WELCOMESP

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Ann SchmidtAugust HernandezBeth ArlingtonCaley EichenlaubChris SchmidtDavid Mandell Emy Aninzo-WongHau Pham

Kristin AlexanderLing Li-YuanMarshall BrownMark LesterMercedes GonzalesShon MaloneShun Kwok TseYee-Bien Chuah

THANK YOU TO OUR HARD-WORKING

FESTIVAL COMMITTEE & BOARDBOARD DIRECTORSMichael Jhin, HONORARY CHAIRJim Travlos, BOARD CHAIRMANDavid Mandell, PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE DIRECTORGary Liu, TREASURERCaroline Long, SECRETARYBrian Chiu

Caley EichenlaubCurtis TiptonDena PeavlerHoang Quan VuWilliam A. LeSage

ADVISORY BOARDEugene Lee, CHAIR EMERITUS

Friends - Welcome to this year’s 18th Annual Houston Dragon Boat Festival hosted in the birthplace of Houston, Allen’s Landing. Without the participants and supporters this event would not be possible.

For those of you that do not know, Texas Dragon Boat Association is a 501(c)(3) Texas non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Asian cultural awareness and the tradition of dragon boating throughout the greater Houston and Fort Bend area. For years, Texas Dragon Boat Association has been nationally known, drawing teams from all over the country. Of course we wouldn’t be where we are today without the continued support of our home teams and dedicated committee members. I’d like to take this time to also welcome our corporate and community teams along with youth, breast cancer survivors, and club teams, both new and old, and hope that all of y’all feel right at home here in the heart of downtown Houston.

In closing, I’d like to thank all of those who made it out today and everyone whose time and energy went into making this such an amazing festival. No doubt, the Texas Dragon Boat Association will continue to grow and expand as it has for so many years. With upcoming events in Cleburne, Sugar Land, and San Antonio, we intend to make 2018 our best year ever! Good Luck to all the teams racing and as always, Paddles up!

David M. Mandell PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE DIRECTORTEXAS DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION

BOATWORKS

FESTIVAL HONORARY CO-CHAIRS

Janis BurkeCEO OF THE HARRIS COUNTY – HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY

Janis Burke, CSEE has been the CEO of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority since 2006. She became the third chief executive and first woman to hold the position since the inception of the organization in 1997. In addition to overseeing the billion dollars of bond debt service for Houston’s professional sports stadiums under her leadership, Houston has been awarded major sporting events to include: U.S. Olympic Trials, collegiate tournaments, numerous National and World Championships, AAU Junior Olympics, and the Transplant Games of America. In addition to sitting on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Sports Commissions, Janis has also been recognized locally by Conference USA and Rice University for her outstanding contributions and achievements as a woman in the Houston sports industry, identified by the Texas Executive Women’s Association as a “Woman on the Move,” and recently named one of “Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women.”

Eugene Lee CO-FOUNDER, TEXAS DRAGON BOAT ASSOCIATION

Eugene Lee serves as President of Essex Commercial Properties, where he is responsible for overseeing commercial real estate acquisition, development, leasing, and asset management. He is co-founder and Chair Emeritus of the Texas Dragon Boat Association and a board trustee of Covenant Community Capital. Previously, he served on the boards of Buffalo Bayou Partnership and Houston Habitat for Humanity. With the May Houston Dragon Boat Festival on Buffalo Bayou and the October Gulf Coast International Dragon Boat Regatta on Brooks Lake now annual traditions, TDBA is focused on developing a boathouse and youth boating program in both the East End and Sugar Land.

Mayor Sylvester TurnerCITY OF HOUSTON

Elected in December 2015, Sylvester Turner is serving his first four-year term as Houston’s 62nd mayor. Since taking office, Mayor Turner eliminated a $160 million budget shortfall in record time, led the city’s remarkable rebound from Hurricane Harvey, championed historic pension reform, cheered on the 2017 World Series-winning Houston Astros, hosted a successful Super Bowl LI, expanded municipal investments in renewable energy and led the winning bid to host the World Petroleum Congress in 2020.

