WHAT:
Midtown Global Market will bring a taste of Asia to south Minneapolis as it hosts its Chinese New Year Celebration on Friday, February 19, 2010 in conjunction with the Market’s Friday Family Night.

Members from the Chinese Heritage Foundation will be on-hand for fortune telling and distributing red envelopes that are traditionally believed to usher in good luck for the New Year. Children can also take home their name written in traditional Chinese calligraphy. A donation to the Chinese Heritage Foundation is suggested for these services.

A traditional Chinese Lion Dance will commence at 7 p.m., circling the Market with graceful movements and magnificent colors, to help ring in the year of the Tiger.

Other activities include:
- Cooking demonstration by Katie Pham of Pham’s Deli
- Live dance performance by Ha Family Entertainment
- Children’s crafts
- Distribution of free fortune cookies containing Market coupons and special offers

WHEN:
Friday, February 19, 2010
5 - 8 p.m.

WHERE:
Midtown Global Market – Central Plaza
920 East Lake Street, Minneapolis
Up to three hours of free parking in ramp on 10th Avenue on the east side of the Market

MORE: Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the first lunar month and lasts for 15 days. According to legend in ancient China, it is believed that a monster called "nian" could infiltrate houses and prey on humans.   In order to survive an attack by "nian," it was believed that loud noises and the color red would scare it away.  Therefore, Chinese New Year is called "guo nian" or surviving "nian."  During the Lion Dance performance, drums, gongs and cymbals are played at a steady beat in an effort to rid evil spirits and bad luck.

Midtown Global Market is an internationally-themed public market with groceries, great food and unique gifts. There is no better place in town to satisfy your senses. Midtown Global Market contains the best international diversity that has characterized South Minneapolis for decades.

Midtown Global Market offers up to three hours of validated parking in the East Ramp, located on Lake Street and 10th Ave S

CONTACTS: Megan Swenson, Nemer Fieger, 952-278-3109 or 612-423-0335