Celebrating Culture and Community: CAA’s 11th Lunar New Year Event

CAA celebrated its 11th Lunar New Year event where faculty, participants, and parents all gathered to enjoy traditional Chinese culture featuring the Year of the Horse. The walls of the Chinese Evangel Mission Church, where the event took place, were decorated with pictures of colorful winged horses or dragons. Decorative ribbons and balloons hung from the ceiling. People having conversations stood around a table full of various delicious Chinese cultural foods such as sesame balls, noodles, egg tarts, and more.

As everyone prepared for a time of activities, food, and performance, several of the people were interviewed by Sean Bixler and Erica about how they felt about the event. The first person we interviewed was a participant at CAA named Jenny who has been part of the Lunar New Year program for 7–8 years, according to her mom. She says her favorite part is taking pictures and watching the performances. When she was asked how she feels about CAA, she said she enjoys the program, and would keep on coming back to the Lunar New Year event if another was held.

CAA’s President Donald Moy was also interviewed about the Lunar New Year event. This has been his fourth year at the CAA Lunar New Year event, and after being asked what he enjoyed the most about it, he said it was all the people getting together and celebrating. “Just everyone getting together and laughing and smiling,” said Donald. He says his role tends to be the same for the Lunar New Year event, which he explains is always lending a helping hand for whatever’s needed.

Everyone enjoyed a performance by Manhattan Taiko, which is a group dedicated to the art of traditional Japanese Taiko drumming. Two of the drummers, Wendy Kelly and Akiyo Furukawa, were interviewed during the event. Kelly told Sean and Erica that she has been part of Manhattan Taiko for ten years, while Furukawa has been a Taiko drummer for twenty years. When asked what drew them to the event, Wendy explained how one of their former members had a connection with CAA’s Lunar event in the past. Wendy added, “Yeah, we’ve been invited back every year. We’re always so happy.”

Both were asked what their favorite part of the event was. For Wendy, it was watching all the different ages of the participants enjoy the performance and engage in it. “I mean, for me, just watching all the different ages of children and teenagers and young adults really enjoy it—their smiles and how they’re participating.” Wendy commented that both she and Akiyo were teachers, and that some of their students had ended up coming to the Lunar New Year celebration and had a great time. Of being part of Manhattan Taiko, Akiyo said she appreciates and enjoys Taiko drumming because of how easy an instrument it is to learn. “Taiko is a very simple instrument everybody can play,” she commented. In fact, after the Manhattan Taiko performance, some of the participants came up and had a chance to try their hand at playing the drums.

It can be said that traditions and celebrations connect us to our roots, shape our identity, and provide a sense of stability in an ever-changing world. The CAA Lunar New Year event that is held every year is this kind of celebration for people who are Chinese and those who are interested in Chinese culture. This year’s event on February 14, 2026, was as full of joy and excitement as ever!

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds”

Hebrews 10:24–25