Asian communities worldwide will ring in the Year of the Dog Feb. 16 with loud and colorful celebrations lasting 15 days. Missouri State University will host a lineup of events on campus Feb. 17-24 to mark the holiday.

“Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, focuses on family reunion. It’s the most important holiday in China and widely celebrated in other Asian countries,” said Dr. Weirong Yan-Schaefer, senior instructor of modern and classical languages at MSU. “We encourage everyone to come to our events and celebrate with us.”

A night of food and culture

MSU’s office of China programs and department of modern and classical languages is jointly coordinating the 2018 Chinese New Year Celebration Week. It kicks off Feb. 17 with the Chinese New Year Banquet and Show organized by MSU’s Chinese Students and Scholars Association.

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 and are on sale on the second floor of Plaster Student Union or in Carrington Hall, Room 210.

Come for the opening

The opening ceremony is from 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Feb. 21 in Siceluff Hall, Room 124. It includes:

• 11:15-11:45 a.m. – Chinese New Year culture presentation
• 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Traditional Chinese instrument demonstration
• 12:15-12:30 p.m. – Traditional dance performance
• 12:30-12:45 p.m. – Traditional Chinese songs presentation

A community day

Feb. 24 has been set as a day for the community. It will feature four events:

• 1:30-2 p.m. – Traditional dance performance
• 1:30-3 p.m. – Chinese paper cutting and painting demonstration
• 2-2:30 p.m. – Traditional Chinese instrument demonstration
• 2:30-3 p.m. – Tai Chi workshop

Other highlights

Several other events during the week include:

• 9:30-10:10 a.m., Feb. 21 – Dragon dance and Chinese songs performance
• 1-2:30 p.m., Feb. 21 – Chinese calligraphy demonstration
• 1-1:30 p.m., Feb. 22 – Chinese tea workshop and tasting
• 12-4 p.m., Feb. 23 – Chinese dumpling and tea workshop

All events Feb. 21-24 are free and open to the public. They will take place in Siceluff Hall, Room 124.

For a complete listing of events, visit the 2018 Chinese New Year Celebration Week schedule. For more information, contact Peng Zhang at 417-836-5486.