The Year of the Dragon was recently celebrated in the Children’s Department.
We were assisted by the University of Pittsburgh Asian Studies Center and the Organization of Chinese Americans. They each played a big role in the success of this event.
Students from the Asian Studies Center
started off the program with the story of the Chinese zodiac told in Kamishibai style.
Rachel performed the Peacock Dance, a favorite of the Dai tribe in South West China, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty (14th century). The dance is a symbol of beauty, happiness and prosperity and shows special strength with body posture and intricate eye and delicate finger movements.
Rachel demonstrated the use of props in Chinese dances. The OCA will showcase their students on Saturday, May 12 at Carson Middle School. Check their website for more details.
Asian Studies students wrote names in Chinese and did other artwork,
they made designs with the tangrams,
and they even provided food!
It was fun to try on costumes, too!
Don’t miss our next event on Saturday, March 3 at 2:00pm when the Pittsburgh Irish Reelers help us Dance Around the World!
