Hop Over to These Lunar New Year Celebrations

by Allison SutcliffeJanuary 5, 2023

Let’s just say these family-friendly Lunar New Year events are really hoppin’

2023 ushers out the year of the Tiger and introduces the year of the Rabbit, the luckiest of all 12 of the Chinese zodiac animals. While we hope plenty of luck finds you and your family this year, we can at least point you in the right direction for ways to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with the kids around Portland. Whether you’re looking for traditional events and activities that include lion dances, red envelopes, and lanterns lighting up the sky, or you think a little extra (we’re talking balloon animals and face painting) would entice your kids to get out and celebrate, we’ve got the scoop on happenings you won’t want to miss. Our tip? Make your plans now, as many of these popular festivals require tickets and they go quickly.

1. Celebrate Chinese New Year at Lan Su Chinese Garden

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Daytime Lunar New Year events

While some celebrations of the Lunar New Year only last a day, the Lan Su Chinese Garden celebrates the Chinese New Year for two whole weeks. That's more than enough time to wrangle the kids into their winter gear and step out for the Pacific Northwest's largest Lunar New Year celebration. Festive decorations, tours, crafts, and performances are just a taste of what you'll experience if you visit during the daytime hours. Kids can have a bunny meet-cute, see Chinese lion dances and martial arts demonstrations, even learn calligraphy if they're game. Storytimes, food, and musical performances are all part of the celebration too. Remember to get your tickets in advance for this popular celebration.

Good to Know: The Lunar New Year Opening Lion Dance, featuring Portland Lee's Association Dragon & Lion Dance Team, is free and open to the public. It kicks off the two-week long celebration on January 21, from 9:30-10 a.m.

Dates: Jan. 21-Feb. 5, 2023
Cost: $14/person; $11/kid (6-18); Free, kids 5 & under

Lunar New Year Evening Lantern Viewings

If you really want to zhuzh up your Lunar New Year, bring the fam to see the glowing lanterns at Lan Su Chinese Garden in the evenings. It's an area favorite for a reason. Glowing lanterns surround you while large lighted lanterns float on the pond nearby. An illuminated dragon procession will keep the kids entertained, as will a Chinese chopstick challenge you can try as a family. End your evening with a warm cup of tea and snacks in the Garden Teahouse. The evening viewings run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on select nights, and tickets are a must.

Dates: Jan. 26-29 and Feb. 2-5, 2023
Cost: $45/person; $15/kid (3-11); Free, kids 2 & under

239 N.W. Everett St.
Portland
Online: lansugarden.org

a dragon outside at a lunar chinese new year portland event — Donny Hayardi via unsplash

2. Oregon 2023 Lunar New Year Celebration

What gets your kids excited? Live performances? Crafts? Magic? Come celebrate the Lunar New Year at Keller Auditorium, as it has all three and then some. Chinese Friendship Association of Portland (CFAP), the local non-profit hosting this year's Lunar New Year's celebration, is bringing in all kinds of talent to showcase. Performances range from an astounding magic show by Golden Wand Winner Eric Qiu to routines from international rhythm gymnast champs. Kids can dig in to the various activities at the arts & crafts workshops and even try their hand at calligraphy. Prepare to be awed by this year's events celebrating the Year of the Rabbit. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for arts & crafts, and performances begin at 7 p.m.

Date: Feb. 4, 2023
Cost: $25-$115

Keller Auditorium
222 S.W. Clay St.
Portland
Online: portland5.com

3. Enjoy Chinese Storytime

Read books, sings songs, and recite nursery rhymes at this virtual Chinese storytime hosted by the Multnomah County Library. Best for kids six and under, it'll be an engaging time and a special way to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit from home. Please register to receive the Zoom link.

Date: Jan. 22, 2023

Online: multcolib.org/events

4. Lunar New Year Celebration in Milwaukie

Say goodbye to the past year and welcome prosperity in the Year of the Rabbit at the Milwaukie Community Center. Lots of learning will take place at this celebration that includes dances, crafts, activities, and music. Light refreshments and exciting lion and drum dances will keep the kids engaged at this free, and very family-friendly event.

