After weeks of planning, members started arriving at 3pm at the stake center to start setting up and to conduct final rehearsals. Sister Charlotte Shen headed up the committee to plan the celebration tonight. Unfortunately, she worked so hard and became sick and thus was not able to attend tonight's activity. This event was a joint cooperation between the Twin Lakes Chinese Branch in Virginia and the Montgomery Chinese Branch in Maryland. Brother James Mu and Sister Xiaojun Jones served as the honored emcees for the evening. After their welcome to the new year, Sister Hsu offerred the opening prayer. Immediately afterwards, our eyes feasted upon the traditional lion dance. In keeping with the traditions of Northern China, where "the dance is done in perfect coordination with the rhythmic beating of the accompanying musical instruments" and where "a warrior who holds a ball of ribbon also guides the lion in its display of acrobatic stunt, such as flip, jump, or roll." Tonight, the drums and gongs were on hand to keep the rhythm. The two lions, the red lion and the yellow lion, were led out by the red and yellow floating stars. A young lady, Layan, teased the lions and greeted them on stage with a special back flip. The lion dance was performed by the Montgomery Branch missionaries and young men. After the lion dance, a pair of mother-daughter dancers (Angel Chou and daughter Hannah, Li-Fang and Megan Tsai) delighted the audience with the Lotus Pond under Moonlight Dance. At 6:30pm, we then enjoyed a delectable feast of authentic Chinese cuisine and desserts, while meeting old and new friends. At 7:30pm, President Ta-Cheng Hsu and Brian Flannery entertained us with a comical dialogue to welcome us into the new year. The Montgomery Chinese Young Women then performed a skit, singing and dancing to a popular Chinese song. Brother Mu and Sister Jones quizzed the audience with some difficult Chinese riddles and gave prizes to those who answered correctly. Sister Tsai then led the audience in singing the new year song, "Gongxi, gongxi." President Hsu then offered the closing prayer. Grand Ma and Pa Jewel gave away the red envelopes on stage to all the children. While the work of cleaning up commenced, everyone was saying goodbye to each other, while some were enjoying crafts in the foyers.
There was definitely an atmosphere of excitement and newness. The Chinese New Year celebration was enjoyed by the over 150 people who attended tonight. Old friendships were rekindled, while new friendships were forged. The feeling of family was reinforced by the joining of the two branches across the river in a show of unity and fun. Thanks to all those who organized and helped and cooked and danced and sang. We wish everyone a very successful and prosperous year of the snake.
