The Eighth Annual Lantern Festival celebrating the Chinese New Year will be held at 5PM, Saturday, Feb. 2 at Pfeiffer Hall on the campus of North Central College, 313 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. The New Year Variety Show features Chinese modern and traditional ethnic dance, martial arts and music. Tickets are $10, $15, $20 and $25. For tickets, contact Carla Zhang at (630) 355-4322, Ext. 104. For more information, visit www.xilin.org.
The festival is a collaboration of the Xilin Art Center, North Central College and the Wanma Dance Company of Tibet, directed by nationally claimed Tibetan dancer-choreographer Wanma Jiancou, who will be the artistic director of the Xilin Art Center in 2013. Jiancou will partner with the Xilin Art Center to produce innovative, exciting and professional programs.
The highlights of the annual Lantern Festival are the brilliant costumes, vibrant music played with traditional Chinese instruments and exciting dances, presented by the Xilin Art Center. Set against a multimedia backdrop with spectacular lighting effects, the performances will take the audience on a mystical adventure to the East.
The Xilin Art Center will also participate in the 17th Annual Around the Corner, Around the World International Festival from noon to 4PM Sunday, Jan. 27 held at North Central College’s Merner Field House. Working with North Central’s Chinese Language Department, Xilin will provide a variety of Chinese games, activities, dances, marshal arts and music.
