By Mandy Derfler
aderfler@student.alamo.edu
The San Antonio Chinese Orchestra and Chinese Culture Performance Association of San Antonio will ring in the Chinese New Year with a performance 11 a.m.-noon Monday in the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center.
Carrie Hernandez, senior student success specialist, is looking forward to the costumes.
“It’s just really colorful,” she said. “Their costuming is really nice.”
In the past, the event has also included traditional Chinese calligraphy, a tea ceremony and martial arts presentations.
Hernandez said she reached out to international students to participate but hasn’t received a response.
“Part of making it a real success is student engagement,” she said.
Hernandez said she will help students showcase a part of Chinese culture.
According to the Chinese zodiac, this is the year of the monkey. The order of each animal pairing with a year unfolds in folklore.
In Chinese mythology, stories are told of a Great Race held by the Jade Emperor in which animals were challenged to swim across a river to earn a place in the zodiac, according to topmarks.co.uk.
The monkey rode across the river on a raft with the goat and the rooster. The emperor was happy the three worked together and awarded them the eighth, ninth and tenth years.
Hernandez, a rabbit, will decorate the Fiesta Room with lanterns matching this year’s colors of red and gold.
“It’s really nice just to watch, being able to come out and enjoy their dancing and colorful outfits,” she said.
For more information or to schedule a performance, call Hernandez at 210-486-0125 or email chernandez@alamo.edu.
The Institute of Texan Cultures will celebrate the 29th annual Asian Festival 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 13 at 801 Cesar Chavez Blvd.
Admission is $8 for advance purchases for adults or $10 at the gate; $5 for children 6-12; and free for children 5 and under. Groups of 10 or more can purchase advance tickets for $6 each.
For more information, call 210-458-2216.