HOUSTON, Feb. 17 -- Asia Society Texas center in Houston held Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations Saturday afternoon with local Americans and Chinese participating in all kinds of activities and performances.

In the celebrations, activities such as Chinese calligraphy, handkerchief dance demonstration, paper cutting and dog masks making were enjoyed by children and their families.

Born in Mexico, Teresa took part in the activities with her Romanian friend Andrea. Teresa told Xinhua that she is fascinated about Chinese culture and art.

"This is my first time to an event like this. It's interesting and I can learn new things about the great country of China," she told Xinhua.

Holding a big camera, Andrea is a huge fan of photograph. She said that Houston is a place full of diversity that brings people with different culture background together.

At the event, Huaxing Arts Group presented a collection of Chinese music and dance. From modern interpretations of traditional tunes to classic folk dances, the performance highlighted a variety of performers and dance styles, including a Dai peacock dance, a Tibetan drum dance, and a sand painting performance, among others.

Founded in 1956, Asia Society is a nonpartisan, noNPRofit institution with major centers and public buildings in New York, Hong Kong, and Houston, and offices in other nice cities worldwide. It is an educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context.