Lion Dance to Mark Chinese New Year
Lunging and prancing to the din of drums, a many-footed lion will usher in the Year of the Ox with a Chinese lion dance in downtown Ventura today.
The nimble-toed lion will begin its dance at 11 a.m. in front of the Goldlion Shop at 77 S. California St.
The Chinese New Year began Feb. 7, but celebrations in Asia traditionally last 10 days to two weeks.
Connie Brose, who owns the Goldlion Shop and arranged the 20-minute performance, said the dancers are members of the Chinese American Club of Camarillo.
“They are really good,” she said. “They perform all over Los Angeles.”
They are so good, in fact, that they were booked solid last weekend.
According to Chinese legend and tradition, the dancing lion will chase away bad spirits and bring good fortune for the new year.
Brose said 1996, the Year of the Rat, was a year of easy money. This year, the Year of the Ox, should be devoted to working on goals, because diligence and hard work will be rewarded in years to come.
The dance is sponsored by Goldlion, the Downtown Ventura Assn. and the Bella Maggiore Inn.
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