Chinese New Year Celebration
The Year of the Black Horse - 4699

Peabody Place Museum hosts four-day celebration beginning Feb. 12th

MEMPHIS, TENN. (Jan. 30, 2002) – The Chinese have celebrated more New Years than any other culture in the world – 4699 – and Peabody Place Museum is doing its part to enlighten the public on the unique and artistic character of the Chinese culture. This February the Museum is hosting a four-day celebration honoring the upcoming Year of the Black Horse.

Tuesday, February 12th is the beginning of the Chinese New Year, because it is the new moon day, the first day of the first Chinese lunar month.

Chinese fortunetellers say that first your house must be in order with proper placements for enhanced harmony and prosperity in your life. So on New Year's Day, Peabody Place Museum is hosting a Feng Shui Lecture from 2:30-4:00 p.m. featuring Belinda Mendoza. The $15 price includes a tour of the Museum, and you’ll learn much more about the ancient Chinese art of placement when you attend.

Following the lecture the Museum will host a Chinese New Year Happy Hour from 5:00-7:30 p.m. with cocktails and special Chinese hors d'oeuvres all by Rialto and Gordon Biersch. The Museum will be Free! to the public during Happy Hour.

Wednesday, February 13th the Museum will host a Free! lunchtime lecture about Chinese Medicine by Herbalist Dr. Mark Shui from noon until 1 p.m. You should bring a brown bag lunch, but seating is limited so be sure to call early for a reservation.

Thursday, February 14th has been declared Special Student Activity Day at the Museum from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. with admissions reduced to $1.50 per student. Teachers may call in advance to reserve tour times for student groups.

Friday, February 15th is an Introduction to China's internal martial arts with a free Tai Chi presentation by Sheila Rae from noon until 1 p.m. You will want to bring lunch and because seating is limited, call early for a reservation.

The Peabody Place Museum is located in the heart of Downtown Memphis on the Main Street Trolley Line at 119 South Main. The Museum offers year-round educational programs and group tour packages. The Museum blends ancient history and beauty showcasing an extensive fine art collection that includes Chinese jade sculptures, intricate ivory carvings, delicate porcelain, cloisonné, and imperial textiles. In addition, there is a world-class grouping of Japanese artistic objects, Italian mosaics, modern glass, magnificent Judaica, scholar rocks, mineral specimens, and Russian lacquer boxes – each one lovelier than the next – that will take your breath away.

The Museum is a part of Peabody Place development Downtown and open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, Noon to 5 p.m. Regular admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for senior citizens, and $4 for students. Special group rates are available by calling Jane Malton at (901) 260-7419. For additional information about the museum call (901) 523-ARTS (2787) or click Peabody Place Museum.