Chinese New Year Celebrations Planned Feb 5
AUSTIN, TX - The Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce (TACC) announces the15th Annual Lunar New Year Gala. The festivities take place Saturday, February 5th. In the tradition of the Lunar New Year, the Gala brings together stakeholders from diverse communities in Central Texas – corporate leaders, small businesses, government leaders, and the public at large. With this year's theme of "Leap into Prosperity," the Year of the Rabbit Gala honors Texans that are committed to prosperity, including those that are building Austin's global brand, sustainable communities, and emerging entrepreneurs.
"Austin is at the forefront of best places to start a business, and Asian Americans continue to support Central Texas growth - in terms of revenues and job creation. The Annual Lunar New Year Gala is one of the ways TACC builds a bridge between key community stakeholders and the Asian American community. Tradition dictates that family and business ties be celebrated the first fifteen days of the lunar new year. Please join us in creating prosperous new ties," said Jim Yatsu, chairman of the TACC Board of Directors.
This event features a traditional Chinese Dragon Dance to ward off evil spirits, a Parade of Nations, and introduction of honored officials. TACC will present four awards to individuals and corporations that are building a prosperous Central Texas economy. Past recipients include fashion designer Chloe Dao, Tony Award winning producer Pun Bundhu, Austin Designer Michael Hsu, Former Austin Mayor Will Wynn, Dell, and International SEMATECH.
Additionally, during the celebration, TACC will award $1,000 college scholarships to four Asian-American high school seniors who have excelled either scholastically or in their community.
The 2011 Lunar New Year Celebration features a reception replete with heavy Asian and Asian fusion hors d'oeuvres served by several well-known local restaurants from diverse Asian cultures, and emcees award-winning actor Leng Wong, and musicians including Korean gayageum instrumentalist Mi Seon Nam . Dinner will be followed by more live entertainment and dance.
The event begins at 6:00 p.m. on February 5, 2011, at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress Avenue, inAustin Texas.
TACC expresses deepest appreciation for Sponsors Tokyo Election, Farm Credit Bank, Bank of America, The University of Texas Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, and Progressive Manufacturing & Technology.
About the Texas Asian Chamber of Commerce
TACC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting business opportunities and closer ties between the Asian-American community and the Central Texas community at large.
TACC serves its diverse membership by increasing business opportunities through: the Annual Lunar New Year Gala, the Connect Business and Career Forum, the Asia Food Fest, and monthly networking meetings. TACC serves the City of Austin by supporting international economic development, developing entrepreneurs, and supporting major annual attractions such as South by Southwest.
The following comes in from Los Angeles' Chinatown District:
The New Year marks the most important time of year throughout most of Asia and this tradition of ringing in the New Year is also celebrated in the U.S. with lots of fanfare and celebration. There's no better place to experience this unique time of year than in Los Angeles' Chinatown District.
The festival begins with a Midnight Ceremony to usher in the New Year at Thien Hau Temple on Feb. 2, 2011 from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. The temple is located at 750 Yale Street, Los Angeles, 90012. Thousands will gather to make offerings to the deities, set off firecrackers to awaken the spirits, and burn incense to usher in good fortune for the New Year. Participants include lion dancers, Buddhist and Taoist monks, the heads of family associations, and many others from the Southern California Chinese community. The festivities kick into full swing the weekend of Feb. 5th & 6th, 2011. On Saturday, Feb. 5th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. the 112th Annual Golden Dragon Parade returns with colorful splendor as over 100 floats, marching bands, performers, dignitaries in cars, and costumed organizations with Chinatown roots parade through Chinatown. The parade can be viewed from both Broadway and Hills streets. The entire weekend of Feb. 5th & 6th offers attendees a chance to participate in plenty of activities, do some shopping and eat to their heart's content. Central Plaza in Chinatown will host some of the best performers outside of Cirque du Soleil — from acrobats, lion dancers and contortionists to performance troupes never seen before in Southern California. Also in Central Plaza is the LA Craft Experience market which showcases over 40 unique vendors from Los Angeles selling original art, fashion, gifts, toys, collectibles, home accessories and much more. West Plaza will offer cultural workshops suitable for adults and children of all age groups as well as a Ping Pong Tourney for casual and avid players. A prize schedule determines giveaways for Ping Pong tournament participants. Artisans will be stationed at both plazas for face painting by Tai Ling Wong, dough sculpture demonstrations by Chris Lee and others. Attendees should prepare to eat their hearts out during the weekend-long event. Most Chinatown restaurants and merchants will be open that weekend and are serving up favorite Chinese delicacies. Some of Los Angeles' favorite gourmet food trucks will also be in attendance to serve unique food truck cuisine. On Sunday, Feb. 6th, "The Great Chinatown Hunt," organized by Race/LA returns. Teams of 2 to 4 players will have a total of three hours to solve a series of clues leading them around Chinatown. The festivities continue the following weekend, Feb. 12th and 13th, with the annual Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K Walk/Run. The weekend will feature entertainment both days, a carbo-loading event on Saturday, the walk/run on Sunday, and a 20-mile bike ride. After thirty-one years of existence, the Los Angeles Chinatown Firecracker run is the longest running Chinese New Year athletic event in America. Schedule:
