Red Maple Annual Pumpkin Carving
Outside of dance, Red Maple organizes many fun and productive activities for its members. Their most recent activity was on October 26. This event included pumpkin carving and painting where the junior and senior classes formed pairs to collaborate and work together or members got to help their younger siblings. This social event was created to promote a friendlier dancing environment, and to build bonds between members.
2024 Peregrine Multicultural Arts and Crafts Festival
The annual Peregrine Multicultural Arts and Crafts festival took place at the Peregrine school in Davis on October 12 from 4pm-7pm. We preformed two dances, both by our senior group consisting of middle and high schoolers who have all been working hard for the past months with our student teachers to share our culture through dance with our community. In this performance, we showcased our dynamic dances, traditional props, and stunning costumes. During this event, we performed our Ballad of Mulan and Water Dragon Chant dance. The history behind Mulan is that she is a female warrior who participates in the war impersonating a man to replace her injured father. This poem symbolizes her bravery and her honor for her country. The Water Dragon Chant is a song that is based on a melody that originates back to the 16th century. This performance consists of a traditional fan dance using folding fans with colorful and long silk tails.
2024 CNYCA Chinese New Year Celebration
On Feb. 24, the Chinese New Year Culture Association (CNYCA) hold the 27th annual event to celebrate the Year of Dragon. The Celebration was located in Luther Burbank High School Sacramento. Red Maple Dance Team performed the dance "A Story of Ice Chrysanthemum" (冰菊物语) and "Water Dragon Chant" (水龙吟）Thanks for all the dancers, which are the shining Stars!
As a seed organization of CNYCA, the Red Maple Dance Team played an important role in the celebration, organizing a series of engaging activities for children. The Kids' Zone was a hub of excitement and joy, offering traditional Chinese games and crafts that introduced young participants to the rich cultural heritage of the Chinese New Year.
Children eagerly participated in the ring toss, showcasing their aim and coordination. The paper cutting station was a favorite, with kids learning the intricate art of creating beautiful designs from paper. Dough figurine crafting allowed young artists to mold and shape colorful dough into miniature works of art, reflecting traditional Chinese folk art.
Lantern riddles provided a fun and educational challenge, as children solved puzzles written on lanterns, a beloved Chinese New Year custom. The Jianzi Kick station was bustling with activity, as kids practiced kicking the shuttlecock, enhancing their agility and balance. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and learning, as families enjoyed the wide array of activities. The event highlighted the importance of cultural traditions and provided a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together in celebration.
CNYCA's Chinese New Year Celebration was not only a time for festivity but also for fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture. The Red Maple Dance Team's contribution to the event, particularly through the engaging children's activities, played a significant role in making the celebration a memorable one for all attendees. For more information about the Chinese New Year Celebration Association and future events, please visit CNYCA website http://cnyca.net/ or follow them on social media.