Chinese New Year ushers in ‘Year of the Pig’
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
The OCA’s advanced class performs. Loved by the Chinese nobility, The Feather Dance is a classical art that emphasizes beautiful formation and patterns.
Members of the OCA adult class perform Blue Elegance. The title refers to the beauty of the dance, which is simple but graceful. Using two traditional Chinese fans, the dance displays the beauty and grace of these young performers.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Itha Cao with one of the lions. Patrons participated in the Feeding of the Lions, a dance where they placed envelopes of money into the animal’s mouth in the hopes for good luck in the new year.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Ginny Douds of Bethel Park places tickets in one of the many gift bags. Though she did not have much luck, the guest for whom she purchased a set of tickets was quite fortunate, winning four raffle prizes.
Members of the OCA adult class perform Blue Elegance. The title refers to the beauty of the dance, which is simple but graceful. Using two traditional Chinese fans, the dance displays the beauty and grace of these young performers.
Bethel Park residents Karen Yee and Shinya Fujibayashi enjoyed the evening of celebration.
Bob and Gina Eckert, formerly of North Strabane, enjoyed the sushi platter among the many courses of food served at the celebration. Gina worked at the Peters Township Library with Pier Lee, who was the honorary chair of the Lunar New Year banquet and celebration event.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Members of the OCA beginner class perform the Festival Dance, which reflects the anticipation and exhilaration of spring time hopes and the beginning of a new growing season.
The OCA's advanced class performs. Loved by the Chinese nobility, The Feather Dance is a classical art that emphasizes beautiful formation and patterns.
Jim and Dorothy Knights enjoy some of the sumptuous edibles. In addition to a cold appetizer platter and sushi bar, guests enjoyed nine courses of Asian fare, including duck, shrimp, pork, ribs, chicken, noodles, fried rice and broccoli as well as homemade sesame balls for dessert.
Patrons feed the lion in the hopes for good luck and prosperity in the new year.
The Chinese ushered in the Lunar New Year 4717 on Feb. 5 and the celebration will continue through Feb. 19.
The Organization of Chinese Americans kicked off the festivities with its annual banquet held Feb. 2 at the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh. In addition to a 12-course meal that included authentic cuisine from duck to noodles, the events also featured the cultural dances and martial arts.
WTAE-TV meteorologist Cam Tran emceed, and Marna Furman served as banquet chairperson. Former Peters Township librarian Pier Lee was the honorary chair.
2019 is the Year of the Earth Pig. Those born in 1935, 1947, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 and 2019 are believed to have beautiful personalities and are enthusiastic, generous and optimistic. They enjoy social gatherings and are faithful friends. They have a great sense of responsibility.
Pigs are a symbol of wealth and may be blessed with good fortune in life. Their lucky numbers are 2, 5 and 8 and their colors are yellow, gray and brown. Their lucky flowers are hydrangea and daisy.
For all the Chinese zodiac signs, the Year of the Pig 2019 is going to be a year of friendship and love.