Drumming Infusion Project members Nate Donahue, Jen-Jen Lin, and Vincent Quinn will perform Chinese drumming at the 10th Anniversary "Light the Nations" festival in West Nashville, on 51st Avenue between Georgia and Michigan.

This is the first time the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville has taken part in this festival!

Nashville has grown to host several festivals, and CAAN wants to be a part of it all!!

Have fun at the “Light the Nations” Festival!!

Click here for the “Light the Nations” website and info!

The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville's performing teams will perform on the Main Stage at Celebrate Nashville as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. CAAN is proud to have been part of the festival since its early days.

Date: Sat, Oct 3 (the entire event runs from 9 AM to 6 PM — don't miss the 30th Anniversary Parade at 9 AM!)

CAAN performs at 1 PM on the Main Stage.

Chinese dance, lion dance, group drumming, and more.

This is a free event with something for everyone — but don't miss CAAN's 1 PM performance!

CAAN will also participate in the 30th Anniversary Celebration Parade from 9 to 10 AM, showcasing a variety of Chinese costume styles — and our 60-foot-long dragon will be there too!

"Come celebrate this milestone for Celebrate Nashville, and for Nashville!"

A Tai Chi demo and workshop led by Jen-Jen Lin and students runs from 10:40 to 11 AM at the "Celebrate Nashville" Festival, on the "Metro Parks Perform" stage, Saturday, 10/3/2026, in Centennial Park.

What is "Tai Chi"? Come and find out!

All are welcome.

Bring a Friend or Two and Get a Taste of Tai Chi!

CAAN's Chinese Costume Parade Team will join the Celebrate Nashville's 30 Anniversary Opening Parade with Nashville Dragon Dance Team on Saturday, Oct 3rd, from 9 AM to 10 AM.

We will parade with over 25 other organization. It will be colorful, exciting and fun!

What is the Celebrate Nashville’s Opening Parade?
This year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Celebrate Nashville Cultural Festival, and Celebrate Nashville is celebrating with an Opening Parade from 9 AM to 10 AM. It will begin in the South side of Centennial Park, march in front of the Centennial Performing Arts Studios, the Parthenon, and end at the Global Village Stage.

Come Cheer as All Our Communities Come Together!

The InterNashional Night Market is happening on Saturday, June 13th, 4:30 - 9 PM at the Geodis Park

(501 Benton Ave., Nashville.)

This event is hosted by the TIRRC.

And the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville’s “Drumming Infusion Project” will be drumming up the beats for the event from 5:45 PM to 6 PM.

Support TIRRC (TN Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition) !

Support CAAN (the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville) !

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Kung Fu Tea Making Demonstration A Free AAPI Heritage Month Event hosted by CAAN (the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville)

Slow down and experience something truly unique. Kung Fu Tea Making is the traditional Chinese art of brewing and savoring fine tea — a graceful ritual that engages all the senses and offers a peaceful escape from the pace of everyday life.

The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) invites you to join us!

📅 Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026

🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 📍

Location: Natchez Trace Church of Christ—1700 Natchez Trace, Nashville

Space is limited to 20 attendees — free registration is required. Reserve your spot today!

Our demonstrator, Ms. Fang Yu, will guide you through this centuries-old tradition with care and artistry.

CAAN gratefully acknowledges the support of the TN Arts Commission, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, and Natchez Trace Church of Christ. AAPI Month Project Coordinator: Jen-Jen Lin

Tai Chi offered so much health benefits. Join the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville’s free Tai Chi Workshop for beginners at the Shelby Bottoms Nature Center on May 23, Saturday, from 1 to 2 PM.

Wear comfortable outfits for sports, including flat shoes. Bring a bottle of water to keep hydrated.

Questions/info: Click here to contact the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN).

Instructor is Jen-Jen Lin.

CAAN is grateful for the support from the TN Arts Commission, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, and the public.

This is one of the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville’s AAPI Heritage Month Celebration Series.

CAAN is collaborating with the Sevier Park Community Ct.’s After School Program to host a “Paper Art Workshop” that children would enjoy.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

4-5 PM

Sevier Park Community Center

(3021 Lealand Ln, Nashville)

INFO/questions: please contact ChineseArtsAllianceofNashville@gmail.com .

The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville appreciates the support from the TN Arts Commission, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, the Sevier Park Community Center, and the public.

AAPI Heritage MOnth Celebration Coordinator: Jen-Jen Lin

Workshop Assistants: Fang Yu, Lizung Lin

We are super excited for this opportunity to join this special concert at the Caverns, this coming Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

American Revival, a national cultural movement rooted in the belief that arts, culture, and joy can help repair the civic fabric of the United States, comes to Tennessee on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, with American Revival: Underground in Grundy County for a dynamic evening at The Caverns, a live music venue inside a cave known worldwide for its natural acoustics.

