New York City Lunar New Year Celebration Sets Program & Activities

The New York City Lunar New Year 2016 "Year of the Monkey Celebration," a five-day-long festival marking the lunar new year holiday, will be held Feb. 6-10 at iconic locations across the city and headlined by the Fantastic Art China exhibition at Javits Center North (11 Avenue between 39th and 40th Streets). The festival programs, events and activities - all free and open to the public - will not only highlight Chinese arts and culture but also environmental conservation for monkeys in China. Partner organizations include the US-China Cultural Institute, Committee of 100, New York Philharmonic, National Dance Institute, The Nature Conservancy, Columbia University Teachers College, New York School of Interior Design, Museum of Chinese in America, and the China Institute.

Fantastic Art China, a 72-000 square foot exhibit presented by the China Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA) - China's largest and most prestigious art academy which has been the source of many of today's respected Chinese artists - is showcasing rising young artists, tomorrow's contemporary Chinese artists, as well as established artists. The exhibit, which will be open daily Feb. 6-10, will consist of the following highlights:

· A Public Art Exhibition including projects by contemporary artists Pan Gongkai, Su Xinping, Jiang Jie and Duan Haikang

· A Pavilion of Contemporary Arts including paintings, sculptures, installations, videos, interactive digital media, and photography, as well as "View," a re-examination of Chinese traditional ink painting and its presentation

· A Cross-Cultural Exhibition featuring the works of teachers, students, graduates from major art academies in Beijing and New York

· A Hall of Creativity and Design dedicated to original Chinese design products

· A Thematic City Exhibition featuring Changsha, Hunan Province's capital, that focuses on urban development and art in a modern Chinese city

On February 8th, there will be a special NYC Lunar New Year Students Day at Javits Center North to celebrate the city's historic designation of the Lunar New Year as a school holiday in 2016 for 1.1 million public school students, becoming the largest school district in the country to close on the holiday. Activities include an opening ceremony, live acts and mass dance lessons featuring monkey dances taught by National Dance Institute as well as a special presentation by The Nature Conservancy on the endangered golden monkey and the environment.

Additional events in support of the New York City Lunar New Year 2016 "Year of the Monkey Celebration" include a Fireworks Spectacular over the Hudson River (Feb. 6), an Empire State Building light show (Feb. 6 and 8), lion and monkey dances at Lincoln Center Josie Robertson Plaza (Feb. 9), an art display on David Geffen Hall and New York Philharmonic's 5th Annual Chinese New Year Concert and Gala at David Geffen Hall (Feb. 9).

"We are delighted to partner with so many important New York cultural institutions to celebrate the Lunar New Year 2016 and the year of the monkey. We hope the events of this five-day festival will provide a view of the future direction of modern Chinese arts, culture, and conservation," said Yu Ding, Director of China's Central Academy of Fine Arts and President of Fantastic Art China.

"The new school holiday for students is a great expression of New York's embrace of its cultural diversity. We hope the events and programs of this festival will help young New Yorkers enrich their understanding of China today, its arts and conservation efforts," said Shirley Young, Chair of US-China Cultural Institute, and US Co-Chair of Fantastic Art China.

Following is the complete schedule of free events for the New York City Lunar New Year 2016 "Year of the Monkey Celebration" (Feb. 6-10):

Fantastic Art China

Saturday, Feb. 6 to Wednesday, Feb. 10 from 10 am to 6 pm each day

A 72,000 square foot exhibit at Javits Center North featuring contemporary and updated traditional art, US-China art school exhibits and live performances open to the public. The February 6th opening events will include a concert by iSING! led by Haojiang Tian, Chinese dances by National Dance Institute public school students, a special presentation by The Nature Conservancy about the golden monkey and conservation, and special tours of the art exhibition.

Fireworks Spectacular on the Hudson River

Saturday, Feb. 6 at 8:30 pm

A large scale Fireworks By Grucci show at Pier 84 with simulcast of accompanying music by Oscar and Grammy Award winner Tan Dun

Empire State Building Light Show

Saturday, Feb. 6 and Monday, Feb. 8 evenings

A 3-minute light show on the Empire State Building

Columbia University Teachers College

Sunday, Feb. 7

Arts Education Symposium (by invitation)

NYC Lunar New Year Students Day at Javits Center North

Celebrating the inaugural NYC Lunar New Year Public School holiday

Monday, Feb. 8 9:30 am to 6:00 pm

The daylong festival, free to the public, will include an opening ceremony, live acts, and performances and mass dance lessons for student attendees featuring monkey dances taught by National Dance Institute (NDI). Also featured will be a special presentation by the Nature Conservancy on the endangered golden monkey and the environment. Special tours of the art exhibition will also be available.

Community Event at Lincoln Center Josie Robertson Plaza

Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 4:30 pm

Monkey dances by National Dance Institute Celebration Team and Traditional Lion Dance by the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company against the backdrop of David Geffen Hall decorated with Chinese artwork by Duan Haikang.

New York Philharmonic Chinese New Year Concert (ticketed)

Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 7:30 pm

5th Annual Chinese Lunar New Year Concert featuring the New York premiere of "Nu Shu - The Secret Songs of Women symphony for 13 micro films, harp and orchestra" by Oscar and Grammy award-winning composer Tan Dun. Student discounts are available for $16.50.

Other partner events include:

China Institute's "Chinese New Year Family Celebration: The Year of the Monkey"

Saturday, February 13th from 11 am to 3 pm

Museum of Chinese in America's "Lunar New Year Family Festival"

Saturday, February 20th from 11 am to 4 pm