“猪”事顺利，猪年大吉！Thanks to all for coming out last night and celebrating the new year with us! We wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!
A Word of Thanks
Before we recap this amazing night of celebration, let us first thank the MHCCA Board Members and all those who spent countless hours putting this event together. Without their hard work and dedication, our annual Chinese New Year Celebration would not be possible. Thank you to the MHCCA Youth Volunteer Team for helping serve dinner, to all those who donated gifts for the raffle, and to all those who helped coordinate the performances. And finally thank you to the community members who came and of course, all of the talented performers and hosts.
Time to Celebrate!
Our night began with an introduction and welcome by the hosts, Rachel Li, Emily Ma, Catherine Tan, Patrick Wu, and Robert Zhu. Many of our hosts were hosting for the first time and did a fantastic job!
MHCCA President Tan Yue also gave opening remarks, welcoming all to the annual Chinese New Year Celebration. Wappinger Falls Town Supervisor Mr. Richard Thurston gave warm new years' wishes to everyone in the audience.
To start off a night of wonderful performances, the MHCCA Youth Orchestra performed "Everlasting Blossoms" and "Revel of the Lantern Festival." This group of talented young musicians brought spring cheer to everyone in the audience!
Next, the MHCCA Dance Team graced the stage with a beautiful umbrella dance. In traditional Chinese dance, umbrellas have been frequently used to create celebratory or artistic effects. As early as the 7th century, the umbrella dance was already performed at spring festivals in different places in China. With their brightly colored umbrellas and elegant costume, the MHCCA dance team celebrated the arrival of spring in their performance "Playing with the Spring Rain."
Continuing with the spring cheer, the Huaxia Chinese School Children's Dance Group performed to the classic song "Where is Spring?" These adorable little girls reminded us that spring is almost here and that we should celebrate all the wonderful aspects of spring: the green grass and forests, the singing birds and the flowers and most importantly, the happiness of children.
Switching up the style, the Huaxia Chinese School Youth Dance Group danced to the highly popular song "Uptown Funk" by Bruno Mars. With their coolness and funk, these cute children brought warmth and energy to everyone in the audience!
Next, Vassar student 和飞诺 shared her musical talent with us through her performance of《阳关三叠》 (Parting at Yang Guan). This is a famous Chinese piece that was inspired by the poem《渭城曲》by the poet Wang Wei of the Tang Dynasty:
渭城朝雨浥轻尘，客舍青青柳色新。
劝君更尽一杯酒，西出阳关无故人。
Members from the House of Christ's Love came together to perform a wonderful praise dance "Shine, Jesus, Shine." Through their performance, they brought love, happiness, and cheer to all for the new year.
Next, Vassar students danced to the song "Pick Me Up" from the highly popular television show "Produce 101." Through their energetic and lively dance, these students brought youth and vitality to everyone in the audience.
Lion Dance!! Students from the Mid-Hudson Chinese Language Center helped us ring in the new year with a beautifully choreographed lion dance. Thanks to our lions, we all felt the prosperity and fortune that would come in the new year!
After intermission, the Mid-Hudson Chinese Christian Church (MHCCC) Choir performed "Jesus, Jesus" and "Lord, You Sit Enthroned." With their beautiful voices blending to create an impeccable performance, the MHCCC Choir warmed and unified our hearts.
In a performance choreographed by Ms. Fenlan Lin, students from the Mid-Hudson Chinese Language Center performed a traditional Mongolian chopstick dance. The Mongolian dance evolved from nomadic tribes who channeled their joy through dancing and singing. Dressed in traditional Mongolian folk attire, our performers demonstrated remarkable flexibility and artistry in their dancing.
Next, two students from Vassar college performed some joyful and festive songs. Through their first song, “In the Land of Hope”, they celebrated the passing year and rejoiced for the new spring. In their second song, “Blaze in the Torch Festival” the Vassar students brought festivity and showed how joy is universal.
The Mid-Hudson Chinese Christian Church Joy Dance Team performed an elegant long sleeve dance “Marks of Grace.” Performing for nursing homes around our community, this dance team shows how God’s grace marks the paths we’ve walked and inspires us to look after our community.
Next, Mackenzie Allen, Micaela Negri, and Ashley Fan performed the ballet “Seasons of Love”, from the popular movie Rent.
In a performance choreographed by Brandon Shih, students from the Mid-Hudson Chinese Language Center showed off their Chinese yo-yo tricks. The highlight of the night was certainly the highly skillful Chinese yo-yo performance by Brandon Shih. Defying gravity and the laws of physics, this masterful performer amazed the audience and kept us on the edge of our seats with each toss and turn of his yo-yo.
Finally, the MHCCA Dance Team returned to the stage to perform "A Love Song from Kangding." This is a Tibetan folk song popular throughout the Sichuan Province. Based on the lyrical melody of the song, their choreography represents the passionate love of the Tibetan youth. With their beautiful dance, a wonderful night of performances drew to a close.
See You Next Year!
Thank you again to everyone who performed and everyone who came out to watch the show. In this coming year, we wish you good luck and prosperity in everything you do. Happy Chinese New Year and see you next year! 亲爱的朋友们让我们一起相约明年春晚再见！
Visit https://photos.app.goo.gl/DXzttLY1QJxzo1B2A for an album of photos from the night. Please feel free to add your photos to this album or share them with mhcca1968@gmail.com.