The annual Chinese New Year gala at DePaul University will be held Feb. 19 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Student Center on the Lincoln Park Campus. (Image courtesy of DePaul Chinese Studies Program)CHICAGO — As the Year of the Horse trots to an end, DePaul University will welcome the Year of the Goat at its annual Chinese New Year gala Feb. 19 from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave., Room 120, on the Lincoln Park Campus. Co-hosted by the Chinese Studies Program and the Center for Intercultural Programs, the gala brings together the DePaul community to honor the Chinese lunar holiday with dinner and authentic cultural performances.
The Year of the Goat is a year marked by gains and rewards as a result of heroic efforts and kind deeds, according to Li Jin, associate professor and director of the Chinese Studies Program. She added that people born during the Year of the Goat are distinguished by their mild-manner and beauty.
“We look forward to welcoming the Year of the Goat, a year of kind-heartedness and positivity, with the entire DePaul community,” said Jin.
This year’s gala is designed to be an immersive experience with exciting performances and interactive opportunities to honor Chinese New Year traditions. Traditional and modern performances will be given by DePaul students, faculty, staff and guests from the Chicago community. Returning performances from the DePaul community will include a song by professor Patrick J. Murphy and Chinese Studies student Alexander Shaindlin leading his peers in a presentation of the popular Chinese song “Little Apple.”
In addition, the gala will include a traditional lion dance and a kung fu demonstration by monks from the famed Shaolin Temple. Guests will be able to try their hand at the ancient Chinese art of calligraphy under the guidance of skilled calligraphy artists. They also will have an opportunity to participate in games for commemorative souvenirs.
The event is free and open to the public, but online reservations are required. RSVP at http://bit.ly/CNYGala15.
The Chinese Studies Program is an interdisciplinary program in DePaul’s College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, offering a major and a minor in Chinese Studies and a minor in advanced-level Chinese language. The program offers English-taught courses on Chinese art, art history, business, communication, economy, history, political science, philosophy and psychology as well as four years of Chinese language classes. Additional information can be found at http://bit.ly/DPUChinese.
The Center for Intercultural Programs provides integrative educational experiences for students, faculty and staff to facilitate critical conversations around sociocultural identity development, social justice and the interplay of power and identity. The center nurtures collaborative partnerships to foster an inclusive campus environment, enhance student engagement and provide identity-conscious leadership development.
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