20th Annual Japanese New Year's Bell Ringing Ceremony

Sat, Dec 31
11:00 am-1:00 pm
FREE with museum admission; kids 12 and under always admitted free

Where else can you literally "ring in" the New Year AND take a swing
at an artwork than at the Asian Art Museum?

Family and friends, young and old can participate in the Asian Art
Museum's 20th Annual Japanese New Year's Bell Ringing Ceremony.
There's no better way to kick off the New Year with such panache and
good fortune.

Based on the Buddhist custom of striking a temple bell 108 times on
New Year's Eve to wipe away all the bad experiences, wrong deeds, and
ill luck of the past year, tolling the bell symbolically welcomes the
start of a prosperous and joyous New Year. Everyone is invited to
strike a 2100-lb., 16th-century Japanese bronze bell, originally from
a temple in Japan and now part of the museum's collection.

Museum visitors will be assigned numbered tickets on a first-come,
first-serve basis starting at 10am. Festivities include a special
bamboo flute performance, brief Buddhist ceremony, and children's art
activities. This event is FREE with admission, and kids 12 and under
always get in free, so bring all your loved ones and join us in
ringing the bell to ensure a smashing 2006!

Venue:

Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco
415-581-3500
www.asianart.org

The Asian Art Museum is located at 200 Larkin Street, between
McAllister and Fulton Streets, overlooking Civic Center Plaza.

From the East Bay:
Take exit 9th Street/Civic Center, stay on 9th Street which turns
into Larkin Street. Go two blocks and the Museum will be on your right.

From the Peninsula:
Take 101 and exit at 9th Street/Civic Center. Follow 9th Street which
turns into Larkin Street. Go two blocks and the Museum will be on
your right.

From the North Bay:
From Golden Gate Bridge, take Doyle Drive to Lombard Street. Follow
Lombard to Van Ness Avenue. Turn left at McAllister and go two blocks
to Larkin.

Parking
The Asian Art Museum does not have a parking facility, but it is
served by the following parking facilities-all within walking
distance of the museum.

Civic Center Plaza Garage (840 spaces)
Entrance between Polk and Larkin, Grove and McAllister. Entrance on
McAllister.

Outdoor Self-Park lots (175 spaces total)
2 lots located on opposite corners of Hayes at Polk. One at Polk at
Fell.

Fox Plaza (200 spaces)
1390 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Entrance on Hayes, between Polk and Larkin.

Performing Arts Center Garage (616 spaces)
Entrance on Grove at Gough.

Opera Plaza Garage (150 spaces)
Entrance on Golden Gate at Van Ness.

Public Transportation
The Asian Art Museum is conveniently served by several Bay Area
public transportation systems. The museum is located 1 block west of
the Civic Center BART/Muni station.

To walk to the museum from Civic Center BART/Muni Station: Go to the
west end (Grove Street exit) of the Civic Center BART/Muni Station
and go upstairs to the street level. Walk one block north on Hyde
Street to Fulton. Take a left on Fulton Street. Walk one block west
(toward City Hall) on Fulton Street to Larkin Street. Take a right on
Larkin. Walk north on Larkin and take a right into the doors of the
museum at 200 Larkin Street.

Additional Info:

415-581-3665
http://www.asianart.org/BellRinging05.htm