San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Lunar New Year 2021: Start the Year of the Ox off right.
Visitors are encouraged to scan QR codes at the base of each of the oxen to learn more about the piece. Each sculpture will be auctioned off after March 14, with proceeds going to various nonprofit organizations.
Wednesday, Feb. 3. Through March 14. Free. Various San Francisco locations. chineseparade.com/oxonparade/
Asian Art Museum Presents: Lunar New Year Lecture:
Asian Art Museum members are invited to participate in a panAsian Lunar New Year lecture to learn about the various symbols and traditions associated with the holiday, followed by a postlecture Q&A session.
10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 9. Free for museum members, registration required. 4155813500. bit.ly/ asianartmuseumlecture
Chinese New Year community roundtable:
Chinatown’s Chinese Historical Society of America is devoting its nowvirtual monthly community roundtable to “Chinese New Year memories, traditions, hopes for the new year and plans to celebrate.”
2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10. Free, registration required. 4153911188, ext. 101. chsa.org
S.F. Neon Chinatown Tour:
The Chinese Historical Society of America plans to host a twopart virtual tour featuring legacy Chinatown businesses with neon signs that have become neighborhood landmarks. The 90minute experience, presented in partnership with SF Neon Tours and the Tenderloin Museum, involves photographs, video, maps and narration by hosts Randall Ann Homan and Al Barna.
6:45 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10 and 17. Free, donations encouraged. 4153911188, ext. 101. Register for part one at bit.ly/sfneonchinatownpart1. Register for part two at bit.ly/sfneonchinatownpart2.
“San Francisco’s Chinatown” book event:
Photographer Dick Evans and author Kathy Chin Leong released their book “San Francisco’s Chinatown” in October, which explores the famed neighborhood’s history, culture, restaurants, shops and residences. The Mechanics’ Institute plans to host a Zoom conversation with the pair and encourages participants to take a selfguided walking tour of Chinatown to celebrate the Year of the Ox.
5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11. $10, free for Mechanics’ Institute members. 4153930102. bit.ly/mi librarychinatown
Oakland Asian Cultural Center:
OACC plans to explore traditional Lunar New Year celebrations from around the world. There’s an online Lunar New Year KickOff set for Friday, Feb. 12, featuring lectures, participatory workshops and family storytelling. That’s followed by nights highlighting specific cultural traditions surrounding the holiday — Chinese and Taiwanese (Feb. 13); Vietnamese (Feb. 14); Korean (Feb. 15); Mongolian (Feb. 16); Japanese (Feb. 17), Tibetan (Feb. 18) and a Quarantini Mixer highlighting traditional food and drinks (Feb. 19. $10$75. Register to receive Zoom meeting access).
The OACC is also launching a Virtual Community Night Market, which promotes locally owned Asian AmericanPacific Islander restaurants and businesses. The online directory runs Feb. 12 to April 19.
Friday, Feb 12. Through Feb. 19. Free. Available to stream on the center’s YouTube channel. For programming updates, go to oacc.cc
Chinatown YMCA’s virtual 43rd annual CCHP Chinese New Year Run:
Chinatown YMCA is following the pandemic era trend of hosting virtual runs with its 43rd annual 5K/10K. Participants can run suggested routes throughout the Bay Area or their own, distanceequivalent courses and submit results between Feb. 12 and March 17 via the RunKeeper app.
There are two registration levels: The Basic package includes race Tshirt and finisher medal. The Premium package also comes with a longsleeve performance tech Tshirt. And those born in the Year of the Ox (2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937 and even 1925) are eligible for a bonus enamel ox pin.
Friday, Feb. 12. Through March 17. $4062. ymcasf.org/CNYrun
History San José Presents: Year of the Ox discussion with the Chinese American Historical Museum and the Viet Museum:
Monica Pelayo Lock, History San José director of education, plans to host an online panel with members of the Chinese American Historical and Viet museums to discuss how Chinese American and Vietnamese American communities in the South Bay are commemorating the Year of the Ox (or, for the latter, Buffalo).
1 p.m., Saturday, February 13. $7, free for members. 4082872290. bit.ly/lunarnewyearsanjose
Chinese Historical Society Presents: Children’s Storytelling program with author Oliver Chin:
Author and San Francisco resident Oliver Chin plans to give a reading of his picture book, “The Year of the Ox: Tales From the Chinese Zodiac,” which was illustrated by Miah Alorn. This event is aimed at elementary school students, but all are welcome. Participants will have a chance to interact with Chin during a Q&A session after the reading.
3 p.m. Feb. 18. Free, donations encouraged. Register at chsa.org
San Francisco Symphony’s Chinese New Year Virtual Celebration:
Hosted by Bay Area actress Joan Chen, this year’s virtual edition of the annual performance features conductor Ming Luke and soloists Tao Shi (erhu), Wenying Wu (yanqin) and Samantha Cho (piano). They’ll perform works by YuanKai Bao, YaoXing Chen, Julian Yu, Zhao Long and Chen Yi, as well as Wu’s arrangement of “Tajiks Festival,” a traditional song.
The Symphony is also set to celebrate the premiere of its inaugural virtual celebration, with pre and postconcert receptions at 3 and 4:30 p.m. Feb. 20, respectively, that boast exclusive musical offerings and special guests. Sponsorship runs between $1,000 and $100,000, with proceeds going to the Symphony’s educational, community and artistic efforts.
4 p.m., Feb. 20 and 27, on NBC Bay Area; 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, and Saturday, Feb. 27, on KTSF 26. Free. Available to stream for SFSymphony+ subscribers starting Feb. 20. sf symphony.org/CNY
Yoshi Kato is a freelance writer.