CCACC 2026 Lunar New Year Celebration Closing Ceremony Successfully Held on 2/28
The Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) held the closing ceremony of its 2026 Lunar New Year Celebration for the Year of the Horse on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Westfield Montgomery Mall, welcoming the Lantern Festival with festive joy.
At 10:30 a.m., the CCACC Youth Dragon Dance Team began a dragon dance parade throughout the mall. At 11:00 a.m., the team returned to the central stage to present a dragon dance performance.
Guest Remarks
Emcees Ann Zhang and Leon Fang opened the program and extended sincere New Year greetings to guests and the audience. Ms. Rita S. Lewi (CCACC Executive Director) then delivered welcoming remarks, greeting distinguished guests and expressing appreciation to Westfield Montgomery Mall for its support and partnership in making the celebration possible. Mr. Jason Dyer (Senior General Manager of Westfield Montgomery Mall) followed with remarks, offering Lunar New Year wishes to the community and thanking everyone for joining the celebration.
Dr. Yuchi Huang (Chairman of CCACC Board of Directors) and Ms. Chang Zhao (Vice Chair of CCACC Board of Directors) then took the stage. Dr. Huang extended holiday greetings to the guests and introduced the diverse services provided by CCACC's seven divisions, while thanking community members and supporters for their continued support over the years.
Mr. David Trone (Former U.S. Congressman) then delivered remarks. He praised the dragon dance opening performance for its energy and excellence, commending the team members for their dedication and impressive presentation. He also joined the dragon dance parade and followed the team for a full lap around the mall. Mr. Trone expressed his appreciation for CCACC's outstanding contributions to the community over more than four decades. E.D. Lewi then presented Mr. Trone with a Year of the Horse commemorative sweatshirt.
Ms. JiaRong Li (Deputy Director of Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States) also delivered remarks and extended her best wishes for a prosperous Year of the Horse. E.D. Lewi presented Ms. Li with a commemorative Year of the Horse sweatshirt as a token of appreciation.
In addition, Mr. Will Jawando (Montgomery County Councilmember) attended the event and joined community members in celebrating the festive occasion.
Cultural Performances
A total of 28 diverse and vibrant performances were presented throughout the closing day. The program opened with a powerful lion dance by The Chinese Youth Club (CYC). CCACC also prepared red envelopes for guests to feed the lions, adding to the festive New Year atmosphere.
The CCACC Gu-Zheng Club, led by Ms. Alice Kan, performed four traditional pieces with energetic and expressive melodies. The North East Art Ensemble, under the direction of Ms. Yinhuan Lu, presented the Northeast Yangko dance "Opening Dance - Happy New Year," featuring lively movements and strong regional character.
RCS Chinese Dance Classes, directed by Laura Garofalo, presented a graceful classical dance performance. The Evergreen Happy Dance Team, under the guidance of Ms. Minyan Sun, performed the folk dance "Beautiful Songshan Lake" with light and fluid steps. The Martial Arts Health Dance Association, led by Ms. Josephine Tao, presented "Gu Yue Martial Arts Exercise – Chinese Spirit," combining strength and elegance with steady momentum. The Li-Rong Sisters performed the duet song "Jasmin Flower." Students from the Shaolin Traditional Kung Fu Culture Center, guided by Yanruan Shi, delivered an impressive kung fu performance. The CCACC Evergreen Choir, directed by Ms. Ranying Liu, performed Chinese folk songs, and the Evergreen Square Dance Team, led by Ms. Qingxiang Bu, presented a square dance performance.
Evergreen Teacher Lee's Folk Dance Class, directed by Ms. Stella Choi, performed the classical dance "Grace in Azure Splendor." Potomac Chinese School Mama Dance, under the guidance of Ms. Sue Pan, presented the "Qipao Fashion Dance." Washington DC Taiwanese School Chesapeake Flow, directed by Linda Lu, performed a street dance. The Wan Do Jia Ensemble, led by James Chen, presented a duet and chorus, including the classic "O Sole Mio" in both Italian and Chinese. The CCACC Yuan Chi Club, guided by Serena Liang and Shirley Tao, performed "Yuan Chi Kung Fu Fan." The CCACC Grace of Dance Class, directed by Ms. Liuying Shi, presented the "Chinese Classical Umbrella Dance." Yi Dancing Studio, led by Ms. Yi-qing Zou, performed the Uyghur folk dance "A Glass of Fine Wine." The Yellow River Dance Group, directed by Ms. Wei Huang, presented the Chinese folk dance "Good Luck Comes," full of festive spirit. The Evergreen East Breeze Dance Team, led by Ms. Tianwen Pei, performed the Chinese folk dance "Listening." The BOOL (Be Our Own Light) Band performed "Cage, The Sky."
