Christmas Luncheon and Meeting Ending 2025 on a high note.
(from Yong Yi)
On Saturday, December 13, 2025 at noon, 19 OCAW New Orleans Chapter members and guests gathered together at Young’s Garden Chinese Restaurant in Kenner, LA, to celebrate Christmas. Members enjoyed a shared meal and had the opportunity to socialize, exchange holiday greetings, and strengthen community bonds within the OCAW New Orleans Chapter.
The election for the position of Treasurer was held, and Ms. Weihong Tu was elected as the new treasurer.
Exquisite Suzhou embroidery awards were presented to: Ms. Patricia Ellzey (Past President), Ms. Nancy Chung (past Treasurer), and Ms. Nellie Underwood (Secretary), in recognition of their service and dedication to OCAW for decades.
Door prizes added to the celebratory spirit of the luncheon. Members departed with holiday cheer and appreciation for the successful Christmas luncheon and productive chapter meeting.
Architectural Tour
(from Sophie Lin, Lifetime member)
On Saturday, November 8, 2025, the OCAW New Orleans Chapter had the pleasure of joining renowned architect Louis Kong for an inspiring architectural tour along the Garden District in New Orleans. Known for its unique blend of historic charm and modern creativity, the neighborhood offered a perfect setting for exploration and learning.
Louis warmly guided the group through several remarkable buildings, sharing stories about their history, design, and transformation. He also presented original blueprints and interior sketches, providing a rare look into how architectural ideas come to life.
Throughout the visit, Louis emphasized the importance of preserving heritage while embracing innovation. His passion and insights deeply inspired participants, who left with a renewed appreciation for how thoughtful design connects people, history, and community.
The event enriched OCAW’s understanding of architectural art and strengthened its connection with New Orleans’ vibrant creative culture.
New Orleans attaches meaning to Chinese American relations through dance, music and song.
Nov 2025
Spring Luncheon and Heritage Sharing Event
(from Lily Wu, Vice President, and Weihong Tu, Lifetime member)
The OCAW New Orleans Chapter held its Spring Luncheon and general meeting on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Sushi Masa in Metairie, Louisiana. The event was attended by twenty members, family, and friends, and featured updates on chapter activities, announcements of upcoming cultural events, and community engagement opportunities.
In recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, members shared meaningful personal stories and historical reflections. Pat Ellzey, OCAW New Orleans Chapter Immediate Past President, delivered a moving presentation on the legacy of Shaie-mei Temple, the founder and first president of the OCAW New Orleans Chapter. A trailblazer as one of the earliest female nuclear engineers in the region, Ms. Temple was also a passionate community leader and cultural preservationist. Her invaluable contributions included documenting Chinese American history in New Orleans, rediscovering the historic Chinese tombs in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, and preserving the histories of the local Presbyterian Church and Chinese-language media.
Pat also highlighted her own family’s multi-generational commitment to education and mission work, including that of her sister-in-law, Mayling Hew, a longtime active member of OCAW.
The luncheon concluded with warm fellowship, door prizes, and excitement for upcoming chapter events, including a fall French Quarter tour and the annual Christmas party.
OCAW New Orleans Chapter Participates in the 75th Annual Korean War Commemoration Ceremony
(from Sophie Lin, Lifetime member)
On Sunday, June 22, 2025, members of the OCAW New Orleans Chapter took part in the 75th Annual Korean War Commemoration Ceremony held in Gretna, Louisiana. The event, held under the theme “The Korean American Association of Greater New Orleans Invites Veterans, Family, and Friends,” was hosted by the Korean American Association of Greater New Orleans to honor Korean War veterans and to celebrate the enduring friendship between the United States and South Korea.
OCAW members collaborated with the Korean Performing Arts Troupe from Houston, Texas, to assist in a cultural program that showcased traditional Korean clothing and customs. Their participation promoted cross-cultural understanding and appreciation, and highlighted the chapter’s commitment to supporting meaningful community events.
The ceremony began with a prelude by the Marine Reserve Band. Korean War veteran Mr. James Salvant led the U.S. National Anthem, while students from the Korean Language School sang the Korean National Anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by veteran Mr. Mert Lassere, and the invocation was offered by Dr. Howard Woo, elder of the Williams Boulevard Baptist Church.
Welcoming remarks were delivered by Mr. Hyung Cho, President of the Korean/American Association of Greater New Orleans. The keynote address was given by President Myong H. Chong of the Federation of Korean American Associations, who emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifices of the past and building future cultural ties. The event was emceed by Ms. Sula Kim, news anchor at WDSU-TV.
