The Chinese Culture Center will host a two day celebration on Feb. 7 and Feb 8.

Time: February 7-8, 2009, 12pm – 4pm
時間：二月7日至8日
Place: Chinese Culture Center, 750 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108
地點：乾尼街750號（希爾頓酒店內）三樓
Admission: Free
票价：免费
Sponsors/赞助商:

Chinese New Year, known in China as the Spring Festival, is considered the most important of all traditional Chinese holidays. Traditionally, it begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the lunar calendar and ends on the 15th day, known as the Lantern Festival. To match the theme of Lantern Festival, the Center will hold a lantern riddle program at the celebration and people who solve lantern riddle will be rewarded a prize!

Come and bring your family and friends to view the new exhibition “In Search of Roots 2008”, as well as visit the different arts and crafts booths and demonstrations, including Chinese Opera Face Painting, Brush Painting and Calligraphy Demonstration, Chinese Puzzle Demonstration, Traditional Chinese Paper Cut, and Fortune Telling. In addition, there will be cultural performances both days in the auditorium. Starting at 12 noon, there will be a lion dance performance each day, followed by cultural performances.

The scheduled performances are (subject to changes):

Saturday, February 7, 2009
12:00 PM Lion Dance
12:15 PM Acrobatic performance
12:30 PM Tai Chi
12:45 PM Chinese dance
1:00 PM Chinese dance
1:10 PM Wu Shu performance
1:55 PM Chinese dance
2:00 PM Instrumental music
2:30 PM Chinese dance
3:00 PM Instrumental music

Sunday, February 8, 2009
12:00 PM Lion Dance / Chinese dances
12:30 PM Instrumental music
12:55 PM Chinese dance
1:00 PM Instrumental music
1:10 PM Tai Chi
1:30 PM Chinese dance
1:45 PM Acrobatic performance
2:00 PM Instrumental music
2:30 PM Chinese Dances

二零零九年一月二十六日，是牛年(4707)的開始。按照傳統，中華文化中心一年一度的“春節慶會”訂于二月七日和八日兩天在中心舉行。

春節是中華傳統節日中最重要的一個，從陰曆一月的第一天起，到第十五天的元宵燈會爲止。文化中心的慶祝活動中還特別設置了“猜燈謎”的節目，猜中者有獎！

歡迎大家和親朋好友屆時來中心參觀〈二零零八年尋根成果展〉，還有豐富多彩的民間藝術和手工現場示範，其中包括畫京劇臉譜、國畫書法、益智遊戲、流年運勢和民間剪紙等等。另外，文化中心大禮堂内連續兩天都有文藝表演。每天中午12點，春節慶會都以一場獅子舞開啓文藝表演。

演出日程如下：
二月七日星期六
12:00PM 獅子舞
12:15PM 雜技表演
12:30PM 太極表演
12:45PM 中華舞蹈表演
1:00PM 中華舞蹈表演
1:10PM 中華武術表演
1:55PM 中華舞蹈表演
2:00PM 樂器表演
2:30PM 中華舞蹈表演
3:00PM 樂器表演

二月八日星期日
12:00PM 獅子舞／中華舞蹈表演
12:30PM 樂器表演
12:55PM 中華舞蹈表演
1:00PM 太極表演
1:30PM 中華舞蹈表演
1:45PM 雜技表演
2:00PM 樂器表演
2:30PM 中華舞蹈表演

希望能在春節慶會上見到您！

View a brief introduction to Chinese New Year:

Tilling New Soil with the Ox:

Slow and steady

Julie D. Soo in interview with I-Ching Master Y.C. Sun

The Year of the Ox will be a steady one and a time of rebuilding losses; plow through the soil and plant new seeds. Recovery will be slow and losses are likely to worsen but this year’s dynamics will be more predictable than next year’s tumultuous Metal Tiger when deflation might turn to inflation.

The Ox is the second of twelve Chinese animal zodiac signs, reflecting the steadfast nature of the Ox. Stories passed to children say that the rat rode on the ox’s back and then scampered off at the opportune time to be the first to meet the call of Buddha but the even-tempered ox didn’t protest. Those born in the ox years are thought to prosper through endurance, perseverance, and hard work. Ox people are disciplined, easy going, trusting, modest, and introspective. They are aware of world suffering and problems and are always mindful of solutions. However, oxen can also be stubborn and competitive and when provoked, can become uncontrollably enraged.

