The second annual lunar new year celebration returns to Charleston on Feb. 14.
Presented by the Charleston AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Collective, the Year of the Horse event brings together artists, food and a panel discussion to celebrate Asian culture in the Lowcountry. This year’s celebration takes place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m at Storehouse 9 at 2154 Noisette Blvd. in the Navy Yard.
The Charleston AAPI Collective was founded in 2024 by Shuai Wang, Owner and Executive Chef of Jackrabbit Filly and King BBQ, artist Anna Chen, entrepreneur Alex Shi and Sarah Williams-Scalise, co-owner of Sarah’s Dumps.
The group organizes events throughout the year like an autumn harvest and programming during May, which is AAPI heritage month. Last year’s inaugural lunar new year event exceeded all expectations. The organizers planned for around 200 people but close to 1,000 reportedly showed up.
“The beautiful thing we realized from lunar new year last year is that people were looking around and seeing people that looked like them, which in Charleston, as an Asian American, is just not common,” said Williams-Scalise. “Especially people who are children of immigrants or lived in bigger areas. People are kinder at this event than any other event we do. The energy is so inclusive. It feels safe.”
Williams-Scalise organizes the event along with Chen, Shi, educator Alicia Modoor, visual designer Mariah Bantliff and creative Josi Miller.
A panel will take place in the same location from noon to 1 p.m. on Feb. 15. The topic will be “Food for Thought: Looking Past the Plate” featuring Lois Cho (CHO Wines, AAPI Food & Wine Fest), Herman Ng (Xo Brasserie), Jai Jones (food writer & photographer) and Amethyst Ganaway (chef & writer) moderated by local artist Anna Chen.
Food vendors at the market include Boba Fusion, Travelin Tom’s Coffee, Lowcountry Lemonade, Aroithai food truck, Butter Half Bakery, Seol Ah’s, Sarah’s dumps, Lola’s Lumpia, Silk Road Bakery, Sprig, Aswang Noodle Club, Pink Bellies and Bok Choy Boy.
On Saturday, there will be activities for kids and everyone’s favorite dancing lions. The Saturday event is free and open to the public, and tickets for Sunday’s panel cost $10.
“Anyone that, on that day, would think about going to eat, drink or support a small business should just come to this event and do it in one place,” said Williams-Scalise. “Graft will be pouring the drinks, and Cho wines is coming from Oregon and will be sampling and selling wine. It will be all your favorite food in Charleston in one place.”
More: Instagram. Tickets for the panel: sarahsdumps.com/panel
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