It's Spring Time

Well, it does not look like it, but today is actually first day of spring.

I thought I would share this dance with you: Garoon from Israel. I learned it when I was in secondary school in Hongkong back a long while ago. Naturally, we have a Chinese title for the dance --- Spring Time.

Last summer, GBIFD did Mayim in one of our summer outdoor sessions in the hopes of its bringing us some rain. Well, it worked a week later! So, maybe, just maybe, if we do Garoon, spring weather will eventually arrive.

Yang Ge(rice sprouts song)

is a form of Chinese folk dance originating from the Song Dynasty. It is very popular in northern China and is one of the most representative form of folk arts. It is popular in both the countryside and cities in northern China. It is especially popular among older people. Crowds of people will go out into the street in the evening and dance together in a line or a circle formation.
Some dancers dress up in red, green, or other colorful costumes, and typically use a red silk ribbon around the waist. They will swing their bodies to music played by drum, trumpet, and gong. More people will join in as they see Yang Ge going on and dance along. Some dancers use props like the waistdrum, dancing fan, fake donkey, or litter. In different areas Yangge is performed in different styles, but all types express happiness.
In the 1940s, the Chinese Communist Party adopted the dance as a means of rallying village support, and it is sometimes known as "reform yangge".

At One Billion Rising Owen Sound

On Valentine's Day, we participated in One Billion Rising Owen Sound. The whole event was live-streamed and recorded. Our session starts at around 56' into the video. Most Dancers came out to the event to lead the dances, including a couple of adult beginners students! It was enjoyable to dance with a large group and we look forward to doing more demonstration and bringing more people into our "circle" of international folk dancing.