Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways

The Year of the Horse is here! Celebrate the Lunar New Year in style with MPA, Brooklyn Public Library, and the Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company for an interactive dance experience featuring dazzling costumes and eye-catching props, plus crafts and fun for the whole family!

The 2026 Year of the Horse program from Nai-Ni Chen is a lively, interactive dance experience that invites young audiences to discover the richness and diversity of Chinese culture through movement, music, and storytelling as the artists guide students on a journey across regions and traditions—explaining how geography, history, and community celebrations shape classical and folk dance forms. The performance is narrated by the dancers, who demonstrate foundational techniques and cultural context in an age-appropriate, engaging way.

Audience don’t just watch—they participate. Selected volunteers are invited on stage to learn simple movements, including the flowing artistry of silk ribbon dance, and to experience how gesture and rhythm communicate meaning. For the Year of the Horse (2026), the program will also introduce a new lion dance segment celebrating the excitement of festival traditions, along with a dynamic Mongolian dance inspired by horsemanship and grassland culture—highlighting the spirit of strength, freedom, and resilience associated with the horse.