NEW YORK—To kick-start the Chinese New Year, Chinese dance group Shen Yun Performing Arts and the city teamed up to put on an evening of music, color, and culture for the public in the City Hall Library Wednesday night.
Guests experienced Chinese culture with a tea ceremony, live music, and a mini couture show featuring dynastic Chinese dress.
“The Chinese community has had a tremendous influence on the city,” said Eileen Flannelly, the deputy commissioner of the NYC Department of Records and Information Services. It seemed like a great marriage to do the event with Shen Yun, added Flannelly.
Shen Yun is an international performing arts group based in New York with a mission to revive traditional Chinese civilization. Shen Yun performances feature classical Chinese dance, an east-meets-west orchestra, and an animated backdrop. Shen Yun’s three companies tour the world annually, with performances at New York’s Lincoln Center coming up in April.
Guests also explored the department’s new visitor’s center, which showcases items from the municipal archives. Artifacts from the city’s history dating back to the 1600s include gifts to New York City politicians from the Chinese-American community. The visitors’ center consists of two small galleries, which opened last May thanks to volunteer efforts.
Queen Makkada, who advocates for disadvantaged students in the city, came to the event by invitation after attending a black history event.
“I’m so happy that my first visit to the center is for a Chinese culture event,” she said. “It’s a wonderful experience.”
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