"The young Huong Dao guys and gals were awesome. They proved to be good at everything they did, from hip hop, break dancing, to nice, soft rhythm, to charming "múa". " -- Loan Vo "Timing was excellent throughout the program. OC/volunteers were very enthusiatic and "cheerful" despite how tired and hungry you all were! BRAVO!!" -- Lan Nguyen. "I like everything I saw, from the dance at EMP to the Tet festival at the Center House." -- Tu Nguyen.		Program Description 2003 This year, we are proud to debut several new programs: Thinh Phong, Ping Pong Matches, Movies, Cooking Demo and Music Workshop. Please see below for a detailed description of each program. Click here for a time schedule of events THINH PHONG  |  LION DANCES  |  OPENING CEREMONY  |  CHILDREN'S PROGRAM  |  MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM  |  KNOWLEDGE BOWL  |  THEME PROGRAM  |  FASHION SHOW  |  EXHIBITS  |  KIDS 'N TET  |  BOOTHS  |  PING PONG MATCHES  |  MOVIES  |  COOKING DEMO  |  TRADITIONAL MUSIC PROGRAM  |  MUSIC WORKSHOP  |  FESTIVAL BALL  NHAC THINH PHONG Tet In Seattle of proud to present our second annual Evening of Music called Nhac Thinh Phong. Stemming from the word thinh meaning to listen, and phong meaning room, this event offers an intimate atmosphere where performers sing and interact with the audience. This event provides music lovers the opportunity to enjoy music from their favorite singers in an elegant ambiance. This year, we are presenting an evening with Bach Yen and pianist Jules Tambiccanou on Friday January 24, 2003 at Town Hall from 8pm to 10pm; doors open at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20 presale and $35 at the door. VIP tickets are $50 and include a complimentary glass of wine to ring in the New Year. Tickets can be purchased in person at Asia Music, Moonlight Cafe & Restaurant, Boy Boy Salon or by emailing your requests to tickets@tetinseattle.org.  LION DANCES Lion dances and firecrackers are popular traditions to mark special occasions. The dance features unique and beautiful movements choreographed to portray the intricate interactions between the Dragon and Ông Ðia, the guardian of the earth and land. With drums and gongs, Ông Ðia spurs the Dragons to greet the audience, eat, rest, and sleep. Firecrackers enhance the performance of the Lion Dance. In the old days, firecrackers were used to expel evil spirits from villages and to bring forth happiness. Nowadays, firecrackers are used to commemorate old traditions and to welcome visitors and the Spirit of Spring. The sounds of firecrackers reflect the animated spirit of Tet. Tet In Seattle is pleased to preserve the traditions to ring in the New Year.  OPENING CEREMONY Ribbon Cutting: The Riboon Cutting Ceremony symbolizes the commencement of Tet Celebration of the New Year. Every year, Tet In Seattle invites an important honoree to help bring in the new year. Flag Procession & Anthems: The Vietnamese H.O. Group will carry both American and Vietnamese flags onto the stage. The American national anthem will be sung and members of TIS Organizing Committee and the audience will be invited to sing the Vietnamese National Anthem together. Moment of Silence: has become a tradition to honor and pray in memory of the fallen soldiers and all those who fought for Vietnam and those who died in the search for freedom. Ancestral Homage Ritual: Is a Vietnamese tradition to pay homage to our ancestors during Tet. With incense in hand, family members stand in front of the ancestral shrine, offer prayers and ask for blessings for the coming New Year. At the festival, as is the custom, elders, in traditional clothing, will represent the Vietnamese community in performing this ancient ritual. Greetings: The Executive Director of Tet In Seattle and Public Relations Specialist welcome the public to the 7th annual Tet Celebration. Every year, Tet In Seattle invite important members of the community as well as public officers to the podium to welcome the new year. Longevity Wishes For Our Elders: According to the Vietnamese culture, a person is considered to be one year older at the beginning of the New Year. The Vietnamese celebrate each other's birthday during Tet by offering best wishes for longevity to the elders and wishes for peace and prosperity to family and friends. It is our custom, first and foremost, to offer these wishes to our elders. On behalf of the Vietnamese community, the Organizing Committee invites elders in the audience to come forward and to receive best longevity wishes. Offering Prosperity to Children: "Lucky money" in red envelopes signifies fortune, luck and happy wishes. When Children are given this "lucky money", it is call Lì Xì. However, children only get Lì Xì after their wishes for the elders have been announced. Generally, children range anywhere from little babies to an unmarried person. A small group of children representing all children announce their wishes for the representative elders, and after that the elders will Lì Xì all children in the audience.  