Jacksonville Review – February 2025

THIS YEAR’S LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION, presented by the Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association, will be held on the grounds of Jacksonville’s New City Hall, on Saturday, February 15, from 10am-3pm. The event features spectacular multi-cultural performances, activities, and exhibits. This year’s event promises to be a vibrant and culturally-rich experience that will captivate audiences of all ages.

The day will start off with a traditional Lion Dance at 10am on the grounds of New City Hall, located at 206 N. 5th Street, near the corner of N. 5th and California Street. Other events will be held at the Community Center, Public Library, and at the Miners’ Bazaar. SOCCA will be listing the time and place of every activity on its website a few days before the event and will have printed programs available the day of the celebration. Please visit www.socca.us for programming updates.

Lunar New Year attendees of all ages can look forward to visiting many booths on the Jacksonville New City Hall grounds, with ones designed for children that include a “PBS Kids” jump house and games. SOCCA will also be demonstrating various traditional Asian arts and crafts, present a live cooking show, hold a Tai Chi workshop, host Mahjong playing, Japanese Ikebana flower arranging, a tea ceremony, historical talks, and martial arts and other demonstrations.

There will be several not-to-be-missed special performances, featuring, “A Musical and Visual Journey Through Asian Cultures,” a variety show presented by the International Program at St. Mary’s School. Additionally, Japanese Taiko Drumming, Filipino Dance, and performances with ancient Chinese instruments, Erhu and GuZheng will be on the program!

SOCCA is pleased to welcome two visiting artists this year. Singer/Songwriter Lisa Kori from Santa Fe, NM will perform her show titled, “Daughter of the West.” Kori is a musician who combines American folk music with Chinese and Japanese folk music. Learn more at https://www.lisakori.com. (A repeat performance will take place on Sunday, February 16, at Grizzly Peak Winery, 1600 E. Nevada Street, Ashland, OR.)

Theresa Gong, a Porcelain & Ceramic Artist from Billings, Montana, will demonstrate wheel-thrown porcelain with themes from nature, myth, and fantasy. She is often inspired by the rich legacy and the enduring grace of Chinese ceramics. Learn more at http://theresagongporcelain.info.

This year, the SOCCA Lunar New Year celebration is generously supported by community sponsors and partners, including, The International Program at St. Mary’s School, U.S. Bank, Southern Oregon PBS, Up Close with Peter Sage, Jacksonville Community Center, Jackson Country Library Services, The Miners’ Bazaar, Jacksonville Review, and Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, please visit www.socca.us.