Date: Jan. 22, 2023

Milwaukie Community Center
5440 S.E. Kellogg Creek Dr.
Milwaukie, OR
Online: ncprd.com

a lion puppet hangs from the ceiling during a lunar chinese new year event in portland — Sandy Millar via unsplash

5. 2023 Chinese New Year Cultural Fair

Welcome the year of the Rabbit at this family-friendly Lunar New Year celebration held at the Oregon Convention Center. Expect plenty of traditional Chinese New Year activities like lion dances, folk dances, calligraphy, and martial arts demonstrations. There will be children's activities and games to be played as well. Tickets are on sale for this event now.

Date: Jan. 21, 2023
Cost: $8/person; Free, kids 3 & under

Oregon Convention Center
777 N.E. MLK Jr. Blvd.
Portland
Online: oregoncc.org

6. Make Lunar New Year Postcards & Origami

If you're up for an adventure, head north to the Hands On Children's Museum in Olympia. Always a hot destination for toddlers and their grown-ups, it's even more so on the Chinese New Year when kids can make rabbit origami and write postcards to friends and family, wishing them luck in the year ahead. These activities are included with museum admission or membership.

Date: Jan. 22, 2023

Hands On Children's Museum
414 Jefferson St. N.E.
Olympia, WA
Online: hocm.org

a red lion dances with a masked person in the background during a lunar new year seattle celebration — Mick Haupt via unsplash

7. Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade & Celebration

Experience a dragon dance and parade when you celebrate the Lunar New Year with the Portland Chinese Museum and the Oregon Historical Society. The parade starts at N.W. 3rd and Davis Street and proceeds around Old Town, Downtown, and Oregon Historical Society Park Plaza as dancers weave in and out along the 1.4-mile route. Lion dancers and other performers kick things off around 10 a.m. before the dragon heads out for the trip.

Date: Jan. 28, 2023

Portland Chinatown Museum
127 N.W. Third Ave.
Portland
Online: portlandchinatownmuseum.org

8. Lunar New Year Celebration

Make a wish on a red ribbon and snap a few selfies at Washington Square Mall to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. Families can also crafts, stories, and dances in the center court from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as part of day's activities.

Date: Jan. 28, 2023

Washington Square
9585 S.W. Washington Square Rd.
Portland
Online: shopwashingtonsquare.com

9. Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Mac Market

You won't want to miss this free community event that has all the usual Lunar New Year celebration activities like lion dances, calligraphy demonstrations, and martial arts performances. But this gathering, hosted by local Asian American residents in partnership with Mac Market and Unidos Bridging Community includes balloon animals (our money's on the rabbit), face painting, and storytimes too. It's the perfect mix of traditional elements and a little something extra that'll get your kids excited for the day.

Date: Jan. 21, 2023

1140 N.E. Alpine Ave.
McMinnville, OR
Online: eventbrite.com

A Guide to the DMV’s Best Homeschooling Workshops & Classes

by Angelica KajiwaraApril 4, 2022

Homeschool classes are a great way to connect with other students and families. The DMV offers everything from schoolyear-round nature-based classes to an hour full of arts and crafts. So give your students the gift of a group learning experience, and give yourself a little time away to recharge. Keep reading to find out what spring classes are coming up.

Nature-based Learning

The Homeschool Naturalist Program not only offers a fully immersive outdoor educational experience; it provides an opportunity to connect with nature and learn about the essential elements of survival - shelter, water, fire and food. In addition, this program strives to create natural leaders through nature observation, awareness, and ancestral skills. Each activity included in this drop-off program is age-appropriate and 100% nature-based.

Online: ancestralknowledge.org

Social Justice Education

Prepare your children for a future of advocacy and alliance with the City Kids program. The focus on anti-racist, anti-bias, and social justice curriculum helps every child that attends feel good about themselves and those around them. In addition, the inclusive community welcomes families of all cultures, beliefs, traditions, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Online: citykidsscoop.com

Go Back in Time

Travel back in time on a Homeschool History Day at Dumbarton House. This spring, it's time for Bygone Games. Your students will scavenger hunt their way through the museum and learn about the lives of children in days gone by. They'll enjoy playing period games and have the opportunity to make and take home their own toy.

Where: Dumbarton House, 2715 Q Street NW
When: April 20, 2022
Cost: $7.00
Online: dubartonhouse.org

Group Learning Experience

parents in business like Pinwheel — iStock

Partner with subject-matter experts who teach multiple levels of engaging, experiential classes in science, technology, math, English, foreign languages, history, art, acting, music, fitness, and more. Give your kids the opportunity to experience group learning in a classroom setting filled with their homeschooled peers. All families are welcome to join this inclusive, secular program.

