Celebrate Lunar, one of Orlando’s major Lunar New Year events, returns as a super-sized one-day festival on Saturday (January 31) from noon to 9 p.m.
Taking over Luminary Green’s spectacular green space in downtown’s Creative Village district, this celebration is filled with both traditional flavor and cultural performance, as well as its evolution. There will be vendors offering products and spaces that represent the diversity of the region. A dance battle between traditional dance and hip hop will be held. Asian street racers will also be participating. There will be food, food, food.
“This is a very large Asian tent,” David Sudharma, president of Heritage & Hope, told me with a laugh.
The nonprofit organization, which supports leadership development in Asian American youth, is now under the banner of Celebrate Lunar. This party would require a huge tent, not just a big Asian tent.
Sudharma is speaking figuratively about the many cultures joining forces under the Asian American designation and the young people Heritage & Hope hopes to mentor through the Asian Student Association in high schools and elsewhere who will benefit from the proceeds of this year’s gala, not just through revenue but through actual participation.
“We like to do things in a very hands-on way,” he says. “It’s not lecture-style, it’s experiential. We show you around the place, have a mentor come in, and actually do something.”
And Heritage & Hope’s first year of participation in Celebrate Lunar means more students will be on stage during cultural performances, in booths representing the organization, and in on-site roles helping to ensure the event runs smoothly and successfully.
“I see them everywhere!” says Sudharma.
You’ll see “big Asian tents” featured frequently on menus, says Maxine Sudharma, executive director of Heritage & Hope. Over 50 great vendors will be on site.
“That’s usually my number one priority,” she says. “We hand-pick everything and make sure each culture is represented.
Japanese sweets (Kori Bakery & Desserts) and Vietnamese coffee (Blackfin). Pan-Asian cuisine (Seito Sushi Baldwin Park) and traditional Thai flavors (Lim Ros). Michelin-certified Chinese noodles (Walala Hand-Pulled Noodles) and street food stall “Lao-Bodian” (Mae Tao & Son’s).
From Filipino-Hawaiian flavors to trendy Tanful, traditional matcha, and killer cocktails from local favorites like The Moderne and Forward/Slash Distillery, it’s a lunch and dinner event that’ll make you want to camp. In fact, says Sudharma, many people do.
“Families bring blankets, lay them out on the grass and enjoy picnics all day long,” she says.
And while basic tickets are just $15 for adults and $7 for kids 10 and under (includes all-day access to festivals, performances, vendors, and other events), $200 VIP tickets offer tons of goodies for your Year of the Horse celebration.
VIP includes: early access at 11 a.m., drink tickets to signature cocktails at Moderne, signature craffle treats at Cafe Peko Peko, VIP-exclusive desserts at KORI Bakery & Dessert, interactive experiences at Rugged Perspective (including love photo ops), prime VIP seating during all performances, and Lion by the Orlando sign at 1:15 p.m. Post-performance photos with the dancers. For more information, visit Celebratelunar.com/vip-experience. offer.
This is a family-friendly, one-day marathon, and the energy peaks in the evening when Dynasty of Dance Hip-Hop Battle, featuring local and national performers, takes the stage around 5 p.m.
“I think it’s going to be exciting for everyone, especially younger audiences,” says David Sudharma, but the surface excitement runs deeper and becomes something he and his wife hope will grow up.
“The Asian American community is under-resourced,” he says, pointing to cultural gaps and a lack of identity-focused resources.
And from that vision of creating something for children and others like them, Heritage & Hope was born. It is hoped that their connections will expand and “eventually lead to partnerships with local businesses and community leaders as part of mentorship.”
Bringing excitement and fun to the Lunar Holidays and the upcoming Year of the Horse, and tasting authentic cuisine from China, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, and more will help further the nonprofit’s mission, and festive attire is encouraged.
“Let’s wear red and gold and celebrate Chinese New Year together!”
For tickets and more information, visit Celeblunar.com.
Want to lend a hand? Find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @amydroo or the OSFoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun, join our Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group.
