THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - California Lutheran University will host its annual Chinese New Year celebration from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, in Soiland Recreation Center.

The popular celebration, which last year attracted more than 400 people, falls on the first day of the Chinese New Year this year.

The festive event will celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with a traditional Lion Dance, Chinese acrobats and tai chi demonstrations. There will be dancing, singing and traditional Chinese music such as Er-Hu and Pi-Pa. Authentic Chinese food will be served, vendors will sell Chinese items and volunteers will write people’s names in Chinese. The event will also feature exhibits on history and art, including Chinese brush paintings and other works by local artists. Door prizes and traditional red envelopes will be distributed.

Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. This is year 4709 in the Chinese calendar. The holiday traditionally lasts 15 days and focuses on bringing good luck for the new year.

According to legend, Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the Nian. To protect themselves, villagers originally put out food to satisfy the Nian. Later, determining the beast feared the color red, they hung red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. Today, adults give red envelopes, often containing money, to children to symbolize wealth and prosperity in the coming year. Lanterns symbolize the brightness of spring. In dragon and lion dances, a group of dancers parade under an elaborately decorated dragon or lion costume to scare away bad luck.

CLU’s Languages and Cultures Department and Multicultural Programs are sponsoring the free event.

Soiland Recreation Center is located in the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center, which is near the corner of Olsen Road and Campus Drive. For more information, contact Ashley Patterson at (805) 493-3489 or aapatter@callutheran.edu.