Following the formal program, guests enjoyed a dinner buffet generously sponsored by the event chair, Ms. Sun Kim. Ms. Kim is an active member of the Asian Pacific American Society (APAS), an umbrella organization that the OCAW New Orleans Chapter is proudly affiliated with. Her contribution added a warm and communal touch to the evening, fostering fellowship among all attendees.
The OCAW New Orleans Chapter was honored to be part of this meaningful occasion. Their involvement reflected OCAW’s mission to foster civic engagement, cultural exchange, and community support.
The evening was marked by deep respect, unity, and shared appreciation for the sacrifices of veterans and the beauty of cultural traditions.
Feiyang Dance Team Joins Jefferson Senior Dance Gala
(from Yong Yi, President and Dance Team Captain)
On Thursday, August 7, 2025, the Jefferson Community Senior Service Center hosted a joyful Senior Dance Gala at the Alario Center in Westwego, Louisiana. Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng joined the celebration, sharing in the dancing and fun with everyone.
Themed “A Tribute to the Unforgettable ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s,” the event featured nine community dance teams. Friends from across the community came together to dance, mingle, and enjoy an afternoon filled with laughter, music, and good cheer.
The Feiyang Dance Team proudly represented the Chinese community with their performance, “You Bloom Like Peach Blossoms in March.” Choreographed and coached by Fang Lin, the group included three OCAW members: Yong Yi, Wenyi Shan, and Weihong Tu, and three other dancers: Qing Liu, Jianli Yao, and Wenju Wu. Their elegant and spirited performance not only won warm applause but also added a special cultural touch to the celebration.
Memorable Gathering to Celebrate Community and the Arts
(from Sophie Lin, Lifetime member)
On Saturday, August 9, 2025, the OCAW New Orleans Chapter brought members and guests together for a joyful summer gathering at Bamboo House, a beloved Chinese restaurant in Metairie, Louisiana. The event was filled with lively conversations, laughter, and, of course, delicious Chinese food that everyone thoroughly enjoyed. This special occasion wasn’t just about enjoying good food and company; it was also a celebration of achievement and community support. OCAW proudly recognized its two affiliated performance groups, the Feiyang Dance Team and the New Orleans Skylark Troupe, both of which recently received $500 grants. These grants were awarded through Opera International, a signature program of OCAW founded in 1994 by Muriel (Mimi) Hom, whose love of music and lifelong dedication to the arts continue to inspire. The afternoon was a wonderful reminder of the strength and vibrancy of the OCAW community in New Orleans. With full hearts (and full stomachs), everyone left the restaurant feeling more connected, encouraged, and ready for what lies ahead.
Feiyang Dance Team brings Chinese Culture to Local Communities
(from Yong Yi, Incoming President)
In the first quarter of 2025, the Feiyang Dance Team showcased vibrant Chinese cultural performances at multiple local events in the Greater New Orleans area. The team participated in Chinese New Year celebrations at Covington Nursing Home, Tulane University, New Orleans Northshore, the Chinese Presbyterian Church, and a local elementary school, as well as the Mardi Gras festivities at a Kenner nursing home.
Through traditional dance, the dance team shared the beauty of Chinese culture with diverse audiences, fostering cross-cultural appreciation in the community. Their performances were warmly received, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange.
The team looks forward to continuing its mission of promoting cultural understanding through art in future events.
New Orleans Skylark Troupe performs at the Avanti Senior Living Community Nursing Home
New Orleans Skylark Troupe performs at the Avanti Senior Living Community Nursing Home
The New Orleans Skylark Troupe expressed their love and respect through art, embodying the traditional virtue of honoring and loving the elderly. They also promoted Chinese traditional culture. It is believed that this warmth will remain in the hearts of our senior citizens, adding even more beauty to their lives.
Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival Meeting
(from Patricia Ellzey, Outgoing President)
The OCAW New Orleans Chapter had its first meeting of the year on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Chinese Presbyterian Church in Kenner, LA. A five-course lunch was catered by the Chong Quing Restaurant to celebrate the Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival. Lily Wu and Yong Yi made the lunch arrangements, and Lily Yang and her committee decorated the tables and walls with attractive and festive Chinese holiday decorations depicting these celebrations. There were 15 door prizes of rosebush plants and books given out by raffle drawings, and everyone received a red Snake envelope hongbao. Husbands and friends were invited to attend, and all had a good time.
