Fear of the Chinese Lion Dancers
If you live in St. Louis you know that St. Louis is really St. Louis City (where I live) and St. Louis County and that St. Louis County is made up of all of these other little cities– Clayton, Kirkwood, Ladue, University City, Maryland Heights, Frontenac, Florissant, Olivette… The list seems to go on and on but the lines that separate them kind of blur into one place. Each of these little municipalities has their own community centers and parks. As in cities everywhere these community centers hosts events.
Sunday we went to the 9th Annual International Cultural Arts Festival at the Maryland Heights Centre. This little festival had ethnic food offerings, vendors, a kid’s room and two stages of entertainment. The smaller room where the smaller stage was always so crowded we could never fit but we could hear the fun music coming from inside. The stage in the larger room hosted people performing different styles of dance from around the globe.
First we saw the Irish Dancers from a local school. They were dancing in dresses that had sequins and iridescent designs so ES was sold and wants to sign up.
Next came the Shaolin Lohan Pai Lion Dance Troupe–Southern Chinese Lion Dancers & Dai-Tou-Fut. H and G acted like they were not so impressed because apparently the dancing lions had come to their school earlier in the week. ES was excited but S was very nervous. He was suspect when they were on stage but the second that they started to move among the crowd he panicked. He struggled from my arms and clambered under the chairs, popping up on the other side, keeping his eyes on that beast but holding tight to the chair. It was sad and so funny. When they went back on stage he came back to his seat, but when one came down our isle he was back under the chair and this time had to hide under the coat draped over the chairs back. When the performance was over and the lions were gone he came out reluctantly and we went to get something to eat. We made it as far as the lobby but who was there blocking our path–two dancing lions. Poor, S. He was on edge the rest of the day. Every time he heard a drum or cymbal he was certain a huge head that was out to eat him was close behind.
We finally made it though, ate, and then headed to the World Encounters area where the kids painted flowerpots, played, and made puppets. On the way out we stopped at the main stage one more time and caught the Afro-Cuban & Afro-Haitian Dancers. All in all it was a good way to spend a rainy winter day. Oh, and I forgot to mention that with the exception of the food it was all for free. Thank you Maryland Heights and thank you to all of the amazing performers for sharing a bit of your culture with my children. We will see you again next year!
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