Rockville rings in the Year of the Rabbit this month with performances and interactive displays, at the city’s Lunar New Year celebration. The annual celebration, organized by the city in partnership with Rockville’s Asian Pacific American Task Force, will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at Thomas S. Wootton High School, 2100 Wootton Parkway. Admission is free.
Multicultural performances will be from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Confirmed performers include kung fu by US Chinese Wushu Institute, drumming by Peace Mission Korean Dance Group, a piano selection by Seasharp Music Studio, opera by DC Beauty of Beijing Opera Ltd., and dance performances by dance by Xiaorong Dance Arts, Natananjali School of Dance, and Fairfax County Dance Troupe.
A to-go activity for kids and to-go bento boxes will be available while supplies last. This will be the 12th edition the city’s Lunar New Year celebration, which is a source of pride for the city and an educational opportunity for neighbors to learn about Asian culture.
The celebration will mark 4721, the Year of the Rabbit, on the Chinese zodiac calendar. One in three Rockville residents was born outside the United States and 54 percent of the city’s foreign-born population was born in Asia, according to the city’s planning department.
Want to experience Asian culture but can’t make it to the Lunar New Year celebration? Rockville Sister Cities Corporation, in partnership with WQER-LP 96.7 FM Radio and the Chinese Culture Institute, holds its annual Lantern Festival from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11 at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre and Social Hall at Rockville Civic Center Park, 603 Edmonston Drive. The family-friendly event is free to attend and features cultural performances and displays and ethnic cuisine.
For more information, contact Rockville Sister Cities Corporation at 240-314-5029 or RockvilleSisterCities@gmail.com, or visit RockvilleSisterCities.org.