Chinese New Year in Los Angeles 2009: Year of the Ox

Chinese New Year in Los Angeles 2009: Year of the Ox - The start of the Chinese New Year falls on Monday, January 26, 2009 and it is the Year of the Ox. Chinese lunar New Year falls on the first day of the first moon on the lunar calendar that dates back t 2698 B.C. The Year of the Ox, people who are born in the years of the ox are considered Patient, leaders, stubborn and Jealous. George Clooney, Walt Disney and Napoleon are some of the famous people who are born in the Year of the Ox.

Southern California has a population of 1.5 million people that has a Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese decent and since the 1980's Chinatown in Los Angeles puts on the famous Golden Dragon Parade. With 110,000 people marching in the parade it is one of the biggest Asian-American events in southern California.

The Golden Dragon Parade includes marching bands from all over the world, extravagant floats, government officials, lions and dragons and everything you can think of that relates to the Chinese Culture. The Golden Dragon Parade is meant to teach people of cultural diversity and about Chinese history and strength. The 110^th Golden Dragon Parade takes place on Saturday the 31^st of January 2009. There is a lot more festivities and events some of them include the Miss La Chinatown Fashion Show taking place January 3rd, the Annual Miss La Chinatown taking place on January 17, the Little King and Queen Festival is on February 1 and the Chinese New Year Festival and Banquet is on February 27.

The Pasadena Civic Center has performances from the Divine Performing Arts between Dec. 30 and Jan.4. This performance includes hundreds of dancers, musicians and a live orchestra and is performed in front of a digital backdrop. The performance is made on the theme of traditional Chinese traditions such as beauty, compassion and the freedom of the Chinese communist party. There will 8 shows total and the price of tickets range from $35 to $188. The show is for all ages.

The Chinese American Museum is a great place to take your family and kids to learn more about the Chinese culture and history. The Chinese American Museum is dedicated to the Chinese American experience and is one of the oldest surviving Chinese buildings located in Los Angeles. The Museum will have special exhibitions and art during the festivities of the New Year.

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