Year of the Rabbit

As the legend of the Chinese zodiac goes, the rabbit finished fourth in the Jade Emperor’s Great Race. I’m a big skeptic of the whole zodiac concept, even though the story was told to me as a child. Supposedly, if you were born in the Year of the Rabbit, you’re destined to be kind, sensitive and lucky—yet moody, stubborn and superficial. You should make friends with pigs and dogs, but not roosters or rats. And it’s destined to be your year.

Whether you believe in the zodiac or not, you can celebrate the Year of the Rabbit this weekend with the Chinese New Year Culture Association. The group is throwing its annual Chinese New Year’s bash at Sacramento State’s Union Ballroom this Saturday. The event showcases a broad taste of Chinese culture and heritage, including lion dancing, martial arts, singing and dancing. It begins at noon with a lion dance, kicking off a five-hour cultural stage program, with vendor booths open throughout. Then from 7 to 11 p.m., there will be a ballroom-style dance. Admission is $6 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under. Sacramento State University Union, 6000 J Street.