Abrons Center Lights Up to Celebrate the Lunar New Year
By Henry Street Settlement
Decorations of shiny red and gold shed a warm glow over the Year of Abundance celebration of the Lunar New Year at Abrons Arts Center on Saturday, February 16, 2019.
The center welcomed the Year of the Pig in a glittery, joyous partnership with the Wing on Wo W.O.W Project and Yellow Jackets Collective, which presented performances and led art-making all afternoon and into the evening.
Children gathered at tables to make traditional watercolor paintings, pen and ink drawings, astrological “double coin” knots, and—yes—sparkling slime.
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At one table, adults and children wrote their affirmations for the coming year on red cards, preparing to put them under their pillows to seal their wishes for the coming year.
Meanwhile, everyone loaded up on savory dumplings from Nom Wah Tea Parlor and East Wind Snack Shop, with refreshments donated by Trader Joe’s.
Throughout the event, neighbors of all ages posed for photos behind a bright backdrop designed by the Yellow Jackets Collective and were captivated by performances by the inclusive, experimental W.O.W. project. Operated by Chinatown’s longest-standing family-owned business, Wing on Wo, the group’s mission is to protect and preserve the neighborhood’s culture through the arts. Nicole Kim of Yellow Jackets Collective—an organization celebrating queer Asian culture—was the DJ for the event.
Above: Michelle Ling and Nicole Kim of Yellow Jackets Collective