Mayor Turner’s civic leadership has been nationally recognized through his service as a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Transportation and Communications Standing Committee, vice chair of the National Climate Action Agenda, member of the C40 and Global Covenant for Mayor’s for Climate and Energy and an advisory board member of the African American Mayors Association.

Prior to his election as mayor, Turner served for 27 years in the Texas House as the representative for District 139. He worked on the House Appropriations Committee for 21 years and served as Speaker Pro Tem for three terms. He was appointed to several Budget Conference Committees to help balance the state’s budget and served on the Legislative Budget Board.

Mayor Turner is a life-long resident of Houston and lives in the Acres Homes community where he grew up with eight siblings. He is a graduate of the University of Houston and earned a law degree from Harvard University. He began his law practice at Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. and later founded the Barnes & Turner Law Firm.

Mayor Turner is the proud father of First Daughter Ashley Turner, who is continuing the family tradition of public service in the healthcare field.

FESTIVAL KEYNOTE SPEAKER

CONOCOPHILLIPSThe ConocoPhillips Dragon Boat team has been participating in Dragon Boat Festival races for over 10 years. Our focus on solid teamwork makes us a top competitor in this team-paddling watersport. Our boat is host to 25 mentally strong and team orientated individuals.

KPMGKPMG’s team is powered by employees, friends, and family of KPMG Houston. Their boat is sponsored by KPMG Houston’s Asian Pacific Islander Network (APIN). KPMG is one of the largest professional services networks in the world and one of the Big Four accounting firms. KPMG provides audit, tax and advisory services as well as industry insight to help organizations negotiate risks and perform in the dynamic and challenging environments in which they do business. For more information, please visit our website at www.kpmg.com.

HEBHEB thrives on the fearless and daring spirit of its Partners. Our dedication to Customers, our people and serving our Communities is the heart and soul of HEB. Our belief at heart is “ Each and Every Person Counts” and is what separates us from our competitors.

CORPORATE TEAMS

PETROCHINA INTERNATIONAL (AMERICA) – GOGO DRAGONSPetroChina International (America), Inc. (PCIA) is part of PetroChina Co. Ltd., one of the world’s largest publicly traded international Oil and Gas Companies. Our parent Company, PetroChina International is the “trading arm” of PetroChina Company Ltd. PetroChina International is actively exploring international markets, developing value added trades, extending the value chain, innovating in trade models, and enhancing trade methods. Business Trading activities are now covering over 100 kinds of products in over 80 countries and regions, including oil refining, blending and storage, transportation, wholesale and retail. PCIA Go-Go Dragons is very exciting about participating in our 1st Dragon Boat Regatta!!!! Our team consists of our amazing employees, employee spouses and friends.

ERNST & YOUNG LLPErnst & Young LLP’s Houston office provides assurance, tax, consulting and advisory services to a wide range of private and public companies. The team is comprised of paddlers who share a competitive spirit, have a great passion for dragon boat racing, and enjoy the camaraderie the sport brings. Our team will be ready to compete and we are excited to be able to participate in such an amazing event!

AIG TRAVELThis is the first year for AIG Travel to participate. We are the travel insurance division of AIG. This is a fun team-building event for our IT group which includes leaders that are visiting from across the globe. Look out! We’re ready to race!

COMMUNITY TEAMS

HOUSTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY – HBU BESERKERSThe Houston Baptist University Dragon Boat team recruits only the most enthusiastic paddlers from among our halls! Win or lose, we make it a point to have the most spirit! Consequently, we have a tendency to go BERSERK during the race, so, beware the BERSERKERS!

THE LIGHTHOUSE OF HOUSTON - BLIND FURYFor an athlete who is blind, Dragon Boat racing is unique from all other sports because we are on a equal playing field with everyone else. Dragon boat racing requires no special equipment and no special accommodations once we get on the boat. When the race starts, we get to be just athletes not “blind athletes”! We are excited, competitive and happy to be racing. Our energy is never-ending, and we always have fun. Blind Fury’s mission is to promote the abilities of people who are blind or visually impaired in a competitive environment through Dragon Boat racing.

