The Palo Alto Asian American Connection group hosted its 10th annual Lunar New Year celebration at the Mitchell Park Community Center on Sunday. The event included Asian arts and crafts, food, and activities. There were also a variety of performances, including dancing, singing, martial arts, and other musical forms.
The fair attracted people from all walks of life. From senior citizens to young children, there were activities for everyone to try. “I was excited to see our community out, and see all the performances, food, and everything,” attendee Natalie Geist said.
The festivities were kicked off by the Dream Achievers Band, who played both Chinese and English songs. The Dream Achievers Band is a group of musicians on the autism spectrum, including Lawrence Wang, Alice Jen, and Gregory Hebert, who brought the community to life with their music.
After their performance, Brian 17 sang his new single “Situationships.” A live guitar accompanied his vocals along with a pre-recorded backtrack. “Lunar New Year is something that is very important in the Bay Area, and I’m proud to represent my AAPI culture and heritage, and perform some songs for everyone,” Brian 17 said.
Aside from the performances, there were a plethora of stands offering crafts and cultural snacks. The booths included face painting, clay sculpting, calligraphy, coloring, and paper cutting. The snacks included tanghulu (fruit skewers), coconut pudding, boba tea, and various meats. In addition, the event hosted informational stands, including voting registration, political news, and a group from Stanford Psychology.
After a short break, a group of seniors played the Chinese drums. “I love all of the performances by the different community organizations and schools. That’s my favorite part,” Shana Segal, a member of the Palo Alto School Board, said. The performers were dressed in red and gold dresses, traditional lucky colors of Lunar New Year.
A Chinese lion dance took place after the drummers. The dancers, one controlling the head of the lion and the other controlling the body, jumped and shook the lion to the music.
Soon after, students of Yau Kung Moon Kung Fu Sports Association, some as young as eight, showcased skills in traditional Chinese martial arts. Both groups and soloists demonstrated sequences with kwan dao, a heavy pole with a large knife coming out the end, and other weapons.
“I think it’s so great to see all of the community members and all of the local businesses that come here share a part of Asian culture, whether that’s through music, or drinks and food. And I think it’s great that we have this festival to share Asian culture with the world,” Brian 17 said.
“One of my favorite parts about this event is bringing the community together to celebrate our diversity and the new year,” Segal said. “I feel so grateful to be part of such a diverse and inclusive community. It’s always wonderful to have celebrations that bring everyone together, and this is one of my favorites.”
