DENVER – The New Year as observed by many Asian cultures, including Chinese, Korean, Tibetan and others coincides with lunar cycles. For 2012, the Chinese New Year’s day was Jan. 23 with celebrations continuing for two weeks – also known as the Spring Festival – and ending with the Lantern Festival on Feb. 6. This year’s celebration marks the 4,710th year, and is the year of the dragon.

CU Denver students got into the spirit of the season by organizing and hosting Lunar New Year festivities Friday evening in the Tivoli Turnhalle on the Auraria Campus. It was a packed house as more than 400 students and guests enjoyed traditional performances and other activities.

“The students from various student organizations did a great job in program planning the festivities,” said Peggy Lore, assistant vice chancellor, Student Success.

Joe Halter, assistant director, Office of Student Life agreed,“The evening was an awesome collaboration between a wide variety of student organizations and campus departments.”
Original Article: http://www.ucdenver.edu/about/newsroom/newsreleases/Pages/lunar-new-year-2012.aspx