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Welcome Back: From the President
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Tuesday, January 13, 1998 Volume 44, Number 17 |
The Year of The TigerTiger people (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998) are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short tempered, however. Other people have great respect for them, but sometimes Tiger people come into conflict with older people, or those in authority. Sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their mind, which can result in a poor, hasty decision, or a sound decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful. --- from The Chinese Zodiac |
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The Year of the Tiger comes in with a roar on Saturday, January 24, when the University Museum offers its 17th annual Chinese New Year Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Performances and crafts, cookery and martial arts, Feng Shui and Qi Gong instruction, and many children's activities lead up to the Chinese Lion Dance and Firecracker Parade that traditionally ends the festival.
Chinese food-decorative and edible-is featured in two cooking demonstrations and one on vegetable carving, where vegetables are turned into flowers, birds, and spectacular scenes. The Cafe will offer Chinese lunch entrees.
The Jade River Dancers make their Museum debut with traditional Chinese dances.
Also new this year is Chinese Musical Voices, a 30-member choral group directed by Dr. Hai-Lung Dai, chair of Penn's Chemistry Department. Its two performances combine Chinese classics and folk, ancient and modern music.
Kurt Jung and Anna Chan, as the Sounds of Cathay, perform-on Chinese zither and Chinese violin-well-known folk songs from various areas and ethnic groups of China, as well as music originating from the Imperial Court. Members of the Kung Fu Academy offer a demonstration before the lion dance winds its way outside for the firecracker finale.
Zhe-Zhou Jiang will demonstrate the art of Chinese watercolor; he adapts traditional Chinese techniques to create Philadelphia landscapes and Center City scenes. A Chinese calligrapher translates visitors' names.
Jennifer White, keeper of the Asian Section, hosts a workshop on Chinese Mandarin Squares, displaying some rare examples of the brilliant silks in Penn's collection and helping children look for the Chinese symbols hidden there, to make their facsimiles for "rank badges."
As part of a focus on Chinese practices for health and well-being, Master Faxiang Hou introduces the ancient Chinese Qi theory of vital energy and offers a beginner's demonstration of the "no touch" healing art of Qi Gong. Melanie Lewandowski, president of Phoenix Design Associates and a Feng Shui master, talks about creating a home design optimal for health, harmony and prosperity. Dr. Yong K. Kim, head of physical rehabilitation and acupuncture at HUP, explains acupuncture, and herbalist Ching-Yao Shi discusses the use and benefits of Chinese medicinal herbs. Children can explore Chinese arts, crafts, games, and dance at workshops where they make tiger dolls, paper dragons, masks from the Chinese Zodiac, hats and fans, or learn ribbon dancing and street games, including Chinese jump rope.
Students from the Chinese Students' Association will teach Mah Joong and Chinese Chess. Displays range from weapons used in martial arts. to show-and-tell on fresh vegetables and other Chinese foods, as well as chopstick demonstrations.
The admission donation is $5 ($2.50 for students and senior citizens)
but the celebration is free for members, PENN Card holders and children
under 6.
MLK Celebration: January 19
To the University Community
The theme for this year's celebration of the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is The Vision Lives On . . . Recapturing the Spirit.
We encourage all faculty, staff and students to participate in some of the many commemorative programs being held on January 19 and throughout the spring semester.
Release time has been authorized for staff to attend Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorative programs on January 19, and supervisors are encouraged to be flexible in granting release time and making arrangements for coverage of responsibilities.
Likewise, faculty are encouraged to be flexible regarding class attendance to allow students the opportunity to participate fully in January 19 programming.
Judith Rodin President
Michael Wachter, Interim Provost
John Fry, Executive Vice President
Note: for a list of events January 19 and beyond, please see www.upenn.edu/VPGE/mlk.html