CHILDREN'S PROGRAM Wonderful, energetic children from the Vietnamese community and the Vietnamese Language School - Van Lang devote endless hours, practicing on weekends to produce a charming and unforgettable program. Some children wear the traditional dress, Áo Dài, while others dress in Áo Tu Than (Northern dress) or Áo Bà Ba (Southern dress). These three costumes are seen together in a folk dance about the three regions of Vietnam. The Children's Program also includes other beautifully choreographed dance routines and vocal performances. The Children's Program has become one of Tet In Seattle's most popular and endearing performances that packs the auditorium.  MARTIAL ARTS PROGRAM Beginning, intermediate and advanced students along with their instructors, give a non-stop hour long presentations of martial arts movements. The performance features basic martial arts skill followed by progressively more complex movements and interactions.  KNOWLEDGE BOWL Coordinated by Gia Long Associaton of Washington, this game of trivia challenges participants' knowledge of Vietnamese history, geography, customs, and traditions as well as world history, geography, and science. Approximately twenty teams from around King County compete for the championship title. The semi-finals will take place on January 12, 2003 at Seattle Center. The championship competition will take place on Saturday January 25, 2003 on the Center House stage. All are welcome to this educational and fun program.  THEME PROGRAM Tet In Seattle brings new ideas to old traditions by creating annual themes that highlight the Festival. Each year's theme is woven through every program and activity at the Festival. The theme for Tet Celebration 2003 is "A Walk Through Vietnam: From Ai Nam Quan to Mui Ca Mau" or "Vietnam Niem Nho" This year, we recognize the natural beauty, scenery and landmarks of Vietnam. Click here for more details.  FASHION SHOW This year's fashion show highlights the beautiful traditional dresses of the three main regions of Vietnam: North, Central and South. The designer, Thai Nguyen, is a young talented artist from Olympia, Washington. After attending The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, Mr. Nguyen pursued an advanced degree in design and began producing his own Vietnamese American fashion shows. Working with Vietnamese singers and participating as a freelance assistant for a costume designer at the WB Network, Mr. Nguyen has had extensive experience in the entertainment industry. To feature his talents, Tet In Seattle is proud to present a fashion show during the Theme Program from 3pm - 6pm on Sunday, January 26, 2003.  EXHIBITS Every year, Tet In Seattle showcases an exhibit of traditional items of Vietnam including explanations of the zodiac, foods, legends, customs surrounding Tet. Artwork from local artists are also included in each year's exhibit. This year, we are proud to present an exhibit portraying the natural beauty and landmarks of Vietnam. The festival exhibit will feature photos of Vietnamese Kings', temples, palaces, tombs as well as beautiful landmarks and landscapes. Artifacts and art work will include pottery, lacquer artwork, Vietnamese traditional instruments, traditional dresses, hand made hats, silk paintings, embroidered materials and Vietnamese currency. A collection of color photographs, art work and artifacts about Viet Nam will be on exhibit from 10 AM to 6 PM during the two day festival at the Harrison Street Gallery at Seattle Center. A special presentation by the Vietnamese Adoptees Network (VAN) will enhance the exhibit with a unique perspective on Vietnam. Come learn something new. Pottery and kham xa cu ( please translate)  KIDS 'N TET Kids and adults are welcome to participate in arts and crafts. Volunteers teach kids to make the floral symbol of Tet: "hoa mai" (yellow blossoms native to Vietnam), by twining yellow blossoms on with real branches. Temporary tatoos of zodiacs are available for all who are willing to bare an arm or a hand. Volunteers also create buttons of kids' favorite pictures and designs. Coloring books, crayons, and pencils are available for all. Bring your imagination and be prepared for a fun hands-on experience. All arts and crafts materials are provided by Tet In Seattle. This year, Kids 'n Tet is located on upper floor of the Center House by the children's center and Center School.  