The Knowing the Spring Courtyard, the first major structure in the Seattle Chinese Garden is holding an open house for the public from 3:00 to 5:00 pm today May, 15.

Yueming Ling, vice mayor of Seattle’s sister city Chongqing, along with Seattle city officials, will attend the May 15 festivities. The event will feature martial arts and tai chi demonstrations, traditional dance and music performances, Chinese calligraphy and painting demonstrations. Groups include: Chinese Arts and Music Association, Melody Dance Group, Seattle Chinese Girls Drill Team, and 3 martial arts schools.

Knowing the Spring Courtyard was designed by architects in Chongqing, located in southwest China, and built in collaboration with Chinese artisans, local architects and contractors. The Seattle Chinese Garden, when complete, will be one of the largest Chinese gardens outside China, and the first in the United States to be designed in authentic Sichuan style.

The Seattle Chinese Garden is located at the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus at 6000 16th Avenue SW, in West Seattle. Admission to the Open House is free.

Coming up at the Seattle Chinese Garden:

First Annual Peony Festival.

Saturday 5/21 from 4 to 6 pm Free
Come out and celebrate peonies with us. See them in bloom, bring your own cut peonies for display, and buy herbaceous peony plants. Sponsored by the Horticulture Committee.

Book Reading by Grant Hayter-Menzies.

Sunday, 5/22 from 4 to 6 pm Free
The Empress and Mrs. Conger: The Uncommon Friendship of Two Women and Two Worlds
The reading will touch on the relationship between Cixi, Empress Dowager of China and an American diplomat’s wife Mrs. Conger and Mrs. Conger’s fascination with symbolism in Chinese art, gardens, and architectural design.