Chinese Lion Dance Troupe from the Tucson Chinese Association
Interviewee: Susan Chan, Director, Tucson Chinese Cultural Center
Interviewer: Sharon Yang, Librarian and Biblio Lotus Team member, Pima County Public Library
Celebrate the 2026 Lunar New Year with the Tucson Chinese Lion Dance Troupe and the Jasmine Asian Music Ensemble at these events:
Saturday, February 7 from 10 am to noon
Oro Valley Public Library, 1305 W. Naranja Dr.
Please note, registration is required for this event. Registration opens on Saturday, January 24 at 10 am. Spots tend to fill quickly.
Saturday, February 18 from 3 to 5:30 pm
Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave.
Cultural background of Lion Dance
The Lion Dance is a traditional performance in Chinese culture that has been around for ages. Today, you can spot it at important celebrations and special events.
The performers dress in a colorful lion suit, with a vibrant lion head and a long, colorful lion body. The lion is operated by two or more dancers who mimic the movements of a lion while inside the suit. They move together to create the illusion of a lion jumping, prancing, and even interacting with the audience.
The Lion Dance is accompanied by loud drums, cymbals, and other instruments to get everyone excited. People believe that the lion will bring good luck, fortune, and keep bad spirits away.
Source: China Education Tours - Chinese Lion Dance: Origins, Styles, and Etiquettes
The photos above were taken at Tucson Meet Yourself in 2023.
Interview about the Tucson Chinese Association Lion Dance Troupe
Sharon:
How and when did the troupe start, and what are its goals and mission?
Susan:
The troupe was founded over 60 years ago by our original sifus (masters), Mr. Gary Low and Mr. Frank Chan. They are regarded as the forefathers of Lion Dance in the Tucson Chinese community.
Our mission is to promote cultural awareness and appreciation of Lion Dance within the broader community.
Sharon:
Who is the Lion Dance instructor, and how did they become involved in Lion Dance?
Susan:
Our instructor is Mr. Kevin Lau from Phoenix, Arizona. He has been a dedicated instructor for the past 10 years and commutes from Phoenix every other week to train and strengthen our Lion Dance team.
Kevin comes from a family with a long tradition of Lion Dance and has practiced and performed throughout the greater Phoenix metropolitan area since childhood.
Sharon:
Can you tell me about the symbolic colors of Lions? How do you maintain and care for the costumes?
Susan:
The colors of the lion heads represent good luck and fortune. We have a dedicated group of volunteer parents who help repair and care for the lions throughout the year.
Sharon:
How many performers are in the troupe, and how can people join if they are interested?
Susan:
We have an advanced group of eight students and a beginner group of six students. They practice every other week for two hours with Kevin, learning both traditional and new movements. The students are always excited to showcase their skills for the community during Chinese New Year celebrations.
The lion dance troupe is a family. We spend time together beyond classes and performances, building strong connections within the group. For more information, please visit www.tucsonchinese.org.
Also, don't miss this video on YouTube of a live performance of the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center's Lion Dance.
