Feeling lucky? The Sar Ping Lion Dance is meant to bring luck and fortune to the coming year. | Photo by @zykfa
What is the Lunar New Year?
Did you know some 2 billion people celebrate the Lunar New Year? The start of the holiday coincides with the date of the new moon in Asia, which is Sunday, Jan. 22.
Each year on the lunar calendar is represented by one of 12 animals — on a 12-year cycle — and 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. In Chinese culture, people born in a rabbit year (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, or 2011) are said to be caring, attentive to details, and good at making friends — and they’re predicted to have a year of excitement, prosperity, and surprises ahead.
ZYKFA
This Lunar New Year, Madisonians are invited to celebrate the occasion with the Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association (ZYKFA). Since 1995, ZYKFA has been helping businesses, schools, and community groups celebrate the Lunar New Year and learn traditional Chinese martial arts.
Lion Dances
Throughout the next couple of weeks, the organization will be performing Lion Dances around the 608 in honor of the holiday. Lion Dances are often performed to bring good luck to spectators, restaurants, and other businesses.
Under each lion costume, there are two members of the dance troupe — one controlling the head and one controlling the body — who theatrically operate the costume while red envelopes are “fed” to them by spectators.
These red envelopes contain monetary offerings for the lions who will, in turn, bless the people and/or businesses to ensure good fortune in the coming year.
Where to watch
While ZYKFA is performing multiple Lion Dances this season, we suggest checking out their State Street event on Sunday, Feb. 5 at 12 p.m.
In addition to the dancing, ZYKFA will also be blessing a few State Street storefronts at this event. Head over to Peace Park where you’ll have a front-row seat to the celebratory occasion.
Walking Book Group | Friday, Jan. 20 | 2 p.m. | Lakeview Library, 2845 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | Walk the walk and talk the (book) talk at this monthly on-foot book club. 📚
Acoustic Happy Hour | Friday, Jan. 20 | 6-9 p.m. | Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green, Madison | Free | Enjoy an acoustic reggae-funk inspired performance by Adem Tesfaye while enjoying brews and bites from the Garver Lounge.
Saturday, Jan. 21
Beer and Cheese Fest | Saturday, Jan. 21 | Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison | $15-$95 | Meet and mingle with brewers and cheese makers from all over the region as you sample hundreds of varieties of delicious products.
A Queer Variety Show | Saturday, Jan. 21 | 8:30 p.m.-12 a.m. | Majestic Madison, 115 King St., Madison | $10 | Stop by for live music, drag performances, and local vendors brought to you by a 608today favorite, Kat and the Hurricane. 🪩
Sunday, Jan. 22
History Club | Sunday, Jan. 22 | 2-3 p.m. | Monona Public Library, 1000 Nichols Rd., Madison | Free | Learn all about how the Arboretum’s Lost City, a failed development project, came to be and the state of it today.
SIN on Sunday | Sunday, Jan. 22 | 10 p.m. | The Rigby, 119 E. Main St., Madison | Calling all restaurant workers. Take a load off at Rigby’s service industry night featuring DJ EMC.
Monday, Jan. 23
Red Cross Blood Drive | Monday, Jan. 23 | 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Central Library, 201 W. Mifflin St., Madison | Free | Schedule an appointment to help others with Central Library Madison and the American Red Cross. 💉
Mindful Moments| Monday, Jan. 23 | 12:30 p.m. | Sequoya Library, 4340 Tokay Blvd., Madison | Free | Start your week off zen by dropping into this mindful meditation group in person or via Zoom.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Quince delivers high-quality essentials at affordable prices, directly from the factory to you. | Photo by Quince
You deserve to have nice things. At Quince, you can treat yourself to the finer things in life. We’re talking 100% Mongolian cashmere, washable silk, Italian leather, 14K gold, European linen + more everyday luxuries — always up to 80% less than other brands, always with free shipping + returns for 365 days.
Plus, Quince partners with responsible factories around the world and bypasses the traditional retail middlemen, so you can sustainably elevate your life at affordable prices.*
Madison’s City Council voted in favor of an ordinance that will allow duplexes to be built in areas originally zoned for single-family homes only. Ultimately, proximity to public transit was the deciding factor in upping housing density in these neighborhoods. (Madison.com)
Development
Live in The Moment, literally. The lot that once belonged to Paisan’s is projected to be home to a 200+ unit luxury apartment complex called The Moment. Additionally, an even larger complex has been proposed for development just down the street at 139 W. Wilson St.(Cap Times)
Lake Monona Waterfront Design Challenge participants are set to present their designs for the first time on Thursday, Jan. 26. Tune in to the livestream to get a sneak peek at the future of Lake Monona’s western coast. 🌊
Outdoors
McCarthy Youth and Conservation County Park is getting an upgrade to the tune of $1.2 million. Dane County intends to purchase an additional 35 acres of land adjacent to the park in order to expand the area and protect it from any future developments. (Madison.com)
Opening
A kid-centric bookstore is set to open in April right off of the square. Lake City Books will set up shop across the street from the Children’s Museum at 107 N. Hamilton St. and will offer a large selection of children’s and young adult literature. (Cap Times)
Sports
(New) batter up.The Brewers have reportedly signed free agent Brian Anderson to a one-year, $3.5 million deal. The multi-position player had spent his entire career with the Marlins. And in case you were wondering, we’re less than 70 days until Opening Day. (Channel 3000)
Travel
Heading abroad in 2023?Babbel offers lesson plans for 12 different languages spoken throughout Europe (where 59% of our readers plan on traveling to in 2023). Prep for the trip of your dreams with bite-sized, 10-minute lessons that will help you learn the new language in as little as three weeks. 🌏 *
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Ally.
Editor’s pick: Do y’all believe in astrological signs and horoscopes? I’m pretty indifferent but I stumbled across this zodiac site while learning about the Year of the Rabbit (and The Year of the Cat in Vietnamese culture) and thought it was pretty fun. Any fellow Oxes out there?
Missed our last newsletter? We celebrated 10 years of Karben4 Brewing.
Connect with us.
Editorial:Ally Geiger, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.
* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.