To Prosperity
The Crow Museum of Asian Art of the University of Texas at Dallas has celebrated the art and culture of Asia for more than 20 years. That mission is demonstrated annually through the museum’s signature event, the Chinese New Year Festival. The party takes place a full month later than the Western New Year, on Feb. 1, and caters to the area’s increasing diversity.
According to the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce, Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial group in the Dallas area and make up nearly 19% of the suburb of Plano’s population. Un-surprisingly, the Crow Museum’s extravaganza has expanded as well. “Now, multiple generations of the Asian and greater Dallas community have grown up celebrating with the Crow Museum as a family,” says Caroline Kim, the museum’s director of development.
The festivities will include traditional dragon and lion dances, kung fu demonstrations, and arts and crafts. According to the Chinese calendar, 2020 is the Year of the Rat. The first in the line of Chinese zodiac animals, rats are seen as a sign of wealth because they multiply rapidly. That means prosperous times could lie ahead, which is all the more reason to celebrate.
Chinese New Year Festival, Feb. 1 NorthPark Center, 8687 North Central Expressway, Dallas.
214-979-6430; crowcollection.org
BIG BEND COUNTRY
ALPINE
Plein Air Painters of the Four Corners
Through March 22
Members of the Plein Air Painters of the Four Corners exhibit their images of Big Bend regional landscapes at Museum of the Big Bend, located on the Sul Ross State University campus. Museum of the Big Bend, 400 N. Harrison St. 432-837-8143; museumofthebigbend.com
ALPINE
Lone Star Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Feb. 21-22
This new event continues a decades-long Alpine tradition of celebrating cowboy poetry and preserving Western heritage through music and literature. Sul Ross State University, 400 N. Harrison St. 432-244-9967; lonestarcowboypoetry.com
COMSTOCK
The Border to Badlands Ultra Race
Feb. 29
Experience the desert wildlife, striking flora, and incredible views of where Seminole Canyon meets the Rio Grande at this race. Distances range from 5K to 50 miles. Seminole Canyon State Park, US 90, West Park Road 67. 432-292-4464; ultraexpeditions.com/the-border-to-badlands-ultra
EL PASO
Sun City Scavenger Hunt
Through Dec. 31, 2021
On this culture-filled El Paso scavenger hunt, explore the iconic buildings and great green spaces around downtown. Let’s Roam, 111 W. Mills Ave. 833-202-7626; letsroam.com/scavenger_hunt
GULF COAST
ANGLETON
Austin Town
Feb. 22
At this living history reenactment, learn about the lives of pioneers who settled colonial Texas from 1821 to 1832 through character interpreters, demonstrations, sutlers, militia drill units, and period games. Brazoria County Fairgrounds, 901 S. Downing Road. 979-864-1208; bchm.org
BEAUMONT
Symphony of Southeast Texas: The Romantic Spirit of Music
Feb. 15
Celebrate the season of love at this concert featuring compositions by Brahms, Fauré, and Hanson. With guest artists Dalton Woody and Angela Pickering. Julie Rogers Theatre, 765 Pearl St. 409-892-2257; sost.org
BEAUMONT
Mardi Gras Southeast Texas
Feb. 20-23
Enjoy a family-friendly Mardi Gras celebration with parades, concerts, carnival rides, street entertainment, and a kids' zone. Downtown Beaumont, 700 Crockett St. 409-721-8717; mardigrassetx.com
BROWNSVILLE
Sombrero Festival
Feb. 27-29
First held in 1986 to enhance the spirit of Charro Days, this festival is now the largest event in Cameron County and benefits multiple nonprofit organizations and causes throughout the community. Washington Park, 700 E. Madison St. 956-550-9682; sombrerofestival.com
GALVESTON
The Snowy Day and Other Stories
Feb. 6
Ezra Jack Keats’ celebrates the magic and boundless possibilities of the first snowfall. Follow Peter and his friends as.
