Lantern Festival Gala 2023 - Beyond Surviving to Thriving
On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 350 guests came together to celebrate Asian and new immigrant families at our Lantern Festival Gala. The Lantern Festival Gala is BCNC’s biggest event and fundraiser of the year, and thanks to our generous sponsors and donors, we raised $560,000 to support our innovative, family-centered programs and services.
Photos by L.B. Read Photography.
Sponsors enjoyed a reception with wine and food from local Chinatown restaurants, and viewed the latest exhibits at Pao Arts Center. Afterwards, guests were escorted to the Chinatown Gate on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, City of Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, City of Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, and Quincy City Councilor Nina Liang, joined Ben Hires, BCNC CEO, to share words of support for empowering Asian and new immigrants in the Greater Boston area. The guests also enjoyed live music by aznjujube featuring Jeff La, and a traditional folk dance performance by Boston Bhangra.
FILM BY RED DOOR PRODUCTIONS. NARRATED BY BCNC CEO, BEN HIRES
The highlight of the evening was a 10 course banquet at one of two restaurants, Hei La Moon or Empire Garden. Through a moving video, guests heard the stories of participants James and Michelle (see video). Nüwa Athletic Club provided an energetic lion dance performance at each of the restaurants to bring good luck and fortune. Guests generously fed the lions with red envelopes to give $84,000 to renovate child care classrooms.
Special thanks to our sponsors, supporters, staff members, and volunteers for making this a memorable night!
Thank you to those who helped to make this Gala possible:
BCNC staff and participant volunteers • aznjujube and Jeff La • Boston Bhangra • Lunar • The Qi • Boston Light & Sound • Catering to You • Hei La Moon Restaurant • Empire Garden Restaurant • Conventures • Weiying Olivia Huang • Red Door Productions • L.B. Read Photography • Nüwa Athletic Club • The Rose Kennedy Greenway • Vantage Graphics • Volunteers: Qi Cheng, Bailey Katsumata-Smith, Nate Kerr, Sydney Hou, and Kelly Yardley • Emily Wing, Graphic Designer