Saturday, February 21, 2015
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 2015 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 lion, or 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 Sheep (Goat).
Abby Slade (center) dances on stage with her classmates during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Qing Tan (center) dips freshly made fish balls into a pot of sauce during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Bella Bryan (center) dances on stage with her classmates during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Shu Cheng (left) lifts an oyster omelette off of the grill during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Jinnie Ho (center) plays the piano as she accompanies the Atlanta Taiwanese Philharmonic Chorus during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Lee Phonge performs on stage during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Tian Chang (left) hands a new years gift to his nephew Enoch Lee during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Yanquang Hu (right) performs on stage during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Lee Phonge (left) and Zhang Xiao reach into a basket to throw candy into the crowd after performing on stage during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Justin Lin (left) smiles as members of the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company perform on stage during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Easton Chen slurps up a noodle into his mouth during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Emma McHale (right) performs on stage during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Yannie Tan (center) and other members of the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company perform on stage during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Ellie Wong performs a ballet during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Harold Liu (left) and Christopher Lu perform a traditional lion dance during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Christopher Lu works the head of a lion during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Jenny Cheng (right)) places a donation into a lion’s mouth after a performance during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Christopher Lu (left) leads a paper dragon around the crowd during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.
Zichun Yang (center) places a donation into a paper dragon’s mouth after a performance during the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration in Chamblee on Saturday, February 21, 2015.