The Year of the Dog kicked off yesterday, and there are lots of celebrations around town, ending next weekend with the parade in Chinatown. And the Women’s Film Festival at Barnard is coming up too. And we’re looking for talented tomatoes to audition for Tomatoes Got Talent.

Feb. 22-25. Women’s Film Festival at Barnard

The Athena Film Festival at Barnard College is a weekend of inspiring films that tell the extraordinary stories of strong, bold women leaders from all walks of life – stories of ambition, courage, resilience, and moxie. The festival will open with Battle of The Sexes. Guests to Include Billie Jean King and Gloria Steinem.

The curated program includes Academy Award-nominated films, top-tier features, documentaries, and shorts — including U.S. and world premieres. It is a weekend that celebrates the stories of remarkable women — stories that need to be told and deserve to be honored. Get the details.

Celebrating the Lunar New Year

The 2018 Lunar New Year Celebration officially kicked off yesterday  in Chinatown with the 19th Annual New Year Firecracker Ceremony. It concludes with the Lunar New Year Parade and Festival on Sunday, February 25th as it winds its way through lower Manhattan near and Mott and Canal Streets as we celebrate the Year of the Dog. Here are details about the parade. And here’s a list of Chinatown restaurants.

Feb. 20. Dragon Dance at Lincoln Center

Festivities for Lunar New Year also will include a dragon dance and Year of the Dog dance at Lincoln Center Plaza at 5 p.m. on Feb. 20.

Feb. 20. The New York Philharmonic Performs a Lunar New Year Concert

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the New York Philharmonic. Experience Beethoven’s grand Choral Fantasy — reminiscent of his “Ode to Joy” — with 13-year-old pianist Serena Wang and the Farmers’ Chorus of the Yunnan Province — farmers from the mountains of southern China, appearing outside China for the first time ever. And we “play” Ricochet, featuring ping pong champions, violin, and percussion. at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 20 at David Geffen Hall. Get the details.