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Lunar New Year festivities light up Americana at Brand

February 17, 2015
Korean folk dancers performed at Lunar New Year festivities at Americana at Brand Sunday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Korean folk dancers performed at Lunar New Year festivities at Americana at Brand Sunday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

By Tae Hong

Lunar New Year festivities kicked off at Americana at Brand Sunday as a crowd joined lions and dragons in scaring away bad luck.

Commonly called Chinese New Year in the U.S., the day — to be celebrated on Feb. 19 this year — is known as ‘Seollal’ in Korea.

Families, couples and friends alike gathered for two parades and performances that lasted through the afternoon, featuring a colorful cast of folk dancers, stilt walkers and drummers.

The celebration also saw a variety of booths — craft stations and face-painting — as well as 626 Night Market food vendors that included the famous ramen burger.

Iconic Chinese decor — including red-for-prosperity lanterns, was designed by Venue Arts’ Stephen Stefanou, according to Caruso Affiliated, the real estate development company that overlooks the location.

Linda Zhou, 22, came out for the event after seeing fliers at the Americana during a past visit.

Zhou said she typically spends Lunar New Year at home with her parents eating food and receiving red envelopes, a tradition that symbolizes good luck.

Three traditional Korean dancing teams from Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy performed on stage. Spectators cheered on folk dancers with fans, knives and face masks.

Catherine Lee, 25, saw the show with her mother.

“It’s really nice to see something like this for those of us who can’t be in Korea [to celebrate Lunar New Year],” she said.

Americana at Brand readied itself for a Lunar New Year celebration Sunday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Americana at Brand readied itself for a Lunar New Year celebration Sunday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Korean folk dancers prepared to perform at Americana at Brand Sunday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Korean folk dancers prepared to perform at Americana at Brand Sunday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Lunar New Year festivities included performances by Chinese, Korean and Mongolian traditional teams. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Lunar New Year festivities included performances by Chinese, Korean and Mongolian traditional teams. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Festivities included craft tables. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Festivities included craft tables. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Traditional Korean fan dancers perform during Lunar New Year festivities inside Americana at Brand. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

Traditional Korean fan dancers perform during Lunar New Year festivities inside Americana at Brand. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

A young Korean folk dancer performs Sunday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)

A young Korean folk dancer performs Sunday. (Tae Hong/Korea Times)