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By
Adriana Perez
Feb. 8, 2000
Gallery
 Dragons,
Lions, Fireworks and More! The Chinese New Year Celebration was
off to a great start. I stood in the parking lot of The Far East
Center, admiring the spiritual and creative manner in which the
local Hung Mei Pai Kung Fu Association portrayed the dance of
the 75-foot, 9-man
dragon. I was amazed at how much effort the Hung Mei Pai Kung
Fu Association
had put into designing these beautiful costumes and choreography.
Looking
around, I could see children mesmerized by the wonderful display.
Most parents -- who were a combination of Asian, Anglo, Hispanic,
African- American, and other ethnicities -- were standing around
with the smallest of their children, dressed in custom uniform,
sitting on their
shoulders or carried by their waists. One of the storeowners
began handing
out lucky money to all of the people in the crowd.
I could tell this was a special occasion, shared with the best
of family and friends, regardless of race.  Soon,
after the cheering and applause subsided from having the dragon
dance come to an end, the lion dances began. Suddenly, the fireworks
(which are used to scare away the evil spirits) began in unison
with the drumbeats and cymbal crashes.
 As
a newer Hispanic member of the asiaxpress staff, this is
my second experience in a different cultural community. And, as
I understand it, the Year 2000 is the year of the Golden Dragon
and it is very special because it only happens once every 60 years.
So, because of this wonderful occasion, many more celebrations
will take place this year.
The
explosion of more fireworks stole my attention  and
I proceeded to absorb the demonstration, where the lions continue
to gobble up gifts (signs of prosperity) hanging from the doors
of each store. Earlier, I saw a small boy cry from fright at the
sight of the costumed lion, but now, as I looked before me, children
were lining up to feed money to the baby lion, as a symbol of
luck. They were all so happy.
 As
the ceremony came to a close, men dressed as bikers came in to
view the last of the show and were also astonished. So, as you
can see, the show isn't just for children, but for adults of any
age as well.
 Being
able to attend such a beautiful celebration helped me realize
all the many different cultures I have excluded from my life,
only because I am naïve to the many different talents of each
race. Now I know, "Don't limit yourself to one culture, explore
them all..."
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