Sponge invites families to an early celebration of the Chinese New Year on Sunday, February 1, 2015, 10:00 AM – noon at its center in Mt. Baker (3107 S. Day St., Seattle).
To commemorate the Year of the Goat, Sponge will offer an electrifying Chinese dance performance and a variety of activities to celebrate the day.
The Franklin High School Lion Dance Team will present a lion dance, a centuries-old performance art that is rich in Chinese history. This spectacular dance mimics a lion’s movements and features music, acrobatics, tricks, and majestic, vibrant costumes. Often performed at Chinese New Year events and festivals, the lion dance is said to bring luck and good fortune to those who see it, as lions are viewed as lucky animals in Chinese culture.
The festivities will continue with goat themed crafts for children, delicious New Year snacks, and a special story about the origins of Chinese New Year. Rounding out the day will be free Mandarin mini language classes led by Sponge’s native-speaking teachers.
Sponge is a leader in children’s language education, offering classes in Spanish, Mandarin, French, Japanese, and Hindi in its own centers and in before and after-school programs throughout the greater Seattle area. Focused on children from birth through elementary school, native-speaking instructors teach language and culture through activities, stories, music, art and movement. ■
For more information, visit www.spongeschool.com or call 206-227-7138.