The meeting was very significant since after several years, we finally had an officers election. The new officers are:
President – Yong Yi
Vice President – Lily Wu
Secretary (re-elected) – Nellie Underwood
Treasurer – Ning Kong
A new position of Community Relations Representative was approved, and Lily Yang was elected.
Many thanks to our past officers, especially Nancy Chung who has served as Treasurer for 10 years or more, and Nellie Underwood who is a phenomenal Secretary and agreed to be re-elected.
In addition, it was approved that our chapter formally sponsor the New Orleans Skylark Troupe led Lily Yang and the Feiyang Dance Team led by Yong Yi. These groups are composed of many OCAW members and have greatly assisted in educating our local Chinese community and the general public through their performances while preserving and honoring our Chinese ancestral culture. We are very proud of their endeavors.
Following our meeting, a notable local, successful 
Chinese architect, Louis Kong, gave a well-received presentation on the architectural history of our local famous St. Louis Cathedral. He is very witty and humorous as well as knowledgeable, so our members and guests were delighted to have heard his talk.
Louis is also a volunteer tour guide for the “Friends of the Cabildo.” This historical building is located next to the St. Louis Cathedral and was originally the New Orleans government building. We were originally scheduled to go on Louis’ tour in April or May, but many found that they could not go due to previous commitments such as vacation trips to China, etc. Thus the tour is now scheduled for November.
This article is my last duty as the New Orleans Chapter President, and I wish you all well. It has been a pleasure to have served all of these years.
Patricia Hew Lee Ellzey
Sponsoring the New Orleans Skylark Arts Troupe
The OCAW New Orleans Chapter has decided to sponsor the New Orleans Skylark Arts Troupe, a local Chinese Performing Arts Troupe. It is led by and composed of several of our OCAW members and others who generously give of their time and talents to present traditional Chinese fashion, perform classical dances, and sing classic and modern songs. Our chapter chooses to support them because they educate the general public as well as teach and encourage our local Chinese American and Asian American Communities to learn more about Chinese dancing and singing via performances.
The troupe will seek charitable donations to help provide them the funds needed for their expenses, such as renting practice areas, and for their performances, such as decorations, costumes, stage sets, music, etc.
Contributions can be made to the OCAW New Orleans Chapter, and they will be deposited and held for the troupe’s use in our Treasury. Since we are a nonprofit organization, we will provide donors with a tax-exempt form.
In 2023 the troupe performed and raised funds for a local organization which assists autistic children.
On Saturday night, November 2, 2024, they were featured and performed at the local Annual Asian Pacific American Society Fundraising Gala.
On Saturday night, November 16, 2024, they performed a free show called “These Memories,” a Chinese Music and Dance Gala, at Tulane University in the McAlister Auditorium. It was co-hosted by the OCAW New Orleans Chapter.
The troupe has had several performances and is spreading good will and teaching a lot of Chinese culture to our local community at large. OCAW is very proud of them!
(from Lily Yang, chapter member)
“Those Memories,” Chinese Music and Dance Gala, was held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the McAlister Auditorium of Tulane University.
The Gala was jointly organized by the New Orleans Skylark Performing Arts Troupe and the Tulane University Student Union and Professors Association, and co-organized by the New Orleans Chapter of the Organization of Chinese American Women. Lily Yang, a member of the OCAW New Orleans Chapter, served as the general planner and program director. OCAW members Yong Yi, Qingli Wu, etc., all performed important roles in the preparation of the event, and performed brilliantly in the Gala.
There were 18 programs in total. Vocal music included female solos Song of the Yangtze River, Flowing River, and Song of the Yue People; male and female duet Kangding Love Song; and female chorus Days of Yore. Instrumental music included violin solo Olive Tree, Guzheng solo Fighting Typhoon, and Erhu solo Horse Racing. Dance programs included the solo dance Floating Light; the duet dances The Fragrance of Tuberose and Water Charm of Jiangnan; the group dances The Voice of Spring and Who Doesn’t Love Their Hometown; and excerpts from the dance drama Confucius. The finale of the gala was the cheongsam show “Golden Years” and the chorus of Tomorrow Will Be Better by all the performers. It is worth mentioning that in addition to popular performers like Wenyi Shan and Nicole-Ting Landry, etc., there were also several second-generation Chinese students who performed famous Chinese music with Chinese musical instruments. There were also local vocalists who participated in the performance, singing Chinese songs in Chinese. People are delighted to see that Chinese art is being inherited and spread.
