Year of the Snake: Make this Your Year!

The Year of the Snake is upon us, a promise of fresh starts and (hopefully!) prosperity just six weeks after the ball dropped in Times Square. UChicago’s own PanAsia rang in the New Year with food and performances the night of February 8. Well-attended and light-hearted, students came from across campus to celebrate as a community. $4 for dinner from Chinatown and a night of music and dance acts with your friends, what’s not to love? All that’s missing is a red envelope!

First year Jing Chai reflected afterwards, saying she “enjoyed the performances because there was a wide variety of acts, from hip hop dancing to traditional Chinese dragon dance to multicultural Greek ‘strolling’. The rest of the crowd seemed pleased, too, with big smiles and applause as their friends from the Chinese Undergraduate Student Association, Asian-American Intervarsity, Lambda Phi Epsilon, PhiNix Freestylers, among others, showcased their vocal and dancing abilities.

Chai expressed disappointment, however, saying “the events weren’t necessarily special to the occasion, so it didn’t feel like a unique celebration of the holiday” and that “there could have been more food options available beyond rice and pad thai.” Food was sufficient (a clear make or break for any event), but perhaps not quite as expansive as memories of home-cooked family meals.

Hopefully next year will maintain the same level of talent, though perhaps more specific to culture and New Year celebrations, and a bit more food (and vegetarian friendly).

PanAsia’s Lunar New Year celebration was an overall success with a decent turnout and many talented participants, bringing the community together on a cold winter day to celebrate culture and heritage. And I certainly ate better than I would have at home!