South Coast Chinese Cultural Center’s performing groups were invited to The Market Place on February 21 for the season’s first Lunar New Year cultural showcase!
From dragon and lion dance to folk dance, wushu, Chinese music, and kids’ singing, one highlight followed another.
Crowds packed shoulder to shoulder, phones held high for photos and video—cheers and applause rolling nonstop as the mall turned into a true festive stage.
Good Luck Unleashed • Blessings Everywhere
The celebration opened in grand style with a powerful dragon dance by JC Culture Foundation.
The dragon surged, swooped, and spiraled with crisp rhythm and commanding energy—an auspicious symbol of hope, protection, and fresh beginnings—drawing thunderous applause.
Next, dancers from the Chinese Dance Company of Southern California glided onstage in flowing costumes, presenting Festive Dolls, Echo, and Whispers of Spring.
Playful yet graceful, the choreography painted a picture of springtime joy, and the audience clapped along in delighted rhythm.
Then the red and yellow lions returned—and the crowd lit up. Children, guided by smiling parents, rushed forward to touch the lion's head for good luck.
Lively nods and playful interactions sparked waves of laughter, and red envelopes were cheerfully offered again and again, as the classic “lucky moment” came to life right in the plaza.
Power in the Air • Flow in Motion
The South Coast WuShu Team took the stage with a thrilling showcase of wushu, featuring sword, spear, staff, and more—plus Flow Ball.
Movements were sharp and clean, rhythms bold and controlled; strength and fluidity blended seamlessly.
With every leap, flip, and perfectly timed landing, the crowd held its breath—then erupted in applause. The team’s disciplined training and athletic precision brought the spirit of Chinese martial arts to life and injected the plaza with high-voltage festival energy.
Strings of Blessing • Colors in Motion
Gentle melodies followed as guzheng performers Sandy and Saffie from the South Coast Chinese Orchestra performed Dance of the Yáo Tribe (瑤族舞曲).
Their fingers rippled across the strings like flowing water—bright, lively, and full of New Year warmth—earning another round of applause.
The dance company returned with the crisp, rhythmic Chopsticks, then brought in Mongolian and Zhuàng folk elements—precise footwork, vivid energy, and rich cultural flavor that let the audience experience multiple traditions in just a few minutes.
Sweet Voices Shine • Flute & YoYo Finale
Costumed and adorable, Irvine Little Singers charmed the crowd with Little Pony’s Lunar New Year.
Their clear, sweet vocals—and confident stage presence—drew proud smiles from parents and wrapped the bustling plaza in a gentle, joyful “New Year happiness.”
After a brief pause, the South Coast Drum Team roared in with Drum Spirit and Impact, performed by Kazusa, Emmalyn, Addison, and Connor—deep, powerful beats that seemed to punch good fortune straight into the new year.
The dance company continued with Echo, the flowing sleeve dance Sleeves Dance, and Together, showcasing classical elegance through smooth, refined movement.
Adding a multicultural highlight, Jeong Arts and Culture presented a Hanbok fashion show and the Korean traditional fan dance Buchaechum, offering the audience a beautiful glimpse of Korean heritage alongside Chinese cultural arts.
To close, orchestra member Annabelle performed the spirited dizi piece Flourish the Whip to Urge on the Horse (催馬揚鞭), echoing the Year of the Horse—energy, strength, speed, and determination.
The grand finale came from Irvine Chinese School with Chinese YoYo : performers Ethan and Ian wowed the crowd with fast spins and crisp control, earning a final wave of cheers and applause to end the first showcase on a perfect high.
Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays across many Asian cultures. The Year of the Horse symbolizes energy, freedom, strength, and determination.
Through vibrant stage performances, SCCCC brings Lunar New Year blessings to the community—bringing Chinese culture to life through joy and thunderous applause.
