Film and Discussion with Producer and Director

Monday, February 17, 7:00-8:30 PM,

Buttrick Hall 101,

Vanderbilt University

Decathlon: The C.K. Yang and Rafer Johnson Story, tells the thrilling tale of C.K. Yang, Taiwan’s greatest Olympic hero, and his epic contest for the title of “World’s Greatest Athlete” at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, with his fierce rival – and, unknown to many – best friend, the African American superstar Rafer Johnson.   

The 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome were held against the background of the Cold War. Political tensions between Taiwan and China spilled over into the sporting world, piling immense pressure on Yang to succeed for his nation and for his government.  

In the U.S., the emerging civil rights movement needed Johnson to serve the cause by winning gold. Despite the pressure and the rivalry that it amplified between these two elite athletes, what really shines through in their remarkable story is their enduring friendship.  

The film recounts the story of how each man overcame disadvantaged backgrounds and societal prejudice on opposite sides of the world, to train together, share the same coach, and help each other – even as they prepared to do battle in Rome.  

Rafer and CK are gone now. But their lives, and the challenges they overcame, contain valuable lessons about friendship, confronting adversity, and being the best that they could be, and can serve to inspire people today. And of course the issues that shaped them— the Taiwan-China conflict and the fight for social justice— are as relevant now as they were back then.

Free program for the public

All are welcome to join the conversation.

Celebrate Chinese New Year of the SNAKE at Plaza Mariachi!

Date: February 15, 2025

Time: 4 - 6 PM

The coming Chinese New Year is the Year of the s~SNAKE! 

People who born in the Year of the Snakes are intelligent and quick thinking according to the Chinese Zodiac saying.  Snakes are also the most mysterious and wisest.

We are planning give DIY Snake arts/craft, popular Chinese Naming, TaiChi workshop and Kungfu Workshop.

Our performing program include Chinese dance, music, songs, TaiChi Fan, lion dance and dragon dance.

Free event, all are welcome.
Free Registration here, visit CAAN's website www.ChineseArtsAlliance.org

CAAN is grateful for the support from Nissan Foundation, TN Arts Commission, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Plaza Mariachi Music City, and the public.

How to get to Nashville Expo Center’s Show Arena at Fairground Nashville?

Due to the possibility of rain, we are moving the 2025 Chinese New Year Celebration event to its rain Site: Fairground Nashville’s Show Arena at the Nashville Expo Center.

Google Map “Nashville Expo Center”                                      

It will show as 625 Smith Avenue, 37204 ; enter from Wedgewood Ave/Walsh Road.    Then, go to the “Show Arena” .

CAAN IS HOSTING THE 10TH CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

SATURDAY, FEB 8, 11 AM TO 3 PM. FREE EVENT!

ALL ARE WELCOME!

The coming Chinese New Year is the Year of the s~SNAKE. We encourage attendees to wear Chinese outfits of your imagination, or any Chinese costumes to attend this celebration!  Red is the lucky color of the Chinese New Year; simply wearing red will be perfect.

Programs includes CAAN’s Lion Dance, Dragon Dance, Frist Art Museum’s Arts/Crafts, Nashville Public Library’s Puppet Truck’s puppet show, Nashville Chinese School’s Chinese yoyo workshop, Chinese music, dance, Chinese calligraphy demonstration, Chinese naming, s~SNAKE finger puppet making, food trucks, and more.

Mark the date and bundle up and come to celebrate the New Year with Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville! Free event for the public, all are welcome.

Free Registration is requested to allow us to well plan the event for you!  If it rains, we will prepare a rain-site for the event.  Rain-site is TBA.

FYI:

-GongXi! GongXi! CNY Celebration from 2016 to 2024. Now, join us at the 2025 CNY Celebration. (click here) Sing along with us at the opening of the performance at 1 PM

-Celebrate the Chinese New Year Extravaganza - Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (click here).

-"Story of Chinese New Year" and "CNY Decoration Workshop" (click here).

-2024 CNY of the Dragon Celebration @ Fairground Nashville (Click here).

-2023 CNY of the Rabbit Celebration @ Centennial Park video clips (click here).

-2022 CNY of the Tiger Celebration @ Vanderbilt's Corner Park video clips (click here).

Click here to listen Felix Wang (CAAN’s Board member), Anne Oppenheimer (CAAN’s dancer), Tom Cash (District 18 Councilman), and Jen-Jen Lin (CAAN’s director) said about the 2025 Chinese New Year.

Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) is grateful for the grant support from Nissan Foundation, TN Arts Commission, Vanderbilt University, Caterpillar Financial, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, the public and you!

