A Brilliant Year of the Horse Night: Children Lit Up the Stage

Group Picture

Charlotte Chinese Story Time’s First Children’s Lunar New Year Showcase Wraps Up with Warmth and Applause

On February 21, Charlotte Chinese Story Time hosted our very first Children’s Lunar New Year Showcase at Fullwood Theater. Children from many cultural backgrounds and language environments across the Charlotte area took the stage with songs, dances, poetry, comedy, and martial arts—bringing months of practice to life in a series of shining, unforgettable moments. From the audience, laughter and applause rose again and again, along with quiet “wow” reactions—the kind that happen when you’re genuinely moved by children’s sincerity and joy.

This showcase was generously supported by the Arts & Science Council (ASC) Culture Blocks program, which allowed the event to be free and open to the public. The theater welcomed families from a wide range of communities: some attending a Chinese cultural event for the very first time, some bringing grandparents to celebrate together, and some wiping away happy tears—because the energy on stage reminded everyone of something simple and universal: children’s happiness is contagious.

Opening Remarks by Ms. Claudia, Director of Culture Blocks

Behind the Curtain: A Showcase Built with Determination

The performance on stage lasted about ninety minutes, but what many people don’t see is the long road behind it: coordinating more than a dozen participating programs, confirming program details, collecting music files and stage videos, communicating repeatedly with lighting and sound teams, and even rehearsing backstage flow so that every child knew where to go and when. Every smooth transition, every precise cue, and every perfectly timed spotlight was made possible through countless hours of planning and teamwork.

Jenny Zhan, Founder and President of Charlotte Chinese Story Time and producer of this showcase, shared that since CCST began in 2019, it has grown from a small volunteer storytime into a community organization serving over 1,000 attendees each year. The path hasn’t been easy, but the mission has remained simple: to create joyful spaces where children experience language and culture, and where families build meaningful connections. This showcase was a natural extension of that mission—offering children a stage where they don’t have to “explain” who they are, but can confidently be who they are.

Opening Remarks by Jenny Zhan, Founder of Charlotte Chinese Story Time

An Opening Full of New Year Spirit

The celebration began with a lively New Year Song Medley performed by students from Sprout Chinese Class (Instructor: Nina Chen). As the children sang traditional New Year wishes in Chinese, the audience immediately lit up. Their sweet, youthful voices created a warmth that no elaborate stage design could replace.

Next came the dance “Red Lantern” performed by Charlotte Chinese Academy (Instructor: Jing Zhang). The moment the red lanterns appeared, the room felt instantly festive—as if the word “New Year” had filled the air.

Humor, Heart, and Language on Display

One of the biggest surprises of the evening was how strong the language-based performances were.

The traditional comedic piece “San Ju Ban” (Three-and-a-Half Sentences): “Celebrating the New Year” (Sprout Chinese Class; Instructor: Nina Chen) was paced perfectly. The children delivered lines with confidence and timing that kept the audience laughing throughout. People couldn’t help but wonder: How did they memorize so much? How did they learn rhythm and pauses so well? Their seriousness and effort were as touching as their humor.

The group poetry recitation “I Hope” (performed by award-winning participants from the 2025 Charlotte Cup Chinese Recitation Contest; Instructor: Nina Chen) brought the audience into a quieter, deeper place. The children’s voices were young, but the message was powerful—hope spoken clearly, from one generation to the next.

The crosstalk performance “The Farmer and the Snake” (Charlotte Chinese Academy; Instructor: Qian Wang; Performers: Hongrui Wen and Xiaobao) was another highlight. Children in the audience burst into laughter again and again, and even guests who didn’t understand Chinese found themselves smiling—because the performers’ expressions, timing, and energy communicated the humor beyond language.

When Dance Becomes a Bridge Across Cultures

If the language performances made the audience laugh, the dance performances made them watch in awe.

