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Chinese Culture Days at the Garden
The daring new Shanghai Acrobatic Circus takes center stage at Chinese Culture Days, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s annual celebration of Chinese arts, culture, music and cuisine, on Saturday and Sunday, May 17 and 18. A Grand Parade opens the festivities at 10:00 a.m., led by a colorful 70-foot, 24-legged dragon, weaving through the crowd to dispel bad luck and evil spirits. Martial artists and costumed lion dancers follow, accompanied by gongs and drums to represent happiness and good luck in this Year of the Rat (Shu) in the Chinese zodiac.
Watch the Shanghai Acrobats perform breathtaking feats of strength, endurance, flexibility, balance and contortion both days at 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the outdoor Cohen Amphitheater. For more than 20 years the troupe has worked to perfect the Chinese folk art of tumbling into entertaining, award-winning performances that combine artistry with acrobatics.
Some activities will take place within the Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden, especially beautiful in spring bloom. Take a tour at noon, 2:00 or 4:00 p.m. and learn about the ancient symbolism of its plants, garden ornaments and structures. Visitors may watch or participate in Tai-ji at 1:00 p.m. both days. Tea tasting will be presented throughout each day.
Dumplings, egg rolls, lo mein and other favorites will be served by local restaurants and Chinese organizations.
Also, be among the first to see the new “Niki” exhibition of mosaic and painted sculptures by pop artist Niki de Saint Phalle, which continues through Oct. 31.
Admission to Chinese Culture Days is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, $3 for Garden members, $3 for children ages 3 to 12, and free for members’ children (12 and under). Trams will not operate during the event. Download a complete schedule of events from the Garden’s website: www.mobot.org.
The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in St. Louis, just south of Interstate 44 at the Vandeventer-Kingshighway exit. Park for free on site and two blocks west at the Shaw-Vandeventer intersection. The Garden is easily accessible by taking the MetroLink commuter rail line to the Central West End station and picking up a Metro bus (www.metrostlouis.org). For general information, log on to www.mobot.org or call the 24-hour Garden Line recording at (314) 577-9400 or (800) 642-8842. For membership information, call (314) 577-5118 during weekday business hours. The Missouri Botanical Garden is a tobacco-free environment.
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