The St. Louis Public Library’s Diversity Committee offers fun programming for Asian New Year as we celebrate The Year of the Tiger. All programs are FREE and open to the public.

During the Qing Dynasty, the Chinese believed that the lion scared away evil spirits. The Lion Dance is one of the highlights of the Asian New Year celebration. The Shaolin Lohan School of Kung Fu and the St. Louis Modern Chinese School perform traditional Chinese lion dances with tricks and leg speed. Their interactive lion dances provide the audience with an interesting view of “Asian Culture.”

In Asian countries families have tea ceremonies and practice calligraphy to entertain their friends during their visits. Ms. Sheow-Hwey Chang (Ms. Showay) from The Friends of Taiwan demonstrates Chinese calligraphy and tea ceremonies. Families will have a chance to taste some of the finest tea from China and learn to write a phrase in Chinese.

Children will also make a fortune telling origami dragon or a Chinese New Year lantern.

Here is the schedule of activities:

Tuesday, January 19

4:30-5:30 p.m.

Carondelet Branch

6800 Michigan Ave.

(314) 752-9224

Children make a Chinese New Year lantern.

Families.

Thursday, January 21

4-5 p.m.

Barr Branch

1701 S. Jefferson Ave.

(314) 771-7040

Children make a Chinese New Year lantern.

Families.

Thursday, January 21

6-8 p.m.

Carpenter Branch

3309 S. Grand Blvd.

(314) 772-6586

Shaolin Lohan School of Kung Fu performs a lion dance. Ms. Showay demonstrates Chinese calligraphy. Children make a Chinese New Year lantern.

Families.

Saturday, January 23

3:30-5:30 p.m.

Schlafly Branch

225 N. Euclid Ave.

(314) 367-4120

The St. Louis Modern Chinese School performs a lion dance and a martial arts demonstration. Ms. Showay demonstrates the tea ceremony. Children make a fortune telling origami dragon.

Families.

Tuesday, January 26

6-7 p.m.

Buder Branch

4401 Hampton Ave.

(314) 352-2900

Children make a Chinese New Year lantern.

Families.

Tuesday, January 26

4-5 p.m.

Machacek Branch

6424 Scanlan Ave.

(314) 781-2948

Children make a Chinese New Year lantern.

Saturday, January 30

2-3 p.m.

Kingshighway Branch

2260 S. Vandeventer Ave.

(314) 771-5450

Children make a Chinese New Year lantern.

Families.

Registration is recommended for all programs. Call appropriate Branch to register.

For more information, call 206-6779.

#     #     #

12/17/2009