The Lincoln Park Student Center buzzed with conversation and traditional Chinese music last Friday as students, professors and members of the community waited for DePaul’s Chinese New Year Gala to begin.

Red lanterns hung on the walls, and the smell of Chinese cuisine filled the room.

Professor Li Jin, Chinese program director at DePaul, gave opening remarks about the year of the horse in English and Chinese once guests were seated with dinner.

“I am so happy to see so many people here,” Jin said. “Tonight is very special and we are very excited to share our culture with all of you.”

Jin proceeded to greet members of the Chinese community, laughter erupted from the crowd.

After opening remarks, members of the Chicago Chinatown Lion Dance Group performed a traditional lion dance, complete with three drummers. The lion made its way through the dim room, and meandered between the cheering crowd.

Zander Stone, a performer in the gala and International and Chinese Studies sophomore, said he was excited and surprised with this year’s turn out.

“We spend our entire budget on this event, so I’m really excited,” Stone said. “And I’m glad I see other people showing up to this besides Chinese studies students.”

Chinese studies students and professors sang traditional songs in Chinese and English before the intermission games and raffle drawings.

The gala proceeded after intermission with songs “Dragon’s Descendants,” “Loving You is a Mistake” and “Gongxi Gongxi,” sung by Chinese 105- 201 students. To conclude the evening, another Lion Dance was performed.