Philadelphia Suns putting final touches on lion dances ahead of Lunar New Year

The Philadelphia Suns prepare to celebrate the Lunar New Year with lion dance performances, filled with drumming, music and firecrackers.

Cory Sharber

February 7, 2024

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The Philadelphia Suns, a volunteer-led youth program based in the city’s Chinatown neighborhood, is gearing up for a series of lion dance performances to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year.

For over 50 years, the Suns have sought to provide mentorship and cultural connections to children within the local Asian American community. Every year, the organization celebrates the Lunar New Year during the Midnight Eve and Lunar New Year Day parades, filled with drumming, music, firecrackers and of course, lion dancing.

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Chinatown Lion Dance Rehearsal — The group brushed up on their lion dance techniques during a Sunday practice at The Crane in Chinatown. (Cory Sharber/WHYY News)

Suns’ President Harry Leong said the tradition gives the young performers the opportunity to connect with one another, while also fostering a deeper connection and appreciation of their culture.

“Every culture has difficulties — every culture has challenges, but yet, every culture has rich traditions, and [the] opportunity to build and learn from others and share with others,” he said.

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Philadelphia Suns president Harry Leong was helping the group practice cymbal techniques ahead of the series of performances.(Cory Sharber/WHYY News)

Lion masks at a rehearsal space in Chinatown are waiting to be donned as the Philadelphia Suns lion dance groups get ready for a series of scheduled performances including the Lunar New Year Parade. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

Dancer Katrina Chen grew up in Chinatown. She said because of the group’s busy performance schedule, she’s been able to travel across the city and state, allowing her to make valuable connections outside of her neighborhood.

“Before I joined, I was very secluded within just my neighborhood … I think through lion dance, not only did I sort of like reconnect with my heritage and my culture, I got to see a lot of places outside of just Chinatown, “ Chen said. “It’s just been very eye-opening … this effort to spread lion dancing and Chinese culture to multiple parts of Pennsylvania and the surrounding regions.”

In addition to practicing lion dances, the group brushed up on their musical chops during a rehearsal in Chinatown. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

The group brushed up on their lion dance techniques during a Sunday practice at The Crane in Chinatown. (Cory Sharber/WHYY)

All ages and skill levels are welcome to join the Lion Dance groups, and practices are held each Sunday at 1 p.m.

A group with the Philadelphia Suns will be performing this Friday, on Lunar New Year Eve in Chinatown at 10:30 p.m. The Lunar New Year begins on Feb. 10. 2024 is the Year of the Dragon.

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