KASHKorean-American Society of Houston (KASH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2008 by a group of Korean-Americans and like-minded young professionals of diverse backgrounds. KASH is committed to fostering leadership, professional networking, and supporting the Korean-American community, Asian American Community and Young Professionals of Houston. These endeavors will be achieved through professional, community, and recreational initiatives that will promote personal development, diversity, and inclusion within and beyond the Asian-American community.

JCCAA (Joint Chinese College Alumni Association)JCCAA is an alumni association in Houston, Texas. Our members are mainly college graduates from Taiwan.

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON - DOWNTOWNThe University of Houston-Downtown is an urban university located in the heart of our great city. Recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse liberal arts institutions in the southwest, UHD has a student body that reflects the Houston community’s wealth of cultures, languages and nationalities. We are proud to field a team at this year’s Houston Dragon Boat Festival, as this event represents the collaborative, community-centered principles that we focus on in everything we do. Go Gators! #WeAreGators

SHARPSTOWN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLSharpstown International School prepares all students for college and career success by developing students’ international knowledge, skills and understanding of the world culture and by individualizing the international study learning opportunities for students, so that our students will be productive and responsible global citizens.

ORANGE DRAGONSORANGEDRAGONS

MCACC ANESTHESIA TEAM NITRO

8:30AM OPENING CEREMONY

Welcome

DAVID MANDELL, Executive Director, Texas Dragon Boat Association

Pledge of Allegiance

JIZYAH SHORTS - MISS HOUSTON 2018

ALEXA CYR - MISS HOUSTON OUTSTANDING TEEN 2018

National Anthem

ISIS SMALLS - MISS HOUSTON 2014

Honorary Co-Chairs

EUGENE LEE, Co-Founder, Texas Dragon Boat Association

JANIS SCHMEES BURKE, CEO of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority

Keynote Speaker

MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER, City Of Houston

Dotting the Eyes / Awakening the Dragon

8:45AM Dragon Dance by The The Legend of Taiwan

9:00AM RACES – ROUND 1*

9:30AM FYP Cultural Performers

10:30AM Rocko Stedy

11:00AM RACES – ROUND 2*

11:30AM USA Tai Chi Academy

12:30PM Tropical Rhythms

1:30PM Dance of Asian America

2:00PM RACES – FINALS*

2:30PM Amira’s Oasis

3:00PM East River 5K Endurance Run

4:00PM CLOSING CEREMONY

SATURDAY schedule

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*Race times are approximate and subject to change depending on weather and team qualifications throughout the day.

Celebrity Emcees

Hon. Jacquie Baly Political Analyst for

FOX 26, former Council

Member of Sugar Land

Cheryl PiccioTV Reporter -

ABSCBN

Robert ArnoldNews Anchor - KPRC

LIVE RACE RESULTS ON RACE DAYwww.texasdragonboat.com/results

MEET THE PERFORMERS

The Legend of Taiwan Dragon DanceThe Legend of Taiwan, a non profit organization, was established in late 2015 to promote Chinese culture and Taiwan heritage with 20+ original members as the base of dragon boat race team. Recently, it was expanded to include the dragon dance team and Taiwan folk dance team. The membership had grown significantly and it is currently actively recruiting all ethnicities to join force. The organization is solely supported by community’s donation and sponsorship. Its mission had been broaden and evolved to advocate traditional Chinese culture by embracing diverse groups in the community.

FYP Cultural PerformersThe Filipino Young Professionals (FYP) is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization aimed at promoting the Filipino culture through philanthropy, professional networking/mentorship and scholarship within the community. The FYP Cultural Performers come from diverse professional backgrounds who will be showcasing the Filipino culture through dance, song, and costumes. The current lineup includes dances that show case the rich cultural heritage and religious diversity of the different provinces of the Philippines.

Rocko StedyFilipino artist, representing multiculturalism, use hip hop as a conduit to bring people together and engage the audience by making custom theme songs for each festival. He has been commissioned by The City of Houston to make a song embodying taking pride in the city. He has performed for over 80 different cultural festivals and civic celebrations. His goal is to unite the city of Houston though the promotion his “Pride of Place” concept and Do Better City Movement.

