The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Chinese American Student Association’s (CHASA) Lunar New Year party brought together over 300 community members for an electric evening at Union South Saturday night. Guests were treated to a variety of performances, activities and a delicious buffet of traditional Chinese food.
“This is what we've been working on all year,” CHASA’s public outreach coordinator Sophie Zheng told The Daily Cardinal. “I want everyone to have fun, come together with their friends and family, because that’s what Lunar New Year is about.”
The Lunar New year, a 15-day celebration, began on Jan. 29. CHASA kicked off the first day of the New Year at the Atmosphere Club House. The two-hour event brought together over 150 community members for food, games and mingling. Zheng said the kick off “exceeded [her] expectations,” which made her worry about space on Saturday.
Upon entering Varsity Hall, guests were handed two raffle tickets for a chance at CHASA merch, snack packs or the highly sought after Pikachu plushie. Children received red envelopes, a traditional holiday gift, filled with Pokémon cards instead of the traditional money.
Guests sat at elegant tables and were treated to a free buffet of traditional Chinese food. The buffet line for the potstickers was especially busy, and friends and family chatted while completing the crossword and word search puzzles on tables
While many community members gathered to celebrate the holiday together, others were celebrating the Lunar New Year for the first time. UW-Madison sophomore Mila Chetto spent her first Lunar New Year with her close friends.
“I got to see the little video about what it was going to be about, and my friend told me [to go],” Chetto said. “It seemed really interesting.”
A highlight was the Lion Dance performed by Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association. Three adult and two baby dragons jumped, batted their eyelashes and wagged their tails all around the hall.
Lee Ping Ong, a recent UW-Madison computer science and computer engineering graduate, has been dancing the lion dance for eight years. He described being in the back of the lion as sweaty.
“For me, it's a long time under that blanket. Lot of exercise,” Ong said.
When asked if he enjoyed the lion dance, Ong replied, “I hope so.”
The new Chinese zodiac of the year is the snake. Just as the snake sheds its skin, the snake symbolizes new beginnings, according to CHASA interns during a presentation at the event. Observers of the zodiac can expect wisdom, intellect and renewal in the new year.
The night ended with a lively dance, and guests went home with a full heart and a full stomach.
“Happy New Year, wishing you health and prosperity,” Zheng said.