Where: Compass Homeschool Classes, Van Buren Office Park, 520 Herndon Parkway, Herndon, VA
When: Classes are offered on a quarterly basis
Cost: $146-266/session
Online: compassclasses.com

Try a Learning Pod

Learning pods popped up throughout the pandemic, and they're here to stay. Little Linguists Arts Academy offers pods and homeschool students classes, so you won't need to leave home to learn a foreign language, yoga, music, art or PE. Their teachers will even meet you outside. Chat with them about a custom curriculum perfect for your crew.

Online: littlelinguistsarts.com

Celebrate Architecture Month

This spring, celebrate Architecture Month at Lee-Fendall House & Garden's Homeschool Day. Tours and activities will focus on eighteenth and nineteenth American architecture. Head outside to the backyard to play period games and get some fresh air.

Insider tip: There is a small parking lot at the front of the house and free street parking on Oronoco Street.

Where: Lee-Fendall House & Garden, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA
When: April 8
Cost: $5/students, $3/adults Adults: $3; Students: $5
Online: leefendallhouse.org

First in Flight

Your student will love learning about the Golden Era of aviation, from thrilling air races to record-breaking flights. Through STEAM activities, crafts and experiments, your kids will travel back to the 1920s and 30s and feel the excitement of those first flights.

Where: College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr., College Park, MD
When: April 19
Cost: $5/residents, $7/non-residents
Online: mncppc.org

Dig for Artifacts

If your kids don't mind a little weekend school fun, then the Young Archaeologist's Club is a perfect fit. Your children will love getting their hands dirty as they test out lots of archeological techniques with real archaeologists. In addition, they will learn how to dig for artifacts and fix ceramics.

Where: Creative Saints Loft, 4633 42nd Pl., Hyattsville, MD
When: Sundays April 24 - May 22, 2022
Cost: free
Online: archaeologyincommunity.com

Bust a Move: NYC Hip-Hop Dance Classes for Kids

by angela johnson-archerAugust 17, 2015

New York City is known around the world as the birthplace of hip-hop. From the Boogie-Down Bronx to Crooklyn, New York has dope beats coming out of every borough. But what used to be considered an underground culture born on the streets, is now majorly mainstream. Proof?: The city that reveres Biggie and the Beastie Boys as much as the Statue of Liberty is full of places where kids as young as four (!) can learn the freshest hip-hop dance moves. We’ve rounded up just a few of our favorites here; click through to ch-check it out.

photo: Hip-Hop 4 Kids at the Ailey Extension. Photo by Joe Epstein

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
The world-renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Theater offers Hip-Hop 4 Kids to little ones, ages 7-11. Get funky with experienced teachers who will guide your tiny dancers through basic hip-hop moves, focusing on alignment, technique and most importantly, fun.

Cost: $435; Sept 13, 2015 – Dec. 20, 2015

405 W. 55^th St.
212-405-9000
Midtown
Online: alvinailey.org

Brooklyn Arts Exchange
Kids ages 10-13 will learn all of the basics of hip-hop dance, including power moves, popping, freezing and crumping to the latest hip-hop and pop music at this Park Slope cultural center. Dancers will be encouraged to come up with their own funky dance sequences based on their knowledge of the basics. Tuition assistance is available.

Cost: $358, Sept. 30, 2015-Jan. 30, 2016
421 Fifth Ave.
718-832-0018
Park Slope
Online: bax.org

Mark Morris Dance Center
Brooklyn is holding its own as a cultural mecca. The Mark Morris Dance Group, located in Downtown Brooklyn, has helped put the borough on the map. Its Dance Center offers classes for young dancers ages 6 – 18, including Jazz/Hip-hop fusion and Breakdance Basics. Students learn hip-hop fundamentals as well as the elements of safety while performing.

