When I relocated to Honolulu over 20 years ago one of my favorite events was the lion and dragon dance performances during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Lion dance "is a form of traditional dance in Chinese and many other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume."
The lion dance is usually performed during the Chinese New Year and other Chinese traditional, cultural and religious festivals, as well as performed at important occasions. These include business opening events, special celebrations or wedding ceremonies, or may be used to honour special guests by the Chinese communities.
Lucky for me I caught up with Sifu Harlan Dai Tong Lee of the Gee Yung International Martial Arts, Dragon and Lion Dance Association. I received a crash course and all-things involved in lion dance and dragon dance -yes, there is a difference.
Did you know that Gee Yung takes students in as young as four years old and as advanced as 60 years? I'm in that range, so who knows? If you see me in a lion or dragon dance parade you'll know how I got started.
It's more than just a dance; it's a way of life.
We'll have our usual Confucius Moment and weekly excursion on Treasures of China.
We're also starting the countdown to the upcoming Chinese New Year -and I got some very enthusiastic help from the young students at Gee Yung in Honolulu's Chinatown. We'll share fun facts about the new year traditions on Saturday's broadcast with more to come.
Remember to tune in to 1490 WGCH and from anywhere on WGCH.com via streaming audio this coming Saturday, January 14 at 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time.
Finally, I am flying back to the East Coast of the mainland USA from Hawaii. Words are inadequate to describe the warm aloha welcome from the people of this remarkable place in the Pacific. I have been blessed with an ever-growing ohana (extended family) who have made my time here a joy. My thanks also goes to Beijing AmBridge International Culture Development, Ltd., to CEO Offices and to the staff and management of 1490 WGCH in Greenwich, Connecticut USA.
Aloha, mahalo nui loa and xiexie to all!
As we say in Hawaii, a hui hou: until we meet again.
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