As people filed into the EMU Ballroom on Sunday night, they were greeted by rows of Chinese students in traditional dress wishing them a happy new year. They walked past students sitting in desks performing a demonstration of what high school is like in Taiwan, which was the theme for the evening.
The ballroom was filled with round tables, and few of the seats were empty. Each table was covered with a red tablecloth with a plate of traditional Chinese candy for guests.
The scene was set for China Night, hosted by the Chinese Student Association on Sunday, Chinese New Year’s Eve. Monday marked the first day in the year of the ox.
University sophomore Lucy Kiester attended China night for the second year in a row. “(The food was) a nice break from dorm food,” Kiester said. “I decided to come again because it was amazing. It’s not just curtain opening and people performing. They put on a full show with lights and everything.” She especially enjoyed the martial arts demonstration by the Wushu team last year.
University senior Bruce Chiang attended China Night for the first time this year. Though he attended to watch a friend perform, Chiang said “the food alone is worth my $5.”
The first dish, a tossed cucumber salad with carrots and garlic, was delivered at the beginning of the night. Throughout the evening, volunteers delivered nine courses to each table between performances. The menu included Taiwanese popcorn chicken, orange spareribs, kong-bao chicken, stir-fry cabbage, stir-fry bean sprouts, rice, egg custard and bubble tea.
“We cook our own food,” said sophomore Liya Chang, CSA activity coordinator. “It’s different from the food you would find in a Chinese restaurant.”
Performances between courses included Chinese singers, a traditional dragon dance and demonstrations of high school life.
Students dressed in Taiwanese school uniforms performed a stretching exercise used in high schools to promote physical and mental well-being.
The Wushu team followed with a martial arts demonstration, and its performance was met with cheers from the audience.
University sophomore Rafael Norwood joined the Wushu team this year. “I looked up Club Sports and saw that it was free, and I thought that it would be good exercise,” he said. The Wushu team participates in two competitions annually and practice three times a week for two hours.
The night also featured performances from the Eugene Chinese School, which performed three traditional Chinese songs and a dance. The school’s students meet on Sundays to learn the language.
Concluding the night was a dance by the CSA dance crew, who dressed in camouflage to symbolize the 18-year-old males in Taiwan who are forced to join the armed service.
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