Happy Lunar New Year!

Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake.

And it’s an extra special Lunar New Year in Washington, because this year, for the first time, it’s a state holiday.

Festivities have already been happening in many places, but the festival officially goes for the next 15 days, with celebrations all over the state.

For Chinese and other Asian cultures, a critical part of these celebrations is lion dancing. 

Soundside went to 51-year-old lion dancing school Mak Fai Dragon and Lion Dancing Association in Seattle to visit dancers preparing for their busy season.

Guests:

Han Eckleberg, Mak Fai member (lion dancing and kung fu)

Martin Leu, Mak Fai member (lion tail player)

Related Links:

Seattle Lion Dance | Mak Fai

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Happy Lunar New Year!
Today marks the beginning of the Year of the Snake.
And it&rsquo;s an extra special Lunar New Year in Washington, because this year, for the first time, it&rsquo;s a state holiday.
Festivities have already been happening in many places, but the festival officially goes for the next 15 days, with celebrations all over the state.
For Chinese and other Asian cultures, a critical part of these celebrations is lion dancing.&nbsp;
Soundside went to 51-year-old lion dancing school <a href="https://www.makfailiondance.com/">Mak Fai Dragon and Lion Dancing Association</a> in Seattle to visit dancers preparing for their busy season.
Guests:
Han Eckleberg, Mak Fai member (lion dancing and kung fu)
Martin Leu, Mak Fai member (lion tail player)
Related Links:
<a href="https://www.makfailiondance.com/">Seattle Lion Dance | Mak Fai</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.&nbsp;

Soundside

Lion dancers from Mak Fai Dragon and Lion Dance Association talk about lion dancing during the Lunar New Year. This year is the first time the Lunar New Year is officially recognized as a Washington state holiday.

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