Cost: $470; Sept. 16, 2015 – Jan. 1, 2016
3 Lafayette Ave.
718-624-8400
Fort Greene

Online: markmorrisdancegroup.org

photo: via Downtown Dance Factory Facebook page

Downtown Dance Factory
This TriBeCa studio was founded by two local moms who had a desire to offer fun and creative classes that would allow young people to express themselves through music. Kindihop, geared towards preschoolers ages 3-5, teaches the basics of jazz and hip-hop technique to the funkiest beats. Got a budding B-boy? Kindiboys teaches the fundamentals of b-boying including footwork to preschoolers. Once they’ve perfected their B-boy stance, DDF offers Jazz/Hip-hop fusion and Street Hip-hop classes for kids in grades K – 8.

Cost: $750; Sept. 16, 2015 – Feb. 1, 2016

291 Broadway, 5th Fl.
212-962-1800
Tribeca
Online: downtowndancefactory.com

American Youth Dance Theater
To say that hip-hop dance involves fast-paced, intricate steps is an understatement. Classes at this Upper East Side dance studio focus on helping kids ages 4 and up build the strength and endurance they need to keep up with the choreography. Experienced teachers work with students on learning hip-hop style and technique in a fun and creative way. Students have a chance to showcase their work at the school’s annual holiday and spring recitals.

Cost: $673; Sept 8, 2015 – Jan. 30, 2016

428 E. 75th St.
212-717-5419
Upper East Side
Online: americanyouthdancetheater.com

photo: JCC

JCC
Hip-hop is in high demand on the Upper West side the the JCC! Kids as young as four and as old as nine learn the basics, as well as strengthening exercises and choreography, while gaining coordination, body awareness, teamwork skills and more. A final show caps off every semester.

Cost: $550/members; $705/public; Sept 9, 2015-Jan. 13, 2016

334 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th St.
Upper West Side
646-505-4444
Online: jccmanhattan.org/programs

92nd Street Y
For over 100 years, the 92nd Street Y has given some of the best artists a platform to showcase their work. Today, students ages 6 and up can study hip-hop technique as they learn to create their own basic choreography. The budding B-boys and girls get to show off their best moves in a final performance showcase. Older dancers (ages 12-18) can audition for the Fresh Y Crew, a Jazz/Hip-Hop performing group.

Cost: Cost and dates vary by class; see website for details.

1395 Lexington Ave.
Upper East Side
212-415-5500
Online: 92y.org

photo: via Soul Arts Academy Facebook page

Soul Arts Academy
Old school is cool at Soul Arts Academy! This downtown studio prides itself on giving students a well-rounded dance education. Students ages 6-13 learn about the history of this creative form of dance, building a foundation of basic moves that they then transform into more complex series of steps.

Cost: $595; Sept. 16, 2015-Jan. 25, 2016

552 Broadway
212-254-0454
Manhattan
Online: soulartsacademy.com

photo: Lotus Creations

Lotus Creations
One of the goals of non-profit performing arts organization Lotus Creations is to offer affordable dance instruction to all who wish to learn. Drop-in youth hip-hop classes, for kids ages 7-11 are offered for $10 every Saturday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. If your kids gets really good, he or she could be invited to be part of the organization’s Traveling Lotus Youth Group which performs throughout the city.

Cost: $10/class with discounts for bulk lesson purchases; Sept. 19-Dec. 19

143 Waverly Ave.
Trilok Fusion Center for the Arts
Fort Greene
646-751-7705
Online: lotuswecreate.org

Queens Dance Project
Hip-hop pioneers LLCoolJ and Run DMC hail from Queens, so this borough takes the art form very seriously. Weekly classes are available for kids beginning at age 4, and give them an education in the fundamentals of hip-hop dance. Don’t be surprised if your kids ask you for a pair of Adidas and a Kangol hat when they’re done!

214-26 41^st Ave.
718-229-1133
Bayside
Online: queensdanceproject.com

Does your child take hip-hop in the city? Tell us where in the comments below!

—Angela Johnson-Archer

ML Interest Tag: arts-academy

Hop Over to These Lunar New Year Celebrations

Let’s just say these family-friendly Lunar New Year events are really hoppin’

1. Celebrate Chinese New Year at Lan Su Chinese Garden

2. Oregon 2023 Lunar New Year Celebration

3. Enjoy Chinese Storytime

4. Lunar New Year Celebration in Milwaukie

5. 2023 Chinese New Year Cultural Fair

6. Make Lunar New Year Postcards & Origami

7. Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade & Celebration

8. Lunar New Year Celebration

9. Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Mac Market

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Bust a Move: NYC Hip-Hop Dance Classes for Kids

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