A colorful dragon dances across the stage as the resonant beats of the dagu thump loudly. The sound of the piano and the guzheng play distantly in the background. Dancers twirl and leap gracefully as the audience cheers excitedly. On September 8, 2024, Lantern Foundation held our first annual benefit concert, comprising of over 40 young and teen performers across the Bay Area and over 200 guests. The event was held at the Valley Community Church in Pleasanton, California. Performances ranged from martial arts to instrumental performances to lyrical and classical Chinese dances.
Planning for the event began in June, as our team worked tirelessly to coordinate logistics, secure a venue, and recruit talented performers. We conducted on-site meetings at different locations, organized rehearsals to ensure a seamless production, and connected with local performing arts groups. Meanwhile, we also promoted the event through various social media platforms, including organizing a digital outreach campaign to text as many people about the concert as possible. The work of our volunteers cannot go unrecognized because their contributions are what made this event possible in the first place.
Our benefit concert began with Valerie Li, the Executive Director of Lantern Foundation, sharing about our organization’s mission and recent work. She shared details about Lantern Foundation’s international trip to Gansu and Guangxi this summer. Discussing the value of even a small donation, Valerie emphasized how every contribution—no matter the size—helps provide essential resources, from books to medical aid, for rural children in need. Attendees also watched our Recap Video of our work in Gansu with the Beijing SmileAngel Children’s Hospital.
Hosts and emcees Effie Yin, Benson He, and William Fu started our performances off with a mini-skit. The emcees introduced each performer and their act, incorporating humor and excitement into their speeches. Through countless hours of speech writing and weekly practices, the trio devoted countless hours to rehearsing and refining their speeches for the concert. Their lively presence set the tone for an afternoon filled with talent, passion, and cultural celebration.
Special performers and community groups across the Bay Area also attended our concert. The Dragon Rhythm Shaolin Kung Fu School brought four of their talented students to perform an exhilarating martial arts demonstration. Master Yuan Long also aided in preparing the Kids Lion Dance by training them in the techniques of maneuvering the lion costume and coordinating their movements. Additionally, violinist teacher Rachel Ren conducted 15 of her students for a group rendition of Canon in D. Dancers from Eva’s Dance Academy also showcased their nationally recognized, competition-level solos. As attendees of our benefit concert, members of the American Asian Elderly Humanitarian Society joined in support of our cause, celebrating the power of arts and community.
Performers enjoyed the opportunity to showcase their talents while contributing to a meaningful cause.. Brianna He, an 11-year-old dancer that performed I Look To You, noted, “Being part of Lantern Foundation’s benefit concert was magical and very exciting. Many talented people performed on stage, and the benefit concert is a core memory I will never forget.” As the event concluded, adults also expressed gratitude for the talented performances and the concert’s mission to support children in rural China.
The performers and performances during our benefit concert are as follows:
- 1) Dragon Dance, Martial Arts, The American Entrepreneur Association
- 2) Blue and White Porcelain, Piano, Aaron Zhang
- 3) Shimmering Ripples, Chinese Dance, Emma Phmah
- 4) Elfin Dance & March in D, Piano, Willis Gao
- 5) Baywood March & Midnight Madness, Flute; Jayden Tong
- 6) I Look To You, Lyrical Dance, Brianna He
- 7) Feathers Melody, Chinese Dance, Abigail Ye
- 8) Little Conch, Vocal, Adam Tu
- 9) Lion Dance, Martial Arts, Kids Group Performance
- 10) Elegant Joyful Fusion, Dance; Chloe Chen
- 11) Canon in D, Violin, Rachel Ren’s Music Studio
- 12) Coney Island Hot Dog & Let’s March, Piano, Brighten Gao
- 13) Martial Arts Group Performance, Martial Arts, Dragon Rhythm Shaolin Kung Fu School
- 14) Etude Allegro, Piano, Phoebe Lin
- 15) God Help The Outcasts, Vocal, Effie Yin
Additionally, our local community leaders were also in attendance for our special event. Sonoma Mayor Jack Ding, Vice-Mayor Sherry Hu, and Former Assemblymember Kansen Chu joined us to show their support for Lantern Foundation’s mission and the impact of our work. They commended the dedication of our volunteers and young performers, emphasizing the importance of community-driven initiatives in bridging educational disparities. Speaking at the end of the event, Mayor Ding expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the evening a success, highlighting the power of collective action in uplifting children in rural China.
During intermission, attendees enjoyed freshly baked chocolate chip cookies that our volunteers baked and hand-packaged prior to the event. Guests also participated in a post-concert reception where they connected with performers, foundation volunteers, and community leaders passionate about bridging the rural-urban divides in China. The success of this inaugural event underscored the power of art to bring people together and spark meaningful action.
In total, our event raised almost $25,000 USD. The donations from this event have been used to fund the creation of book corners in rural schools across China and the transportation and surgery fees for children with cleft-palates. Reflecting on the event, Valerie Li, noted, “It’s so wonderful and uplifting to see so many people come together with optimism and enthusiasm and support a cause that oftentimes feels so distant to them. I’ve always wanted Lantern Foundation to be a place where kids from the US can connect with kids in rural China, and I think we have made that happen through this event.”
Thank you to everybody who contributed, attended, and performed at our concert. We would like to especially express our gratitude to the young people who put in countless hours of hard work to prepare for their performances. Your continued support for our work means the world to us. Likewise, Lantern Foundation looks forward to making this benefit concert an annual tradition—one where music, storytelling, and community engagement light the path toward brighter futures for children in need.
To view the complete set of photos from the event, please click the link here: https://sites.google.com/view/lf2024benefitconcert/home