American Revival: Underground in Grundy County brings together world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma; Grammy-winning producer and musician T Bone Burnett; Grammy-winning hip hop artist Speech Thomas of Arrested Development; acclaimed banjoist and singer-songwriter Abigail Washburn; Peacemaker & Writer, Samar Ali, and filmmaker Nicholas Ma, creator of American Revival.

Proceeds from American Revival: Underground in Grundy County will benefit the Littell-Partin Community Center in Grundy County, Tennessee, supporting local programs and community connection.

CAAN’s LION DANCE team:

Lion dancers: Justin Chatman, Keri Friedman, Michael Lin, Eileen Yee

Drummer: Jen-Jen Lin

We are super thrilled!

The Chinese Arts Alliance’s Performing Team is joining the celebration of the “Nashville Spring Festival” hosted by TN Nashville Chinatown located at 5255 Hickory Hollow Parkway, Antioch, TN.

CAAN’s performers is performing from 1:15 PM to 1:45 PM. There will be other performing groups as well. Join the excitement.

It is also a great timing to celebrate the “AAPI Heritage Month in May.”

Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) Performing Team (1:15 PM – 1:45 PM)

Horse Race  賽馬

Dancers: Julie Buzzel, Annibelle Chatman, Huizhen Liu, Huiyen Lo, Lynn Sherman, Angela Qian, Li Wen, Fang Yu, Xiaorong Zhao      

Tai Chi Fan太極功夫扇 

Demonstrator: Jen-Jen Lin

 Drumming Infusion 鼓韻律動

Drummers: Annibelle Chatman, Jen-Jen Lin, Vincent Quinn

 Lion Dance 舞獅同歡

Dancers: Keri Friedman, Jian Perkins, Michael Lin, Eileen Yee

Musicians: Jen-Jen Lin, Lizung Lin, Fang Yu

CAAN Team: Director/choreographer: Jen-Jen Lin

The world is practicing TaiChi and Qigon on the last Saturday of April every year. The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville is hosting the 2026 World TaiChi & Qigong Day in Nashville at the Hadley Park. It is located at 1037 28the Avenue North, Nashville. We will be at the Picnic Shelter #2, which is the one near the playground.

We are offering the demonstrations and free workshops.

We welcome everyone to join us.

Bring a lawn chair, water, hat, and wear loosely fit outfits to participate.

Questions/info: ChineseArtsAllianceofNashville@gmail.com

Presenters:

Cindy Hui-Lio, Steve Heath, Charles Nguyen, and Jen-Jen Lin

2026 Chinese New Year Celebration

The Musicians Corner, Centennial Park is located at 2500 West End Ave, Nashville.

2026 Chinese New Year of the Horse Celebration PROGRAM:

We are grateful for the support from the Nissan Foundation, TN Arts Commission, Metro Nashville Arts Commission, Vanderbilt University and many more. See below.

The Celebration layout:

This year’s Fire Horse comes once every 60 years and symbolizes passion, intense energy, and ambition. 

Happy Lunar New Year of the FIRE HORSE!

Free Registration

Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) is hosting its annual Chinese New Year Celebration at Musicians Corner, Centennial Park on Saturday, 2/21/2026, from 11 AM to 3 PM.

Free registration is highly recommended to assist us to plan the event better for everyone.

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important and celebrated festival for Chinese people around the world including the Chinese Americans in middle TN.  It is a time to honor our ancestors, and it is also a time for family reunion, visiting relatives and friends.  Decorating red couplets at the doors or entrances is to avoid evil spirits, red envelopes are given to the children and elders to wish them good health and good fortune. Lion dance, dragon dance, and street folk dances are often performed to bring good luck to the community.  Firecrackers were ​l​it to scare away the legendary beast, and mark the new beginning of the new year.

This coming Lunar New Year is the Year of the Horse.  Horse symbolizes vitality, perseverance, warm heartedness, and success.

Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) is collaborating with many organizations and schools to make this 11th Annual Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year Celebration an exciting free event for the public. 

New this year for Chinese language learner to explore the intricate of Chinese language with a “Chinese Tongue Twister Friendly Competition." Please sign up to compete.

FYI:
We are adding "Tongue twister friendly competition" to challenge Chinese language learners to participate.  It is mostly for fun and to discover the intricate Chinese toner pronunciation. The first one will be the popular Horse and mother.

A Chinese Tongue Twister Friendly Competition will be hosted at the CNY Celebration at Centennial Park.  Participate, enjoy the challenge, and have fun!  

1st Tongue Twister Mother and horse tongue twister
 媽媽騎馬，馬慢，媽媽罵馬。妞妞騎牛，牛扭，妞妞扭牛。
(妈妈骑马，马慢，妈妈骂马。妞妞骑牛，牛扭，妞妞扭牛。)
(māma qí mǎ, mǎ màn, māma mà mǎ. NiūNiū qí niú, niú niǔ, niūniū niǔ niú.)
Mom rides a horse, the horse is slow, mom scolds the horse. Niu Niu rides a bull, the bull twists, Niu Niu twists the bull.

