The sixth annual Lunar Chinese New Year party and fundraiser, this year supporting Los Angeles fire victims, will be Saturday, Feb. 22 from 5:30-10 p.m. at Mandarin House, 6765 La Jolla Blvd.
The charity fundraiser will feature a casino night, a lion dance performance, food, a raffle from local sponsors, music, and drinks all night. The event cost is $65 per ticket, which includes a buffet, one drink, and casino money. New this year will be an after-party from 10 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. Admission to that is $20.
Mandarin House owner/operator Nelson Law talked about the event’s cultural significance. “The lunar and Chinese New Year are the same in this year which is the year of the snake,” Law said. “It’s more of a cultural tradition to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits.”
Chinese New Year dates shift around. “This year it started Jan. 29,” said Law. “We always throw our (fundraising) party at the end of February.”
The Mandarin House in La Jolla was opened on April 21, 1977, by Tat (John) Law and Wai (Bill) Man. Both men died of cancer, which is why the restaurant typically donates all proceeds from their annual Chinese New Year party to The Cancer Research Institute to help find a future cure, and Scripps Cancer Center to help people currently going through cancer treatment.
Law said the fundraiser was begun initially to honor and remember his father noting, “We wanted to do something to help the world, in some way or another. We’re just trying to do our part.”
The restaurateur said Mandarin House will have food and drink, a casino night with craps, roulette, and card tables. “All the cash goes to the (L.A. fire) fund,” Law said adding, “We’ll have raffle tickets and 20-plus raffle items from local businesses where you can win cool prizes and have a good time. It will be a family-friendly event and everyone should have a good time. Come and hang out for a good cause.”
CHINESE/LUNAR NEW YEAR
Is a festival celebrating the beginning of a new year that is one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture marking the end of winter and the start of spring. CNY is associated with several myths and customs. The festival was traditionally a time to honor deities and ancestors and is an occasion for Chinese families to gather for an annual reunion dinner.
Traditionally, every family thoroughly cleans their house, symbolically sweeping away any ill fortune to make way for incoming good luck. Windows and doors may be decorated representing themes such as good fortune or happiness, wealth, and longevity. Other activities include lighting firecrackers and giving money in red envelopes. CNY is also celebrated worldwide in regions and countries with significant overseas Chinese populations, especially in Southeast Asia.
Year of the Snake: The Year of the Snake, the sixth sign in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle, began on Jan. 29. People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be intelligent, mysterious, and elegant. The snake symbolizes wisdom and transformation, calmness and introspection, growth and new beginnings. For more information, visit mandarinhouselj.com.
