New Center Holds Chinese New Year’s Celebration

02/17/2010

The University’s new Center for Chinese Art ushered in the Year of the Tiger on February 17 with a celebration that included demonstrations of Chinese art, performances of traditional music, jazz and Chinese opera. Traditional Chinese food was served.

The day’s events began with a lecture and demonstration on Chinese Art Appreciation by Zhiyuan Cong, Art Professor of William Paterson University and Director of the new Center this event was held from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Power Art Center. Musical performances were held from 5 to 7 p.m., also in the Power Art Center. Yang Yi played the guzheng, an ancient Chinese string instrument. A guzheng virtuoso, Yang is well-known for her talent in China and the United States. Zhao Naiyi, a Chinese opera actor, offered a “Changing Faces” performance, a rather unique art form that shows the performing character’s inner thoughts and emotions in a romantic way. The William Paterson University Jazz Ensemble, part of the University’s internationally known Jazz Studies Program, also joined the performance. Traditional Chinese food was provided after the performances. The event was open to the public with free admission.