Went to a belated Chinese New Year celebration as a volunteer photog for a community organization my girlfriend's work is associated with. Really challenging light, super back lit in spots, dark in others, flare and long shutter speeds abounded. It was really fun taking photos, especially with so many other people out with cameras too. You can get really interesting group shots while people are posing for the more conventional group shot....
I mostly shot with the 35mm plastic lens, some with the 50mm 1.8. Had a hood on the 35, even then some serious lack of contrast from back lighting going on at times. I blame me, not the gear! :-)