AYLUS Helps Out at GRACE Lunar New Year Festival on February 28, 2026 (5th)

On February 28th , 2026 many AYLUS members and community volunteers
assisted the Greater Roslyn Association for Chinese Enrichment (GRACE) Lunar New
Year Event at the Sid Jacobson JCC. Members of AYLUS showed up on time and
began to help to prepare for the event as early as 3:30PM. Volunteers were assigned
specific stations such as aiding in setting up and serving food, ushers at locations in the
hallways to help direct traffic flow, preparing dressing rooms at backstage for
performers, and guest check in at the front lobby. All contributed to a very well-
coordinated night as we moved on. People were being escorted to get their food, then
directed to sit down at the main gym that was open for dinning with no issues. Once the
dinner session of the event ended, we transitioned the crowd to line up and enter the
theater to watch the performance. Minor problems were handled with great efficiency
and the AYLUS team demonstrated great communication skills. Many team members
were flexible with their responsibilities and offered to help other stations as needed.
Once the show began, most of the team members were able to take a brief break
except the AYLUS members who were assigned as stage crew. Their responsibilities
involved moving musical equipment, microphones, and chairs on and off of the stage,
making sure each act is ready and lined up backstage in the program order. The
festivity continued and the audience were very engaged with every performance. The
show ranging from stunning dances to wonderful musical ensemble to chorus. Most of
the performing groups were from local music schools and performing art centers, but
there were performers who came all the way from Queens and Syosset just for the
show. The main partners who provided the performances were Yes I Can Performing
Arts Center, Musik Colab, Yixin Dance Center, the Roslyn High School ACE club,
Herricks High School lion troupe, and Harbor Hill Elementary. The show was stunning
and the theater was filled with cheers and applause. The entire show totaling one and
half hour to conclude. At the end of the show, GRACE had someone dress up in a
Labubu costume, which caught the attention of the youth with most of the volunteers
staying till the end of the show to make sure every had an opportunity to take photos
and exit the theater safely. AYLUS member stayed behind to help with basic clean up
and loading props and left over materials to GRACE’s vehicles.
With all hands on deck, this year’s Lunar New Year festival was yet another
success. People of all ages and ethnicities came together to celebrate and enjoy the
festivity. Events like this unit everyone in the community and help to spread cultural
awareness. It was very meaningful for all volunteers.