Chinese Arts Festival in New Haven is Feb. 9

NEW HAVEN – In celebration of the Year of the Snake, a Chinese Arts Festival in New Haven, a day-long event offering cultural programs for adults and children of all ages, will be held Feb. 9 at several locations.

All events are free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register and view the complete schedule of events, visit www.yalechina.org/snake.

The festival kicks off at 10 a.m. with a traditional lion dance on Whitney Avenue between Grove and Trumbull streets, according to a release. 

"Celebrate alongside the famed Wan Chi Ming Hung Gar Institute’s lion dance troupe as they bring good luck and prosperity to the New Haven merchants and community members," the release said.

From 1 to 5 p.m., there will be hands-on Chinese arts and culture workshops, the release said. 

"The diverse offering includes presentations and performances of traditional Chinese instruments by the renowned EastRiver Ensemble, a Peacock Dance demonstration by Dai ethnic tribe dancer Xi Wang, a snake petting zoo, a Tai Chi workshop with Grandmaster Aiping Cheng, opportunities to learn traditional Chinese dances with Yale student dance troupes, a master painting demonstration with renowned Chinese landscape artist Sun Dawei, Chinese calligraphy and papercutting sessions, a Yale-China Fireside Chat with Beijing-based culinary author Audra Ang, and learn about Chinese New Year celebrations. Each of the twelve exhibits and workshops presents a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the nuances of Chinese arts and culture.," the release said

The Snake is one of 12 animals celebrated as part of the Chinese calendar, the release said. 

The Year of the Snake begins on Feb. 10 and ends on Jan. 30, 2014, the release said

Venue locations for the Chinese Arts Festival in New Haven are: Henry R. Luce Hall at Yale University, 34 Hillhouse Ave.; New Haven Museum, 114 Whitney Ave.; and Yale-China Association, 442 Temple St. 

The Chinese Arts Festival in New Haven is organized by the Council on East Asian Studies at Yale University, New Haven Museum, and Yale-China Association, the release said, with special thanks given to Yale Programs in International Educational Resources.

Editor's note: All information in this post was contributed.