2017-02 新年晚會 Chinese New Year Celebration

On this eighth day of the Chinese lunar calendar, the Montgomery Branch helped usher in the Year of the Rooster with a festive celebration at the Washington DC Stake Center.  With brothers and missionaries arriving at 3pm, 18 dining tables, 6 serving tables, and 7 craft tables were quickly arranged in their designated locations on the cultural hall floor.  Wider aisles allowed for the easy movement of the lions and dragons in the program.  Beginning at 4pm, dress rehearsal for the lion dance, ribbon dance, Mr. Wang’s solo, and the dragon dance took place on the stage.  Indeed the whole hall rang with Chinese music mixed with the conversation and laughter of attendees.

Adam and Sophy Fugal served as the distinguished emcees this evening.  The program began with the excitement of the lion dance performed by our Young Single Adult friends from Virginia.  The Branch youth followed immediately with the entrance of the dragon dance.  After Robert Buss performed the Thai Flute, Allen Junjie Wang sang a Chinese folk song, “Counting You in the Sisterhood” 「就數妹妹親」.  Eight Primary aged girls danced the ribbon dance to the song, “Wonderful Day!” ：「好日子」.  The full-time missionaries, Elders Anderson, Lyman, Packer, and Shih, displayed their puppeteering prowess with a shadow puppet show about the origins and the race for the Chinese zodiac.  This dazzling skit was narrated by Jessie Li and Jacob Yang.  After Joseph Cunningham played the gourd instrument, the Branch choir sang “The Great Way” 「禮運大同篇」.  The congregation then joined in on singing “Congratulations!” 「恭喜恭喜」.  The evening was climaxed by the granting of red envelopes by our special guests: Hal & Kaye Jewel, and Andrew & Charlotte Shen.

Displayed prominently in the back of center stage was the large red poster created by Peter Zhang featuring a rooster, a hen, and three chicks.  Over 200 people attended the celebration tonight.  All enjoyed seeing many new and old friends from near and far.  Happy new year everyone and have a very prosperous Year of the Rooster.