UPCOMING CWAC EVENTS
Plus, please keep scrolling for Community Events below
Thursday, February 12 | The Nickelodeon | 1607 Main St, Columbia, SC 29201
Reception at 6:45 p.m. | Film at 7:30 p.m.
WATCH TRAILER | GET TICKETS!
Reception at 6:45 p.m. | Film at 7:30 p.m.
WATCH TRAILER | GET TICKETS!
Happy 2026 Lunar New Year: The Year of the Fire Horse! Join us for this special Lunar New Year screening presented in collaboration with the University of South Carolina’s Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, the Walker Institute of International and Area Studies, and The Nickelodeon, honoring the global impact and enduring power of myth on the modern screen.
Ne Zha 2 is a visually spectacular animated epic rooted in Chinese mythology, continuing the story of the rebellious hero Ne Zha and his bond with Ao Bing. Drawing from the 16th-century classic Investiture of the Gods, the film blends action, fantasy, and emotional depth as Ne Zha confronts divine trials, political betrayal, and questions of fate, identity, and justice.
Released on Lunar New Year in 2025, Ne Zha 2 became a global phenomenon—shattering box office records to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time and a landmark for non-English language cinema. Celebrated for its storytelling, animation, and cultural significance, the film stands as a milestone in contemporary Chinese animation and international film history.
Guests are invited to arrive at 6:45 PM for a Lunar New Year reception featuring a live dumpling-making demonstration with Chef Wang Di of Umami Lab, with opportunities to observe and participate. Light bites will be provided for attendees before the film begins at 7:30 PM.
Ne Zha 2 is a visually spectacular animated epic rooted in Chinese mythology, continuing the story of the rebellious hero Ne Zha and his bond with Ao Bing. Drawing from the 16th-century classic Investiture of the Gods, the film blends action, fantasy, and emotional depth as Ne Zha confronts divine trials, political betrayal, and questions of fate, identity, and justice.
Released on Lunar New Year in 2025, Ne Zha 2 became a global phenomenon—shattering box office records to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time and a landmark for non-English language cinema. Celebrated for its storytelling, animation, and cultural significance, the film stands as a milestone in contemporary Chinese animation and international film history.
Guests are invited to arrive at 6:45 PM for a Lunar New Year reception featuring a live dumpling-making demonstration with Chef Wang Di of Umami Lab, with opportunities to observe and participate. Light bites will be provided for attendees before the film begins at 7:30 PM.
COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS
BOOK TALK!
USC Walker Institute's Slavic, East-Central European & Eurasian Studies Presents
USC Walker Institute's Slavic, East-Central European & Eurasian Studies Presents
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IRMO CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
A celebration of beautiful blooms and the preciousness of life
Saturday March 21 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Irmo City Park | 7330 Carlisle Street, Irmo, SC 29063
MORE INFO HERE
Irmo City Park | 7330 Carlisle Street, Irmo, SC 29063
MORE INFO HERE
Blooms of colorful cherry blossoms are a sure sign of the arrival of spring in the Southern region. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival of Irmo honors these beautiful flowering trees. Planted in 2001, the six Yoshino trees put forth an amazing bloom at their peak. The family-friendly festival features quiet picnicking, blossom-viewing, a drum circle, a Japanese Import car show, plein air art, handcrafted artwork, food and beverage vendors & more. The 2025 Irmo Cherry Blossom festival brought in over 3,000 attendees from 45 different zip codes!
New for 2026: Pre-order your custom Irmo Cherry Blossom Happi Jacket to wear to the festival HERE. Happi are loose, lightweight jackets, most often worn in Japan during festivals. Happi are more casual than a kimono or yukata and are meant to be worn over clothing.
Questions? Email the event co-founder, Kimberly Oakley, at [email protected]
New for 2026: Pre-order your custom Irmo Cherry Blossom Happi Jacket to wear to the festival HERE. Happi are loose, lightweight jackets, most often worn in Japan during festivals. Happi are more casual than a kimono or yukata and are meant to be worn over clothing.
Questions? Email the event co-founder, Kimberly Oakley, at [email protected]
Support International Business Education & Research!
Dear Folks Center Friends:
As you can see, 2025 was another banner year for the Folks Center and the International Business Department. Not only have we continued nearly three decades of our No. 1-ranked International Business educational programming and research, but we have also become a central entity on issues of global competitiveness and innovation.
But we need your help now more than ever to build on the legacy of IB@Moore that Randy Folks and his colleagues began over 50 years ago: Our international business activities have taken a major financial shock because of the U.S. Department of Education’s sudden decision to discontinue all grant programs for international studies, including our Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER). Since 1989, CIBER has been at the foundation of all our IB programming, directly impacting our students, faculty, the Folks Center, our partners and our stakeholders, all of which have helped us achieve our important ranking.
We see this crisis as an opportunity: The Folks Center is mobilizing its allies and faculty to create new sources of funding to sustain our success.
Join us in shaping an even more impactful 2026! Please use this link or scan the QR code below to give generously and fuel the continued success of the International Business program.
As you can see, 2025 was another banner year for the Folks Center and the International Business Department. Not only have we continued nearly three decades of our No. 1-ranked International Business educational programming and research, but we have also become a central entity on issues of global competitiveness and innovation.
But we need your help now more than ever to build on the legacy of IB@Moore that Randy Folks and his colleagues began over 50 years ago: Our international business activities have taken a major financial shock because of the U.S. Department of Education’s sudden decision to discontinue all grant programs for international studies, including our Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER). Since 1989, CIBER has been at the foundation of all our IB programming, directly impacting our students, faculty, the Folks Center, our partners and our stakeholders, all of which have helped us achieve our important ranking.
We see this crisis as an opportunity: The Folks Center is mobilizing its allies and faculty to create new sources of funding to sustain our success.
Join us in shaping an even more impactful 2026! Please use this link or scan the QR code below to give generously and fuel the continued success of the International Business program.
With best regards,
Gerald McDermott, PhD Amy G. Thomson
Department Chair Executive Director
Sonoco International Business Department Folks Center for International Business
Gerald McDermott, PhD Amy G. Thomson
Department Chair Executive Director
Sonoco International Business Department Folks Center for International Business