Dragons Dance at Year of Rooster!

Chinese New Year at the DI was a roaring success with dragons and lions, Tai Chi and we can crow with delight in this year of the Rooster!

The Chinese new year celebrations started on Sunday, 12 February at D.I.with the beating of the drums. Watching the talented musicians play was a treat to both the ears and the eyes....Their beautifully coordinated movements set the tone of what was a spectacular evening.

This is the year of the Rooster. Traditionally the celebrations for the Chinese new year continue for 15 days and this year they started on 28 January and ended on 11 February. We at D.I. also celebrate the Chinese new year every year and this year was no exception.

We learnt about the wonderful healing powers of Tai Chi as it was gratefully demonstrated by expert practitioners. We learnt that Tai chi helps reduce stress and anxiety while increasing flexibility and balance.

The much awaited Lion dance followed and this was a double treat since the two-lion dance enthralled both children and adults alike. The dueling of the lions for the prize of fruits and greens was a sight to watch. The graceful lions shared their prizes with eager children who scrambled to catch the prized fruits. Brave children putting their hands in the mouth of the lions had parents scrambling to take pictures of their brave little ones.

Delicious Chinese traditional food like fish dumplings, meat ball soup, Pau flew off the counters as all indulged in the culinary delights of Chinese cuisine.

Martial arts display by the experts was a treat in itself. Beautiful somersaults, cartwheels, kicks and movements had the audience glued to their seats. The display of the nan chaku was riveting.

The lion crossing a spring on a bridge was a treat to watch as the lion danced gracefully to the drumbeat.

The golden moon in the sky seemed to join the celebrations as the drumbeat built the crescendo for the final performance of the evening.