On Friday, Feb. 9, the Piedmont Asian American Club (PAAC) welcomed the Year of the Dragon by hosting families and neighbors at the annual Lunar New Year Festival at the Ellen Driscoll Theater. Celebrants were treated to a raffle, gourmet food donated by Piedmont residents, crafts, and dance and musical performances. Kids delighted in making lucky mandarins, paper fans, dragon puppets, spin drums, and having their names written in Chinese calligraphy by Dr. Shiu L. Chao.
Event organizers say they were pleased with the large turnout — 400 attendees plus volunteers from all the school sites.
“We are thrilled that our community showed up to celebrate Lunar New Year with us,” said PAAC board member Della Chow. “We love that the community is excited to learn about Asian culture. This year was especially meaningful because the event was held on the official night where family and friends are meant to gather to usher in the new year.”
Event sponsors Grace Shen (Tea On Piedmont) and Joyce Tang (Bake Sum), both local small business owners, worked overtime for two days in order to meet the demands of the growing crowd, said Chow. Attendees also enjoyed Panang curry with brown rice courtesy of Havens parents Salisa Skinner (former owner of Tamarind Hall in SF) and lychee jelly soda from Ed and Wendy Chan.
PUSD Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hawn (third from left), School Board Member Veronica Andersen Thigpen and Councilmember Conna McCarthy join PAAC leaders to wish the crowd a Happy New Year. 
Two girls add their artwork to the Dragon art board 
Coloring dragons and other Chinese New Year designs 
Piper and mom Michelle 
Maya Chan, Oliver Chao-Bierhaus, and Fred Beirhaus at the check-in table. 
Zoe Tang and Emma Meredith 
Calligrapher Dr. Shiu L. Chao writes a young boy’s name in Chinese characters. 
Madeline Tran, pianist and Samantha Cheunkarndee, violinist, perform Liang Zhu – Butterfly Lovers 
Mackenzie Seto Nguyen performs “Lotus by the Pond” 
PHS Mandarin classes 
Crowd favorite Lion Dance 
Kids get front row seats to see the lion dancers 
PAAC leaders Catherine Zhang and Della Chow thank Chinese language teacher, Xinjia Xia