Chinese New Year Celebrations at Kirk Douglas Theatre

Welcome to the Chinese Year of the Snake.

Antioch University Los Angeles in Culver City, in partnership with The China Cultural Ministry, Henan Provincial Government and SIAS International University of Xinzheng, China, will present a performance by the Huaxia Orchestra from Henan Museum of China and the Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Team.

The show combines music, musical theater and martial arts to share ancient history and cultural traditions rarely seen outside of China. The performance will take place on Sun. Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd.

All net proceeds from this event go towards AULA Student Scholarships.

Founded in 2000, with one of the oldest collections in China, the Huaxia Museum is engaged in the protection, research, development and exhibition of ancient Chinese music. Instruments used in the performance, such as the bone flute and chime bells, will be replicas of actual instruments unearthed from ancient tombs. The music has been orchestrated by Chinese music history experts and is based on actual ancient music scores. The costumes that will be worn by the performers are authentic reproductions from clothing found in the tombs of ancient musicians.

More than 20 performers, aged 14 to 45, are included in this delegation from the Henan Museum and the Shaolin Temple.

The program will be a narrated, music performance and presentation of instruments, showing ancient Chinese music over different periods, from prehistoric times through the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 A.D.)

Members of the Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Team, from the city of Henan, will demonstrate a variety of martial arts and ancient weapons. It will also feature a musical play about the Chinese Lantern Festival. This festival, which has been taking place annually for more than 2,000 years, is held on the first full moon day of the New Year. Also known as “Chinese Valentine’s Day,” it is a festival of flowers, lanterns and love.

Culver City is last stop on the troupe’s U.S. tour and the only performance in Southern California.

General Admission tickets are $25.00 and include access to the post-performance VIP reception. For more information on the event or to purchase tickets visit www.antiochla.edu/China.

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