Due to Rain, Chinese New Year Celebration is moving to Nashville Expo Center’s Show Arena at Fairground Nashville.

2025 CNY @ Nashville Expo Center’s Show Arena , Fairground location map

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2025 Chinese New Year Celebration Performing Program Schedule

Happy Chinese New Year of the ssss~SNAKE!

恭喜發財, 蛇年如意!

We are grateful for the grant support from Nissan Foundation, TN Arts Commission, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Vanderbilt University, Caterpillar Financial, and the public.

We also appreciate the support from Fairground Nashville, Metro Nashville Parks and Recreations, Metro Parks Dance Division, Centennial Park Conservancy, and Metro Nashville Police Department.

2025 Chinese New Year Celebration Project Director is Jen-Jen Lin, and the Executive & Planning Committee members are Cindy Hui-Lio, Ray Friedman, Lizung Lin, Liz Gaffron, Annibelle Chatman, Anne Oppenheimer, Meiyen Cracraft, CZ Chen, Holly Yarbrough Burnett, and Karen Grubbs.

Welcoming the Chinese New Year, Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) is hosting an exquisite Chinese New Year Banquet prepared by the Sichuan Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine Restaurant. 

Our Chinese New Year Banquet is an elegant ten-course event showcasing the Restaurant’s specialties in celebration of the Chinese New Year complete with silent auction.   CAAN’s lion dance team will visit to wish all patrons a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year of the s~SNAKE!

Tickets are available online here. Make your reservations by purchase the tickets early!

Chinese New Year Ten-Course Banquet

Date: Sunday, February 2, 2025

Time: 5 PM-8:00 PM (seating starts at 5 PM, banquet served at 5:30 PM)

Venue: Sichuan Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine Restaurant (5680 Nolensville Pike, Nashville)

Early Bird Tickets (purchased by Wed, Jan 8, 2025):

$ 50 per person, $ 450 per table of 10 people

General Tickets (purchased from by Sat. Jan 25, 2025):

$ 60 per person, $ 460 per table of 10 people

 All ticket must be purchases by Jan 25, 2020.

(CAAN is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization. Fortyfive percent of your tickets paid is tax deductible. The restaurant's service-fee is included in the ticket.)

Notes:

-The Banquet is a ten-course set-menu event, no substitutes. Thank you for understanding.

-Hot tea and/or cold water are included.

-Wine and beer are not included; but it is available to purchase at the event.

-Soft drinks are not included; and they are available to purchase at the restaurant.

-Free parking is in front of the restaurant.

FAQs

Is my registration/ticket transferable?

Yes, it is transferable. Please let Chinese Arts Alliance know whom you are transferring to by Saturday, Jan 25, 2025.

Is there kid’s (under 18) ticket?

No, all tickets are the same--one single ticket per person, and one table ticket for ten people.

Can I substitute dishes from the menu?

No. This is a set menu event. Thank you for understanding.

What if I would like to sit with my friends at this event when we bought our tickets separately?

No problem. Just send us an email whom you will like to sit next to when you purchase the tickets.  

What is the refund policy?

There are no refunds.  If you can’t make it, you may transfer your tickets to your friend by Satrday, Jan 25, 2025.

Can I bring Alcohol to the event?

No., you can't bring your own alcohol (wine or beer) or other food to the event.  If you prefer your own alcohol, a corkage fee will be charged.  Thank you for understanding.

Can I share the event with my friends and family?

Yes, please do pass on this event to anyone who is interested in an exciting Chinese New Year Celebration or Chinese food.

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Please contact us through CAAN's website: www.ChineseArtsAlliance.org

恭喜發财， 年年如意！

Happy Chinese New Year of s~SNAKE!

LUNAR NEW YEAR CONCERT (YEAR OF THE SNAKE WITH NASHVILLE SYMPHONY)

FRIDAY, 1/31/2025 7:30 PM

The concert will feature traditional music from across Asia, Ravel’s Pagodas from Mother Goose Suite, and a solo performance of the Yellow River Piano Concerto by our featured artist, Susan Yang.

There will be three dances, choreographed by Jen-Jen Lin of Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville.   (The Angel from Formosa 來自福爾摩沙的天使 - Flower Drum Song from Feng Yang 鳳陽花鼓 - Dance of the Golden Snake 金蛇狂舞) CAAN’s dancers are Tracy Collins, Annibelle Chatman, Keri Friedman, Jennie Li, Anne Oppenheimer, Justin Chatman, Stan Jones, and Jen-Jen Lin.