Mr. JianChun Wang presented the flute piece "Harvesting." The CCACC Washington Men's Choir began with a banhu solo and then performed the choral piece "Mongolian." Mr. Xiu Fa Zhang performed on the electronic wind instrument. The CCACC Shotokan Karate Club, guided by Mr. Bert Tseng, demonstrated Shotokan karate. The CCACC Folk Dance Group, directed by Ms. Yinhuan Lu, performed the Korean dance "Where the Azalea Bloom." The Yellow River Dance Group, directed by Ms. Wei Huang, presented the Chinese folk dance "Chasing the Moon." The CCACC Yah Jue Music Taichi Class, led by Ms. Phoenix Liu, performed "Rainy Night Flower" and the 32-form Taichi sword. The Washington DC Taiwanese School YOYO Team, led by Ethan Yen, presented a yo-yo diabolo performance.
Toward the end of the event, children from the audience were invited to join a small dragon dance on stage. Holding colorful dragon props, the children ran and danced with joyful laughter, bringing a warm and lively close to the day's celebration. In addition to the stage performances, traditional craft and calligraphy booths were set up, allowing visitors to experience Chinese cultural traditions up close.
A New Chapter
CCACC sincerely thanks all distinguished guests, performing groups, and volunteers for their support and participation. Special appreciation goes to Mr. Ned Li (CCACC Co-founder & Main Coordinator of CCACC 2026 Lunar New Year Celebrations), Mr. Roger Xu (CCACC Board Member), Ms. Li-Fang C. Liu (Deputy Executive Director of CCACC), Ms. Chiao-Chiao Liu (Director of CCACC Community Services), the IT team, and all staff members who worked diligently behind the scenes.
Amid the festive and joyful atmosphere, the CCACC 2026 Lunar New Year Celebration Series came to a successful close. From the dragon dance parade to the rich cultural performances, the events showcased the community's vibrant cultural spirit and its shared commitment to preserving and celebrating traditional culture. In the coming year, CCACC will continue working with the community to promote cultural exchange and strengthen unity and hope.
(Article by CCACC Administrative Office)
CCACC Youth Dragon Dance Team performed a dragon dance.
Ms. Rita S. Lewi (CCACC Executive Director) (far left) presented Year of the Horse commemorative sweatshirts to Mr. David Trone (Former U.S. Congressman) and Ms. JiaRong Li (Deputy Director of Culture Center of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States). Far right: Ms. Li-Fang C. Liu (Deputy Executive Director of CCACC).
Mr. Will Jawando (Montgomery County Councilmember) posed for a photo with E.D. Lewi.
Front row: E.D. Lewi. Back row, from left: Ms. Chang Zhao (Vice Chair of CCACC Board of Directors), Dr. Yuchi Huang (Chairman of CCACC Board of Directors), Mr. Chih-Hsiang Li (CCACC Co-founder), Mr. David Trone (Former U.S. Congressman).
CCACC prepared red envelopes and invited guests to feed the lion during the lion dance.
Mr. David Trone posed for a photo with the CCACC Youth Dragon Dance Team.
Top: CCACC Gu-Zheng Club performed. Bottom: Shaolin Kung Fu performance.
Top: CCACC Yuan Chi Club performed "Yuan Chi Kung Fu Fan." Bottom: Chesapeake Flow of Washington DC Taiwanese School presented a street dance performance.
Top: Yi Dancing Studio performed the Uyghur folk dance "A Glass of Fine Wine." Bottom: Yellow River Dance Group performed the Chinese folk dance "Good Luck Comes."
Top: CCACC Grace of Dance Class performed the Chinese Classical Umbrella Dance. Bottom: CCACC Folk Dance Group performed the Korean dance "Where the Azalea Bloom."
Top: CCACC Evergreen Choir performed Chinese folk songs, conducted by Ms. Ranying Liu. Bottom (left): Mr. Xiu Fa Zhang performed on the electronic wind instrument. Bottom (right): Wan Do Jia Ensemble performed "O Sole Mio."
CCACC Washington Men's Choir performed "Mongolian."
Top: Children who participated in the small dragon dance posed for a group photo. Bottom: CCACC Health Center booth.
Left: Mr. Chih-Hsiang Li wrote Chinese names on Year of the Horse bookmarks. Right: Calligrapher Mr. Bingji Huang.
Left: Community clothing donation station. Right: Visitors tried table tennis during the event.
The craft booth attracted many children.
