Kansas City, MO. Jan 28, 2015–The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City celebrates Chinese New Year on Sunday, Jan. 31 from 1–4 p.m. with festivities and family fun throughout the museum. The popular event, which is now in its 19th year, features many hands-on activities, music, performances and food. This is the Year of the Monkey, an intelligent, witty and inventive animal. In the Chinese culture, monkeys are seen as problem solvers who are nimble and playful.
PERFORMANCES & PRESENTATIONS:
Chinese Yo-Yo Demonstration
The Chinese School of Greater Kansas City performs high energy tricks.
10:30-10:40 a.m., 11:30-11:40 a.m. & 12:15-12:25 p.m.
Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Lion Dance Performance
Shaolin Lohan Pai Dance Troupe of St. Louis, one of the top ten lion dance teams in the nation!
11-11: 15 a.m. & 12:40-12:55* p.m.
*Welcoming Remarks followed by a lion dance.
Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Jasmine Chinese Dance Group Performance
Dancers of all ages with elaborate costumes, fans and Chinese lanterns will delight and entertain!
11-11:40 a.m.
Atkins Auditorium, Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Origami Demonstration
Enjoy demonstrations by teachers from the Kansas City Institute of Chinese Language and Culture of origami and view a few examples.
11-11:15 a.m., 12-12:15, 1-1:15 & 2-2:15 p.m.
Noguchi Court, Lobby Level, Bloch Building
Tai Chi Demonstration
Discover the ancient martial art of Tai Chi with Master Chen Huixian.
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Bloch Lobby, Lobby Level, Bloch Building
Fabulous Chinese Acrobats Performance
Amazing acrobatics and feats of balance and strength!
12:30-1:10, 2-2:40 & 3:30-4:10 p.m.
Atkins Auditorium, Lobby Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Chinese Drums Performance
An entertaining and upbeat Chinese drum and lion dance performance by The Drum Roller & The Chinese School of Greater Kansas City!
1-1:30, 2-2:30 & 3-3:30 p.m.
Bloch Lobby, Lobby Level, Bloch Building
Chinese Music Ensemble Performance
Authentic Chinese instruments enhance the harmonies of this popular local group.
1-2 p.m. & 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Noguchi Court, Lobby Level, Bloch Building
Lily Zhang Li Taylor Dance Academy Performance
Beautiful Chinese dance performances by students from the Lily Zhang Li Taylor Dance Academy.
1:15-3 p.m.
Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Traditional Chinese Music
Traditional Chinese Music
Enjoy listening to traditional Chinese music played on the Guzheng by William You and Wen-Hua You.
1:30-3 p.m.
Chinese Art Gallery #229, Level Two, Nelson-Atkins Building
Reading Event
Hear stories about the Chinese zodiac and Hear stories about the Chinese zodiac and learn the different characteristics of each animal sign!
2-2:25, 2:30-2:55, 3-3:25 & 3:30-3:55p.m.
Spencer Art Reference Library, Level Two of Bloch Building
LeYue Arts Ensemble
Enjoy a choral performance of traditional and folk Chinese music.
3:15-3:45 p.m.
Kirkwood Hall, Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
ONGOING ACTIVITIES:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except where noted)
Chinese Art
Chinese Galleries, Level Two, Nelson-Atkins Building
- Enjoy the free exhibition in Gallery #222 Flowers to Frost: Four Seasons in East Asian Art on view through July 17, 2016.
- Experience the Chinese painting demonstration with Valda Hsu in Gallery #221. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
- Were you born in the Year of the Monkey? Find out in Gallery #221! Begin your zodiac animal hunt in Chinese Art Gallery #224 with the help of museum guides.
- Enjoy calligraphy demonstrations by members of the Chinese School of Greater Kansas City and pick up a bookmark in Gallery #224
- View a Chinese Game demonstration in Gallery #202.
Photo Spot
Pose for photos with members of the Kansas City Institute of Chinese Language and Culture and the Chinese School of Greater Kansas City or while “riding” the traditional Chinese rickshaw.
Plaza Level, Bloch Building
Chinese Games
Learn to play Wei Qi and Chinese Checkers with help from volunteers from the Kansas City Institute of Chinese Language and Culture and the Chinese School of Greater Kansas City
Rockhill Room, Level Two, Bloch Building
Chinese Tea Demonstration and Tasting, Courtesy of Shang Tea
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Noguchi Court, Lobby Level, Bloch Building
Art Activities
Decorate a bookmark or try a custom Year of the Monkey temporary tattoo with the help of museum staff and volunteers.
Lens 2, Level Two, Bloch Building
CHINESE FOOD:
Rozzelle Court Restaurant
Enjoy delicious Asian-inspired cuisine and festive ambience.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Plaza Level, Nelson-Atkins Building
Bloch Lobby
Purchase Chinese selections. Full bar plus plum wine.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (while supplies last)
Bloch Lobby, Lobby Level
Bo Ling’s Fine Chinese Cuisine
Bo Ling’s staff offers specialty food selections for purchase.
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (while supplies last)
Bloch Lobby, Plaza Level
Photo credit: Lauren Frisch
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
The Nelson-Atkins in Kansas City is recognized nationally and internationally as one of America’s finest art museums. The Nelson-Atkins serves the community by providing access and insight into its renowned collection of more than 35,000 art objects and is best known for its Asian art, European and American paintings, photography, modern sculpture, and new American Indian and Egyptian galleries. Housing a major art research library and the Ford Learning Center, the Museum is a key educational resource for the region. The institution-wide transformation of the Nelson-Atkins has included the 165,000-square-foot Bloch Building expansion and renovation of the original 1933 Nelson-Atkins Building.
The Nelson-Atkins is located at 45th and Oak Streets, Kansas City, MO. Hours are Wednesday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday/Friday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission to the museum is free to everyone. For museum information, phone 816.751.1ART (1278) or visit nelson-atkins.org/.
For media interested in receiving further information, please contact:
Kathleen Leighton, Manager, Media Relations and Video Production
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
816.751.1321