Start to practice today.  Compete for a very unique prize.   Sign up today!

Click the  "Sign Up" here to let CAAN knows that you are participating the fun Chinese Tongue Twister Friendly Competition.  Happy Lunar New Year of the HORSE!

We are grateful for the grants support from the Nissan Foundation, TN Arts Commission, Vanderbilt University, Metro Arts Commission, and the public! 

Sign up as a volunteer at the 2026 exciting Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year Celebration at the Musicians Corner in the Centennial Park. The date is Saturday 2/21/2025.

Click here to sign up. We divide the volunteering time into 3 shifts. You can sign up for 1 shift, 2 shifts or 3 shifts.

We thank you to help for making this event a success!

Volunteer sign up form link:
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSedy.../viewform

Jen-Jen Lin’s newest project, Chinese Drumming Infusion, will perform at 2:30 PM at the Ingram Hall Lobby, right before the Vanderbilt Blair School of Music’s “Music Unbound Artist Residency Series” concert at 3 PM. Jen-Jen Lin is the founder and director of the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville. Drummers are Annibelle Chatman, Nate Donehue, Aleaf Dioubate, Anne Oppenheimer, Vincent Quinn and Jen-Jen Lin

The Series presents a special recital performance by Wu Fei, a classically trained composer, singer, and master of the guzheng, the 21-string Chinese zither. Join us for a mesmerizing experience with this genre-bending artist.

The Series Recital Performance will begin at 3:00 p.m. All guests are invited to arrive at 2:00 p.m. for the complete event experience. 

Free to Attend / Tickets Required
Reserve Tickets

https://blairschoolofmusic.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FVs00000ThqPFMAZ

Address: 2400 Blakemore Ave., Nashville, TN 37212Parking: Free parking is available at the Vanderbilt West Parking Garage on Childrens Way, directly across from Blair School of Music.

Celebrate the Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year of the HORSE at the Plaza Mariachi!

Saturday, Feb. 7th, 2026 (3 PM - 5:30 PM)

CAAN is collaborating with the Plaza Mariachi and bring family friendly activities and performances to celebrate the New Year!

Activities include Chinese yo yo workshop, CNY Arts & Crafts, Chinese Naming, Movements Exploration Workshop, TaiChi Workshop, Dance, Music in addition to the lion dance and dragon dance. Fun, fun, fun.

CNY Celebration at the Plaza Mariachi Announcements:

-The Nashville Symphony's Ensemble will play Asian music at the CNY Celebration at the Plaza Mariachi on Feb 7, Saturday in the late afternoon.

-The Nashville Ballet Teaching Artist, Shabaz Ujima, will lead a Horse movements workshop with us.

-Grammy Award winner, Abigail Washburn will join the performance.  We are going to have a blast!

INFO:　www.ChineseArtsAlliance.org

Free event, join us!

The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville is grateful for the support from the Nissan Foundation, The TN Arts Commission, the Metro Arts Commission, and the Plaza Mariachi!

I am sorry, the event tickets have been sold out!

The Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) is hosting an exquisite Chinese New Year Banquet prepared by the Sichuan Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine Restaurant.  

The Chinese New Year Banquet is an elegant ten-course event showcasing the restaurant’s specialties in celebration of the New Year of the Horse complete with a silent auction.  

CAAN’s lion dance team will visit to wish patrons a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year of the Horse! 

Tickets are available online here. Make your reservations by purchasing the tickets early!  Early Bird tickets are available before Jan 10, 2026.

Tickets purchase ends on Sunday Jan 25, 2026. 

Chinese New Year Ten-Course Banquet

Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026

Time: 5 PM-8:00 PM (seating starts at 5 PM, banquet served at 5:30 PM)

Venue: Sichuan Hot Pot & Asian Cuisine Restaurant (5680 Nolensville Pike, Nashville)

(CAAN is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization. 40% of your tickets paid is tax deductible. The restaurant's service-fee is included in the ticket.)

Notes:

- Chinese Banquet tables seat 10 people. If you purchase a single ticket, we will group you with a table of 10. If you and your friends would like to sit at the same table, please let us know by Jan 25, 2026.

-The Banquet has a ten-course set-menu, no substitutes. Thank you for understanding. 

-A bottle of water is included with the ticket. 

-Wine and beer are not included; but are available to purchase at the event. 

-Soft drinks, and hot tea are not included; but are available to purchase directly from the servers. 

-Free parking in front of the restaurant.

FAQs

Is my registration/ticket transferable?

Yes, it is transferable. Please let Chinese Arts Alliance know to whom you are transferring by Sunday, Jan 25, 2026. 

