Past Rotary Presidents (L-R) John Donnelly, Dick Burkhalter and Weylin Eng stand with performers from Red Panda Acrobats in 2004, celebrating the Lunar New Year at the Orinda Library Auditorium. The event was organized by Orinda Librarian Lynn Look and the photo was taken by an attendee and given to the Eng family.
It’s time for the Lunar New Year celebration, an event and tradition generously sponsored by Roselyn and Weylin Eng of Orinda, where the lions from Tomizaki’s Champions Kung Fu Institute chase away the bad spirits to start the New Year right.
Held Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. in the Orinda Library Auditorium at 26 Orinda Way, this free event does not require reservations.
The Institute will also have a kung fu demonstration with three lions dancing, and while the dance itself is short, the lions and performers will be available for photos afterwards.
Partnering with the Orinda Library and its staff, the Engs started this event in 2003. It is funded through the Eng Family Endowment, which was established at the Orinda Library in 2001 when the new building was built.
“Our family loves to see families, especially young children, enjoy the Lunar New Year’s activities at the libraries,” said Roselyn Eng. “Our own grandkids have enjoyed growing up and attending some of the events and activities as well.”
Eng added that each year library staff selects a performance and art activity that reflects various Asian traditions to help celebrate the new year.Activities have included acrobats, storytellers, Chinese calligraphy, cooking classes and more, all to be enjoyed by multi-generational audiences.
The traditional lion dance is usually performed during Lunar New Year, but Eng said it’s also performed at weddings, festivals and business grand openings as well.
“The lion represents good luck, strength and health,” said Eng. “This is not the first time the library has hosted Chinese lion dancers – I believe there may have even been lion dancers for the opening of the new library building – but each time, it is always an enjoyable event for all.
“The lion and drummers mimic a lion’s movements and bring fortune and good luck. For many Chinese Americans, the sounds of lion dancers, drummers and firecrackers are reminiscent of their childhood.”
Eng explained that this is the Year of the Dragon, the fifth animal in the Chinese Zodiac.
The Eng family is honored to have brought cultural events to the Orinda Library for the past two decades.
“We have appreciated all of the library staff, community members and cultural performers who have supported the event through the years,” said Eng. “We especially want to thank the excellent library staff, who have partnered with us on this program from the beginning. Through the years, we have been fortunate to work with many librarians, including Ann DeFraga, Lynn Look and now Michael Beller.”
For more information, call 925.254.2184 or visit http://bit.ly/3H34hOl. For special accommodations, please contact the library with 72 hours’ notice.
