Local Chinese-Americans welcome the Year of the Water Dragon

In Chinese Zodiac, 2012 (January 23, 2012 to February 9, 2013) is the year of the yang water dragon. It occurs every 60 years (the next one is 2072).

Neil Chu, a Mesa resident and president of SBCAA welcomed the guests to the Fe Bland auditorium at SBCC West Campus, where for the second year the celebrations were held. “We are happy that we were able to replace the worn 20-year-old dragon with a new one from China, thanks to donors such as SB Bank & Trust,” he pointed out.

Mayor Helene Schneider joined the local Chinese-Americans, sharing tidbits about the legendary animal symbol, and recalling her visit in Weihai, SB sister city in China’s Shandong Province.

A musical variety program highlighting the Chinese culture started with the traditional Dragon Dance outdoor and on stage.

Featured were a dance duet from Sino West Studio Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon with Vicky Wang and Dragon Sun, who also performed the Terra Cotta warrior dance; an alto solo by Guan Hao; Tai Chi performance and calligraphy; the SB Hua Sheng Chorus with the song of Yangzi River and their female members with O Mio Babbino Caro; World Dance SB with Colored Clouds chasing the Moon; the Thousand Oaks Chinese Music ensemble with traditional Chinese instruments; instrumental duet by Joel Tan(violin) and Nathan Tsai (piano); a soprano solo by Ling Zhu; and a tenor trio by Jay Yang, Tao Chen and Wen Yuan Xia.

It was truly heart-warming for the local Chinese-American community and their many friends who came to celebrate. The actual New Year is on Monday, the 23rd –also forecast to rain!