Press release

Join Silk Screen: Asian Arts and Cultural Organization on Saturday, February 1st at Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh to celebrate and ring in the Chinese New Year 2014 begins – The Year of the Horse!

At this celebration, Silk Screen will present and introduce the Chinese New Year with music performances, a lion dance with parade, and craft activities.

Mimi Jong will play the Erhu, a native stringed instrument. The Steel Dragon Lion Dance Team will perform a traditional dance. Children can join in a parade with the lion through the Museum. The Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Dance School will present a few traditional performances as well.

In the Museum studio, Silk Screen will introduce the Year of Horse and Chinese New Year fun facts and visitors will be invited to a craft activity table to learn Chinese calligraphy for English names and create traditional Chinese crafts for the Year of the Horse.

Event Details:

Chinese New Year Celebration – Saturday, February 1st, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh

Mimi Jong – starts at 12:30 p.m.

The Steel Dragon Lion Dance Team with parade – starts at 1:00 p.m.

The OCA Dance – starts at 2:00 p.m.

Silk Screen Art Activities – 12:00-4:00 p.m.

Admission Prices:

$12 for children 2 – 18 and senior citizens, $13 for adults. Children under two are free. All program and events are included with Museum admission unless otherwise indicated.

Parking:

$3 for members, $5 for non-members. On-street metered parking is also available.

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh provides a unique learning experience for all ages. Their innovative exhibits and programs encourage exploration, creativity, and play. The Museum is located at 10 Children’s Way, on Pittsburgh’s historic North Side – just one block from the National Aviary and one mile from Carnegie Science Center and Heinz Field.

Museum Hours:

10:00 am – 5:00 pm Every Day

Our Studio and MAKESHOP close at 4:30 pm daily

For more information, please call (412) 322-5058 or visit: www.pittsburghkids.org

Performers:

Mimi Jong has been performing Erhu since age eleven. Mimi has performed with jazz, folk and classical musicians, collaborated with Mary Miller Dance Company, performed and joined the faculty of Huntingdon Council for the Arts “Folk College”. She founded “Jasmine Dynasty”, introducing Chinese dance and music to schools in the region, and AppalAsia, weaving together Appalachian and Asian music. She is also a member of Silk Sound, a unique Asian-American Jazz ensemble which just gave its first appearance at the inauguration ceremony for new mayor Bill Peduto. Silk Sound will present a major performance on February 28th, Bellefield Hall, Okland. For more information about the Silk Sound Concert, please click here.

The Steel Dragon Lion Dance Team is based at the Gong Lung (Steel Dragon) School in Lawrenceville. Chris Young, instructor at Gong Lung, also offers training in Kung Fu, Tai Chi, drumming, tumbling, and conditioning in the promotion of health, self-defense, and the preservation of cultural traditions. Visithttp:www.steel-dragon.org for more information.

Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) www.ocapghpa.org.

The mission of OCA is to promote and educate Chinese culture in the community. Chia Pih Shaw has been actively involved in teaching and promoting Chinese culture, and dance, in the Pittsburgh area for more than 20 years. Community members have received free dance lessons through OCA outreach program benefits.

Silk Screen is a 501(c) (3) arts and culture organization, whose mission is to promote diversity and cross-cultural understanding of Asia through film, music, art and dance. Silk Screen was founded by Harish Saluja, an artist, filmmaker, and the host of WESA’s radio program “Music from India.”