On the top floor of the Victoria Public Chinese School, dozens of students dressed in vibrant silks and ribbons began warming up for their dance rehearsals.
Younger students clapped open silk fans, while older students worked to untangle the long tail of an ornate dragon costume.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 part of the Chinese culture. The dragon dance, the lion dance are very important during the Chinese New Year,B次元官网网址� said Kileasa Wong, principal of the Victoria Public Chinese School. B次元官网网址淭he drums and gongs chase away the bad spirits. ItB次元官网网址檚 very important that the students can still learn the culture and traditions.B次元官网网址�
Students at the Victoria Chinese Public School practised a tai chi fan dance in preparation for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebration. Story to follow!
B次元官网网址� Nicole Crescenzi (@NicoleCrescenzi)
Starting at age five, students at the school begin learning Chinese folk dances and taking part in competitions. As they age, they learn more dances, including a tai chi fan dance, a flower dance, and the dragon dance. Students from the Wong Sheung Kung Fu club also help by performing the lion dance.
Wong herself has travelled to China to learn new dances, and bring them back to her students. The dances become a staple in the studentsB次元官网网址� education, prompting former students to come back each year to help teach and perform.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 say itB次元官网网址檚 probably invaluable considering how our community B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 quite small,B次元官网网址� said Gary Sum, who graduated from the school several years ago. B次元官网网址淚f we didnB次元官网网址檛 keep up it might kind of die with us.B次元官网网址�
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For Wilson Liu, coming back to the school after graduation brings back a rush of nostalgia.
B次元官网网址淪o many memories come back of playing with friends and always having good times. I step back coming through the front doors,B次元官网网址� Liu said, adding that even with so much experience he gets nervous to do performances. B次元官网网址淏ut, itB次元官网网址檚 definitely worthwhile going to competition with the school, using their name and trying to have fun.B次元官网网址�
Competitions and cultural performances become a normal part of life for the dance students. While the younger students practising the tai chi fan dance were under 12 years old, many had years of experience.
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B次元官网网址淭his is my third year doing it, so itB次元官网网址檚 pretty fun,B次元官网网址� said Amelia Robinson, age 8. B次元官网网址淥ne time during a performance I dropped my fan twice.. it was embarrassing!B次元官网网址�
Kenan Wong is a pro himself, having performed five times at age 10.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a bit nerve-wracking, B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he best part of it is the free pizza!B次元官网网址�
The students will perform at the Victoria Chinese New Year Celebration on Sunday, Feb. 10 at the gate of Harmonious Interest in China Town, on Fisgard Street. The event runs noon to 3:30 p.m.
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