Get red-y to ring in the New Year 🧧

Lunar New Year celebrations in Portland, OR

Colorful lion dancers parade through a city street.

The Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration draws scores of spectators every year. | Photo by @portlandchinatownmuseum

Did you know some 2 billion people celebrate the Lunar New Year? The start of the holiday coincides with the date of the new moon in Asia, which is Sunday, Jan. 22.

Each year on the lunar calendar is represented by one of 12 animals — on a 12-year cycle — and 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. In Chinese culture, people born in a rabbit year (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, or 2011) are said to be caring, attentive to details, and good at making friends — and they’re predicted to have a year of excitement, prosperity, and surprises ahead.

Here are some events to celebrate the Lunar New Year in the Rose City:

Lunar New Year Opening Lion Dance | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 9:30-10 a.m. | Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 NW Everett St. | Free | Welcome the Year of the Rabbit with a special lion dance performance at the garden’s Entrance Plaza.
Lunar New Year Lantern Viewing Evenings | Thursday, Jan. 26-Sunday, Feb. 5 | 5 p.m. + 7 p.m. | Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 NW Everett St. | $15-$45 | Take in the sights of the garden at night as glowing lanterns illuminate traditional architecture and floating sculptures.
Chinese New Year Cultural Fair | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. | $8 | Experience traditional Chinese dances, music, calligraphy, martial arts, and games for kids.
2023 Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration | Saturday, Jan. 28 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Free | The seventh annual parade, presented by the Portland Chinatown Museum and Oregon Historical Society, will showcase a 150-ft-long dragon, lion dancers, and other performers as they make their way around Old Town Chinatown.

2 MORE YEAR OF THE RABBIT EVENTS

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Tuesday, Jan. 17

The Siren Theater Improv Giants | Tuesday, Jan. 17 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th Ave., Portland | $10-$25 | Get ready for a laughter-induced ab workout, courtesy of some of the area’s smartest, fastest, and funniest improv comedians.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

“American Fast” | Wednesday, Jan. 18-Sunday, Jan. 29 | Times vary | Portland Center Stage, 128 NW 11th Ave., Portland | $5-$60 | Follow a top-ranked college basketball star as she leads her team into the finals and grapples with her faith.

Thursday, Jan. 19

Luna | Thursday, Jan. 19 | 8 p.m. | Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., Portland | $35 | The indie rock band born in New York in the early ‘90s is back together and ready to show Rose City a good time.

Friday, Jan. 20

Portland Winterhawks vs. Victoria Royals | Friday, Jan. 20 | 7 p.m. | Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 300 Winning Way, Portland | $26-$41 | Ice ice, baby — there’s only room for one ruling monarch, and our money’s on the home team.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

WINTER FUN HAS JUST BEGUN

Weather

47º | Morning showers, then steady light rain | 66% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:45 a.m.
Set: 4:56 p.m.

Sports

The Portland Timbers have named a permanent general manager: Ned Grabavoy. The former MLS player had served as interim GM since Gavin Wilkinson was fired by owner Merritt Paulson in October. “The biggest need for our group right now is to find another option at forward,” Grabavoy said. ⚽ (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Biz

Entrepreneurs of a feather, flock together. At least that’s the case at the Oregon Executive MBA Alumni Chapter’s fourth annual Duck Tank on Saturday, Feb. 25. There, a networking cocktail hour will be followed by startup pitch presentations in front of a panel of industry leaders and investors for cash prizes. 🦆
Cole Hann, a New Hampshire-based apparel brand, has quietly opened an office in the Pearl District with roughly a dozen employees. The location is focusing on athletic shoes — specifically, running, outdoor, and golf footwear. 👟 (Portland Business Journal)

Edu

A local couple are shooting for the stars — by bringing the stars closer to home. Forrest Babcock and Janet Zuelke are raising money to build a community science center at Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville. The Carlton Observatory already has six large telescopes, a 45-seat planetarium, and two acres of land. 🔭 (OPB)

Number

2 million. That’s how many followers the Oregon Zoo has surpassed on TikTok. The zoo’s otterly adorable content showcasing everything from snacking animals to conservation has also earned over 40 million likes on the social media platform. Staff said the “exciting milestone” means their work is reaching a “really wide audience.” 🦦

Cause

The Newport Sea Lions organization is raising money to rebuild docks damaged in a winter storm last month. The docks, which were a popular draw for sea lions and tourists alike, were torn away from their pilings; some pieces were recovered but others floated away. 🌊 (KOIN)
Taking care of older adults in our community takes money and support. Portlanders can make a difference by donating to Meals on Wheels People — a local nonprofit that helps homebound adults thrive through nutritious foods, check-ins, light home repairs, and social interactions. 🤝 *

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THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Cambrie.

Editor’s pick: Well, now I know why “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” has 10 Tony Awards to its name — the performance I saw over the weekend at the Keller Auditorium was magnifique. As a longtime fan of theater, I’m always so grateful for the chance to see spectacular shows on the regular.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? From dog races to ski jumps, Multnomah Field has seen a lot in its 130-year history.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Cambrie Juarez, Ben McBee, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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