All of the Lunar New Year Festivities at the Kennedy Center and REACH
From January 22–February 2, 2020, the Kennedy Center presents its fifth annual Lunar New Year Celebration, honoring the traditional holiday that is observed in countries and territories around the world.
This coming year’s festivities include the debut of a Winter Lanterns display in the recently-opened REACH campus, a ticketed concert by the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra in the Concert Hall, the ever-popular KC Chinese New Year Family Day followed by a Beijing Bamboo Orchestra performance on the Millennium Stage, and 2 weeks of special evening programs—REACH Winter Lanterns PLUS, celebrating Chinese and Korean arts and culture.
The 2020 Lunar New Year Celebration kicks off with a one-of-a-kind concert by the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra. Showcasing instruments that are endemic to its culture, the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra is widely recognized as the first modern orchestra of traditional instruments in China. For the January 22 program, the ensemble presents a varied repertoire of works written by current Chinese composers that prominently feature Chinese instruments in solos.
Later, the Beijing Bamboo Orchestra, known as China’s only “green orchestra,” performs with more than 30 types of instruments made entirely from bamboo!
REACH Winter Lanterns is a display of approximately 100 Winter Lanterns that are made up of 10,000 colored LED lights and crafted by Chinese artisans. These Winter Lanterns will adorn outdoor spaces in The REACH, offering a whimsical experience that is enhanced by art, food trucks, and more. The display includes a four-piece installation of the Chinese “Four Symbols”—Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise—which represent a direction and a season in Chinese mythology. In addition, other installations include the 12 Zodiac Signs, Panda Grove, Mushroom Garden, Floral Garden, Jelly Fish corner, and Water Lilies displays.
REACH Winter Lanterns PLUS adds excitement and entertainment to the evenings. Activities vary daily, but include such fun as demonstrations by Chinese artists of Beijing Opera make up, sugar painting, and calligraphy, as well as special performances, like magicians!
The full schedule of events:
Shanghai Chinese Orchestra
Muhai Tang, conductor
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
8 p.m.
Kennedy Center Concert Hall
Tickets $15–$59
Immediately following the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra Concert, the REACH Winter Lanterns kick off will take place at the outdoor campus of The REACH.
REACH Winter Lanterns
Presented in Collaboration with NEWYORKEE—New York Events & Entertainment
January 22–February 2, 2020
The REACH
FREE
REACH Winter Lanterns PLUS: China
Supported by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Shenzhen, and the Municipal Government of Guangdong Province of China.
January 23, 2020 5:30–10 p.m.
January 24, 2020 5:30–10:30 p.m.
January 25, 2020 5:30–10:30 p.m.
January 26, 2020 4–9:30 p.m.
The REACH
FREE
REACH Winter Lanterns PLUS: Korea
Supported by Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Cultural Center in Washington D.C.
January 30, 2020 5:30–10 p.m.
January 31, 2020 5:30–10:30 p.m.
February 1, 2020 5:30–10:30 p.m.
February 2, 2020 4–9:30 p.m.
The REACH
FREE
KC Chinese New Year Family Day
January 25, 2020
1:30–4:30 p.m.
The REACH
FREE
Beijing Bamboo Orchestra
Saturday, January 25, 2020
6 p.m.
Millennium Stage
FREE
