Culture Camp
Learn more about Chinese culture with Phoenix Sister Cities and the Taipei City Committee. Click the graphics below to view the demonstrations/instructional videos. We hope you enjoy the 2022 Taipei Culture Camp!
Join Wen Chyi Chiu in this instructional video and learn how to make a Treasure Box out of popsicle sticks.
Materials needed:
- Glue (Optional Hot Glue)
- Popsicle or Craft Sticks (100 or more popsicle sticks)
- Tassel or Jade Drop (Optional)
What is Ancient Attire?
Chinese/Taiwanese ancient attire has a significant role in the country’s culture and history. Although Chinese/Taiwanese wear mostly modern clothing, the culture of wearing traditional attires is still practiced during ceremonies, religious occasions, and festivals.
Materials needed:
- Colorful or Design Paper 6×12 size for attire
- Colorful or Design Paper 3×8.5 size for the belt
- Scissor
- Glue or Glue Stick
Learn from Wen Chyi Chiu as she demonstrates how to paper fold a 3D Pineapple.
What is paper folding?
Paper folding is an art form using flat square sheets and turning them into finished sculptures. Another name for Chinese paper folding is Zhezhi. The art form was first used in China for ceremonial purposes, but now can be used for other purposes such as decorations.
Materials needed:
- Paper (38 square yellow paper and 10 square green paper)
- Note: Cute paper into squares
- Stapler
- Staples
- Note: small paper use with small stapler and staples, or use regular size paper with regular size stapler and staples)
Learn about the beauty of Wisteria Flowers with famous young artist Susan Su.
Taiwan Famous Young Artist Susan Su
- 2018 Art Exhibition at Arizona Capitol Museum
- 2018 Art Exhibition at Phoenix City Hall
- 2018 Art and Cultural Outreach to American School
- 2019 Artist in Residence for City of Taipei Center of Arts and Culture
- 2022 Recipient of City of Taichung Outstanding Innovation and Creativity Art Teacher
- Current Art Teacher for City of Taichung Da Ming Senior High School
Learn how to make Zong Zi with Wen Chyi Chiu in this easy “how-to” video and check out the ingredients below.
What is Zong Zi?
Zongzi is glutinous rice stuffed with sweet or savory fillings wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves. After being cooked in water, all the ingredients stick together and keep their shape when unwrapped. It’s a sticky, aromatic, and flavorsome treat!
Rice dumplings (zòngzi, ròuzòng or bah-chàng) are associated with the Dragon Boat Festival (or the Duan Wu/Double Fifth Festival.) Zongzi is common to eat during this annual celebration. The process for making dumplings can be time-consuming, but results in a delicious, sweet, or savory, sticky wholesome dish.
Ingredients needed:
- Bamboo Leaves
- Fatty Pork or Chicken
- Taiwanese Sausage
- Mushrooms
- Peanuts
- Soy Sauce
- Hoisin Sauce
- Cooking Wine
- Salt
- Sugar
- Sweet Sticky Rice
- Garlic Powder
- White Pepper Powder
- 100% cotton cooking string
Learn how to make 3 Cup Chicken with King Oyster Mushrooms with Taiwan Teacher Jason Chien in this easy “how-to” video and check out the ingredients below.
Ingredients:
- Chicken
- Basil
- Red chilis
- Ginger
- King Oyster Mushrooms
- Spring Onion
- Garlic
- Cooking Oil
- Soy Sauce
- Sesame Oil
- Rice Wine
- Sugar
What is Chicken with King Oyster Mushrooms?
Three Cup Chicken, or San Bei Ji, is a popular Taiwanese/Chinese dish. The name refers to the recipe used to make it, including a cup each of the three ingredients that create the sauce: rice wine, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
★Recipe★
- Wash basil leave and drain it, slice red chili, ginger, king oyster mushrooms, spring onion and peel garlic smashed for preparation.
- Wash boneless thighs, and slash it on the surface (which make it easier to be cooked) pan dry it with chicken skin downward, cook it by middle fire (without oil). It can be flipped over when chicken oil came out and pan dry until the skin lightly browned. After flipped, pan dry it for another 1 minute and then take it to be sliced (not too small sized pieces). Put it on plate for preparation. (At this moment these thighs are not fully cooked yet.)
- Keep the chicken oil, stir fry the gingers with sesame oil until fragrant. Mix it well with King oyster mushrooms and boneless thighs, add crystal sugar to simmer until sugar browned. After that combined it with garlic cloves, rice wine and soy sauce, cover and leave it to simmer.
- Simmer until chicken thighs sugar browned and drain it until no sauce on the bottom of the pan. And then mix it with red chili and Spring onion. Turn off the oven, add basil leaves, finally keep pan fry it with residual heat of the pan.
Learn how to assemble and decorate a Fresh Fruit Cake with Asahi Bakery’s David Wang.
What is a Fresh Fruit Cake?
A fresh fruit cake is vanilla cake with a fresh fruit mixture in the center of the cake. The inside filling often changes depending on what fruits are in season. David Wang has been making Fresh Fruit Cake in Asahi Bakery for over 30 years.
Ingredients needed:
- Vanilla cake
- Whip Cream Frosting
- Strawberries
- Oranges
- Blackberries
- Peaches
- Kiwis
- Piping bag
- Spatula
- Turn Table (Optional)
Join Master Kenny Perez in this instructional video and learn about the routines and techniques of the dragon dance.
What is the Taipei Dragon Dance?
The dragon dance is a traditional dance in Chinese culture. During the dance, the performers bring the dragon to life! They use wooden poles to raise and lower the dragon’s body and dance through the streets to the rhythm of drums and cymbals. The dragon looks as if it is flying.
Did you know?
The dragon represents wisdom, power and wealth. In some cases, it is believed that the longer the dragon is, the more fortune it brings!
In this painting demonstration, join Chris Ho and learn how to paint a chick.
Taiwan Artist Master Chris Ho specializes in traditional and classical Chinese paintings and dedicates his art to endangered species. He is most known for his paintings of animals, particularly the Tiger and Eagle. Ho’s art of an eagle soaring to the moon was presented to President George W. Bush, and in addition his painting was chosen by the U.S. Postal Service for the “Stamp by Mail” Program. Ho has presented exhibitions in both Phoenix City Hall and the Arizona Capitol Museum.
Paint with Chris!
Materials needed:
- Paper
- Ink Stick
- Ink Slab
- Instant ink (if you do not have an ink stick or ink slab)
- Paint (watercolor or acrylic)
- Chinese Paint Brush or regular paint brush
Check out Chris Ho’s beautiful artwork:
Practice your Chinese Calligraphy with Taipei City Committee member TC Chiu.
Materials Needed:
- Paper
- Ink Stick
- Ink Slab
- Instant ink (if you do not have an ink stick or ink slab)
- Paint (watercolor or acrylic)
- Chinese Paint Brush or regular paint brush
Ni hao (pronounced “nee haow”) or Hello! In this Mandarin lesson with Phoenix Sister Cities Commissioner Lin Ling Lee, learn basic greetings, numbers and more.
Master the Taiwan Diabolo with Taiwan instructor William Wei Liang Lin in this instructional video.
William Wei Liang Lin is world renowned specialist in Taiwan Diabolo, a Taiwan folk sport featuring Taiwanese Yo-Yo techniques and skills. William Wei Liang Lin made great advancements in innovation, artistry, and adaptation to elevate Taiwan Diabolo to a new level. William Wei Liang Lin is highly respected as a rare and exceptional talent in the field of Taiwan Diabolo. He is world champion and is the top and leading specialist and expert of Taiwan Diabolo in Taiwan. He is the only person that can perform using up to 6 Taiwan Diabolos at a time together!
William Wei Liang Lin taught Taiwan Diabolo at the Award Winning Taipei Summer Camp in previous years and due to his outstanding teaching and involvement, to the camp he was awarded and honored the Phoenix Mayor’s Partnership Award.
Join coach Tsung Han Lee and Ya Wen Weng of the Taipei Municipal Ming Dao Elementary School as they teach you the basics of the Taiwan Diabolo.
Purchase your own Diabolo to follow along. We are not endorsing one website for purchase, but here is one location to find it online – Amazon.com
What is Diabolo?
Taiwanese Diabolo consists of an axle with a disk on either side, spinning on a string tied to two sticks that are held in the player’s hands. It is also a symbol of Taiwanese culture!
Did you know?
The Guinness World Record for the highest Diabolo throw is 78 ft. 5 in. (23.92 m)! It was achieved by Carlos Mir aka “Cascading Carlos” in Ocean City, Maryland on July 9, 2015.
Enjoy this dance performance by the Taipei Municipal Zhong Zheng School in Taipei, Taiwan.
In this video, dance instructor Liu Chun Ying of the Taipei Municipal Zhong Zheng Senior High School guides you through the basic skills and techniques of classical Chinese dances.
Translation:
Hello! Dear Phoenix Friends,
My name is Liu Chun Ying. I am the dance instructor of the Taipei Municipal Zhong Zheng Senior High School. I teach different levels of dance and my students perform dances around the world. I am excited to teach you my dances and and guide you through the basic skills and techniques of classical Chinese dance. Traditional/classical Chinese dance uses the movements of both your hands and feet, representing a strong and soft dance performance.
Dance is the language of the body, please follow my directions.
The first dance is a Chinese Opera Kung Fu Dance, it is a strong and powerful dance. Please follow me step by step as I guide you through the different motions of your hands and feet . You need to practice moving your hands and feet together with your body to show your strong energy.
The second dance is a beautiful Chinese dance that represents a lady’s beauty and elegance. Please follow me step by step as I guide you through the various movements of your hands and feet. Your hands and feet must remain tender and soft when you dance. This shows your noble beauty.
When you practice, please make sure to keep your body well-balanced. Thank you!
Want to see more amazing culture camp videos?
Visit our 2021 Taipei Culture Camp YouTube Playlist to watch more amazing culture camp videos:
Thank you!
