask.

For ages 6 – 8.

12:30pm: Shadow Puppets

Trickster Tales: Sun Wukong, The Monkey King

Sun Wukong is a mischievous monkey monarch who creates chaos in the heavens. Possessed of gigantic strength, magical powers, and the ability to transform himself into various disguises, the journey of the Monkey King is a terrific tale full of monsters and monks, demons and spells. Create colorful shadow puppets with Kallie Melvin, and then perform your own version of Sun Wukong for your friends and family!

2:15pm: Masks

Beijing Opera Masks

Beijing opera has been the entertainment of emperors and important officials since the 18th century in China. It combines singing, mime, dance and acrobatics, as well as elaborate face painting known as lianpu. The exaggerated facial expressions and colors signal character traits to the audience, for example, yellow for evil, red for courage, blue for fierceness. Learn about this fascinating tradition with artist Gustavo Boada, and then create your own dramatic opera mask.

For ages 6 – 8.

12:30pm: Textiles

Wondrous Wall Hangings

Chinese textile art using block printing is a centuries-old handicraft involving carving intricate designs into woodblocks, which are then inked and pressed onto fabric. These designs frequently feature motifs in nature such as plants, animals and vines, and the process was important for creating rich, decorative textiles for clothing and home decor. Study some stunning examples of this time-honored folk art with artist Tara Fahey. Then create your own elegant fabric designs, using paint and stamps made from reuse materials.

2:15pm: Culture & Folk Arts

Chinese Traditions & Holidays

China has many colorful celebrations, each with their own vibrant traditions. Join Artist Joseph Lin to learn about time-honored customs such as the exchange of red envelopes full of money for Chinese New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival races, and eating moon cakes in mid-autumn. Along the way, you’ll learn some Chinese phrases and create some paper handcrafts associated with these holidays.

For ages 6 – 8.