A&E Dispatch | "Celebrate Asia!" with Symphony Friday

In time to ring in the Lunar New Year on Jan. 20, the Seattle Symphony is inaugurating a show called "Celebrate Asia!"

The pan-Asian event will feature lion dancers, taiko drummers and Indian dancers, plus 16-year-old violinist Paul Kim, Erhu master Warren Chang and soprano Gabrielle Borromeo will be performing. In addition, the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Seattle Symphony will be playing both Eastern and Western pieces.

The idea for the show started over a year ago, when leaders in the local Asian community brainstormed ways to strengthen the bonds with the broader community. They hope to continue "Celebrate Asia!" every year.

The show is set for 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, in Benaroya Hall. Concertgoers are encouraged to wear festival dress or their national costumes.

Tickets: $35 (www.seattlesymphony.org, 206-215-4747, or in person at the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office at Benaroya Hall, at Third Avenue and Union Street, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 1-6 p.m. and Saturdays). Proceeds from the show will go to future "Celebrate Asia!" programs, the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras' Scholarship Fund and the Seattle Symphony.

Find more information here — www.celebrateasia.org.

Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com