by Mark Demming
Say goodbye to the Year of the Snake and celebrate the Year of the Horse at the Crow Collection’s signature Chinese New Year festival. With a crowd expected to surpass last year’s record-breaking 10,000 guests, this horse-themed extravaganza expands the festival’s footprint across Flora with an elevated stage area featuring must-see performances every half hour, expanded food and beverage offerings including food trucks down Harwood Street, and over a dozen specialty booths featuring art activities, delightful surprises such as a fortune-telling Truth Booth, and live miniature horses.
Plus, for the first time, an exclusive indoor VIP hospitality lounge will be accessible for Friends of the Crow Collection. If you are already a member, you may RSVP at rsvp@crowcollection.org to secure easy access for the dragon dance, fireworks, and more. The event is Saturday, Feb 1 10am to 6pm at Crow Collection of Asian Art 2010 Flora St., Dallas Check the full schedule of exciting events below.
10:30–11 am | JK Wong Academy: Four-Lion Dance -The four-member Lion and Dragon Dances demonstrated here are meant to bring good luck and fortune for the new year with their stylistic movements and rich symbolism, and this exciting performance is sure to bring joy to all.
11:15–11:45 am | Dallas Asian American Youth Orchestra – From traditional Western classical music to the music of Eastern Asia, The DAAYO creates a special blend of musical styles. They will present Philip Glass String Quartet No. 3 “Mishima” movements: V. Blood Oath and VI. Closing, led by James Song.
11:50 am–12:15 pm | Jiaping Shi Dance School – Incorporating classical Chinese music as well as exquisite costumes and clothing, the Jiaping Shi Dance School beautifully depicts the grace and charm of traditional Chinese dance.
12:15–12:30 pm | Cowboy and Cowgirl Costume Contest – Show off your best cowgirl and cowboy costume. A prize will be awarded to the “best dressed” cowboy and cowgirl.
12:30–1 pm | Jasmines Chinese Dance Troupe – Founded January 2008 in Plano, this group of experienced dancers specializes in Chinese classical and folk dance, as well as traditional Chinese fashion shows.
1–1:30 pm | Intermission – Executive Director of the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Amy Hofland, will welcome Girl Scout Troop 3352, made up entirely of girls adopted from China who live across the DFW Metroplex.
1:45–2:45 pm | Betty Soo – From soulful and reflective to humorous and witty, Betty Soo’s songs engage with and navigate the various dimensions of our human condition from a unique and personal point of view.
3–3:30 pm | Orizon – With their motto of “Many Cultures, One Style.” Orizon stays true to their words in an eclectic range of dance and music that clearly reflects the multifaceted natures and diverse influences their members bring.
3:30–3:45 pm | Cowboy and Cowgirl Costume Contest – Show off your best cowgirl and cowboy costume. A prize will be awarded to the “best dressed” cowboy and cowgirl.
4–5 pm | Rodney Parker and 50 Peso Reward – Labeled rock by some and alternative-country by others, they are a distinctive blend of the two with a particularly Texan accent. It is precisely this amalgam of sounds and styles that gives the group such broad appeal to so many.
5:15–6:15 pm | JK Wong Academy: Nine-Lion Dance and Kung Fu Show – An amazing Kung Fu performance followed by a nine-person Lion Dance.
6:15 pm | Fireworks by Star S Productions SFX – FINALE: Fireworks and a lighted horse syncopated with music: Symphony 1997 – Jubilation by Tan Dun.
