NEW YEAR ACTIVITIES. The Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland welcomed the Year of the Tiger last week, beginning its 15-day festival on February 1. Some of the events scheduled during Lunar New Year celebrations include weekend lion dances (top photo), a Chopsticks Challenge (bottom photo), and more. Daytime garden hours are 10:00am to 5:00pm during Lunar New Year festivities. (AR Photos/Jan Landis)

From The Asian Reporter, V32, #2 (February 7, 2022), page 13.

The Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland kicked off the Year of the Tiger on Tuesday, February 1. The Lee’s Association Dragon & Lion Dance Team thrilled several hundred attendees in the morning with a lion dance performance held on the front plaza.

Following the performance, the garden was filled with Lunar New Year enthusiasts, as Lan Su — a mostly outdoor venue — was near capacity for the first time in nearly two years. The celebration continues daily through February 15 with lanterns, cultural activities, and more.

Chinese calligraphy demonstrations are featured on Tuesday and Thursday, February 8 and 10, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. A "Culture on Zoom" talk, entitled "The Chinese Zodiac and Lunar New Year Traditions," takes place on Wednesday, February 9 from 2:00 to 3:00pm (registration is available online).

A family craft activity and Chinese seal carving demonstration are held on Friday, February 11. From 10:00am to 2:00pm, attendees of all ages and abilities are invited to make and decorate an origami tiger craft with Carolyn Woody of Lunarcat Studios in partnership with the Japanese American Museum of Oregon.

From 1:00 to 3:00pm on Friday, garden-goers learn about the history and use of Chinese seals and watch artist Dan Lucas demonstrate how to carve one. Seal carving has been used in China for more than 3,000 years as a form of identification and authorization. The craft has been kept alive by calligraphers, painters, and seal carvers.

During the weekend, February 12 and 13, there are family crafts (10:00am to 2:00pm), calligraphy demonstrations (10:00am to 4:00pm), and performances.

Visitors learn how to make a traditional Chinese craft — lucky Chinese knots, also called good luck knots, which symbolize prosperity and good luck — during weekend craft activities.

The weekend performers feature:

1:00pm & 3:00pm: Lion dance

2:00pm: Cultural dance by the Portland Chinese Dance Troupe

4:00pm: Martial arts demonstration

1:00pm & 3:00pm: Lion dance

2:00pm: Cultural dance by the Chinese Friendship Association of Portland

4:00pm: Martial arts demonstration

On the final day of the festival, Tuesday, February 15, a Chopstick Challenge is offered from 10:00am and 2:00pm; "Foods of the New Year: Tangyuan" can be viewed from 10:00am to noon; and Chinese calligraphy is demonstrated from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Lan Su Chinese Garden is located at 239 N.W. Everett Street in Portland. Hours during the Lunar New Year are 10:00am to 5:00pm. To learn more, or to view a schedule of activities, call (503) 228-8131 or visit <www.lansugarden.org>.

To view a video of one of the lion dances performed on February 1 at the garden, go to

<www.facebook.com/theasianreporter/videos/1090737718446366>.