This Chinese lion dance team performs during the Lunar New Year celebration in Seattle's Chinatown in 1921. The group also helped raise money for famine relief in China. Photo source: PEMCO Webster & Stevens Collection (courtesy of the Museum of History and Industry and spotted in an outdoor, public display by The Wing Luke Asian Museum)
As you’ve noticed, I’ve been on a run with Chinese dragons and lions lately – what with the Year of the Tiger that started Sunday.
I know it’s a day after the Lunar New Year began – and people still are celebrating. I thought I’d continue with one more post about lion heads used during Lunar New Year festivities.
Why?
Well, to quote singer (and pop philosopher) Kenny Rogers: “You’ve got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them.”
I’m holding on to this idea for just a bit longer.
I’m also doing this because I recall a person telling me years ago that the past is prologue.
So after my son and I watched the opening performance of the Lunar New Year festival in Seattle, we met up with my wife.
The three of us headed over to Hing Loon, a Cantonese Chinese restaurant which is one of our favorites in Seattle.
During last year’s Lunar New Year celebration, my parents were visiting us – and the five of us made our way to the scrumptious restaurant where the waitresses remember you and are friendly.
On Saturday, we ducked inside because our bellies were giving us signs that it was time to fill up – and our choice for the day were noodles.
Then, moments after we sat down – just as what happened when my parents joined us last year – we spotted Seattle martial arts master Mak Fai and his crew of lion dancers make their way to the popular restaurant.
With my son at my side, I turned on my digital camera, switched to video mode and captured Saturday’s Lunar New Year celebration in Seattle’s Chinatown International District.
It was terrific – bringing back memories and giving my son a chance to see what I saw in San Francisco and Oakland Chinatowns when I was a kid.
My grandparents lived in those Chinatowns and my parents would take my sister and me to celebrate and watch the colorful, loud street performances.
I’ve always enjoyed the video work of journalist Dan Chung, who is based in China for the Guardian.
In the Vimeo clip above, he captures the color, sound and activity of last year’s Lunar New Year celebration in Beijing – which he calls the world’s biggest “uncoordinated” fireworks display.
Lunar New Year arrives on Feb. 14 – so get ready to usher in the Year of the Tiger with food, family, friends and fun.
rss feed
