2014 Chinese Lunar New Year

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Asian cultures have always intrigued me. I really enjoy the ceremony and long rich history behind the cultural events that I have had the opportunity to attend. The dances, the drum performances, the costuming are all steeped in ancient traditions that have been somewhat modernized in some cases but in others have remained the same for centuries. Maybe it’s because I have grown up in the United States, which in the grand scheme of things, has not been around for that long. Or maybe it’s my Greek and Italian heritage that lends itself to the same type of long and rich history. Whatever the case I really enjoyed my time photographing the 2014 Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee over the weekend. As I walked into the Culture Center of Taipei Economic & Cultural Offices, the smell of freshly made food wafted through the air while performers prepared to take the main stage. Throughout the morning different groups danced and sang as they entertained the crowd which seemed to be growing with each passing minute. The highlight for me came shortly after noon when a group of young men donned fu dog and dragon costumes as they performed outside. The celebration lasted all weekend and thousands of people came out to witness the spectacle of  welcoming in the Year of the Horse.

Julia Moldenhawer (left) plays the drum as she performs with other students from the Taiwanese School of Atlanta during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Julia Moldenhawer (left) plays the drum as she performs with other students from the Taiwanese School of Atlanta during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Shelley Tau plays the drum as she performs with other students from the Taiwanese School of Atlanta during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Shelley Tau plays the drum as she performs with other students from the Taiwanese School of Atlanta during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Arianna Braun (left) sits on her father Kirk's shoulders as they watch the performances during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Arianna Braun (left) sits on her father Kirk’s shoulders as they watch the performances during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Nancy Gnug (left) and Jennifer An perpare plates of food during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Nancy Gnug (left) and Jennifer An perpare plates of food during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Chen Zhe performs during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Chen Zhe performs during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Ashley Wang (right) tries to catch a goldfish as Aliza Snow and her grandmother Gina Lo watch during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Ashley Wang (right) tries to catch a goldfish as Aliza Snow and her grandmother Gina Lo watch during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Sue Cheng prepares oyster omelets during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Sue Cheng prepares oyster omelets during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Aidan Jones (right) and Zemyna Didas perform during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Aidan Jones (right) and Zemyna Didas perform during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Amalia Fox (left) watches the performances during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Amalia Fox (left) watches the performances during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Yanquang Hu (left) performs during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Yanquang Hu (left) performs during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Shuhua Yao (right) performs during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Shuhua Yao (right) performs during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Chloe Harlicka (center) smles as she talks with Ocean Mayer during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Chloe Harlicka (center) smles as she talks with Ocean Mayer during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Harold Lin (left) entertains the crowd as he performs during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Harold Lin (left) entertains the crowd as he performs during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Chris Fun (left) performs as a Fu dog during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Chris Fun (left) performs as a Fu dog during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Chris Lu (left) and Dominique Maharath perform as Fu dogs during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Chris Lu (left) and Dominique Maharath perform as Fu dogs during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Kaylyn Shao (center) hands an envelope filled with money to one of the Fu dogs that performed during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Kaylyn Shao (center) hands an envelope filled with money to one of the Fu dogs that performed during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Harold Lin (right) and Chris Lu lead the paper dragon as they perform during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Harold Lin (right) and Chris Lu lead the paper dragon as they perform during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

A paper dragon entertains the crowd during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

A paper dragon entertains the crowd during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

 

Harold Lin (left) moves the head of the paper dragon as he performs during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.

Harold Lin (left) moves the head of the paper dragon as he performs during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 1, 2014.