NFCA members and guests gather to celebrate the association's 50th anniversary.
Dr. Shuyuan Metcalfe performs traditional Chinese music on the guzheng.
Dr. Xiuwen Liu presents a dramatic reading of a Chinese poem.
Historical document bearing the signatures of 14 organizing committee members and founding initiators.
The North Florida Chinese Association (NFCA) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a fall luncheon and talent show at Masa Restaurant in Tallahassee, Florida, on October 24. The event brought together 22 attendees for an afternoon of cultural performances, fellowship, and reflection on the association’s five decades of promoting Chinese culture and serving the local community.
NFCA President Hsuan Yuan Huang (Jade) welcomed attendees and encouraged members to exercise their right to vote in the November election. Following lunch, members and guests enjoyed a talent show featuring traditional Chinese music, poetry recitations, and vocal performances.
Dr. Shuyuan Metcalfe opened the program with performances on the guzheng, a traditional Chinese plucked zither. Her selections included “Loons Playing in Water” and “Spring Snowmelt in the Mountains,” showcasing the distinctive sounds of traditional Chinese instrumental music.
Dr. Xiuwen Liu followed with a dramatic reading of the Chinese poem “Delighting in Rain on a Spring Night.” Yi-feng Shu recited “Homesickness,” expressing the emotions associated with longing for home. Xujing Liu then sang the Chinese ballad “The Wind Blows and the Swallows Return.”
Conrad Metcalfe concluded the program with several creatively adapted songs, including “The Danshui River,” “Seven Asian Angels,” “Waang-Ming-Jj-Too” (an adaptation of “Desperado”), and “My Chinese Lady.” The performances offered attendees an opportunity to appreciate Chinese culture through music and poetry while sharing their artistic talents with fellow members.
The celebration also highlighted the NFCA’s history through the presentation of a copy of its founding document. The document, provided by Jennie Lee, widow of the late Professor Chang-Chien Lee, who founded the association on September 5, 1976, bears the signatures of 14 organizing committee members and founding initiators. It records the organization’s founding purpose and provides a valuable connection to its early history.
Betty Liu, a current board member and one of the 14 founding initiators, continued to serve members at the anniversary gathering. Her participation reflected the association’s longstanding spirit of volunteerism and commitment to community service. The continued involvement of founding members also underscored the importance of sustained participation in maintaining the organization and its activities over the years.
As the NFCA celebrates five decades of community involvement, the anniversary luncheon and talent show honored the individuals who established and sustained the association. Through cultural performances, historical preservation, and volunteer service, the organization continues to provide a place for members to share their talents, maintain cultural connections, and strengthen friendships.
The celebration marked not only a milestone in the NFCA’s history but also its ongoing commitment to cultural appreciation, fellowship, and service to the greater Tallahassee community. Looking ahead, the association hopes to carry forward the founding spirit and encourage continued participation among members and future generations.
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