Come early to explore a lively bazaar in our lobbies, curated by Asian & Pacific Islanders of Middle Tennessee (API) and the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN). Enjoy festive music, crafts, and shopping that celebrate the spirit of the Lunar New Year. 

CAAN’s “Dance Nashville Chinese Dance Group” is presenting “Hakka Tea Leaves Picking Dance” at the Asian Pacific Islander (API) Music Heritage Night at the Bridgestone Arena (501 Broadway, Nashville) sponsored by Nashville Predators with Nashville Zoo, and API Middle TN on Wed, Jan 29, 2025. This is to honor Lunar New Year and the local API Community in Nashville.

The entire event is from 6:30- 8 PM. Dance Nashville is performing at 7:20 PM.

DANCE NASHVILLE:

Dancers: Julie Buzzell, Lizung Lin, Huiyen Lo , Lynn Sherman, Lucy Wang, Fang Yu

Coordinator: Luzung Lin

Choreographer/artistic director: Jen-Jen Lin

Tech support: CZ Chen

More info, please visit the Predators website at https://www.nhl.com/predators/fans/api-night

Happy Lunar New Year!

Save the date to join this most celebrative arts and cultural event in Nashville at the Centennial Park!

Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville’s dancers will be a part of this huge event. CAAN will perform from 4:15 PM to 4:35 PM! Join us to celebrate!

CAAN's Nashville Dragon Dance Team will present an opening act at10 AM on Sat. 10/5 for the 2024 Nashville Dragon Boat Festival sponsored by Cumberland River Compact. The location is the Nashville East Riverfront Landing. The date is Saturday, October 5th.

10/5/24 will be an exciting day. Come and join the excitement!

Dragon dancers: Julian Buchi-Fotre, Russell Buchi, Anthony Dematteo, Jonathan Chu, Stan Jones, Jenny Zi, Xiaorong Zhao, Conner Jones, Ping Mayo, Detang Shi, and Russanne Buchi-Fotre.

Drummer: Jen-Jen Lin

#Nasharts #CAAN #ChineseArtsAlliance #artsNash #artstn #nashvilleeastriverfrontlanding #Nashville #dragondance #nashvillearts #freeeventnashville #tnartscommission #artsandculture #cumberlandrivercompact #dragonboat

TaiChi has many health benefits. It improves flexibility, reduces stress, can help lower blood pressure, helps boost memory and more. TaiChi is a wellness practice that combines slow, gentle movements and postures with mindfulness. It’s often called meditation in motion.

Join the instructor, Jen-Jen Lin, to practice TaiChi; learn from basics to various TaiChi forms.

Wear comfortable outfits to join. Always bring water to keep yourself hydrated in the class.

This program resumes on Aug 13, Wed. at 10 AM!

Never too late to practice TaiChi.

Belcourt Theater is showing a Taiwanese American Director Sean Wang’s newly released movie, “DiDi 弟弟 .”

“DiDi弟弟 “premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it received the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award.

Tue, Aug 13 at 6:20 PM: Introduction from Jen-Jen Lin, director/artistic director of Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville, who will lead a post-screening discussion in the upstairs Jackson Education and Engagement Space (space is limited; seating is first come, first served.

8/13/24 DiDi Movie Tickets info: (click here)

About director Sean Wang:

His documentary short, Nai Nai & Wai Po premiered at the 2023 South by Southwest, where it won both the Grand Jury Award and Audience Award. It went on to be nominated for Best Documentary Short Film at the 96th Academy Awards.

Wang is from Fremont, CA with a Taiwanese background. He graduated from Irvington High School, then attended film school at the University of Southern California and worked for Google Creative Lab. He participated in multiple Sundance Institute programs, including the director and screenwriter labs.

Train with CAAN’s artist weekly on Sundays to learn this unique team sports and theater!

The program resumes in the Fall 2024 in August.

Email ChineseArtsAllianceofNashville@gmail.com for more info!

Join us for this fun and exciting program for students (middle school and up to adults.)

Roar!

5/22/24  12:15 -1:15 PM  Wed.   

FiftyForward at Madison Station (530 Madison Station Blvd
Madison, TN)

               “Kungfu Tea Making Demo”   free registration is required

Kung Fu Tea(功夫茶) is a tea brewing process. In Chinese, “cha” means tea.  We can also say Kung Fu Cha.  For Kung Fu, you might be familiar with one of its more popular meanings – Chinese martial arts. But it has more meanings in Chinese – hard work, labor, level of achievement, skill, free time, etc.

Kung Fu Cha is the Chinese tea brewing process that has a little bit of ALL these meanings – you will find out the reason why we call it Kung Fu Tea when you go through the whole process yourself.