At the end of the Gala, the performers and audience members were reluctant to leave. They communicated with each other and took photos. All the performers and attendees unanimously commented that it was an awesome performance from preparation to stage presentation.
Silver Liners active
Some of our OCAW New Orleans members belong to a group called the “Silver Liners,” which is a group of Chinese ladies who practice line dancing at the Chinese Presbyterian Church in Kenner, Louisiana every Saturday. They are senior ladies who perform for shut-ins such as senior residents at local nursing homes, and at events such as the one pictured below. It was an annual event known as the Senior Dance Gala, and it was held on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the Alario Center in Westwego, Louisiana, which is part of the New Orleans metro area.
The OCAW members pictured with the group are Li Lee Chen, Nancy Chung, and Mayling Hew.
Anti-Asian Hate Rally
An Anti-Asian Hate Rally sponsored by the New Orleans Chinese Association was held on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021 at the main entrance of the New Orleans Museum of Art in the New Orleans City Park.
Many local civic leaders and lawmakers as well as the Presidents of several local Asian associations were invited to speak to support solidarity with all citizens and to speak out against racism. OCAW New Orleans Chapter President Patricia Hew Ellzey was asked to make remarks as a 4th-generation Chinese American and in her capacity as President of the OCAW New Orleans Chapter to support this vital and important effort.
This rally was certainly a “First” for New Orleans!!
The theme of the rally was “Stop Asian Hate: We’re All In This Together: Call for Action!”
Guest speakers included: Cynthia Lee Sheng, Jefferson Parish President; Abigail Hu, Benjamin Franklin High School Senior and member of Asian Youth for Civic Engagement; Dr. Wendy Jung, Tulane University Professor and Chair of the Asian Pacific American Society; Patricia Hew Ellzey, President of the Organization of Chinese American Women New Orleans Chapter; Lauren Owen, local Asian businesswoman and community organizer; Chrissy Changho Bruneau, Chair of the Asian Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Susheng Wang, Associate Professor, Tulane University; Edgar Chase, former Vice President, Dillard University, and former Chair, Metropolitan Crime Commission; Dr. Tony Hu, Interim Professor, Tulane University Association of Chinese Professors; and Dr. Hongbing Lu, President of the New Orleans Chinese Association.
The Masters of Ceremony were:
Dr. Jeffrey Kuo, M.D.
Dr. David Chen, M.D.
A large group of Asian Americans along with many of all ethnicities came and witnessed this very orderly and well-planned public protest.
The following is a link to a CBS TV video news report on the rally:
https://www.wwltv.com/embeds/video/289-4302a5a4-b640-428b-93d9-c5d722698b4f/iframe?jwsource=fb&fbclid=IwAR0aSJtuFroFF4X5mrAFpD4dXuHHovIovDXG8700448pKM-MjMMRMwdvjyM
Asian Heritage Festivals
The OCAW New Orleans Chapter participates in the annual Asian Heritage Festival, organized by the Asian Pacific American Society. It is held in the spring at the Audubon Park Zoo in New Orleans. The festival provides opportunities for local Asian American communities to work together to showcase aspects of their culture and customs for all to share.
The OCAW booth traditionally sponsors educational activities for young people. Examples have included making and playing the Chinese tangram puzzle game, and translating and writing names in Chinese calligraphy on Asian bookmarks. The projects aim to teach children about their Asian heritage, and encourage a sense of pride in their roots. Fortune cookies are given away.
The Festival also provides entertainment, and New Orleans Chapter members have performed Chinese and Mongolian dances to the delight of the audience.
Senior Citizen Community Support
Members of the OCAW New Orleans Chapter, in conjunction with other individuals in the community, participate in a dance troupe called the “Silver Liners.” They are a group of line dancers who perform at New Orleans area senior living centers, nursing homes, and healthcare centers to bring some fun and joy into elderly residents’ lives. They adapt their dances to the music that was popular when the patients were young. Some residents will sing along. As the program progresses, the Silver Liners ask the staff and caretakers to join them in the dancing, and they encourage patients to do hand motions with them. For holidays, they adapt some of their songs to seasonal music, and they dress in holiday themes. They also spend time visiting with the residents.
The Silver Liners have been credited in the media with providing enjoyable times to the city’s senior population.