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February 23, 2010 · 6:15 PM

Chinese New Year sights and sounds

By April Corbin

Children perform a traditional Chinese tambourine dance.

Photo: April Corbin

An eggroll is placed into oil, sizzling and crackling as it quickly turns golden brown. A tambourine jingles in the hands of a young dancer, accenting the flash of her bright orange and yellow costume as she turns. A whip cracks in the air, the mighty sound only outdone in intensity by the look of determination on the man cracking the whip.

Wind whips through the accoutrement on vendors’ tables, rattling plastic beads and paper signs advertising deals in broken English, while the distinct smell of Spam carries on the breeze. Children are squealing with delight and parents are holding their breaths anxiously as a petite woman bends her leg backwards, over her head, all the while balancing a candelabrum on her foot.

These are some of the sounds you can hear at any given moment of the 16th Annual Chinese New Year celebration, held by the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce on February 21 at Chinatown Plaza. Below, find images of this all-day event, which brought an estimated 5,000 participants throughout the day to celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander cultures in the heart of Las Vegas’ Asian community.

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A dragon dance commonly takes place within Chinese New Year celebrations.

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A teacher at Shaolin Kungfu Academy throw shards at a pane of glass, popping a balloon attached to the other side.

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The Hawaii Legend Serenaders perform during the Chinese New Year celebration.

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Jessica, a Chinese acrobat, shows her impressive flexilibity during the Chinese New Year celebration.

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Plenty of authentic cuisine was available at the celebration, including Hong Kong, Canton, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Thai and Hawaiian cuisine.

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Happy Feet: The color red symbolizes happiness and good luck in Chinese culture.

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Chef Mark shows off the noodles he created by hand. He began with one piece of dough and split it into more than 4,000 noodles, which were all finer than angel hair pasta.

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The Chinese American Chamber of Commerce held a New Year Celebration in Las Vegas on Sunday, February 21. The official start of the Chinese New Year was February 14. It is now the year of the tiger.

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A student of the Lohan School of Shaolin performs during a Chinese New Year celebration at Chinatown Plaza on February 21.

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Brightly colored stuffed animals, trinkets and clothing were available for purchase at vendors set up in Chinatown Plaza.

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