China Institute is kicking off the next stage of their publishing and educational program We All Live in the Forbidden City by celebrating with a launch party for the new books Bowls of Happiness and What Was It Like, Mr. Emperor? Life in China’s Forbidden City on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the China Institute at 2, 100 Washington St, New York, NY 10006.
At this family festival celebrating Chinese history and culture, there will be performances, games, crafts and more. Prizes will be given to the first 50 guests and throughout the day. Admission is free, and registration is not required but is recommended to secure a place in one of the children’s workshops.
Doors open at 12:45 p.m., and from 1 to 2 p.m., a Children’s Workshop presentation titled, “The Emperor’s Big Family” will commence.
From 2:10 to 2:55 p.m., there will be a shadow puppet show titled, “Tiger Tales.” Based on popular Chinese folktales and literature, the story deals humorously with issues of power and survival of the small and powerless in the modern jungle, in which the proverb, “working for the emperor is as dangerous as working for the tiger” still holds true. This award-winning production by Chinese Theatre Works was co-created by Stephen Kaplin, who designed the shadow puppets for Julie Taymor’s The Lion King.
At 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., there is an Art Studio Workshop titled, “Make Your Own Chinese Bowl,” and beginning at 3 until 4 p.m., another Children’s Workshop presentation titled, “Bowls of Happiness” will commence.
Throughout the day, there will be food fit for an emperor and empress, imperial arts and crafts, raffle drawings for We All Live in the Forbidden City books and other special prizes and freebies that kids will love.
For more information about the series, visit the website at www.walfc.org and for more information about the event, please visit their experts’ page at www.prbythebook.com/china-institute.