It is also a ritual way of enjoying the fragment and profound taste of fine tea. 

Join us for a peaceful and graceful tea party!

Demonstrator: Fang Yu

“AAPI Heritage Month in May '' project is supported by the TN Arts Commission, the Community Foundation, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, and the public.  We also appreciate CAAN’s project partner, the FiftyForward, for this presentation.

AAPI (national Asian American and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month occurs in May annually. Its goal is to recognize the contributions and impacts of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

CAAN is hosting a series of free arts and culture activities to bring awareness, understanding, and appreciation of Asian arts and culture to our communities in Middle TN.

Free Creative Floral Arrangement Workshop

Date: Saturday 5/18/2024

Time: 10 AM – 11:30 AM

Maximum : 10 workshop attendees.

*Please bring a small vase, mini basket, or a container that you will arrange flowers in it.

*If you have plants, flowers that you would like to bring, we encourage it.

Instructor is ShuMei Lee.

About ShuMei Lee: ShuMei went to Taiwan to study Floral Arrangement. After returning to Nashville, she diligently arranging flowers through all seasons. ShuMei has been trying to use materials from nature, her own garden, neighbors’ and friends’ yards.

In the process of creating floral art, there are different surprises and admirations every day.

Please free register at the Eventbrite, and let us know that you are coming.

First register, first served. Maximum: 10 attendees.

When participating this program, you agree with the Health Liability and Media Releases listed below:

Liability Release

You agree to hold harmless and indemnify Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN), artists, its officers, instructors, staff, and Shelby Bottoms Nature Center from any and all injury, accidental incident incurred, to person or illness associated with Covid or others, or damage to property, whether that of yourself or another, arising from or connected with my participation in Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville’s programs hosted at the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center (1900 Davidson Street, Nashville, TN).

Media Release

You agree to let Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) use the photos and videos taken during my participation at the CAAN’s dances, performances, rehearsals, programs, activities, and events for documents, and promotional purposes.

Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) is grateful for the support from the Community Foundation, TN Arts Commission, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, the Shelby Bottom Nature Center, and the public!

Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville present “Mouse Bride,” a popular Chinese folk tale. CAAN uses puppets and dance to portray the story.

Mouse Bride production is a part of Chinese Cultural Connections - AAPI Arts & Traditions program, which is sponsored by Global Education Center.

Mouse Bride Production:

Choreographer/creator: Jen-Jen Lin
Recorded narration: Christi Robbins Bowen & Jen-Jen LIn
Cast:
Mouse Bride: Annibelle Chatman
Mouse Groom: Fang Yu
Mouse Dad: CZ Chen
Mouse Mom/Cloud: Julie Buzzell
Cat: Lynn Sherman
Sun/Mouse#2: Huizhen Liu
Cloud: Lucy Wang
Wind: Huiyen Lo
Wall/Mouse #3: Marian Rucker
Mouse #1: Lizung Lin

Chinese Cultural Connection is a ticketing performance at the Darkhorse Theater.

INFO/TICKETS: WWW.glovaleducationcenter.org

Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville  (CAAN) appreciates the support from Community Foundation, TN Arts Commission, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Global Education Center, and the public.  

 5/11/24    11 – Noon Sat.            

Willow Oak Center For Arts & Learning’s ArtFest

301 5th Ave W, Springfield, TN 

                      “Chinese Dance Presentation” 

CAAN is presenting Chinese dance at the ArtFest arts and cultural festival, sponsored by Willow Oak Center For Arts and Learning in Springfield.

CAAN is presenting “Silk Fan Dance,” “An Indigenous Dance of Taiwan,” “ Taichi Sword 42Forms,” and “New Long Silk Dance.”

Choreographer is Jen-Jen Lin:

Dancers are Anne Oppenheimer, Keri Friedman, Ainay Delahanty, Julie Buzzell, Lynn Sherman, Huiyen Lo, Fang Yu, Lucy Wang, Annibelle Chatman, and Jen-Jen Lin.

“AAPI Heritage Month in May '' project is supported by the TN Arts Commission, the Community Foundation, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, and the public.  We also appreciate CAAN’s project partner, Willow Oak Center For Arts & Learning, for us to have this opportunity to present Chinese dances during AAPI Heritage Month in May.

5/8/24   4-5:30 PM   Wed.                       

Sevier Park Community Center (3021 Lealand Ln, Nashville)

                      “Dragon Paper Arts/Crafts Workshop for kids”

CAAN is providing Dragon arts/crafts making activity for children. 

