SCRANTON — Students, faculty and parents of the Scranton Chinese School, along with representatives of the Asian Studies program and Asian Club at The University of Scranton and other special guests celebrated the year of the rooster with a 2017 Chinese New Year Festival Saturday, Feb. 11 in the university’s Brennan Hall.

David White and Shu Qiu served as host and hostess for the evening.

The annual event started off with a meal, featuring a variety of Chinese dishes, followed by a talent show by students, teachers and guest performers. A variety of talents was shared with the audience, including poetry recitation, martial arts, Chinese paper-cutting, magic tricks, musical performances on several different instruments and more.

The date of this year’s Chinese New Year, otherwise known as the Spring Festival, was Jan. 28. It is determined by the Chinese lunar calendar and, although it falls on a different date each year, is always between Jan. 12 and Feb. 20.

Guests enjoy tastes of Chinese cuisine, surrounded by festive decorations Saturday evening at The University of Scranton during the 2017 Chinese New Year Festival, co-sponsored by the Scranton Chinese School and the university’s Asian Studies and Asian Club.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_ABJ-Chinese-1.jpg.optimal.jpgGuests enjoy tastes of Chinese cuisine, surrounded by festive decorations Saturday evening at The University of Scranton during the 2017 Chinese New Year Festival, co-sponsored by the Scranton Chinese School and the university’s Asian Studies and Asian Club. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Winston White, a student in teacher Shu Qiu’s class at the Scranton Chinese School, gives a Chinese martial arts demonstration during the school’s 2017 Chinese New Year Festival, held Saturday evening, Feb. 11 at The University of Scranton and co-sponsored by the university’s Asian Studies and Asian Club.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_ABJ-Chinese-2.jpg.optimal.jpgWinston White, a student in teacher Shu Qiu’s class at the Scranton Chinese School, gives a Chinese martial arts demonstration during the school’s 2017 Chinese New Year Festival, held Saturday evening, Feb. 11 at The University of Scranton and co-sponsored by the university’s Asian Studies and Asian Club. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Sylvan Wu, a student from Shu Qiu’s class at the Scranton Chinese School, plays a piece titled ‘Dragon Hunt’ during the school’s 2017 Chinese New Year Festival Saturday evening at The University of Scranton.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_ABJ-Chinese-3.jpg.optimal.jpgSylvan Wu, a student from Shu Qiu’s class at the Scranton Chinese School, plays a piece titled ‘Dragon Hunt’ during the school’s 2017 Chinese New Year Festival Saturday evening at The University of Scranton. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Victoria Tomaino, a student from Shu Qiu’s class at the Scranton Chinese School, gives a violin performance titled ‘Mix Up’ during the school’s 2017 Chinese New Year Festival Saturday evening at The University of Scranton.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_ABJ-Chinese-4.jpg.optimal.jpgVictoria Tomaino, a student from Shu Qiu’s class at the Scranton Chinese School, gives a violin performance titled ‘Mix Up’ during the school’s 2017 Chinese New Year Festival Saturday evening at The University of Scranton. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Korina Cheng, a student from Lily Liu’s class at the Scranton Chinese School, plays a piece titled ‘Sunflower’ on the piano during the school’s 2017 Chinese New Year Festival Saturday evening at The University of Scranton.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_ABJ-Chinese-5.jpg.optimal.jpgKorina Cheng, a student from Lily Liu’s class at the Scranton Chinese School, plays a piece titled ‘Sunflower’ on the piano during the school’s 2017 Chinese New Year Festival Saturday evening at The University of Scranton. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Hansen Zhang, a student from Shu Qiu’s class at the Scranton Chinese School, performs the song ‘Turkey in the Straw’ on the violin during the school’s 2017 Chinese New Year Festival Saturday evening at The University of Scranton.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_ABJ-Chinese-6.jpg.optimal.jpgHansen Zhang, a student from Shu Qiu’s class at the Scranton Chinese School, performs the song ‘Turkey in the Straw’ on the violin during the school’s 2017 Chinese New Year Festival Saturday evening at The University of Scranton. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Guest performer Kathy Wang plays a Chinese harp at the close of the 2017 Chinese New Year Festival Saturday evening at The University of Scranton. The event was co-hosted by the Scranton Chinese School and the university’s Asian Studies and Asian Club.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_ABJ-Chinese-7.jpg.optimal.jpgGuest performer Kathy Wang plays a Chinese harp at the close of the 2017 Chinese New Year Festival Saturday evening at The University of Scranton. The event was co-hosted by the Scranton Chinese School and the university’s Asian Studies and Asian Club. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

Ornaments hang in a doorway Saturday evening, Feb. 11 at The University of Scranton during the 2017 Chinese New Year Festival, co-sponsored by the university’s Asian Studies and Asian Club and the Scranton Chinese School.
http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_ABJ-Chinese-8.jpg.optimal.jpgOrnaments hang in a doorway Saturday evening, Feb. 11 at The University of Scranton during the 2017 Chinese New Year Festival, co-sponsored by the university’s Asian Studies and Asian Club and the Scranton Chinese School. Elizabeth Baumeister | Abington Journal

By Elizabeth Baumeister

ebaumeister@timesleader.com

Reach Elizabeth Baumeister at 570-704-3943 or on Twitter @AbingtonJournal.