BOOTHS Everyone can enjoy the tastes of Vietnam in our booth area. Vendors from well known local Vietnamese restaurants join the celebration by selling famous dishes and unique foods that mark the New Year. In addition, our booths also offer services from the community in the fields of health, vocational training, games, services and free promotional gifts. This year, our booths are located in the new Fisher Pavilion. Come join the fun, grab a snack, learn about the community and win a free gift.  PING PONG MATCHES Interested in a game of ping pong, anyone? This year, we've added ping pong matches to our program to bring out the athlete in everyone. The first rounds of single-elimination ping pong matches will take place on Saturday. The final rounds on Sunday will determine the champion of this fun tournament. Matches take place in conference rooms A & H upstairs in the Center House. Come sign up and challenge your ping pong skills!  MOVIES This year, we are screening several movies that relate to Vietnam. Audiences interested in seeing the landscapes of Vietnam can sit back and leisurely watch these movies. Admission is free. Located in Conference Room B of the Center House on both Saturday and Sunday. Titles to be announced.  COOKING DEMO Do you want to learn how to make a Vietnamese Spring Roll? Do you want to know the trick about rolling a goi cuon? Then this cooking demo is for you. Authentic experts will reveal the secrets of how to make the most fresh, delicious and aesthetically pleasing Vietnamese Spring Roll. Tet In Seattle is debuting a cooking demonstration program to show audiences how to make one of the most popular Vietnamese appetizers. Come learn the tricks of the trade.  TRADITIONAL MUSIC PROGRAM The traditional music program this year features two world renown and extremely skilled musicians from France, Tran Quang Hai and Bach Yen. Having received his PhD in acoustics in France, Tran Quang Hai teaches at the Department of Ethnomusicology at the Musse de l'Homme. As an accomplished musician and professor, he not only lectures at universities, but also conducts research, writes books, composes music and plays 15 or so musical instruments. With his wife, Bach Yen, the duo performs folk music at international venues around the world. Together they have made seven albums, one of which gained the Grand Prix du Disque from the Académie Charles Cros in 1983. Tet In Seattle is proud to invite Tran Quang Hai and Bach Yen to Seattle.  MUSIC WORKSHOP The Music Workshop will feature a world renowned and extremely skilled musician from Montreal, Canada, Pham Duc Thanh and his Traditional Music Band consisting of his wife, singer Lieu Nguyet Lan, and his young son. Displaying a remarkable musical aptitude as a child, Duc Thanh was already playing the Dan Bau (the monochord) as well as the Dan Tranh (16-string zither) and the Dan Nhi (two-string fiddle) at the age of six. After attending Saigon's Research Centre for Music, he went on to become one of the country's top Dan Bau players of traditional and contemporary music. Today, the Montreal-based multi-instrumentalist is recognized as one of the world's leading exponents of traditional Vietnamese music. The workshop will introduce certain traditional Vietnamese instruments and musical forms while educating the audience on the history and background of these art forms. Come out and experience traditional Vietnamese instruments and maybe even try playing the instruments and the vocals. This workshop is brought to you by Tet In Seattle, the Seattle Parks Department, and a special grant through the Ethnic Heritage council and Seattle Center Foundations. Tet In Seattle is a volunteer-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the Vietnamese culture since 1996. This year they are hosting the annual Tet Lunar New Year Festival at the Seattle Center facilities on January 24-26, 2003.  FESTIVAL BALL Every year, Tet In Seattle organizes a Festival Ball to provide an evening of live music, dancing and entertainment. This year, we are celebrating the Year of the Goat by having the our annual Festival Ball in the new Fisher Pavilion on Saturday evening, January 25, 2003. This year's performers will include Cat Tien, Jennie Hien and Luu Minh Thang. Tickets can be purchased in person at Asia Music, Moonlight Cafe & Restaurant, Boy Boy Salon or by emailing your requests to tickets@tetinseattle.org. Tickets for the Festival Ball 2003 are also available for advanced purchase and at the Festival's information booth until 5pm on Saturday for $25 each. Tickets are also available at the door for $35.