Have you herd? It's almost time to usher in the Year of the OX! Celebrate from home with over a week of free virtual festivities for the whole family.
SEE THE FULL SCHEDULE BELOW!
THURSDAY 2/11
REGISTER FOR MOCAKIDS STORYTIME @ HOME!
LUNAR NEW YEAR LEGENDS ON LUNAR NEW YEAR'S EVE!
Xin Nian Kuai Le! It’s time to celebrate Lunar New Year with the special tradition of telling stories. Join us for two famous New Year legends: the story of the Great Race and the tale of the Nian Monster. We’ll also sing some songs and make a craft together. Don’t forget to wear something red and bring something noisy to scare away the Nian Monster!
Live via Zoom Thursday, February 11 at 4 P.M. EST! Register for free here.
Please note that this storytime will be recorded via Zoom and posted on Facebook Live for 24 hours.
CLICK TO REGISTER!
MOCACREATE at Home: Nian Monster Mash-Up
Legend has it that the Nian monster emerges the night before every new year to frighten villagers and devour their food. But what does Nian look like? Some say Nian has the head of a lion and the body of a bull . Others say Nian is a giant sea beast. Grab a family member or two and draw your own imaginary Nian monster together using this wacky drawing technique that’s sure to make you chuckle.
Go to mocanyc.org on Thursday, February 11th to learn how to draw your very own one-of-a-kind Nian monster.
FRIDAY 2/12
MOCAKIDS Author Meet & Greet: Michele Wong McSween
Join Gordon, Li Li, and local author Michele Wong McSween for a special Mandarin lesson featuring all your favorite zodiac animals and more. Michele will teach English and Mandarin words from her bilingual book, Gordon & Li Li Celebrate Chinese New Year, where Gordon & Li Li learn about good luck foods, special greetings for a happy and prosperous New Year, and more! A special Year of the Ox bookmark craft will follow the reading! Best for children ages 3-5. Older and younger siblings welcome!
Live via Zoom Friday, February 12 at 4 P.M. EST! Register for free here.
Please note that this storytime will be recorded via Zoom and posted on Facebook Live for 24 hours.
Click here to download special Gordon & Li Li activity sheets!
CLICK TO REGISTER!
MONDAY 2/15
LUNAR NEW YEAR LION DANCE WELCOME!
Sing along to No-No Boy’s “Cup of Noodles,” a song about preparing for the new year and practicing lion dance! Then, summon a year of good luck by watching a dazzling Southern lion dance performed by the United East Athletic Association at MOCA's 2020 Lunar New Year Family Festival. Move to the rhythm of the drumbeat and learn just what it takes to be the head and tail of the lion!
Premieres Monday, February 15th at 11am. Click here to watch!
Click here for the words to “Cup of Noodles” and sing along with us!
CLICK TO WATCH!
TUESDAY 2/16
LA MIAN FOR LONGEVITY
Noodles have a long history in many cultures, but the world’s oldest noodles were found in China, over 4,000 years ago! Noodles symbolize long life during the New Year. Watch and learn from expert noodle puller Peter Looi as he demonstrates the art of pulling long life noodles, an especially auspicious New Year’s tradition.
The program will be followed by a Q & A. Be sure to check out Peter’s YouTube channel here for more fun noodle pulling challenges and demonstrations.
Live via Zoom Tuesday, February 16 at 4 P.M. EST! This workshop is free to the public. To join, simply register here!
Please note that this workshop will be recorded via Zoom and available on Facebook Live for 24 hours.
CLICK TO REGISTER!
WEDNESDAY 2/17
SUGAR PAINT A SWEET NEW YEAR!
Join Ms. Yan for an introduction to the sweet art of sugar painting, a delicious traditional Chinese folk art popular amongst street artists in northern China. Watch as Ms. Yan uses hot, liquid sugar and speedy brushstrokes to create popular New Year’s animals, all before the sugar cools and hardens.
Premieres Wednesday, February 17th at 11am. Click here to watch!
CLICK TO WATCH!
TRAY OF TOGETHERNESS: THE GAME
The tray of togetherness is a platter with 6 to 8 compartments filled with sweet delicacies and treats like nuts, dried fruit, and candy. These treats symbolize hope for a sweet new year and are shared with the whole family! In this game, you will be creating your very own tray of togetherness!
Click here to begin—and to learn about why we eat certain foods during this time of year!
THURSDAY 2/18
MOCAKIDS Author Meet & Greet: Oliver Chin
Join Mei, Olivia the Ox, and author Oliver Chin for an exciting tale from the Chinese zodiac. Enjoy Olivia’s sensational adventure, as she grows up to discover her true character. A special Year of the Ox zodiac craft will follow the reading. Best for children ages 4-6. Older and younger siblings welcome!
Live via Zoom Thursday, February 18 at 4 P.M. EST! Register for free here.
Please note that this storytime will be recorded via Zoom and posted on Facebook Live for 24 hours.
Click here to download special Olivia the Ox activity and coloring sheets!
CLICK TO REGISTER!
FRIDAY 2/19
LET'S GET LOUD! NIAN MONSTER NOISEMAKERS
Legend has it that the Nian monster emerges the night before every Lunar New Year to frighten villagers and devour their food. Join MOCA educator Nicole for a thrilling retelling of the Legend of Nian. Then, follow along with MOCA educator Taylor as you learn how to transform ordinary household items into festive rattle drums that you can use to scare away the Nian monster until next year.
Premieres Friday, February 19th at 11am. Click here to watch!
CLICK TO WATCH & CREATE!
