World's Largest Chinese New Year Event Comes to San Diego
By Shelley Zhang
Epoch Times
(SAN DIEGO, Nov. 10) This February, talented musicians, heavenly dancers, and maybe even a flying dragon or two will make their way to San Diego as part of the largest Chinese New Year event in the world.
On Nov. 10, 2005, New York-based New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV), an international Chinese and English-language television station, officially announced its 2006 Chinese New Year Global Gala.
Now in its third year, the Global Gala will be performed in 16 cities around the world, including 11 in North America. For the first time, the Gala will also be coming to San Diego.
The 2005 Gala was performed in seven cities, including a sold-out show in New York’s Madison Square Garden, and the 2004 Gala was performed in five cities around the world.
This year, NTDTV has teamed up with media partners The Epoch Times English and Chinese newspapers, and Sound of Hope Radio Network, to bring the Gala to communities around the world. All three media have local offices in San Diego, and are working hard to make sure San Diego’s first Gala will be a success.
According to NTDTV president Zhong Lee, the Gala reflects NTDTV’s mission to foster understanding between Chinese and Western cultures. Lee emphasized that “the event is for everyone. We try to bring the best from both Chinese and Western cultures.”
Past Gala performers have included the Julliard String Quartet, the American Ballet Theatre, and the much-beloved National Taiwan University of Arts dancers.
The theme of the 2006 Gala is “Myths and Legends,” reflecting the organizers’ hope to share genuine traditional Chinese culture, much of which has been lost under the Chinese Communist Party, with mainstream society. “Every nation has its own legends,” said Lee. “We want to tell people the legends embedded in China’s thousands of years of history.”
Along with a press conference at NTDTV’s headquarters in New York City, the announcement included the launch of the 2006 Gala website. Those interested in seeing Gala highlights from previous years, as well as information on the 16 cities hosting the 2006 Gala, can visit (www.ntdtv.com) for more details. In addition, the San Diego Gala has its own website at (www.sd-gala.com).
The 2006 Gala will be performed in San Diego County at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido on February 9, 2006.