TROY University will celebrate the Chinese New Year at 6 p.m. Jan. 28 in the Trojan Center Ballrooms. 

The Chinese New Year celebration is hosted by the Chinese Students Association and is intended help ring in the Year of the Dog.  Festivities will include a variety of entertainment by TROY students who are from China. Instrumental performances will include a Guzheng, a string instrument similar to the zither, a Chinese flute and hulusi. 

Also included in the evening’s entertainment will be Chinese operatic selections and a rock band performance. A Tai Ji martial arts exhibition and the lion and dragon dances will take place. Traditional dances to dispel evil spirits will be performed at the beginning of the program.

“This celebration makes the students feel less homesick by making them feel at home here, so we really want the University and community to come share the evening with them and embrace them as family,” said Debbie Davis, director of international student life.

A wide variety of Chinese dishes will be offered including a New Year’s Cake and sweet rice, she said.

About 240 guests are anticipated, including some from Wetumpka and Montgomery. 

“This event will hopefully allow guests to take a piece of China with them,” Davis said.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $8 for students and $12 for the general public. For tickets or further information, call 670-5965 or visit the University’s Center for International Programs, 123 Pace Hall.