It’s fitting that my first post of the year features the other–and, in my opinion, much more fun–New Year’s holiday. The Year of the Horse officially begins on January 31st, but the festivities have already started in Washington, D.C. I was lucky to enjoy an evening of traditional Chinese arts and homemade dumplings by diplomats’ spouses at the Chinese Embassy’s party at the Meridian International Center yesterday–dumplings so good they were comparable to the ambrosial dumplings from Wang Fu in Central Hong Kong, which give me a tummy ache only because I cannot stop eating them.

Chinese New Year 2014 at the Meridian International Center

In Chinese culture, the Lunar New Year is the time to rid your house of the previous year’s literal and figurative cobwebs and make room for the coming year’s prosperity and happiness. While 2013 was a successful year for me, filled with exciting travel and career accomplishments and, finally, making exercise part of my normal routine, I think 2014 will provide needed focus and clarity to pursue the things in life that will really, hopefully, make me prosperous and happy. (This includes a new writing project I’m committing to right here. Want a hint? You’ll need a sturdy Tumi suitcase!)

If you’re ready to begin your own Chinese New Year celebrations. I highly recommend you attend the Chinese Embassy’s festival at the Smithsonian American Art Museum this weekend, where you’ll get to enjoy performances, arts and crafts, and more. Check out this event and others in my Get Out: This Week’s Pocket Picks for the Washington Times, which you can read in the print edition, in PDF format, or below.

The Washington Times

Get Out: The Week’s Pocket Picks by Samantha Sault 

January 24, 2014

Pick of the Pack: Chinese New Year Family Festival

The Chinese New Year–the “Year of the Horse”–begins Jan. 31, and 15 days of celebrations will ensue. Based on the Chinese lunar calendar and zodiac, the new year is celebrated all over the world and throughout the U.S., where Chinatowns in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Washington host traditional parades. This week, prepare for the new year by cleaning your house to make room for the coming year’s good fortune–and by learning about the festival’s traditions and impact on Chinese-American culture. On Saturday, the Smithsonian’s American Art Museum, in conjunction with the Chinese Embassy, will host a free family festival, which kicks off at 11:30 a.m. with a traditional lion dance performance. Throughout the day, enjoy enjoy puppet shows by the Tianjin Arts Troupe, live music, and arts and crafts including calligraphy and paper lantern lessons. Saturday at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, 8^th St. & F St. NW. 202/633-7970. Web: americanart.si.edu.

Theater: Violet

Ford’s Theatre’s first production of the year will surely warm your heart during a spell of frigid weather. Opening Friday, “Violet” is about three young adults’ search for love and self-worth in the tumultuous 1960s, set to an all-American score of bluegrass, country, gospel and rock. The musical follows the title character, who was disfigured in an accident as a girl and decides to visit her favorite televangelist in hopes of being healed. On the bus ride from Spruce Pine, N.C., to Tulsa, Okla., Violet befriends two soldiers—the charming Monty, who catches her eye right away, and the unfailingly kind Flick, a black man who encounters discrimination in the South of 1964. Based on a short story “The Ugliest Pilgrim,” the acclaimed musical by Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley premiered off Broadway in 1997 and won the Drama Critics’ Circle Award and Lucille Lortel Award for Best Musical. Through Feb. 23 at Ford’s Theatre, 511 10^th St. NW. 800/982-2787. Web: Fords.org.

Dining: Sips & Suppers

If you’re planning to dine out this weekend, why not help Washingtonians in need enjoy a hot meal while you’re at it? This weekend, join celebrated local chef Jose Andres of Jaleo and minibar fame, along with “slow food” pioneer Alice Waters and cookbook author Joan Nathan, for the sixth annual Sips and Suppers, a weekend of culinary events to support DC Central Kitchen and Martha’s Table. On Saturday, head to the Newseum for Sips, a reception featuring food and beverage tastings from dozens of chefs, mixologists and wineries from across the country, as well as live entertainment. On Sunday, the feasting continues with Suppers, a series of exclusive dinners at private homes prepared by local chefs including the talent behind area favorites like Hank’s Oyster Bar, Ripple and West End Bistro,. While waiting for your meal, you’ll enjoy conversation with other diners and the chefs. “Sips” on Saturday at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. “Suppers” on Sunday citywide. Web: SipsAndSuppers.org.

Theater: Richard III

This year marks the 450^th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare, and Washington’s Folger Shakespeare Library is kicking off the party with a performance of “Richard III,” one of the Bard’s first historical plays. Written circa 1592, “Richard III” tells the story of the titular King of England in the title from 1483 until his death two years later. Directed by Robert Richmond, this version of the play will be shown “in the round” as Shakespeare intended—a first for the Folger Theatre for this special occasion. The show opens Tuesday with a pay-what-you-can performance, with tickets available at the box office one hour before curtain. To mark the playwright’s birthday, the Folger Library will also showcase some of the staff’s “favorite things” from the collections, including early editions of Shakespeare’s plays, artwork, kitsch and even a Sanskrit translation of “Hamlet.” “Richard III” through March 9 and exhibit through June 15 at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E. Capitol St. SE. 202/544-7077. Web: Folger.edu.

Dance: The Jazz/Blues Project

If the smooth jazz sounds of Etta James speak to you more than pirouettes and opera glasses, then the Washington Ballet’s latest production may be just the ticket to bridge the divide. (And, if you adore both, you definitely won’t want to miss it.) Opening Wednesday, the Washington Ballet’s “The Jazz/Blues Project” intertwines the great American music with classic and contemporary choreography along with live musical accompaniment by Chicago singer E. Faye Butler and the Howard University Jazz Ensemble. Choreographer Trey McIntyre’s “Blue Until June,” which employs the songs “St. Louis Blues,” “At Last,” and other Etta James favorites, will be performed, as well as choreographer Val Caniparoli’s “Bird’s Nest,” set to songs by saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker. The show also includes the world premiere of “Prism,” a dance piece by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa featuring pianist Keith Jarrett’s “Koln Concert.” Through Feb. 2 at Sidney Harman Hall, 610 F. St. NW. 202/547-1122. Web: WashingtonBallet.org.

© Copyright 2014 The Washington Times, LLC and Samantha Sault