Lion dance performers on the main concourse of Chelsea Market

Lunar New Year 2020 in Review: From A Modern Monkey King to a Delicious Dumpling Demo, and Much More


We had another fun and festive Lunar New Year, complete with awesome art, delicious dumplings, lively lion dancing, and more. Check out our recap of how we rang in the Year of the Rat.

A Chinatown Odyssey: Art Exhibition Opening

Artist Jerry Ma in front of some of his work in the Pearl River Mart art gallery

We got the party started early with the opening reception of our current exhibition, A CHINATOWN ODYSSEY, featuring exquisitely detailed illustrations from acclaimed graphic novel and comic book artist Jerry MaWe had tons of fun celebrating —

Guests enjoying drinks at Jerry Ma's opening reception for his art show at Pearl River Mart

Joanne Kwong introducing artist Jerry Ma at his opening reception for his art show at Pearl River Mart

— and got to try scrumptious Taiwanese eats and drinks from Ho Foods.

Rich Ho and employee from Ho Foods at Jerry Ma's opening reception for his art show at Pearl River Mart

Close up of Taiwanese fan tuan at Jerry Ma's opening reception for his art show at Pearl River Mart

In case you didn't notice, we had a blast (and that's not just the shochu talking)!

Fun group photo at Jerry Ma's opening reception for his art show at Pearl River Mart

A Lunar New Year Tradition with Roger Clark and NY1

A tradition we look forward to every Lunar New Year is sharing traditions and fun facts with Roger Clark of NY1 — and we’re so happy to have been able do so again this year!

Joanne Kwong speaks to Roger Clark of NY1 about Lunar New Year traditions

Roger also spoke with artist Jerry Ma about his exhibition:

Artist Jerry Ma had a laugh with Roger Clark of NY1 as they discuss his exhibition, A Chinatown Odyssey

You can watch the whole segment here.

Celebrating the Year of the Rat with Cindy Hsu and CBS

Joanne Kwong and Pearl River staff with CBS's Cindy Hsu and John Elliott in front of display of Lunar New Year decor and foods

We were so happy to celebrate with Cindy Hsu of CBS not just once but twice! The news anchor first came to our TriBeCa store and spoke with owner Mrs. Chen about what the Year of the Rat means, dos and don’ts, and how the Chinese zodiac works.

Pearl River owner Mrs. Chen speaks with CBS's Cindy Hsu about Lunar New Year traditions

Then we headed out to the studio and set up our table of Lunar New Year decor and lucky foods (beautifully designed by our own Jeff Van Damme) —

Pearl River staff with Joanne Kwong and table of Lunar New Year decor and foods

— to share with Cindy and meteorologist John Elliott!

TV screen with Joanne Kwong, John Elliott, and Cindy Hsu live on CBS

Check out the full segments here and here.

Decking out Chelsea Market, Lunar New Year Style

This year you could find Lunar New Year not just in our store but throughout Chelsea Market as well. From lanterns —

Lantern and lion display in Chelsea Market

— to scrolls and firecrackers —

Pearl River Mart scrolls with lanterns and windows with firecrackers

— to fabulous dragons.

Large dragons in front of Pearl River Mart at Chelsea Market

Our in-store decorations weren't too shabby either!

Pearl River Mart in-store display of lanterns, lion head, rat decorations, and more

Pearl River Mart in-store display of blue dragon with lanterns and merchandise

A Dumpling Demo, Lantern Welcoming, and Happy Hour

We lauded Lunar New Year day with an action-packed afternoon at our TriBeCa store. We kicked off the fun with a dumpling-making demo from cookbook author, certified health coach, and sustainability guru Christine Wong.

Christine Wong leading dumpling-making demo at Pearl River Mart

Christine's "bok choy" dumplings

Young women enjoying their dumplings

We also offered some lucky foods to sample —

Samplings of lucky Lunar New Year snacks

— and refreshing beers and tea to sip from official sponsors Hokkaido Brewing beers and Brooklyn Crafted!

Hokkaido Breweing beers with sponsorship sign

Person holding bottle of Brooklyn Crafted mango calamansi aid

Another highlight was welcoming artist Yao Xiao, Think!Chinatown friends Yin Kong and Amy Chin, and Yao’s beautiful lantern.

Pearl River president Joanne Kwong, artist Yao Xiao, Think Chinatown founders Yin Kong and Amy Chin with Yao's handpainted lantern

 The day was capped off with yummy dim sum from another official sponsor:

Joanne Kwong serving Jing Fong dim sum to guests

Jing Fong sponsorship sign

Thank you so much Jing Fong, and thanks to everyone who came out in the pouring raining to help us celebrate!

Another Lunar New Year Extravaganza on the Books!

Lunar New Year wouldn’t be complete without our annual Chelsea Market extravaganza. We welcomed back dancer Ling Tang who wowed the crowd with her parasol dancing —

Dancer Ling Tang performing a parasol dance at Pearl River Mart's Lunar New Year celebration at Chelsea Market

— ribbon work —

Dancer Ling Tang performing a ribbon dance at Pearl River Mart's Lunar New Year celebration at Chelsea Market

— and fan action.

Dancer Ling Tang performing a fan dance at Pearl River Mart's Lunar New Year celebration at Chelsea Market

Next was a reading and coloring activity from Gordon & Li Li author, Michele Wong McSween:

Gordon & Li Li author Michele Wong McSweeny reading to a crowd of children and adults

And of course raucous lion dancing from the inimitable Wan Chi Ming Dragon Lion Team!

Lion dancers holding Lunar New Year sign

Lion dance troupe musicians

After so much fun, we were starving. Mao’s Bao to the rescue!

Close-up of colorful "bao" from Mao's Bao

Women enjoying their Mao's Baos

Happy Year of the Rat from all of us at Pearl River!

Pearl River staff and staff from Mao's Bao and Hokkaido Brewing enjoying a silly moment

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