Is there kid’s (under 18) ticket?

No, all tickets are the same--one single ticket per person (for adults and children), and one table ticket for ten people. 

Can I substitute dishes from the menu?

No. This is a set menu event. Thank you for understanding. 

What if I would like to sit with my friends at this event when we bought our tickets separately?

No problem. Just send us an email before Jan 25, 2026 saying who you will like to sit with. 

What is the refund policy?

There are no refunds.  If you can’t make it, you may transfer your tickets to your friend by Sunday, Jan 25, 2026. 

Can I bring Alcohol to the event?

No, you can't bring your own alcohol (wine or beer) or other food to the event.  If you prefer your own alcohol, a corkage fee will be charged.  Thank you for understanding. 

Can I share the event with my friends and family?

Yes, please do pass on this event to anyone who is interested in an exciting Chinese New Year Celebration or Chinese food. 

Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Please contact us through CAAN's website: www.ChineseArtsAlliance.org

意氣風發，一馬當先，揚眉吐氣，馬到成功！

恭喜發财， 年年如意！

Happy Chinese New Year of Horse!

Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN) is performing at the “Asian and Pacific Islanders Music Heritage Night” at 7:35 PM and 8:10 PM on Tuesday, 12/9/2025 at the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville, Tennessee

Nashville Predators, the professional ice hocky team, is celebrating the rich musical traditions of Asian and Pacific Islander cultures with its second Music Heritage Night of the season.

The game is Nashville Predators v. Colorado Avalanche at 8:30 PM. Purchase your tickets and come to see what CAAN can bring to the API Music Heritage Night. (Nashville Predators’ API game tickets link, click here)

CAAN’s Lion Dance Team will also perform inside the Arena at the 1st Intermission of the game!

7:35 PM

-CAAN’s performing program:

“Blossoming Petals - Double Fans Dance” choreographer: Jen-Jen Lin

Dance Nashville’ dancers: Anniebelle Chatman, Angela Chen, Lizung Lin, Huizhen Liu, Huiyen Lo, Fang Yu

-“Beautiful Sunset - TaiChi Fan form”

demonstrator: Jen-Jen Lin

-“Body Beats, “ a part of “Drumming Infusion Project,” created by Jen-Jen Lin in association with all performers.

performers: Annibelle Chatman, Jen-Jen Lin, Anne Oppenheimer, Nate Donehue, Vincent Quinn

8:10 PM & 1st Intermission of the game

-Lion Dance

CAAN’s Lion Dance Team: Lion dancers (Justin Chatman, Anne Oppenheimer, Keri Friedman, Eileen Yee); musicians (Jen-Jen Lin, CZ Chen, Lizung, Fang Yu)

View the film "YI YI." on your own, and then join the discussion on zoom. Free registration first to access the Zoom link.

Film and Discussion on Zoom with CAAN (Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville)

Date & Time: Monday 12/8/2025 7 PM to 8 PM

View the film, "YI YI," before 12/8/2025, and then join the discussion on zoom.

Nashville's Belcourt Theater is playing 2000 Best Director Award winner, Edward Yang's "YI YI" on Sat Dec 6 at midnight, and Sun Dec 7 at 7:30 PM. You also can rent "YI YI" from Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, or Fandango at Home.

We invite the Belcourt Theater's Education and Engagement Director, Allison Inman, as the facilitator. This is one of her favorite films through her career in films.

What the critics said about "YI YI?"

From New​ York​ Times: “In exchange for three hours of your time, YI YI will give you more life…. Movies are an inherently, sometimes cheaply emotional medium, but it takes a lot to make a grown critic cry. As I watched the final credits of YI YI through bleary eyes, I struggled to identify the overpowering feeling that was making me tear up. Was it grief? Joy? Mirth? Yes, I decided, it was all of these. But mostly, it was gratitude.” —A.O. Scott, NYT Critic’s Pick

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: “It's a magical film — an exquisitely made and exceedingly wise family drama that communicates a touching sense of the universality of the human condition, and leaves us with the rich emotional satisfaction we just don't seem to get often at the movies anymore.” —William Arnold

About the Director: Edward Yang

Chinese Name: 楊德昌

November 6, 1947 - June 29, 2007 in Taiwan

Birthplace: Shanghai City

In 1974, Yang went to the U.S. to study electrical engineering at the University of Florida. After finishing his studies, he worked as a computer engineer in Seattle. During his seven years there, Yang was inspired to become a filmmaker after watching Werner Herzog's "Aguirre, Wrath of God," which made him realize that making a great film does not necessarily have to rely on a big budget.

Edward Yang was a filmmaker who illustrated the life of the middle class in a rapidly changing Taiwanese society through beautiful long shots. His 2000 feature "Yi Yi (一一)," which explores the urban life in Taipei, made him the first Taiwanese director to earn the Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival.