ON SCENE: Asian Avenue’s 13th Annual Lunar New Year Dinner

Asian Avenue celebrates 13th annual lunar new year dinner to welcome the year of the tiger

Mr. Qiwu Huang wrote Chinese calligraphy on wall hangings for guests to take home Guests enjoyed a 10-course Chinese banquet dinner at Empress Seafood Restaurant Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center began the evening with a lion dance

On January 28, Asian Avenue magazine supporters and Denver community members attended the magazine’s 13th annual Lunar New Year Dinner Celebration. The event, which was cancelled last year, was capped at half capacity at Empress Seafood Restaurant in an effort for tables to be more distanced.

Mistress of Ceremonies Dao Than welcomed guests and introduced the performers and sponsors for the event.

Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center performers took their lion dance all around the room, while picking up guests along the way to join the dance. The colorful dance and loud drums are symbolic of warding off evil spirits in order to start the new year with good luck.

RTD Board Member Paul Rosenthal and Senator Julie Gonzales presented founders of Asian Avenue Magazine, Annie Guo VanDan and Christina Yutai Guo with a commendation and Colorado state flag.

The tribute read: “For more than 15 years, Asian Avenue magazine has elevated Colorado’s diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander communities with the power of stories! By putting a spotlight on AAPIs, the publication has built bridges of awareness through sharing cultural insights, news, and resources. Asian Avenue magazine supports local businesses and organizes community events such as the annual Lunar New Year Celebration. The publication has received the Martin Luther King Jr. Business Award, Mayor’s Diversity Award, and the Best Small Business Award from the Asian Chamber of Commerce.”

Members of Locally Hyped spoke about the importance of supporting small and local businesses. They introduced new project called “Pagoda” that will provide support and resources for small businesses in Denver. Sridevi Bangaru, a South Asian local vocalist, performed two rock-style songs to get the crowd’s energy up as the event came to an end. To attend next year, visit asian

avemag.org.

LUNAR NEW YEAR IS HERE!

Dragon Tiger Casino in Black Hawk celebrated its grand opening on January 22 just in time for lunar new year. Guest enjoyed a lion dance performance by Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center.

Jade Mountain Brewing in Aurora organized a two-day lunar new year event centering local vendors and food trucks, while announcing new Asian-themed beers such as Pineapple Cake.

OCA Colorado hosted a virtual Chinese New Year Gala from February 1 to 5 that included a lion dance and kung fu show by Master Solow and Shaolin Hong Mei Kung Fu School, as well as performances by students from Great Wall Chinese Academy and an award winning Chinese traditional Dance by Lily Han Li, Jasmine Flower Chinese Dance School.