Year of the Dragon was so 2012.
This lunar new year is the Year of the Snake, and the Chinese American Student Association brought it in by hosting a Chinese New Year celebration.
About 500 people showed up to bring in the new year, along with about 10 different Asian-American organizations, to celebrate Chinese culture and Asian-American unity.
In a blend of traditional and modern culture, the event showcased many facets of Chinese-American students’ talents.
There were several classic dances such as the Umbrella dance and the Water Sleeve dance.
Students showcased their modern talents such as a rendition of Mariah Carey’s “Hero” and a rap group, “Beauty and the Beats,” which sang, beat boxed and rapped two songs.
Before the intermission, the association took the time to discuss their philanthropy, Room to Read, which helps the Half the Sky movement empower women by ending oppression, in this case, by helping them read.
Two special guests came to the event, Samuel Wang, the creative director of fashion brand Akufuncture, and hip-hop artist Jason Chu, who had the crowd cheering for children raised by “Tiger Moms,” or strict Chinese parents.
When the show wasn’t going on, different Asian-American interest groups had activities for attendees at their information booths.
Jason Liu, a 19-year-old sociology sophomore, helped organize the event and had been doing so since November.
He said that the goal of the event was to “keep it fresh” so that freshmen who were there for the first time and seniors who had come to cultural events before could still see something new.
Kevin Nguyen, a 19-year-old telecommunication sophomore, is president of the Vietnamese Student Organization.
He said that the event was a celebration of everybody.
“It focuses on Chinese culture,” he said, “and shows the talents of not only Asian-Americans but of UF.”
Members of the Chinese Asian Student Association perform the Umbrella dance, a traditional Chinese dance, at the Chinese New Year Festival 2013: Enter the Unknown in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom on Saturday.
