Chinese New Year will not be here until Jan. 25, at least in China, but the Chinese American Club of Laguna Woods Village staged its Lunar New Year celebration on Saturday, Jan. 11. It’s the year of the Rat, also known as the Year of the Golden Rat.
It’s said that those born under its sign will have a good 2020, and that mood prevailed on a sunny morning when celebrants, many clad in traditional red outfits, filled the foyer of the Performing Arts Center festooned with red and gold papier lampions, red floral decorations and welcoming posters. Event coordinator Marcia Garcia estimated the 11 a.m. crowd at 300.
Celebrants snapped up a variety of Chinese sweets and savory snacks including mooncakes, a holiday treat. A round table set with little antique teapots and its centerpiece, two lovely bridal teapots that mothers traditionally bestowed on their daughters, drew nostalgic glances.
Judging by the line of enthusiasts, a popular table was the one presided over by artists Zhi Zheng (Michael) Tao and Ellen Ko (Liv Ma Ling), who embellished colorful paper fans with calligraphed good wishes for the new year and accompanying symbols of good fortune — flowers, fish and birds.
A retired engineer, Tao discovered his passion for traditional calligraphy 11 years ago and now spends at least three hours every morning perfecting his style. “I can go back to my old culture with love. It’s something I can do by myself and that does not require special resources,” he said. “When you are an artist, you never age, you always reach for something higher — it never ends.”
Ko came to “The Woods” from North Carolina where she taught traditional Chinese painting at the University of North Carolina.
“I began drawing at age 14 in Taiwan, but in college I majored in TV journalism,” she said. She, too, prefers the early morning hours to paint. “Art is an international language,” she said while drawing a series of birds (symbolizing life) onto a blue fan.
The decorated fans could be purchased for $2.
Guests at the event seemed to enjoy the varied offerings.
“We have been here for seven years and we like getting to know new cultures,” said Sue and Richard Snyder who had stopped at Yar Lee and Kang Hwang’s “Praise Dance” table.
During the morning, celebrants could take in examples of this form of dance and movement to Christian music as well as Tai Chi demonstrations and performances by social dance groups.
The most festive events took place at performances Saturday night featuring a “Lion Dance” to drive away evil spirits and bad luck, “Butterfly Lovers,” a legendary love story told in classical Chinese dance, and “Rain Drops on the Banana Leaves “also in classical dance form. “Why Flowers are so Red,” exemplified folk dance performed by Uygur dancers.
A female trio sang “Gratitude,” and a women’s choir performed varied romantic tunes. Adorable got its due in form of the Little Dynasty Children’s Orchestra. Versed in Chinese traditional music (“Gong Xi fa Choi”) as well as Western tunes (“We Will Rock You”) performers range in age from 5 to 13.
Chinese American Club president Henry Lee described the club, founded in 1998, as a nonprofit organization of 500 members. Its mission is to help members adapt to and connect with different cultures.
This year’s event marks the club’s 10th Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Celebration.
Fun facts about the Year of the Rat
The Year of the Rat is the first of the zodiac animals.
Chinese astrologers say persons born in rat years are imaginative, charming and generous. However, some say Rats tend to be critical and opportunistic.
Rats might be happy in sales or as writers or publicists.
Famous Rats: Jimmy Carter and Ozzy Osbourne
Recent years of the Rat: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
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Laguna Woods Village welcomes Year of the Rat with traditional Chinese arts, dances - OCRegister
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