At just 6, Erin Leung already has big plans for her future: To train to be an acrobatic lion dancer like her big brother, Ryan.
A member of Wu An Martial Arts, Ryan and his fellow performers wowed the crowd with their colorful costumes and energetic routine on Sunday, February 4, during the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association’s (GBCCA) annual banquet in West Newton.
The GBCCA describes itself as a “non-political, non-profit organization to promote public awareness of Chinese culture and heritage, to enhance the well-being and social standing of Chinese Americans; and to provide an environment for people to learn Chinese culture, language, and arts.”
The group, which was founded in 1956, bought the building at 437 Cherry Street in 1993 and has been there ever since.
From left, Julia Wang and Shirley Wong, members of Boston Dulcimer and Drums, performed Sunday, during the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association’s annual banquet in West Newton. Wong just finished her term as president of the nonprofit. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Members of the HuaXin School of Arts’ Intermediate Diabolo Team performed tricks Sunday, during the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association’s annual banquet in West Newton. Pictured, from left, are Ryan Leung, Oxford Huang, and Taylor Pan. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Members of the HuaXin School of Arts’ Advanced Diabolo Team performed tricks Sunday, during the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association’s annual banquet in West Newton. Pictured, from left, are Ryan Chao and Freddie Deng. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) From left, Mimi Han and Angela Yang performed on Sunday, as part of the YunHe Club that is affiliated with the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association. They sang during the organization’s annual banquet in West Newton. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) Members of Wu An Martial Arts who performed the lion dance wowed the crowd Sunday, during the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association’s annual banquet in West Newton. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Members of Wu An Martial Arts who performed the lion dance wowed the crowd Sunday, during the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association’s annual banquet in West Newton. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association staff members spoke to the crowd Sunday, during the organization’s annual banquet in West Newton. Pictured, from left, are Anny Zhou, Scott Alfonso, Brianna Greenlaw, Beverly Choi, 2024 president Francesca Mei, and outgoing president Shirley Wong. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) Aidan Chen, a member of Boston Dulcimer and Drums, performed Sunday, during the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association’s annual banquet in West Newton. Wong just finished her term as president of the nonprofit. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
The Boston Synchrony Chinese Percussion Ensemble is seen performing Sunday, during the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association’s annual banquet in West Newton. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
The Boston Chinese Waist Drum Troupe is seen performing Sunday, during the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association’s annual banquet in West Newton. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
The Melody Dance Troupe is seen performing Sunday, during the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association’s annual banquet in West Newton. (photo: Julie M. Cohen) 
Right, Liwen Wang is seen conducting the GBCCA’s Choral Society Sunday, during the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association’s annual banquet in West Newton. (photo: Julie M. Cohen)
“It’s great that the kids get to participate in an event that connects them to their traditional arts,” said Ryan and Erin’s mother, Ceida Chan.
About 150 attendees enjoyed an array of performances, from dancing and singing to drumming and complex “Diabolo” (Chinese yo-yos) demonstrations. The fast-paced show also featured delicious food and a keynote speech by children’s book author Vincent Yee.
Yee said his frustration at a lack of representation was one reason he decided to write stories that focus on Asian American superheroes, since there are few in American popular culture. In 2022, the first book was published in his YA fantasy series — a book about a character named Clara Wu. During his speech, he emphasized the importance of embracing and taking pride in one’s culture and inclusion.
The celebration, which took place ahead of the Lunar New Year on February 10, focused on highlighting the accomplishments of GBCCA students and welcoming new GBCCA president Francesca Mei as the previous leader, Shirley Wong, finished her term.
“We want to keep our doors open to folks that are not members, to let them know that this community is available and welcomes them,” said Wong. “We offer many programs and clubs at the GBCCA that we welcome folks to join! These programs and clubs include music, language schools, karaoke, dancing, martial arts, and more.”
Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday
On Saturday, February 3, the Chinese American Association of Newton (CAAN), the Newton Education Support Network (NESN), and the GBCCA held a Lunar New Year Celebration at the Zervas Elementary School. Children and elders welcomed in the Year of the Dragon with traditional Lunar New Year dishes and enjoyed performances from their members.
Shelly Xiaoyi Zhang ,President of NESN and vice president of CAAN said, “2024 is called the “Year of the Green Dragon”. This name conforms to some symbolic meanings in traditional Chinese culture. Cyan represents spring, new hope and vitality andthe dragon is a legendary beast that symbolizes strength and luck. The “descendants of the dragon” in traditional Chinese culture also represent bravery, wisdom and a broad mind.”
Anping Shen, the founder and board chair of the Newton Education Support Network, said, “I was born in the year of the dragon, so the celebration of the year of the dragon is special for me personally. However, with the kids now going back to schools, the celebration of the Lunar New Year this time is even more cheerful and delightful for the participating families with their kids.”
With regard to the event having been organized by three different organizations, Shelly Zhang said, “Especially in the Year of the Dragon, we descendants of the dragon are more proud to promote traditional Chinese culture and let more people understand each other and tolerate the cultural concepts of different races… I wish everyone all good luck and happiness in the Year of the Dragon. “
Amy Sangiolo contributed reporting and photos regarding the Lunar New Year Celebration on Saturday.
