Laughing Dragon Kung Fu Brings Lion Dance to Tandem

Today's Speaker Series featured amazing and energetic presentations from Laughing Dragon Kung Fu Studio, led by the founder and chief instructor (Sifu), Tandem parent Chris Goodbar, and many skilled performers. The Laughing Dragon team shared two ceremonial dances traditionally performed around the new year, the Dragon Dance and the Lion Dance. The Lion Dance dates back nearly two thousand years and is said to bring the audience good luck, prosperity and joy. Read more about the history of the Lion Dance here. The dances we saw were joyful, fun, intense, and they must have been exhausting to perform! Among the Kung Fu dancers were seven current Tandem students - Mia G, Carlos G, Izzy G, Luna B, Will M, Graham S, and Ruthie W - and one Tandem alum, Drew G (TFS '00). Mia and Carlos are both seniors this year and had featured roles in both dances. All of the Tandem students involved in the performance are current students at Laughing Dragon. 

Check out more photos of the dances here.

Check out some videos of both dances here.