Huntington Library

Chinese New Year Festival

Sunday, February 1st, we journeyed to San Marino to celebrate Chinese New Year at the Huntington. This was our third year in attendance, and I always enjoy the day, which centers around the new Chinese Garden, Liu Fang Yuan. There was Chinese Knotting, Brush Painting and Calligraphy demonstrations, book readings, a mask-changing performance, Dough Doll making, Lion Dancers, Tai Chi demonstations and traditional Chinese music. Afterwards, we all went for a delicious Chinese dinner. It was a lovely day!

The majority of the photos below were edited using a Lightroom preset called Old School...I love the brownish/greenish cast it gives....makes them look like photos from the 4o's and 50's.


Here's Emilee and Claire on the walkway to the main entrance...



The main entrance...I think the word has really gotten out about this event because this year it was very crowded.



A beautiful Chinese floral display near the entrance...





Emilee watching the Tai Chi demonstration...

A Master Calligrapher...

Emilee trying her hand at calligraphy...I think this is the character for "Ox"...

The Jade Ribbon Bridge...



A group portrait on the bridge...from left to right is Adele (just home from China about 8 months ago...she is amazing...already speaking French and English!) Emily, Paige, Claire, Emilee, Rebekah and Nathan.

The sculptured trees and Bonsai are just beautiful...

The Moon Gate near the front entrance of the garden...

Another group picture on the walk to the Japanese Garden...all in all, the kids were very patient and cooperative for pictures!

I believe these are blooms on a large Magnolia tree near the Rose Garden...

And, of course, the New Year's celebration would not be complete without the Lion Dance...

Here are just a few individual shots of the girls...Claire won the award for "Model of the Day"....she was so sweet...and didn't take a bad picture all day!

Here's Emily S. who always has a pretty smile for the camera...

A nicely backlit Emilee...

And lastly, one of my favorite images of the day...but I can't decide which version I like best ...although I usually lean towards black and white. Leave a comment and let me know which one you favor...

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous (although not likely in this economy!)

Year of the Ox...