When West Greets East
As with most festivals, the games were a big hit. But when not tossing rings, coins and balls to win small prizes, 500 supporters of the Irvine Chinese School enjoyed traditional Chinese noodles, a concert by 16-year-old pianist Katherine Chiu and free Chinese newspapers.
The school’s annual Fall Festival on Sunday raised about $4,500, all to support the Chinese New Year celebration performance at the Irvine Barclay Theatre and other events, says Derlin Chen, president of the parent-teacher organization.
The school of 930 students is one of the largest Chinese cultural schools in Southern California. It began in 1976 with four teachers and a few dozen students willing to give up a Sunday for additional classroom instruction.
Offered are 39 literature classes and 20 electives, from folk dance and calligraphy to Kung Fu and art.
The 5- to 18-year-old students have been urged to be bilingual by their parents, who feel that such language skills will help them get ahead in the global marketplace.
But on Sunday, all they wanted to do was have a blast outside.
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