Lion dances, drum corps and dim sum are just a few of the spectacles revelers will see and taste around Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills for the cities celebration of the Chinese New Year.  Forty-five restaurants and retailers are participating in the January 20 bash with special deals and events.

The festivities begin at 6pm but prior to that, the famous porcelain creators at Lladró will have a VIP event welcoming members of the Chinese tourism and business communities and an unveiling of two versions of a limited edition sculpture named “Auspicious Dragon” in honor of the year of the mythical beast.

But at 6pm, the celebrations really commence, and the hype is growing more and more.

“We are thrilled to bring to life traditional Chinese entertainment and customs, from the magical lion dancing to the soulful thumping of the drum corps,” said Beverly Hills Mayor, Barry Brucker.   “The City of Beverly Hills is proud to present this unprecedented event celebrating this important Chinese holiday.  We invite visitors, residents and locals throughout the Los Angeles area to join in on the festivities commemorating this colorful, family-centric tradition.”

Rodeo Drive will be thumping with traditional Chinese performances and the award winning East Wind dance troupe from Los Angeles’ Chinatown will be rocking and rolling.

The first 1,000 attendees to arrive and check in at the Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau table located on the 400 block of Rodeo Drive near the Lladró boutique will receive gift packages with prizes in them, some of these will have a $200 prize.

Local restaurants and retailers are also getting into the celebration by offering free gifts with purchase, in store refreshments and extended store hours till 9pm.  Restaurants surrounding Rodeo Drive will have specials including featured Asian cuisine, dim sum menus at the BLVD at Beverly Wilshire and a complementary sample of green tea at café Rodeo at Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive.

For a complete listing of participating merchants you can go to www.lovebeverlyhills.com/dragon for more information.

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