Ringing in 2006: The year of the dog
The night was alive with culture in the TSC Ballroom Saturday night as the Chinese Students and Scholars Association put on a celebration for the Chinese New Year.
Approximately 400 guests gathered to enjoy a buffet dinner catered by Grand Buffet and a variety show put on by the CSSA.
Children dressed in traditional Chinese clothing opened the party with a song. Performers that followed played musical instruments, acted out skits, performed martial arts and danced.
The mix of performances were given by more than just those of Chinese ancestry. Both Mandarin Chinese and English were incorporated into the show, with skits narrated in Chinese.
Comic relief was given, both in Mandarin Chinese and English, as the performers gave their own explanation for how the Chinese name their children.
ÃWe didnÃt want the whole thing to be just Chinese,” said party organizer Yan Guo. ÃWe like to make it multicultural to let more people know about Chinese culture and to get involved in it.”
Guo said that in previous years the Chinese community in Logan has had separate celebrations from the one held on campus. This year they combined them to make what Guo called “a big success.”
By opening it up to the public Guo said they get support not only from Chinese but also Americans.
The ambiance of the night was enhanced as guests sat at candle lit tables watching cultural performances such as the tibetan dancers in their brightly colored ornate costumes. The night ended with a display of traditional Chinese fashion.
The fashion show started off with Chinese children modeling traditional Chinese outfits in an entertaining way that only children can, bringing smiles to the crowd of onlookers.
The music changed as students walked down the runway displaying a range of beautiful dresses and men’s attire.
Contrasting it to previous years, Chip Brockbank, the night’s emcee and a junior in economics, said it was better in many ways.
“The food was better, the atmosphere was better. It was more expensive, but it was better,” Brockbank said. “We incorporated more Chinese into the program.”
“Last year, they were showing us what China is like,” Brockbank said. “This year, they were bringing us to China.”
Performers and organizers all volunteered their time to planning the event.
Joshua Law, a junior majoring in international studies, said there were about 100 volunteers, with preparations starting about three months ago.
Ce Wang, president of the CSSA, said the organization’s goal is to make Chinese students feel like America is their home. He explained that even though a Chinese student may be planning to spend the rest of her life in America, it is still nice to have activities such as the Chinese New Year so they can feel a piece of home.
“We want everybody to feel it is our home here,” Wang said.
Amber Brighton, a junior majoring in history, came to the party for the “prospect of Chinese and good food.” On both counts, she said she was not disappointed.
“It was excellent, the whole production,” Brighton said. “I loved the dances and the music, all the traditionalism of it.”
Miranda Force, a senior majoring in parks and recreation, said she lived in Taiwan for about a year and a half and experienced the Chinese New Year firsthand.
“It’s like Christmas for a week – actually, more like three weeks. All we did was eat, eat, eat,” Force said.
-ashleykarras@cc.usu.edu
A band made up of USU students was part of the entertainment at Saturday night’s Chinese New Year celebration sponsored by the Chinese Student and Scholars Association.
Children, students and adults enjoyed a feast of Chinese entrees followed by a program rich in culture to bring in the Chinese New Year.