The yin or female energy combined with the earth element for this Earth Ox or Brown Ox Year (4707 on the Chinese lunar calendar) that began on January 26 will bring trust and kindness so as to promote conflict resolution says Bay Area I-Ching Master Y.C. Sun. As focus on politics intensified during the U.S. presidential races and conflict has endured in the Middle East, this computer scientist and third-generation geomancer has enhanced his focus on global economics and geopolitics and is often quoted in CBS MarketWatch. Sun thought that Hillary Clinton would edge out Barack Obama but saw ups and downs for both. He does think that Clinton is well-suited for Secretary of State but that Clinton’s leadership style may cause some strain with Obama in the future.

In forecasting economics the past Earth Rat lunar year, Sun saw a global recession after the Beijing Olympics and urged preparing with rat-like frugality late-2008 and 2009. “The major stock markets will sell-off in China and Hong Kong, causing more panic and dumping of real estate and cash-outs of investments,” predicted Sun in February 2008.

“The U.S. is one year ahead of the looming global recession that will come in the second quarter of 2009,” Sun had explained. Sun also indicated in early 2008 that China, our big investor, wouldn’t be able to control inflation and a power struggle would erupt there as President Hu Jintao would experience a bad luck year in 2009, the year of the Earth Ox. Domestically, he had said 2009 would see the real estate market hit bottom in the third quarter. This year, Sun adjusts a bit and sees the housing bottom out in the summer with signs of recovery in the fall.

According to Sun, since 2004 the Earth has been on “Track 8” in our solar universe, to remain for a period of 20 years until 2023. This schematic places China as the new super economic power, taking over the lead position from the United States. Sun pointed that in 2004, the U.S. started its economic down fall as the housing bubble was inflated initially by keeping target short-term rates too low for too long, leading to reckless lending and borrowing in the housing market, and subsequently by loans being repackaged as securities sold to investors. But, China will see its share of problems as it is heavily invested in the U.S. and the communist leadership faces internal struggles.

The characteristics of the animal combined with influences from five basic elements — metal, wood, water, fire, and earth — foretell the kind of year. The balance of the elements promotes harmony. This Earth Ox year also contains metal and water but wood and fire energies are absent. The metal and water energy will create cooler climates and powerful storms. Sun says that the absence of wood and fire indicates a prolonged recession for the U.S. because the U.S. is represented by metal energy and wood and fire are necessary to burn through metal. Further, wood represents the housing and mortgage market, the money and wealth sectors for the U.S.

The good news is that President Barack Obama, born in the year of the Metal Ox, carries wood and fire energies, according to his birth chart –- a wood goat birth month carrying earth, fire, and wood. Obama was able to utilize the earth and water energy of the last two years to catapult his fame and fundraising ability. The earth energy will cause Obama to become more centrist and will also lead toward restored trust and accountability. The collective team energy of experienced public service veterans that Obama has assembled should endure and spread Obama’s mantra of hope over fear to the general public. But, cautions Sun, the Obama’s Metal Ox competes with the Earth Ox so while Congress and the President consider another round in the economic stimulus package, his honeymoon period may end in just 60 days.

The elements also indicate popular business and investment sectors. According to Sun, the earth energy is represented by the health care and agricultural sectors and also indicates success in land development and highway construction/repair. The metal energy points to some profits in metal industries, government, transportation, government, criminal justice, and even auto segments.

This year’s water energy, unlike success in the previous two years, points to strain in the import/export, travel, shipping, moving company, cleaning, musical, magic entertainment, Internet, seafood, chemical, fruit juicing, wine spirits, and tea and coffee industries.

The above mix would have Obama emphasize infrastructure projects and research on alternative energy and green transportation to turn the economy around.

Sun’s prediction that the Earth Rat year would drive oil prices down through some strong mud though water influences, quelling the flames of fire, the main source of oil. But, thought the Earth Ox carries no component of fire, the presence of fire influences in the first half of the year are expected to drive oil prices up more than 45 percent over the next quarter.

The confluence of earth and water will produce a rich soil to grow wood, representative of the U.S. dollar, indicating a rebound for the now weak currency and stemming a global free fall. Stocks in this bear market may see some improvement with another stimulus package but a great forth-quarter rally will come only after huge drops in March and July. Unemployment will drop and the employment rate will increase up to 10 percent, says Sun.

According the “Nine Spots of Flying Stars” theory, Sun says that good locations this year are east, middle, and northwest, while bad locations are north, west, northeast, and east. The directional can apply to one’s home, a city, a state, a country, or the world. Sun sees continued unrest in the Middle East. He also sees increased tension in the Korean Peninsula, between India and Pakistan, and Russia and Kosovo. The peaceful nature of the Earth Ox, however, may bring some temporary suspension of conflict until 2010, the Year of the Metal Tiger.

