On a Saturday night while many college students go partying, the Chinese American Student Association (CASA) provided an alternative to the party scene by sponsoring Chinese New Year celebrating Year of Rat 2008 which occurred in the William Pitt Union on the night of Feb 16, 08.

The event started of with a CASA video that drew the attention of the packed Assembly Room of more than 200 audience members.

Video: CASA Video Vindicates Chinese Culture (Feb 20, 08, 11:44 a.m.)

After the video, the Chinese New Year celebration began with the Lion Dance performed by the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA)! According to the program, “the Lion Dance is traditionally performed during Chinese New Year to bring good luck and fortune. Money in a little red envelope called “Hong Bao” is offered to the lion in order to bring “Prosperity”.”

Video: Lion Dance Delivers ‘Hong Bao’ Benedictory, Promoting Prosperity! (Feb 20, 08, 11:46 a.m.)

The Lion Dance was followed by the introduction of the 14-member board of CASA and the hilarious Emcee’s of Pitt students, Paulo Lucero and Christian Bergman.

Video: Board Brings Brightness of Chinese Celebration (Feb 20, 08, 11:47 a.m.)

Video: Emcee’s engage everyone concerning Chinese Culture (Feb 20, 08, 11:48 a.m.)

The Lion Dance was followed by the Spring Dance performed by the OCA. According to the program, “the dance depicts fluid movements of the silk scarves fluttering in gentle breeze symbolizing the gentle season of Spring.”

Video: Spring Dance Delivers Silk Scarves Symbolizing Season of Spring! (Feb 20, 08, 11:50 a.m.)

Video: Emcee’s Emphasize Gym’s Greatness! (Feb 20, 08, 11:51 a.m.)

The OCA performers were followed by Pitt students Thomas Sew and Jeff Lee performing the Chinese Yo-Yo.

Video: Chinese Celebration Yo-Yo Yields Yahoos! (Feb 20, 08, 11:53 a.m.)

The OCA performers continued to dazzle the crowd with the Lantern Festival dance. According to the program, “the Lantern Festival is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar year of the Chinese calendar. Red lanterns are displayed everywhere and houses and streets are decorated with red ribbons and flowers symbolizing happiness and prosperity. This dance depicts children celebrating the festival with great joy and happiness.”

Video: Paulo Promotes Christian’s Capabilities Searching Stereotypes! (Feb 20, 08, 11:54 a.m.)

Video: Lunar Lantern Festival Features Red Ribbons! (Feb 20, 08, 11:55 a.m.)

Seventeen models rocked the Assembly Room with their rendition of the Fashion Show. The models whose fashion clothes were provided by HometownChina.com were Alvin Ackah, Christine Liang, Daveen Tan, Danielle Levy, Lauren Buches, Leigh Buches, Lori Portzer, Marie Russo, Ken Stewart, Tony Tassone, Evan Oare, Jake Eleftherious, William Greenaway, Wikar Kadhim, Selena Chan, Lionel Levin, and Brad Vukich.

Video: ‘Fashion Show’ Sends Models Message Mesmerizing Many! (Feb 20, 08, 11:56 a.m.)

Video: Emcees Emulate Easterners of Europe! (Feb 20, 08, 11:59 a.m.)

Following the Emcees emulation of Eastern Europeans, three songs were sung. Amy Yeu, Richard Lin, & Sean Wang sang a song and Wanwan (Grace) Zhang played the piano

Video: Singers Serenade Seated Spectators I (Feb 20, 08, 12:00 p.m.)

Video: Singers Serenade Seated Spectators II (Feb 20, 08, 12:02 p.m.)

The Chinese New Year Celebration’s Year of Rat 2008 ended with a time of fun, food, and fellowship where few members of Pittsburgh Chinese Church, Asian Christian Fellowship, and OIF were also in attendance.

Video: Emcee’s Entertain Everyone! (Feb 20, 08, 12:05 p.m.)