By Kathy Chouteau
Plans are in the works to welcome the arrival of spring with a “Norooz Spring Celebration” Saturday, March 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Marina Bay Park in Richmond.
The City of Richmond and Diaspora Arts Connection are hosting the traditional, family friendly event, which will include “a day of music, dance and community,” according to the organizers. The event is free and open to the public.
Norooz, which means ‘new day” and is alternatively spelled “Nowruz,” “Nawruz” and other variations, is the Persian New Year and celebrates the Spring Equinox. According to Richmond Councilmember Soheila Bana on social media, it’s “a major cultural event in West and Central Asia, often accompanied by one- to two-week-long holidays.” It’s seen as a time of renewal and fresh beginnings.
The Richmond event will share this rich cultural tradition, which will include Miriam Peretz and her Nava Dancers, along with musicians Amir Etemadzadeh, Mohammad Ebrahimi and Aydin Shaterian and DJ Dr. T.
Marina Bay Park is located at Regatta Blvd & Marina Bay Parkway in Richmond. Learn more.