LITTLE ROCK — Sunday, many Asians here in America will roll out the red carpet for the new year: the Lunar New Year.
In China, Vietnam and many other Asian countries, it’s the biggest celebration on the calendar, akin to Christmas. It’s marked by feasts, red banners and decor, envelopes stuffed with money, fireworks and dancing.
Here are a couple of events happening in central Arkansas:
PARTY
The annual Chinese New Year Celebration organized by Sue Khoo — owner of Unique Furniture in Jacksonville — will be held at the Jacksonville Community Center, 5 Industrial Blvd., at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
The free event will feature food and music. Demonstrations including kung fu and the Nanjing Municipal Acrobatic Troupe will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Call (501) 985-8888.
DINNER
A limited-seat elegant dinner put on by the Asian Pacific Resource and Cultural Center at Mr. Chen’s Authentic Chinese Cooking, 3901 S. University Ave., begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Each of the nine courses — including a whole fish, beef, chicken and dumplings — was selected to symbolize good fortune in the new year.
Dinner is $26 for adults and free to $18 for children, depending on age. Attire is casual.
To reserve a spot, call the center at (501) 244-2490.
Weekend, Pages 33 on 01/19/2012