It’s been a few years, but The Heiress and I finally got to attend another Lunar New Year (Tết, 农历新年, Year of the Snake). Special thanks to the Keito Academy of Performing Arts, Austin Dance India, Natyalaya School of Dance, The Love of China School of Dance and the Thiên Hậu/Linh Sơn Lion Dance Team for their performances. Equipment: Pentax K200D (with a wicked sexy old Tamron 85-210mm zoom), Canon Powershot A630.
Techinical/cultural notes: While this was not the only Lunar New Year’s celebration in Austin, this particular one at the Chinatown Center in North Austin is, by far, the biggest and best publicized. We got there early enough, and it was a beautiful severe-clear day, but crowds got HUGE quick. Unfortunately, neither of us was able to get many great shots of the dance performances, so apologies. (Our last New Year’s was at a smaller shopping center, with not as large an attendance.)
The crowds though speak volumes of how much the Asian community in Austin has grown. The Chinatown Center is anchored by a large Asian supermarket that regularly brings in shoppers of all nationalities (including yours truly). It was great to see and meet so many folks. And special thanks to the crew at Baguette House, who can fix up a killer bánh mì, with a full house, while a Lion dance and fireworks are going on outside their doors!
Anyway, this year I gave The Heiress the old Canon to try out…
And look who kicked Daddy’s ass in getting lion dance pics…
Happy New Year!