Paper was invented in China during the Eastern Han period (25–220 CE).    And 2024 is the Chinese Year of Dragon.  Dragon represents royalty, power, strength, and success.  We will compare the difference between western dragon and Chinese dragon.   We will connect Western culture with Chinese arts by teaching children how to make Dragon paper Crown, Dragon Fortune Teller, and Dragon Talking Head.

It is a free event, all families are welcome.  First comes, first served.

“AAPI Heritage Month in May '' project is supported by the TN Arts Commission, the Community Foundation, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, and the public.  We also appreciate CAAN’s project partner, the Sevier Park Community Center, for this presentation.

5/5/24    10AM – 5 PM Sun.                     

TN Crafts’ Kids Tent (Centennial Park)

                      “Dragon Paper Arts/Crafts Workshop for kids”

CAAN provides Dragon arts/crafts making activities for children. 

Paper was invented in China during the Eastern Han period (25–220 CE).    And 2024 is the Chinese Year of the Dragon.  Dragon represents royalty, power, strength, and success.  We combine these two elements and will compare the difference between western dragon and Chinese dragon at this workshop.  We connect Western culture with Chinese arts by teaching children how to make Dragon paper Crown, Dragon Fortune Teller, and Dragon Talking Head.

It is a free activity, all families are welcome. 

First comes, first served.

“AAPI Heritage Month in May '' project is supported by the TN Arts Commission, the Community Foundation, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, and the public.  We also appreciate CAAN’s project partner, TN Crafts, for us to have this opportunity to present this workshop.

TaiChi Workshop 5/4/2024 at Shelby Bottom Nature Center (1900 Davidson Street, Nashville, TN)

AAPI (national Asian American and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month occurs in May annually. Its goal is to recognize the contributions and impacts of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

CAAN is hosting a series of free arts and culture activities to bring awareness, understanding, and appreciation of Asian arts and culture to our communities in Middle TN.

Free TaiChi Workshop

Date: Saturday 5/4/2024

Time: 10 AM – 11 AM

Location: Shelby Bottoms Nature Center

*Please wear a comfortable outfit, flat shoes, and bring water to the TaiChi Workshop.

TaiChi moves gently with a calm mind, it is nicknamed “Meditation in Motion.” It applies the theory of Yin and Yang, and finds balance of body and mind.

Studies found that practicing TaiChi can lower your blood pressure, decrease anxiety, and strengthen your body and mind.

Instructor is Cindy Hui-Lio Ed.D.

Dr. Hui-Lio practices TaiChi for decades. She presently teaches TaiChi and Qigong at Vanderbilt University. She has been furthering her Tai Chi study under Master Yang Jun, the lineage holder of the Yang Style TaiChi.

Please free register at the Eventbrite, and let us know that you are coming to try out!

When participating this program, you agree with the Health Liability and Media Releases listed below:

Liability Release

You agree to hold harmless and indemnify Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN), artists, its officers, instructors, staff, and Shelby Bottoms Nature Center from any and all injury, accidental incident incurred, to person or illness associated with Covid or others, or damage to property, whether that of yourself or another, arising from or connected with my participation in Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville’s programs hosted at the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center (1900 Davidson Street, Nashville, TN).

Media Release

You agree to let Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) use the photos and videos taken during my participation at the CAAN’s dances, performances, rehearsals, programs, activities, and events for documents, and promotional purposes.

Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) is grateful for the support from the Community Foundation, TN Arts Commission, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, the Shelby Bottom Nature Center, and the public!

5/1/24    10:30 - 11:00 AM Wed.             

Auditorium (1st floor), Metro Nashville Public Library (downtown)- 615 Church Street, Nashville          

“Puppet & Dance Chinese Folk Story Telling: MOUSE BRIDE” 

CAAN is presenting a Chinese popular folk tale, "Mouse Bride,” utilizing puppets combined with dancing to articulate the story.   CAAN’s artists created and built the mouse-puppets with traditional Chinese outfits, and also hand-made the props and backdrops.  This puppet production is designed to engage the audience of all ages.  It’s a free admission event.

“Mouse Bride” production

Choreographer/scripts: Jen-Jen Lin

Recorded narration: Christi Robbins Bowen

Cast members: CZ Chen, Jullie Buzzell, Annibelle Chatman, Fang Yu, Lynn Sherman, Huizhen Liu, Marina Rucker, Lizung Lin, and Jen-Jen Lin

“AAPI Heritage Month in May '' project is supported by the TN Arts Commission, the Community Foundation, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, and the public.  We also appreciate CAAN’s project partner, Metro Nashville Public Library, for this presentation.