USA Tai Chi AcademyTai Chi exercises for health and wellness that will strengthen the health and boost the immune system of body. It is a slow movement martial art designed to fit all of people, especial for seniors who are not able to do vibrant sports. USA TAI CHI ACADEMY is a non-profit organization promoting Tai Chi and Qi Gong for health. All of our instructors and administrators are volunteers without pay. We have seven locations that offer 9 Tai Chi classes in Houston and Sugarland. Member students can attend any or all classes, depending their skill level and qualification.

Tropical Rhythms Tropical Rhythms has been dancing the graceful art of hula in Festivals and cultural events in Houston, Texas since 2001 under the leadership of Neni Navarrete and Bessie Kirkman. Most of our repertoire is “hapa haole” - ... from the modern era of hula & music where the songs are fun and festive and are sung in English. We also include traditional Hawaiian dances and use implements such as pu’ili sticks, ‘uli’ulis and ipus to give you a taste of old Hawaii. Check out at TropicalRhythms.webs.com

Dance of Asian America Dance of Asian America (DAA) is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of China through authentic and contemporary Chinese dance. DAA also provides local dancers with professional dance training in various dance styles and performance opportunities developing them into versatile dancers. DAA reaches over 35,000 people a year through educational and cultural performances. DAA presents and collaborates annually with nationally recognized and award winning artists from China thus bridging the gap between the East and the West through international exchange and cultural understanding. They will be performing four dances.

Amira’s Oasis Amira’s Oasis is a Middle Eastern dance troupe under the direction of Instructor and choreographer, Amira Tanya. Amira and her students perform modern/classical bellydance, and also perform a traditional folkloric dance, Saidi, from Egypt. Their love of Middle Eastern music/dance, along with their engaging, interactive performances, makes them a favorite with audiences.

CLUB TEAMS

CAJUN INVASIONCajun Invasion was organized as Louisiana’s first Dragon Boat Team in 2006. Our home is Lafayette, the heart of Cajun Country, but our membership has spread to include the entire state of Louisiana. We welcome survivors of all types of cancer, with an emphasis on breast cancer, and their supporters (male and female). Our mission is to raise public awareness about cancer and encourage a healthy lifestyle through the sport of dragon boating. We want to encourage all those living with cancer, honor the memory of those who lost their battle with the disease and empower all survivors to live life fully after diagnosis. More information can be found at www.cajuninvasion.org.

FLAMING BLADESDragon boat brought us together and made us know each other in this wonderful world. We are together to paddle, laugh, cry, and share. We stay together to win. We are to promote the tradition of dragon boating, increase Asian American culture, and enhance cross cultural understanding.

FLAMINGBLADES

FYP ISLAND WARRIORS

Island Warriors is the dragon boat team of the Filipino Young Professionals of Houston - an organization with a group of diverse individuals with a mission of fostering unity, culture, friendship, networking, and philanthropy within the community. The Island Warriors was born in 2013 and has since been growing and building on the momentum to create another strong Houston-based dragon boat team. Their slogan, “Malakas Na Agos,” means powerful current in the native Tagalog language.

The team’s coaches and some of their members have travelled and competed worldwide to pursue their love of this water sport. In the last couple of years, the team has also travelled to other cities to compete against other teams. With further practice, race experience, improved timing and technique, the team continues to demonstrate strength and unity while creating fun memories. Watch out for the force of their current!

The Texas Dragon Boat Association is a 501(c)(3) Texas non-profit corporation. Our mission is “To promote the tradition of dragon boating, increase awareness of Asian and Asian-American culture, and enhance cross-cultural understanding.”

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General Favor

New Orleans Cuisine

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Body Armor

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Southern Journeys

Be sure to stop by our Festival Vendors!

DAA Dance Academy Ballet, Chinese Dance, Modern, Jazz

Register for ages 3 to up

报名请电/Tel: 832-279-0620 or 832-630-5048 www.danceaa.org janie0201@gmail.com

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