Hello, Year of the Rooster!

Torn Tissue Rooster by Toni Yuly

On January 28, the world will greet the Lunar New Year of the Rooster — the Fire Rooster, to be specific. This feisty creature heralds a dynamic, high energy year wherein people will practice lessons in temperance and politeness. Folks born in the year of the Fire Rooster are known for their loyalty, trustworthiness and popularity.

The Wing Luke Asian Museum will kick things off on Saturday, January 28th from 10am to 5pm. ringing in the New Year with fun activities for the whole family. Lunar New Year games, arts and crafts, a stuffed animal petting zoo and much more! 

On Sunday, January 29th from 11am to 4pm, Seattle’s Chinatown-International District will continue the festivities in the heart of the ID. Sunday's celebration will be something to crow about with lots of cultural entertainment, including lion and dragon dancers, and drummers. And for the 7th year, check out the Adult and Children's Costume Contest and Parade, sure to be packed with creative cuties. More info available here.

For the foodies out there, there will be the famous $3 Food Walk (view menu here). Get 5 stamps from participating restaurants and enter for a chance to win prizes from Delta Airlines and Steven’s Pass Mountain Resort! 

And do visit your local shops (especially Momo!) while you’re in the neighborhood. You never know what New Year treats you might find.

Are you a Rooster? Here's a fun little chart that Momo Girl Angela found!

Enter the Year of the Ram

On February 19, the world will usher in the Lunar New Year of the Ram — the Wood Ram, to be specific. The wooly beast (also known as goat or sheep) is known for his/her creativity, artistic ability and kind-hearted, compassionate ways. 2015 is the year to contemplate your accomplishments and focus on bringing peace and harmony to yourself and those around you.

The Wing Luke Museum kicks off the year this Saturday, February 7 at 11am. Family-friendly fun includes Lion Dances, a visit from KIRO7’s Monique Ming Lanven and activities throughout the day.

On Saturday, February 21 from 11am- 4pm, the entire neighborhood joins in the celebration with cultural activities, parades, a food walk and an arts and crafts pavilion for the kiddos. The main stage will feature Dragon and Lion Dancing, taiko drumming, Bollywood dancing and a costume parade for the little ones.

For treat-seekers there will be more than 30 restaurants participating in the $2 Food Walk (view menu). Grab a passport at the Info Booth,  collect stamps at each destination, and when you have 5 or more, enter a drawing for a chance to win a prize. 1st place receives two international round-trip plane tickets! 2nd place wins two round-trip tickets to a US destination.
And come visit us at Momo! You can meet our handsome new friend (name to be determined – we are open to suggestions!).

I need a name!

Happy Lunar New Year!

2014 brings us the year of the Wood Horse. According to Momo’s handy-dandy book of Chinese horoscopes, the year of the Horse is a fast-paced one. Filled with periods of hectic activity and high-spirited adventure, it will be exhilarating, sometimes frustrating, but ultimately rewarding and profitable.

To  kick off the start of this exciting year, the Chinatown/International District will be hosting a neighborhood celebration  this Saturday, February 1st, starting at 11 a.m. at Hing Hay Park. Lion and Dragon dances, taiko drumming, children’s costume parade, scavenger hunt, $2 food walk — these are just a few of the festive events you'll find! Bring your friends and family and enjoy a unique, fun-filled cultural experience.

Message from Momo: Happy Lunar New Year!

Get ready for a wild ride in the auspicious year of the horse. The speed of the steed
will find us traveling the world and engaging in new adventures, possibly including unexpected trysts! Brave, energetic and powerful, the noble stallion champions both business and personal pursuits. In this fortunate year, harness your luck to bring about long-awaited change. Follow your hunches, be decisive — take swift action and your goals will be within reach.

Year of the Water Snake

A sweet snake girl for a sweet Snake Year. 

The year of the Dragon is now segueing into the year of the Snake...the water Snake to be exact. The last Year of the Water Snake was in 1953 (the year that Sir Edmund Hilary summited Mt. Everest, Watson and Crick determined the double helix structure of DNA, and the film Roman Holiday was released).

There are a number of fun family events to check out in the ID....like the Uwajimaya "Lunar New Year Scavenger Hunt" (now until the 9th). Lots of little prizes are to be won and the GRAND prize is a trip for two to Hawaii!! Hawaii is warm. Hawaii has sunshine. Hawaii does not have day after day of Very Cold Fog.

On Saturday February 2nd the Wing Luke Asian Museum is hosting a Lunar New Year celebration with lion dancers and a Fair (where children can participate in arts and crafts projects and visit the "stuffed animal petting zoo"). The following Saturday will be another celebration that encompasses all of the Chinatown-International District. There will be dragon and lion dancers, a costume parade/contest for kids, live reptile show and the super tasty $2 food walk.

Feeling festive and snaky? Momo has the latest cards by Mozaic Paper - vibrant Snake cards that convert into tiny lanterns. (psst! insider secret! these cards are designed by Momo Mama's sister in Hawaii!) We also have the sweetest little Year of the Snake cards by local artist Toni Yuly. So cute!

Who says that snakes are scary?