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Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year celebrations are arriving in the Tri-Valley and the rest of the Bay Area in the coming days.
Pleasanton’s free event, part of its 2025 Cultural Celebration Series, is set for this Saturday (Jan. 25) from 1-3 p.m. at the Senior Center on Sunol Boulevard. “Enjoy storytelling, performances, music and family-friendly crafts as we welcome the Year of the Snake. Join us for an afternoon of culture, joy and community,” city officials said. Scheduled to perform are Diablo Taiko Drumming Ensemble, KungFu Dragon USA, and Xiaopei Chinese Dance.
Livermore Valley Arts is holding its free Lunar New Year celebration the following weekend. The event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Sunday (Feb. 2) outside the Bankhead Theater will include “demonstrations, performances, and arts for the entire family”, according to LVA reps.
The San Francisco Premium Outlets has a party planned for next Saturday (Feb. 1) from 1-3 p.m. between Bloomingdale’s and lululemon “to celebrate the diverse cultural heritage of the Asian-American community in Livermore” — including a Lion Dance Me performance, special giveaways and other offerings from select retailers.
San Ramon’s City Center Bishop Ranch is joining the revelry next Sunday (Feb. 2) from 2-4 p.m. with its free annual Lunar New Year celebration in Alexander Square.
“Occurring every 12 years in the lunar zodiac cycle, the Year of the Snake represents wisdom and renewal,” City Center reps said. “This annual event embraces these themes through captivating Chinese dance performances, live music, a talented contortionist and the magic of the Bian Lian ‘face changer’. The afternoon of entertainment will also feature the iconic dragon dance, bringing excitement and energy into the new year.”
Concert postponed due to fires
Grammy Award winner Colin Hay and LVA officials have rescheduled the former Men At Work frontman’s concert at the Bankhead from this Friday to Oct. 10 because his Southern California home has been under evacuation from the Palisades Fire.
“I do not relish having to postpone shows, but due to unforeseen personal circumstances, my upcoming solo shows this week will be moved to October 2025,” Hay said in a statement. “I apologize for any inconvenience caused, but will make it up to you further down the road.”
“As we all know, it’s a devastating time for so many in our beloved city, may we help each other however we can,” he added. “I would also like to thank all the firefighters who are nothing short of heroic, and especially those who worked tirelessly, and saved our neighborhood which was under imminent threat. I shall never forget that.”
The Bankhead will honor the Jan. 24 tickets for the Oct. 10 date. For those who can’t attend the new date, options are available by calling the box office at 925-373-6800.
ARTSFUND grants
Applications remain available through Feb. 6 for the Alameda County Arts Commission’s 2025 ARTSFUND grant program, which offers funding of typically $2,000 to $3,000 each to selected nonprofit arts and culture organizations based anywhere in the county.
Learn more or submit the form online at arts.acgov.org/artsfund.
Cleaning up freeway ramp
Volunteers from the global nonprofit Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan (DSNDP) spent time last Saturday (Jan. 19) picking up trash along the interchange of Interstate 580 and Santa Rita Road in Pleasanton as part of Caltrans’ Adopt-A-Highway program.
The organization said the group filled 10 large trash bags full of debris, clearing around 280 pounds of waste from the area.
