Ushering in the Year of the Horse
巾幗舞獅隊馬年慶演
Gund Kwok’s 20+ person troupe is excited to bring you a heartfelt family-friendly performance to celebrate the lunar new year. Each dance is woven into a hopeful story of resistance and power in unity, and will include a breathtaking mix of stunts, artistry, and live music. 巾幗舞獅隊20多位隊員滿懷熱情，為您獻上一場阖家共賞、喜迎農曆新年的精彩演出。每個節目都展現積極抗爭和團結協作的動人故事。獨特精湛的舞獅技巧、魅力十足的藝術表現，強勁有力的現場音樂，為您帶來震撼人心的視聽盛宴。
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When: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Where: Josiah Quincy Upper School Auditorium, 900 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111 Time: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Acclaimed children’s author and illustrator Grace Lin will be present to sign her books.* All event proceeds will go to support immigrant families through Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN), a volunteer network in the Boston area. 3月28號 下午 1:00 - 3:00 昆士中學 900 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111 著名兒童作家—支持移民家庭組織的會員—格蕾絲 · 林（Grace Lin）將到場為她的書籤名。慶演收益將用於幫助移民家庭。 Highlights 重點提示:
Can't make the showcase or want to support immigrant families? You can make a donation via PayPal: |
Gund Kwok Asian Women’s Lion & Dragon Dance Troupe is the founder of Artists Standing With Immigrant Families (ASWIF), a collaboration with diverse artists to raise funds to support immigrant families who have been ripped apart by ICE, detention and deportation. All proceeds from this event will fund:
* Acclaimed children’s author and illustrator Grace Lin will also be present to sign her books, which will be available for sale in coordination with Porter Square Books. Twenty percent of book sales will be donated to the Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network. Porter Square Books is an independent, employee-owned bookstore, offering a variety of author events, book clubs, and open mics in Boston and Cambridge.
For questions, please contact [email protected].
- Bonds to allow immigrants to leave the deplorable conditions at detention centers as they await their court dates
- Commissary accounts: small monthly payments to detainees to allow them to buy extra food to supplement the poor quality and, sometimes, spoiled food served, as well as supplies like hygiene items and stamps to send letters to their families
* Acclaimed children’s author and illustrator Grace Lin will also be present to sign her books, which will be available for sale in coordination with Porter Square Books. Twenty percent of book sales will be donated to the Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network. Porter Square Books is an independent, employee-owned bookstore, offering a variety of author events, book clubs, and open mics in Boston and Cambridge.
For questions, please contact [email protected].
Get to Know the Different Lions
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The Southern Lions
The Southern lions are the most well-known lions because they are very popular. These are the lions that during Lunar New Year and at lion dance competitions. Lion dance is performed to ward away evil and to bring prosperity and good luck to the audience. People sometimes mistakenly call the lions “dragons,” but that is incorrect. The mythical dragon and lion are very different. One clear difference is that the dragon is long and is danced by many people while the lion is danced by two people. |
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There are two types of Southern Lions. There is the Fat Sun Lion which is older and more traditional. It has a pointed horn, a curved mouth and traditionally had a long tail, and looks fiercer and more aggressive.
The Hok San Lion has a straight mouth, a curved horn and a shorter tail, looking more like a cute cat rather than a fierce lion.
The moves of the Fat San style is martial arts based, tends to be stronger and more energetic with pronounced snaps, while the Hok San moves are “softer” but can be more acrobatic.
We have both styles of Southern Lion heads. Gund Kwok’s style is mostly Fat San style but we often use the Hok San heads because they are cuter and incorporate some Hok San moves. A combination of both styles is called Fat Hok.
The Hok San Lion has a straight mouth, a curved horn and a shorter tail, looking more like a cute cat rather than a fierce lion.
The moves of the Fat San style is martial arts based, tends to be stronger and more energetic with pronounced snaps, while the Hok San moves are “softer” but can be more acrobatic.
We have both styles of Southern Lion heads. Gund Kwok’s style is mostly Fat San style but we often use the Hok San heads because they are cuter and incorporate some Hok San moves. A combination of both styles is called Fat Hok.
