Chinese New Year Gala to be held on campus

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—China's food, arts and culture will take center stage during a festive, traditional Chinese New Year celebration this month at Western Michigan University.

The Chinese New Year Gala, for which registration is full, will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Wesley Foundation. The event is being hosted by the Confucius Institute at WMU. It was free of charge to members of the public who registered before all seats were filled.

The gala features Chinese dumplings, sesame balls and other traditional foods, dance performances by the Han and Yi ethnic groups, tai chi demonstrations, a fashion show representing several of the country's ethnicities, Chinese folk songs, and more.

Between the cultural performances, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in Chinese games and win prizes.

The date for the Chinese New Year fluctuates based on the lunar calendar and each year is marked by one of 12  animals. In 2015, Chinese New Year's Day falls on Feb. 18, which marks the beginning of the Year of the Goat.

For more information about the Chinese New Year Gala, visit the Confucius Institute at WMU website at wmuconfucius.org. Direct questions to Baoqing Qian at baoqing.qian@wmich.edu or call (269) 387-3951.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.