On Feb. 1, Cal Poly’s Chinese Students’ Association (CSA) hosted its 68th Lunar New Year banquet, welcoming the year of the horse. This year’s Lunar New Year falls on Feb. 17.
The event consisted of performances from clubs on campus, food, and activities for guests. The Chumash Auditorium was graced in red and decorated with traditional Lunar New Year festivities.
San Luis Obispo community member Amy Wong says most of her knowledge about these events comes from word of mouth rather than being broadcast through the community.
“Tonight’s event I didn’t know about until just two days ago,” said Wong. “I just heard from a friend.”
The menu offered courses provided by CSA members, including pork-filled bao buns, scallion oil noodles, stewed veggie salad, and many more dishes served throughout the night.
While students and community members mingled, there were activities scattered throughout the Chumash, including calligraphy, the writing of Chinese characters as an art form, combining visual art and interpretation of their meaning.
Throughout the night, attendees saw performances from clubs like Shanwu, Cal Poly’s traditional Chinese dance group, blending traditional dance styles with contemporary visuals and storytelling. Other groups that performed were K-Pop dance cover group Kaja Krew (K2) and Cal Poly Wushu, the martial arts performance club.
A crowd favorite was the Cal Poly Lion Dance Team, performing a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other countries where people mimic a lion’s movements in a lion costume to bring good luck and fortune.
Student Alyssa Wu says lion dance has been happening at Cal Poly for 68 years and is an outlet for students to choreograph and create skits behind traditional dance moves, which she says is the most difficult part, holding the 20-pound lion head above you for a full dance.
“I think the community aspect is really awesome. I’ve made a lot of friends through the lion dance team,” Wu said. “I think it’s a great way to connect with people who are passionate about culture.”
For more Lunar New Year events in San Luis Obispo, the Mission Plaza is also hosting a celebration on Feb. 19 with live performances from the Cal Poly Lion Dance Team and other activites.