Everyone brings in the Chinese New Year with a festive Lion Dance

Little Saigon Celebrates Chinese New Year With Lion Dance

	In celebration of the Chinese and Vietnamese New Year, Little Saigon has invited a group of martial arst students to perform the traditional lion dance. The dance symbolizes the bringing of good luck and prosperity in the new year for the business. The event starts at 6 PM on Friday, February 15, 2002 and lasts approximately 45 minutes. It is free to the public. 

	The traditions of the lion dance has a long history in China recorded over thousands of years ago. The lion dance was initially started as entertainment only for the noble class. Later it spread to the army and finally to the civilians. There are many different stories as to the origin of thelion dance, but no historical record exists. One story is that the emperor of China of the Ching Dynasty had seen a lion dance in one of his dreams. After awakening, he ordered the guards of the palace to dance in accordance with what he had seen in his dream. 

	The Chinese Lunar Calendar is a yearly one, with the start of each year based on the cycle of the moon. Because of this cyclical dating, the beginning of the year can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. This year it falls on February 12, 2002. The Chinese New Year is sometimes recognized as the Spring Festival and the celebration lasts 15 days. We at the Little Saigon are celebrating on the 4th day of the festival. 

	The Chinese Lunar Calendar uses animals to represent each of the twelve years. Legend has it that the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from earth. Only twelve came to bid him farewell. As a reward, he had named a year after each one in the order that they arrived. The Chinese and Vietnamese believe the animal ruling the year in which a person is born has a profound influence on his or her personality. Two thousand and two is the year of the Horse. People born in the year of the Horse are very popular for their cheerful disposition and are generally well liked and admired. They are skilled with money matters and good with their hands. Often Horses are wise and intelligent, talented in many fields, and also hard working.

	Little Saigon has been open for approximately 9 months. The menu at Little Saigon is light and healthy. The pace is leisurely. The atmosphere is serene. The decor is subtle. Weather permitting, outdoor seating is also available. It is a great place for people watching or being seen. Dinner entrees range from $7 to $16. Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11 AM to 10 PM; Fri-Sat, 11 AM to 11 PM; Sun, 5 PM to 10 PM. Reservations are recommended for weekend dining. All major credit cards accepted. Wheelchair accessible. 

Celebration of Diversity & Culture Heralds Opening of New Bakery/Cafe

	Southside bakery and cafe, Marty's Baking, opens its first satellite bakery and cafe in the Central West End to a fanfare celebration of diversity and culture, Friday, February 15, 2002. Reverend Steve Tawler, Rabbi Susan Talve and Imam Waheed Rana will jointly bless the new Marty's Baking at the Left Bank followed by a traditional Chinese Lion Dance performed by local Chinese martial arts students beginning at 4:30 PM.

	Dating back to 205 B.C., the auspicious Lion Dance is only performed during the Chinese Lunar New Year, at the opening of new restaurants and at weddings. The opening of Marty's Baking at the Left Bank coincides with the third day of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Horse. The Honorable Lyda Krewson, Alderman of the 28th Ward will officiate the celebration. Members of the public are invited to attend.

	Marty's Baking began operations in April of 1996. Today, the establishment is best known for its carrot cake and eat-in-the-kitchen brunches. The new bakery/cafe will feature traditional cafe menu items, baked goods, crepes and liquors, and will highlight other Southside favorites with wines selected by 33 Wine Shop and Tasting Bar and gourmet chocolates supplied by the Chocolate Bar on Park Avenue in La Fayette Square.

	The blessing begins at 4:30 PM on Friday, Feb 15 and the lion dance starts at 5:00 PM. Marty's is at 395 North Euclid Avenue (corner of Euclid & McPherson next to Left Bank Books).