Off-island performers wow crowd in joint Lunar New Year celebration

A Chinese lady magician turns different colorful handkerchief into a handkerchief with a special greeting for her final act in last Saturday’s joint Lunar New Year celebrations of the Chinese Association of Saipan, CNMI and Korean Association of Saipan. The second joint Lunar New Year celebration ushering the Year of the Fire Monkey will be next Saturday, Sept. 20. (Frauleine Villanueva-Dizon)

For the first time, the Lunar New Year was celebrated together by two associations on Saipan along with the Marianas Visitors Authority.

The Chinese Association of Saipan, CNMI and the Korean Association of Saipan joined forces to showcase their cultures and traditions as well as provide entertainment on island in last Saturday’s joint celebration at the Paseo de Marianas.

“This is the first time we tied up with PDM Promoters and other cultural partners to do this and we’re very happy and we’re hoping that this could be added to many signature events,” MVA managing director Perry Tenorio said.

“We’re very happy that the Korean Association can actually bring all the community people together along with the Chinese Association. This is something new. This is very new for us to do something together,” Gia Park of KAS said.

A traditional lion dance opened up the variety of performances. which started around 6:30pm.

Performers from Beijing, China were brought in by CAS including a singer, an acrobat using a diabolo or a Chinese yoyo, and a traditional magician.

A magician who changes “face” or mask while dancing and performing on stage also wowed the crowd. She went around the crowd asking them to change her face which she does so in quick succession.

Kung Fu and Taekwondo were also highlighted during the program.

Other performances brought in by KAS included K-pop and a magician.

CAS director Rose Chan said she is happy for the opportunity to showcase their culture with the help of MVA and private companies.

“I’m happy because we can bring the Chinese culture here,” Chan said.

Aside from performances, CAS also staged dumpling-making lessons on one of their booths.

“We just make some Chinese food. We bring in the parents from the Chinese school to teach dumpling-making. They can try how to make it and also taste or sample it and buy some to take home,” Chan said.

With the huge crowd, both young and old, locals and tourists alike, who has come to enjoy the festivities, Tenorio noted the importance of celebrating different cultures.

“It’s nice to see the community come out and support this, just reminding the people that we have a very diverse community and we should celebrate each culture,” Tenorio said.

Week 2 of the joint Lunar New Year celebrations will be held on Feb. 20, also at the Paseo de Marianas.