Community Events

We eat snacks (mostly from Ranch 99 and sometimes people make dumplings) and watch the National Broadcast (CCTV Spring Festival Gala).

The National Broadcast is a massive annual broadcast on a state-sponsored channel with an annual viewership larger than the population of America. Acts are extravagant. This broadcast does not have English audio or subtitles available. This is not generally a problem because most of the acts are visual and generally somebody is able to explain what is going on.

We do not watch the broadcast live because of the time difference and because it is very long. We instead watch it on our time zone. This also lets us skip parts the house votes as boring.

We have an annual twitch streamed video game marathon to benefit the EFF, a wonderful charity that protects internet freedoms such as privacy, cryptography, anonymity, and access to information. More information here.

This day is normally a small meal where we make corned beef and cabbage for anybody who would like to try it. We also often watch a film from Ireland.

Many residents were sad that Festivus and Thanksgiving fall on days which they want to spend with their family, so now we have a summer holiday too.

If you're extra organized, bring something to the potluck.

This is a day where we make a special effort to be a positive part of our neighborhood and broader communities. Residents make decorations, art, and even small electronics in an attempt to be a truly awesome trick-or-treat house. Other residents hide to startle older kids, and we buy the kids the big candy bars.

For the houses, it is an otherwise quiet day. That said, if you have never carved a pumpkin before (and many international residents have not), tell your residential advisor a few weeks in advance, and we'll grab a pumpkin for you.

We are proud to feed all who are hungry on Thanksgiving day just as we have done every year in at least one house since 2012. This invitation is truly to all: you do not need to be a current or previous resident of any house. Just show up.

If you're extra organized, bring something to the potluck.

This is a secular celebration and meal served on Christmas day. We call it "Festivus" and avoid this confusion.

We are proud to feed all who are hungry on Festivus day just as we have done every year in at least one house since 2012. This invitation is truly to all: you do not need to be a current or previous resident of any house. Just show up.

If you're extra organized, bring something to the potluck.