For Bay Area political followers, Sun predicts that San Francisco Mayor Newsom, a Fire Goat, will have a challenging year as he gets into the California gubernatorial race because the Fire Goat poses conflicts with the Ox. Sun sees more positive energy with his family life with an addition to the family.

Sun predicts a stronger year for Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, a Fire Horse. The past Rat Year conflicted with the Horse. Ma should focus on planting new seeds this year and removing anything that was unproductive for strong gains in 2010. Ma should avoid being a workaholic, particularly in April, and protect her health. Her romantic prospects are exciting for February, March, and May.

Stay centered and balanced with the help of the Earth Ox this year. Next year -– the Year of the Tiger –- looks to be a tempestuous year.

预祝庆典与节日展览开幕酒会: 2月21日, 下午5點半
庆典時間:2月23/24日,上午11點至下午4點
地點:舊金山文化中心, 堅尼街750號,希爾頓酒店3樓
免費入場

Celebration Pre-party and New Year Exhibit reception: 2/21/08 5:30 PM
Celebration Date: Feb 23 – 24, from 11AM to 4PM
Location: Chinese Culture Center, 750 Kearny Street 3rd Floor (inside the Hilton Hotel)
Admission: Free

Great fun for the entire family! Exhibitions, crafts, demonstrations, performances of lion dances, martial arts, folk and classical dances and much more.

Come and bring your friends and family!

New Year Traditional Performance
Arts & Crafts Demonstration
Fortune Telling by Y.C. Sun
Gallery Exhibition: In Search of Roots 2007/Angel Island Immigration Station: Gateway to Gold Mountain
New Year Exhibition: Chinese Culture Center Brush Painting & Calligraphy Class Exhibit, Macau Artists Showcase, Photography Review

新年傳統文藝表演
手工藝術示範 流年運程-孫亦徵 畫廊展覽: 2007 尋根展/通向金山
节日展览: 澳門藝術家作品展，中華文化中心書畫班师生展，攝影之友展

現場還有手工藝品,舞獅,中國功夫,及傳統舞蹈等等各項表演
歡迎大家偕同親朋好友一起來參加.

Year of the Rat!

For more information about Chinese New Year Celebrations, please click here.

Chinese Culture Center will be celebrating Chinese New Year with our annual Spring Festival Celebration. For more information, please call 415-986-1822.

新年傳統文藝表演
手工藝術示範: 彩色泥塑-鄭建民/布藝娃娃公仔-崔葆鈴/流年運程-孫亦徵
展覽: 現在時美國畫藝青年藝術展/2006 尋根展
新年食品

New Year Traditional Performance
Arts & Crafts Demonstration: Color Clay Statue -Zheng, Jianmin/Fabric doll-Pauline Tsui/Fortune Telling -Y.C. Sun
Exhibition: Present Tense: Artworks by young American Chinese artists/In search of roots 2006
New Year Food Sampling

Free Admission

Great fun for the entire family! Exhibitions, crafts, demonstrations, New Year food tastings, performances of lion dances, martial arts, folk and classical dances and much more.

春節文藝表演節目
舞獅迎春
民族音樂
武術表演
中國舞蹈
團體太極
賀嵗演唱
雜技藝術

Spring Festival Performance Art Program
Lion Dance
Instrumental Music
Martial Arts
Chinese dances
Tai Chi
Vocal music
Acrobatic performance

以上節目由下列團體和個人演出
The above programs are performed by the following

CCC Tai Chi Class
China’s Spirit/Chinese Arts and Music Center
Chinese Folk Dance Association
Chung Ngai Chinese Dance Group
Chung Ngai Lion Dance Group
Crystal Lee
Dennis Wu
Diana Ming Chan
Gold Mountain Music Ensemble
Mengru Liang
National Wu Shu Team
Red Panda Acrobats
San Francisco Gu Zheng Music Society
SFGZ – Tranquil Qin
World Kung Fu Association

Come and bring your friends and family!

Proudly sponsored by:

Exhibition:
“Celebrating Chinese New Year” Youth Painting Exhibition

“In Search of Roots-2005”

Programs:
New Year Food Sampling ; Arts & Crafts Demonstration
Fortune Telling; Double Lion Dance
Chinese Culture Performances

二零零六年二月十一及十二日, 星期六及星期日, 上午十一時至下午四時
舊金山中華文化中心, 七五零號乾尼街（希爾頓旅館三樓）
電話：(四一五) 九八六 一八二二

展覽：
青少年慶新春繪畫作品展; 二零零五“尋根”成果展

節目：
春節食品; 民間藝術示範; 雙獅迎春; 文藝表演