PHOTOS: Bringing Lunar New Year to USF

Marcus Thieu, an Asian American graduate assistant for the Center for Student Involvement, said the Campus Activities Board created the Lunar New Year Bulls Night Out in order to showcase a piece of Asian culture and be able to represent a wider audience.

“Obviously, there are going to be students who celebrate the holiday already that will come to the events,” Thieu said. “But at the end of the day, we’re really wanting to bring people who aren’t familiar with it or want to learn more about the activities and culture that goes with these events”.

The event took place on Feb. 2 at the Marshall Student Center Amphitheater and had almost 300 attendees.

Maria Isaac, integrated public relations and advertising sophomore, said she attended because her best friend, who is Asian American.  She said her friend was eager to share a bit of her culture.

“I am most excited for the Dragon Dance as this is something that I have never experienced before and this is probably the only place I will be able to see it in Tampa,” Isaac said.

The Dragon Dance is thought to bring good luck as one enters into the New Year. It is where two to three dancers are placed in a 14-54 metre dragon costume and they perform a dance accompanied by a drum, a gong and cymbals.

Freshman biomedical sciences Riley McDuffle broke into a smile when the Bulls Night Out featured movie, “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” was mentioned because she said it breaks down Asian stereotypes and relationships.

“I really enjoy that it talks about the concept that Asian parents sometimes don’t show love, but also it’s breaking that down and then talking about it,” McDuffle said.

Freshman health sciences Sterile Jean Mary says that she attends these events for “the crafts, including origami, mystic knot making and the performances.”