The Dunhuang-style dance “Tambourine” performed by Yiduo Dance Studio (Instructor: Jing Zhang) felt like a mural brought to life—elegant, expressive, and mesmerizing.

The duet “Two Drops of Water” (Wee Dance Academy; Adaptation: Yan Li) was refined and fluid, like water itself.

“Laughing Chant” (Wee Dance Academy; Choreographer: Yan Li) held the audience’s attention from start to finish.

“Drunk in Spring Breeze” (Charlotte Chinese Academy; Instructor: Jing Zhang) was light, playful, and full of spring energy.

The cultural diversity on stage was especially moving. The Cambodian classical dance “Robum Dance” (Cambodian Legacy Dance Team; Instructor: Kim Lam) brought an entirely different tradition to the same stage—graceful, ancient, and beautiful.

The Matthews Charter Academy Beta Club performance “Paint The Town” (Instructor: Edith Mak) energized the room with modern rhythm.

And the dance “Jasmine Flower” (Donghang Academy; Instructor: Jing Zhang) reminded everyone how gentle and harmonious cross-cultural sharing can be: different backgrounds, one community, one stage.

“Left Hand Points to the Moon”: A Moment That Stunned the Room

Among the many wonderful performances, the song-and-dance piece “Left Hand Points to the Moon” became a true showstopper. One girl sang while another danced—voice and movement supporting each other perfectly.

When the first note was sung, the theater became almost completely silent. The singer’s voice was clear, powerful, and surprisingly mature, pulling the entire room into the story of the song. As the performance reached its peak, applause and cheers rose like a wave. It wasn’t simply “a child singing well”—it was the kind of performance that genuinely stuns an audience. Many parents were still talking about it long after the show ended.

Heroes on Stage—and Heroes Behind the Stage

The martial arts performance “Little Shaolin Heroes” (ILIM School; Instructor: Yan Ji) showcased more than punches and kicks—it reflected courage, discipline, and teamwork.

The South Academy of International Languages choir brought joyful energy to the theater with their choral performances of “Singing and Smiling” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Their bright voices had both kids and adults clapping along and singing together, instantly lifting the atmosphere and turning the audience into part of the celebration.

The evening closed with a gentle and heartfelt keyboard-and-violin performance “How Do You Say” (Batavia Music & Dance Group; Instructor: Markus Kuncoro), bringing the audience back to warmth and calm.

And behind every memorable moment were the “heroes” audiences don’t always see: stage managers, sound and lighting staff, volunteers, program leaders, and parents working nonstop backstage to keep everything organized and safe. Their teamwork allowed children to focus on what mattered most—sharing their best selves on stage.

The Most Moving Part Wasn’t “Finishing”—It Was Growth

Nina Chen, language-program instructor and the showcase’s director, shared in an interview that the most meaningful part of the evening wasn’t simply completing a full production—it was witnessing the children’s growth through the process.

That growth, she said, is the true purpose of this showcase.

She pointed especially to the young hosts. In the beginning, many of them read from scripts with shaking voices and nervous pauses. But on performance day, they stood under the spotlight with confidence—calm, poised, and professional. The audience’s applause was the clearest affirmation. For these children, the stage was not only a place to perform—it was a place to practice courage, communication, and belief in themselves.

Looking Ahead: A Bigger Stage, an Even Stronger Community

The first Children’s Lunar New Year Showcase has come to a close, but it feels like the beginning of something lasting. Charlotte Chinese Story Time hopes to bring this celebration to an even larger theater in the future—so families can enjoy a more comfortable seating experience, and so more community members can join us in building connection and understanding.

Because culture isn’t something we “show” to others—it’s something we create together: through gathering, through learning, and through the love we leave for our children.

As the lights dimmed and all performers returned for the final bow, the applause continued for a long time. People said, “That was truly beautiful.” Others shared, “Thank you for creating a showcase memory for our children.” And many said, “We’re coming back next year.”

Yes—see you next year. And together, we’ll keep building something wider, stronger, and more joyful.