Four South Valley women have decided that area residents need a
chance to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year close to home, so
they are making it happen – tonight.
Four South Valley women have decided that area residents need a chance to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year close to home, so they are making it happen – tonight.
“Lots of old time residents (of South Valley) go elsewhere to celebrate the New Year,” said Rosemary Kamei, a member of Asians for a Better Community (ABC). “We wanted them to be able to celebrate here, so we just decided to do it now.”
ABC has reserved the Community Center for tonight’s celebrfation that begins at 6:30 p.m. and lasts until 11 p.m. or so. Anyone – Asian or not – is welcome to enjoy a buffet dinner, performances by a classical Chinese harpist and Chinese dancers. Also scheduled are folk performers, a raffle and a karaoke/dancing party.
Morgan Hill Councilwoman Hedy Chang, who is originally from Taiwan, will speak to the crowd in both Chinese and English. ABC member Christine Yang Fisk will act as Mistress of Ceremonies, Kamei said, in both languages.
Because the women decided just recently to stage the evening, they were not able to secure the services of the traditional Chinese dragon, a familiar part of Asian New Year parades.
“But next year we will have more time to plan,” said Kamei. She said that, while Asians For A Better Community has only a few members now (a fifth recently joined), she invites others to come along.
“We hope to get others involved,” Kamei said. She said the Chinese New Year party will be ABC’s opportunity to connect with the Chinese community to see what they might be interested in, a Chinese language school, church, traditional music or dance classes, supermarket or grocery, book store, chess and arts club or a senior club.
Residents interested but unable to attend the celebration are encouraged to contact ABC at P.O. Box 1043, Morgan Hill, CA 95038, e-mail to ab********@***oo.com or call 202-0855.
The cost of Friday’s event is $25 per person and children under 12 are free. Tickets can be reserved ahead of time or bought at the door.
6:30-11 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30. Morgan Hill Community Center, 17000 Monterey Rd. at East Dunne Avenue. Details: Susan Fan, 202-0855.
