Merritt Celebrates Its First Annual Lunar New Year Event
Dr. Herbert Kitchen reports on the success of the First Annal Lunar New Year event: The “Year of the Rooster” was welcomed on campus with the traditional “Lion Dance,” performed by Buk Sing Kung Fu Academy out of Fremont. This is a traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lion’s movements in a lion costume. The lion dance is usually performed during the Lunar New Year and other traditional, cultural and religious festivals. President Burns participated in the traditional “eating of the lettuce” which is symbolic to wealth and prosperity.
Laney faculty member, Sherlyn Chew, served as our narrator for the event and gave a glimpse of what Lunar New Year means, its traditions, its history and music. We were also honored to have an ensemble, the “Roaring Tigers,” all the way from China to perform. Their six-piece ensemble performed a mini concert for our guests. One student remarked, ‘This is what Merritt is all about. Bringing diversity and culturally enriching performances on campus. It was a real treat for me and others. After the performance, guests enjoyed an Asian buffet. The event as sponsored by ASMC and the Office of Student Activities and Campus Life.