Over 300 people gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year at Piedmont’s Ellen Driscoll Playhouse on Jan. 31. Attendees were entertained by cultural arts and crafts, a variety of Asian food, and musical performances by PHS Mandarin teacher Xia Xin Jia’s students.
“While typically these events have operated at a modest loss, this year was different with a profit of $4,105.43 which will be donated in its entirely to the Piedmont Education Foundation to support our Piedmont faculty,” said event organizers with the Piedmont Asian American Club (PAAC).
The event commenced with a welcome by Mayor Betsy Smegal Andersen and PUSD School Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Hawn. The event ended with a Lion Dance performance, delighting the crowd.
Della Chow thanks event sponsors as PHS Chinese teacher Xia and PAAC co-president, Cassindy Chao look on 
Piedmont High School students in Teacher Xia’s Chinese class perform a dance 
Hosts Amelie Wang and Lisa Treichler introduce the entertainers 
A calligrapher writes a girl’s name in Chinese characters 
Thai food is served at one of the food stations 
Getting up close to one of the lions 
The dragons drop their heads so the kids can touch them 
A little girl in traditional clothing watches the dragon dance 
A young boy watches as his name is lettered in Chinese calligraphy 
Piedmont Troubadours sing “Can’t help falling in love with you” 
Dancer Mackenzie Seto Nguyen performs Flower in the Bamboo
PAAC provided special lanterns to the young children in attendance to light up the auditorium. Community sponsors BakeSum, Tea on Piedmont, Sakura Bistro, and Salisa Skinner served the crowd Thai curry, artisanal treats, specialty drinks, and puddings.