Families kick start Chinese New Year at Asia Society Hong Kong Center

Multi-media puppet show performing the story from "Journey to the West - Pig Pig Takes a Wife."

Children watched intently and learned the Unicorn Dance from the masters at the Morgan Stanley-Asia Society Chinese New Year Family Day.

The little boy thumped enthusiastically during the workshop held after the Traditional Chinese Drum Performance.

Families took photos with the God of Fortune, receiving red packets of blessings from the god afterwards.

Holding her lion head up high, the little girl danced with glee as she followed the instructions of the Lion Dance Master.

With a focused mind, both girls followed the complicated steps of making a Chinese Knot from the volunteer carefully.

The martial arts master showcased his kung fu skills during the Martial Arts Demonstration and Workshop.

Little kids laughed with glee as they mimick the martial arts position from the experienced kung fu master.

The Lion interacted playfully with families after the Lion Dance Performance.

Families tried on Traditional Chinese Costumes, experiencing the splendor of Chinese empirical royalty.

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HONG KONG, February 8, 2015 - At the eve of Chinese New Year, Asia Society Hong Kong Center ("ASHK") transformed into a bustling hub exploding with festivity, laughter, and excitement with "The Morgan Stanley-Asia Society Chinese New Year Family Day".

The activity, generously supported by Morgan Stanley, began with the God of Fortune blessing arriving families a wonderful new year while children scurried with glee to the Arts & Crafts Corner. Families enjoyed various activities such as Red Packet crafts, Chinese New Year Paper Cup Doll, Sock Sheep Puppet, and more. Talented masters skilled in Sugar Art, Rainbow Calligraphy, Dragon Beard Candy, and Chinese Calligraphy were surrounded by people hoping to take home a piece of their creative works. Beside the master crafts stations, adults and children tried on Traditional Chinese costumes, experiencing and capturing their moments as Chinese royalty.

In the midst of all the activities, an enthusiastic Drum Performance injected the atmosphere with an energetic vibe, thumping into the hearts of the local community. The Peacock Dance that followed after brought in a softer and sweeter flow for the audience. The program of course, included the traditional Lion Dance performance, in which Lions of red and gold danced and pranced on stage and among families, mischievously nosing little children with their bobbling heads. Yet, what really marked the height of the day was the Unicorn Dance, a performance showcasing the strength and flexibility of the colorful Unicorn.

Up at the heritage site, the martial arts workshop brought families in closer contact with different schools of martial art including the Dragon Sign Kung Fu, Pakmei Kung Fu, and Tung Kong Chow Ka Praying Mantis. On the other hand, the Puppet Theater involving a mixed media of puppets such as the rod puppet, marionette, and shadow puppet performed the story from Journey to the West - Pig Pig Takes a Wife, eliciting bursts of laughter from the audience. After experiencing a variety of activities, hungry families enjoyed Traditional Chinese cuisine lined up at the Verandah, satisfying their stomachs before continuing the fun.

Last but not least, to welcome the Year of the Goat with a fresh start, children and adults alike wrote down their aspirations and New Year resolutions on colorful slips in which they hung at the Chinese New Year Wishing Tree.