FCC-SoCal had a stellar turnout for the “Friends of FCC” activity to march in the Golden Dragon Parade on Saturday, February 20 in Chinatown! We more than doubled our participation from last year, with over 50 parents, children, and friends. 

Despite the threat of weather challenges (this was during the peak of the rainy season!), we had a nice, sunny day!  Click through to the full post to see additional photos of the memorable event.

The Year of the Tiger roared into town with two banquets for FCC SoCal members and their guests on Feb 6th and 27th. Our annual tradition of gathering to celebrate and re-connect continued for its 13th year, though this time with a new committee at the helm. Many thanks to Jeri, Susan and Lee for making this a favorite event for so many years and giving the new bunch an easy template to follow.

Though the first banquet was smaller than in recent years with about 250 people, it was lovely to have a bit more elbow room and the opportunity to mingle with friends and actually hear them. The Lion Dance topped off the evening with a particularly thrilling performance with lots of interaction with the kids. Their high voltage energy led us all onto the bubble wrap for the loud dance of joy. Everyone had a huge grin on their faces watching the kids let loose with glee.

The 2009 Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival was held at Marine Stadium in Long Beach August 1-2. Dozens of teams competed, making it one of the largest festivals of its kind on the west coast. Among the competitors was our "SoCal Friends" Blazing Paddles team. The team finished with the other dragon boats, and one time even came in fourth place! More importantly however, team members succeeded in enjoying the spirit of the Festival: family, friends and community coming together to support one other all while having a good time.

Blazing Paddles welcome everyone to come and join the fun:  families with children of all ages, waiting families, siblings, friends and extended family. Additionally, they have fun community gatherings such as a post-season party, Chinese New Year Party and a Season Kick Off Potluck. This season they plan to add a Mother-Daughter Zongzi cooking class.

Practice is once a week, June through the end of July, for one hour at Mother's Beach in Long Beach. The culminating event is the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival which takes place on Saturday, August 1st, 2009. If you are unable to join the team, you are still encouraged to come cheer on the Blazing Paddles during the Festival. Additionally, there will be cultural events held throughout the day, and the event is free.

Now on view at the Huntington is one of the greatest private collections of Chinese art in the nation. It's an exhibition of Chinese painting and calligraphy works spanning 900 years and will be on view April 11 through July 13 in the MaryLou and George Boone Gallery. The presentation will feature 41 masterworks from the Weng collection. The collection was the focus of a recent exhibition at the Beijing World Art Museum and is revered in China as well as in the United States.

The Moon Festival is a time for family togetherness and reunions.  FCC-SoCal organizes a number of annual family events. The Full Moon Campout includes s’mores and mooncakes, hiking, picnics, bunk beds, biscuits and the reunion of dear friends and the start of new friendships. The Orange County Region’s Autumn Moon Banquet is a longstanding Orange County Region tradition. Gathering at a local restaurant, guests enjoy music, entertainment performances and good company.