Lunar New Year is the start of the year for a number of cultures across the globe that use lunisolar calendars. The Islamic calendar, the Jewish calendar, the Tibetan calendar, the Buddhist calendar and the Hindu calendar all have their own beginning of the new year as determined by the first, second or third new moon after the winter solstice. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is among the most widely celebrated of these end-of-winter festivals. Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20 and continues for 15 days until the traditional Lantern Festival.
This year’s Chinese New Year began on Jan. 29. According to the Chinese zodiac, it is now the Year of the Snake. Those born in the Year of the Snake are characterized as powerful, intelligent, mysterious and occasionally devious.
As always, the Albuquerque Chinese Culture Center is hosting a Lunar New Year Show to mark the holiday. This year’s event takes place at the Chinese Culture Center (427 Adams St. SE) on Saturday, Feb. 1 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The day includes tai chi, kung fu and bagua zhang martial arts demonstrations, food from the Umami Moto food truck and dragon and lion dances from the Albuquerque Chinese Folk Dance Ensemble.
The Lion Dance is particularly emblematic of Chinese New Year. Typically, two dancers dress in a lion costume and imitate a lion’s movements, which is intended to bring good luck and fortune. Audiences traditionally insert red envelopes filled with money into the lion’s mouth to “feed” it. This gesture ensures additional luck and is considered an entertaining way to donate to the dance troupe.
Albuquerque boasts two longstanding Lion Dance troupes, Quan Minh Lion Dance Team and Van Hanh Lion Dance. Both are headlining multiple events this Chinese New Year. If you want to get into the spirit of the holiday, drop by one of these events and see what it’s all about. And don’t forget your red envelope!
Quan Minh Lion Dance
Wednesday, Jan. 29
10 a.m. Moc Head Spa Grand Opening (10131 Coors Blvd. NW)
11 a.m. Talin Market (88 Louisiana Blvd. SE)
4 p.m. Princess Spa & Nails (9800 Montgomery Blvd.NE)
Thursday, Jan. 30
4 p.m. KV Nails & Spa (348 S. Camino Del Pueblo)
Friday, Jan. 31
6 p.m. Rose Garden (6541 Paradise Blvd. NW)
7 p.m. Tea Lab (3200 Coors Blvd. NW)
Saturday, Feb. 1
11 a.m. Ma’s Tea House (6510 Paradise Blvd. NW)
12 p.m. Sparkle Nails (1406 Eubank Blvd. NE)
12:30 p.m. Ming Dynasty (1551 Eubank Blvd. NE)
1:30 p.m. Viet Taste (4721 Menaul Blvd. NE)
6 p.m. Rose Garden (10401 Golf Course Rd. NW)
Sunday, Feb. 2
10:30 a.m. Quang Minh Buddhist Temple (420 Pennsylvania St. SE)
2 p.m. Windmill Tea House (11200 Montgomery Blvd. NE)
3 p.m. Ma’s Tea House (3575 NM-528)
5 p.m. Red Chili House 5 (8201 Gold Course Rd. NW)
Van Hanh Lion Dance
Wednesday, Jan. 29
9:30 a.m. Artist Nails (417 Tramway Blvd. NE)
10:30 a.m. LV Nails & Spa (2515 Fourth St. NW)
11:30 a.m Coda Bakery (201 San Pedro Dr. SE)
1 p.m. Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum (1701 Mountain Rd. NW)
3 p.m. P.F. Chang’s (4440 The 25 Way)
5 p.m. The Block (7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE)
7 p.m. Sandia Resort & Casino (30 Rainbow Rd.)
Friday, Jan. 31
5 p.m. P.F. Chang’s (4440 The 25 Way)
6:30 p.m. Naka Sushi (1035 Juan Tabo Blvd. NE)
Saturday, Feb. 1
11 a.m. Tasty Pot (8050 Academy Rd. NE)
1 p.m. Edna Ferguson Public Library (3700 San Mateo Blvd. NE)
2 p.m. Taste Tea (300 Menaul Blvd. NW)
Sunday, Feb. 2
12 p.m. Ming Dynasty (1551 Eubank Blvd. NE)
1 p.m. Meet Crab (6300 San Mateo Blvd. NE)
2 p.m. IT DIMSUM (7900 Carmel Ave. NE)