2016 Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival

Saturday, February 13, 2016

February was the month to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year and what better way to ring in the year of the monkey than with performances and food.

The Taipei Economic & Cultural Offices in Chamblee hosts just what the doctor ordered. Drummers, dancers, singers and so much more take the stage to entertain the thousands of people who came out over the weekend to watch. The smell of food cooking wafts through the air as well while people cheer and clap for the performers. The high point for me is always the traditional lion and dragon dances that take place outside in the parking lot. Very talented young adults don costumes and bring the two traditions to life to the enjoyment of everyone that clamor to catch a glimpse of the performance. So let me be the first to wish you a Happy New Year!

The curtain opens on Mini Su (left) and Grace Liu during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

The curtain opens on Mini Su (left) and Grace Liu during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Jerry Wu fries chicken in a giant wok during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Jerry Wu fries chicken in a giant wok during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Dominique Maharath (center) plays the drums during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Dominique Maharath (center) plays the drums during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Grace Liu (right) plays the drums during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Grace Liu (right) plays the drums during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Jimmy Hu (left) lifts up a basket of envelopes filled with donations during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Jimmy Hu (left) lifts up a basket of envelopes filled with donations during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Ye Lu Yeu (left) performs on stage during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Ye Lu Yeu (left) performs on stage during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Wes Carter (right) receives a plate of food during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Wes Carter (right) receives a plate of food during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Jaden Cheung (left) and Jesselyn Bond peak out from behind the backstage curtain as they wait for their turn to perform during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Jaden Cheung (left) and Jesselyn Bond peak out from behind the backstage curtain as they wait for their turn to perform during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Laura Brockmann (right) dances with the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Laura Brockmann (right) dances with the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Nie Haiqing (left) watches the performances during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Nie Haiqing (left) watches the performances during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Victoria Saputera performs on stage during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Victoria Saputera performs on stage during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Anya Chung (center) performs on stage during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Anya Chung (center) performs on stage during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Jessie Wong (center) kneels down as Christabel Flagg and others dance around her on stage during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Jessie Wong (center) kneels down as Christabel Flagg and others dance around her on stage during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Chris Lu (right) performs a traditional lion dance with his partners during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Chris Lu (right) performs a traditional lion dance with his partners during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Chris Lu performs a traditional lion dance with his partners during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Chris Lu performs a traditional lion dance with his partners during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

People give envelopes filled with money to the lion performers during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

People give envelopes filled with money to the lion performers during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Chris Culbreth (top right) helps his daughter Persephone stick an envelope into the lion's mouth during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

Chris Culbreth (top right) helps his daughter Persephone stick an envelope into the lion’s mouth during the Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival in Chamblee on Saturday, February 13, 2016.