Lion dance in Chinatown 唐人街头舞狮忙

黎朗然

舞狮祥瑞，国之精粹。舞狮走出了国门，成为中华文化的一张亮丽名片。

The first time Ive ever seen the lion dance was in Chinatown in San Francisco.

It was during the Spring Festival and I had a walk with my dad in Chinatown in San Francisco. When we reached the Market Street， there was a sound coming around the corner， and the crowds were getting more and more excited. There were so many people that I couldnt see anything at all！ So I climbed on my dads shoulders. Then I realized why the crowds went crazy. There was a grand parade being held on the streets. The decorated floats were driving slowly， and some well？鄄dressed performers were dancing around the floats. But the most eye？鄄catching part was the lion dance. With the music of the gongs and drums， the“lions” were dancing and performing all kinds of difficult acts. The crowds loved the lion dance. Even the mayor of San Francisco， London Breed， was also screaming for it. I was so excited that I almost fell off my dads shoulders.

Lion dance is a traditional art form that incorporates physical training commonly associated with martial arts and aesthetic expressions. It is a folk show performed by one or two persons wrapped around a lion costume. Lion dance， considered to have the power to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck， is usually performed during some traditional Chinese festivals. It is deeply loved by Chinese people and even foreigners.

指導老师 张湾湾