Asian cultures join for annual celebration.Byline: Jim Feehan The Register-Guard A searing sear 1 v. seared, sear·ing, sears v.tr. 1. To char, scorch, or burn the surface of with or as if with a hot instrument. See Synonyms at burn1. 2. guitar riff of the AC/DC AC/DC adj. Slang Having a bisexual orientation. [From the likening of a bisexual person to an appliance that works on either alternating or direct current. song "T.N.T." seemed a bit jarring at first when heard next to a tranquil bonsai bonsai (bōn`sī), art of cultivating dwarf trees. Bonsai, developed by the Japanese more than a thousand years ago, is derived from the Chinese practice of growing miniature plants. and orchid display Saturday at the Asian Celebration at the Lane Events Center. But a glimpse of the 14-member Eastgate Kenpo Karate club of Springfield performing a spirited martial arts demonstration tune as audience members chanted, "You rock," to the kung fu fighters, put it in perspective. Students of the karate club selected the music for the half-hour demonstration that included intricate self-defense moves, Eastgate's Donald Nolte said. His son, 8-year-old James Nolte, thinks karate is fun. "It can also help protect you sometimes," James said. Now in its 21st year, this year's Asian festival attracted representatives of 13 countries. Entertainment during the two-day event, which concludes today, includes Japanese drummers, Indonesian dancers, Filipino singers, Nepalese musicians and Chinese martial artists. Other attractions include a film festival, art exhibit and a mini-sumo robot wrestling tournament. Wako Daiko, a young-adult Taiko
n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. on the main stage, followed by the Chinese Lion Dancers. Sponsored by the Chinese American Benevolent Association of Eugene/Springfield, the troupe includes middle- and high-school students who perform throughout Oregon. Two dancers enliven the giant lion puppet, one handling the papier-mache and bamboo head, the other hidden beneath a cloth, animating the body and tail. Three musicians accompany the lion, playing drum, cymbals cymbals (sĭm`bəlz), percussion instruments of ancient Asian origin. They consist of a pair of slightly concave metal plates which produce a vibrant sound of indeterminate pitch. and gong, while a Little Buddha teases it with a giant ball or a fan. "The lion dance is thought to bring good luck and happiness," celebration chairman David Tam said. Later in the day, Balinese dancers, sponsored by the Indonesian Consulate General of San Francisco, delighted the main stage audience with graceful moves and colorful costumes. Arts and crafts arts and crafts, term for that general field of applied design in which hand fabrication is dominant. The term was coined in England in the late 19th cent. as a label for the then-current movement directed toward the revivifying of the decorative arts. vendors' displays shared the secrets of origami The code name for Microsoft's Ultra-Mobile PC. See Ultra-Mobile PC. , calligraphy calligraphy (kəlĭg`rəfē) [Gr.,=beautiful writing], skilled penmanship practiced as a fine art. See also inscription; paleography. European Calligraphy In Europe two sorts of handwriting came into being very early. and sushi-making, which depends, said Brad Jones of Eugene Zendo, on preparing rice not too moist or too dry and garnishing it with a rice vinegar. The festival's theme, the NextGenerAsian, blended time-honored traditions with some modern conveniences. Len Golab of Bamboo Originals touted bamboo as the textile fiber of the 21st century at his booth. Bamboo is biodegradable, never clings to your skin and its softness gives bamboo a silky feel, he said. "People just love the feel of bamboo," said Golab, modeling his own black T-shirt made of bamboo. CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS The two-day event concludes today. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Lane Events Center, 796 W. 13th Ave. Chinese Lion Dancers: 10:15 a.m., main stage Percussion ensemble with puppets: Gamelan gamelan Indigenous orchestra of Java and Bali and, more generally, of Indonesia and Malaysia. A gamelan usually consists largely of gongs, xylophones, and metallophones (rows of tuned metal bars struck with a mallet). Gamelan polyphony is complex and many-voiced. Sari Pandhawa, 11:15 a.m., main stage Hip-hop music: Hanif Michael Panni and Default, noon, main stage Ongoing demonstrations: Making oils and vinegars, Japanese style papermakin Hawaiian applique, martial arts, sushi showcase Admission: $3 for adults, children 12 or younger free Complete schedule: Available at the door and online at www.aaforegon.com/ asiancelebration CAPTION(S): The Chinese Lion Dancers move through the crowd on Saturday at the 21st annual Oregon Asian Celebration at the Lane Events Center. |
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