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The Hakka Lions
The Hakka Lions originated from the Hakka People, who settled later than other communities in Southern China. As such, they were known as Hakka (Guests) People. In Southern China, they are mostly in Guangdong, Fujian, and Jiangxi. There are large Hakka communities in Taiwan and Sarawak, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The Hakka lion is distinguished by it box-like mouth. Hakka Lion dance almost disappeared but it has been revived and is now flourishing in Southern China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and to some extent, in Indonesia. Gund Kwok learned the Hakka lion in Sarawak, Malaysia and makes our own Hakka lion heads. In the U.S., Gund Kwok is the only Lion Troupe that performs and popularizes the Hakka Lion Dance. |
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Five Direction/Elements Lions
The Five Directions Lion dance is based on the Taoist tradition of the Wuxing or five elements and the five directions. Taoist altars throughout Malaysia represent the five directions. The four directions (North, South, East & West) represent magical deities that guard the Heavens and Earth. The Center—or Earth—is the fifth direction, its own unique deity. Each direction also represents the five elements in Chinese culture which promote harmony and balance. The Five Directions for these heads are also considered equivalent to five armies protecting the Heavens and Earth from all directions. In Taoism, the key to a harmonious life is balancing these elements within ourselves and the environment. The balance promotes physical health and emotional well being as well as balance and harmony in one’s life and in the society. The Five Directions Lion Dance can be used for all celebrations since the Five Directions represent Universal Law. |
North, Black Tortoise, Water Element - Black (Blue in this set)
South, Vermillion Bird, Fire Element - Red East, Azure Dragon, Wood Element - Green West, White Tiger, Metal Element - White Center, Yellow Qilin, Earth Element - Yellow |
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The Dragon
The Dragon dance is popularly performed during the Lunar New Year to drive away evil spirits and bring good fortune. Dragon dance is traditionally performed on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, the 15th day of the New Year (the last day of the New Year’s celebration), and the Lantern Festival. The dragon is a mythical animal that is believed to be in charge of the weather. It is also a symbol of wisdom, power, dignity, and prosperity. The dragon has a long body and is danced by any number of people depending on its length. For competitions, the dragon is danced by 9 people. |
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The Chinese Zodiac Animals
Legend has it that the Jade Emperor who ruled Heaven decided to help people measure time by creating a 12-year calendar. To do so, he decided to have a great race. He invited all the animals to the race. The first twelve animals to cross the finish line would be honored by having a year named after them and the year would be assigned the attributes of the animal. People are thought to acquire the character traits of the animal that governs the year the person is born in. Hence, the Chinese Zodiac was born.
The order of the Chinese Zodiac is rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
What each year will bring and how it will affect anyone born under a particular zodiac sign depends on many factors, including what element the particular pig year is: earth, metal, water, wood, or fire.
Legend has it that the Jade Emperor who ruled Heaven decided to help people measure time by creating a 12-year calendar. To do so, he decided to have a great race. He invited all the animals to the race. The first twelve animals to cross the finish line would be honored by having a year named after them and the year would be assigned the attributes of the animal. People are thought to acquire the character traits of the animal that governs the year the person is born in. Hence, the Chinese Zodiac was born.
The order of the Chinese Zodiac is rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, ram, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
What each year will bring and how it will affect anyone born under a particular zodiac sign depends on many factors, including what element the particular pig year is: earth, metal, water, wood, or fire.
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Since the year of the Pig, Gund Kwok has made the animal or animal masks of the animal that is in charge of the particular year and has choreographed dance moves for the particular animal. These animals have been integrated into Gund Kwok’s performances every year.
The Pig The Pig is the 12th animal to cross the finish line. In Chinese astrology, Pig is cool-headed and capable in any situation, detailed-oriented, intelligent, free-spirited, and a little too generous. They’re passionate and enthusiastic, well-liked by friends who’ll be there for Pig unconditionally because Pig was there for them. The Snake The snake is associated with wisdom, charm, elegance, and transformation. People born in the Year of the Snake are believed to be intuitive, strategic, and intelligent. The Horse The horse symbolizes strength, grace, perseverance, and success. The Horse is confident, agreeable, and responsible, although they also tend to dislike being reined in by others. They’re fit and intelligent, decisive but also easily swayed and impatient. |
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