Bellaire High School’s Lunar New Year Celebration: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

In celebration of the Year of the Snake, the Bellaire High School Chinese Honor Society (CHS) hosted a spectacular Lunar New Year performance. The event showcased a dynamic mix of various performances. From martial arts and traditional Chinese dances to a modern twist with breakdance, CHS highlighted the diversity and talents of Bellaire students. 

Event Coordinator Vivian Zhang and Chief Tutorial Manager Emerald Tang worked closely with CHS sponsor Dr. Tsai to make this performance possible. Zhang and Tang began curating a lineup of potential performers as early as October. Reflecting back to the very beginnings of organizing the event, Tang shared her favorite part of co-coordinating this event was witnessing the transition from after-school practices in Dr. Tsai’s classroom to the final stage performance where “the entire vibe changed” when seeing the performances on the big stage with lighting and full movements. Zhang emphasized Bellaire High School’s uniqueness due to the “many students coming from different [cultural] backgrounds.” Events like the Lunar New Year celebration are a testament to this rich diversity. Tang believes Bellaire High School’s uniqueness stands in the “longstanding traditions”, such as the Chinese New Year performance they “revived”, along with other events that often take place at Bellaire on weekends showcasing the dedication and hard work of students for the Bellaire community.

Vivienne Chen, Annie Huang, Sophie Chen, Skylar Lew, Coral Walia, Julie Tang, and Maya Chen performing an upbeat fan dance. (Photo: Emily He)

The Kung Fu performance was mesmerizing and no doubt a crowd-pleaser. Elaine Wang, one of the four Kung Fu performers, has been “practicing kung fu since [she] was four [years old],” amounting to “almost 12 years now”. Wang says she loves “the adrenaline when competing” in Kung Fu competitions around the world. Initially, Wang admitted feeling hesitant about performing at Bellaire for the first time and performing with others after a while. Despite these obstacles faced at the start, when it came to show day, the performance captivated the audience. The choreography embodied a seamless blend of solo parts, highlighting the different techniques and tools used in Kung Fu, and synchronized group sequences, showcasing the precision and artistry of Kung Fu.

Beyond celebrating the Lunar New Year, the Bellaire CHS performance served as a platform for students from diverse backgrounds to come together in appreciation of Bellaire’s multicultural community. With Dr. Tsai’s unwavering support, accompanying students for after-school practices in her classroom and rehearsals leading up to the performance, the CHS Lunar New Year performance was a lively engaging opportunity for students to experience the various aspects of Asian cultures.