Red lanterns hanging from ceilings, colorful dragons dancing to loud music and the aroma of authentic Chinese dishes filling the air — these are some signs that mark the arrival of Chinese New Year in Asia. Missouri State University will celebrate the festival with a variety of food, musical performances and cultural presentations.

“Like Christmas in the West, Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays that is celebrated not only in China, but also in other east and southeast Asian countries,” said Dr. Weirong Schaefer, senior instructor of modern and classical languages. “This annual event enhances the awareness of Asian culture on campus and in the Springfield community.”

Signature event

The celebration, coordinated by both the office of China programs and department of modern and classical languages, kicks off Jan. 28 with the Chinese New Year Banquet and Show organized by MSU’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA).

Dinner is at 5:30 p.m. in the Plaster Student Union Ballroom, followed by the show at 7 p.m. in the Plaster Student Union Theater. Tickets are $15 for adults (13 and over) and $8 for children (3-12), and can be purchased from the second floor of Plaster Student Union or Carrington Hall, Room 210.

Food, music, art and more

All other events for Chinese New Year Celebration Week 2017 are free and open to the public, and will be held in Siceluff Hall, Room 124. They include:

Feb. 1

9:30-10 a.m. – Chinese song performance by MSU students from two Chinese language courses

10-11 a.m. – Traditional dance demonstration by MSU Traditional Chinese Dance Club

11:15 a.m.-12:05 p.m. – Chinese New Year presentation from students of “Asian Cultural Studies”

12:30-2 p.m. – Chinese tea workshop and tasting featuring Pu-erh tea by Sean Gong, China programs specialist for the College of Business

2-3 p.m. – Chinese paper cutting workshop by CSSA members

3-4 p.m. – Chinese calligraphy workshop by Dr. Xin Miao, associate professor of geography, geology and planning

Feb. 2

10:30-11 a.m. – Taiji demonstration by Gong

11-11:30 a.m. – Taiji fan dance and dragon and lion dance by MSU International Leadership and Training Center (ILTC)

11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – Traditional Chinese instrument demonstration by Dr. John Prescott, professor of music, and CSSA members

12-1 p.m. – Traditional dance demonstration by MSU Traditional Chinese Dance Club

1-1:30 p.m. – Chinese tea workshop and tasting featuring Oolong tea by Gong

1:30-4 p.m. – Chinese porcelain workshop by Dr. Keith Ekstam, professor of art and design

Feb. 3

10-11 a.m. – Chinese cuisine workshop by Dr. Helen Zhuang and Dr. Liu Guishan, ILTC

11-11:30 a.m. – Traditional Chinese instrument demonstration by Prescott and CSSA members

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Traditional dance demonstration by MSU Traditional Chinese Dance Club

12:30-4 p.m. – Chinese dumpling workshop and tasting by ILTC

Feb. 4

1:30-2 p.m. – Traditional dance demonstration by MSU Traditional Chinese Dance Club

2-2:30 p.m. – Traditional Chinese instrument demonstration by Prescott and CSSA members

2:30-3 p.m. – Taiji demonstration by Gong

3-3:30 p.m. – Dragon and lion dance by ILTC

For more information, contact Peng Zhang at 417-836-5486.