Photo by Mike Watt
Gung hay fat choy! Happy lunar new year! Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Tiger. We miss the annual Golden Dragon Parade in Chinatown, which is canceled again this year due to the pandemic surge. Don’t fret–there are still lots of other ways to welcome the Year of the Tiger.
Santa Monica Place at 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica is commemorating the Lunar New Year for the entire week, starting today, February 1st. The Center Plaza is all decked out with red and gold lanterns, and visitors are invited to hang their wishes on cherry blossom wishing trees. Traditionally, money is given in red envelopes at this time of year. Santa Monica Place merchants will offer red envelopes with special offers and discounts at the local shops and restaurants.
February 4, 2022 “The Gourmandise School will offer a Date Night: Lunar New Year Celebration class where Chef Katie Chin will teach participants how to make a tiger lily martini, chicken potstickers symbolizing prosperity, long life veggie noodles symbolizing longevity, a whole steamed fish symbolizing abundance and banana spring rolls with caramel sauce symbolizing prosperity.” Get 15% off with a red envelope.
February 10, 2022: “A 90-minute virtual Lunar New Year celebration with Chef Chin will take place on February 10.” Register here.
The 44th Annual L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run is going virtual with their 5/10K Run/Walk, Kiddie Run, PAW’er Dog Walk & 20/40Mi Bike Ride. The Lunar New Year events were originally scheduled to take place in person and virtually over the weekend of February 19-20, 2022. The Firecracker Run will now take place only virtually, with participation from now through February 27, 2022. “Participants will be able to complete their event(s) by downloading and activating the RaceJoy app on their mobile device. The app will track the participants’ events as they run/walk/ride and record their results. The RaceJoy app provides live GPS progress alerts, tracking, Send-a-Cheer (where participants may receive supportive audio cheers from remote friends and family) and virtual results. Participants may also submit their results manually on the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker registration site. Each registered participant receives a commemorative 2022 Firecracker race bib, exclusive-collectible finisher’s medal, limited edition t-shirt and goody bag.” $32 – $89. Find more information here.
February 5 and 6, 2022 The Huntington Library will welcome the Year of the Tiger at The Huntington’s Chinese New Year Festival from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.. The festivities will include a mask-changing artist, martial arts demonstrations, Taiko drums, Chinese opera, art and craft demonstrations, and my personal favorite–lion dancers. The festival will take place in and around the Chinese Garden and other performance spaces. We highly recommend the the Huntington’s Chinese food served in various cafes and restaurants, but there will also be food trucks, including Dina’s Dumplings, Boone Gallery Circle Trapiyaki,
The Tropic Truck, and the Salt N’ Pepper Truck. The price of admission includes all festival activities. Reservations are required.
On February 5, 2022, the LA-based, AAPI-owned e-commerce shop Cơmbap Mart will be hosting a pop-up at Blossom Market Hall in San Gabriel. The company teamed up with Brooklyn artist Lanny Hoang and LA-based candle company Sạch to collaborate on a Year of the Tiger tote bag and a special custom candle set, The shop will also showcase other AAPI-made products. The curated selection of products includes Apricot LA napkins, Red Boat products, and Qi teas. Cơmbap Mart’s website.
On Saturday, February 12, at 11 a.m., The Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles is presenting a special 30-minute virtual program, Through the Eyes of the Dragon, The animated 3-part program illustrates the past, present and future of Chinese history and culture in Los Angeles, the Chinese zodiac signs; and teaches the customs and traditions of the Year of the Tiger. Past Golden Dragon Parade footage will also be shown. Watch on Facebook.
