Kwan Hui first learned about lion dancing in 1990, when he received an antique lion costume as a gift. Now that he’s retired from his research career at Eli Lilly and Company, he’s retired from dancing, too. He directs local students instead. 

“Lion dance is an icon of happiness, prosperity and luckiness,” Hui said. 

The shows he choreographs in Indianapolis are different from how the traditional folk dance is performed in other cities.

He calls his style “American lion dancing” because he incorporates elements of cheerleading, ballet and gymnastics – like cartwheels and pom poms.

You can watch lion dancers, learn about Lunar New Year and also see a performance from a Mexican dance group from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Central Library. The event is free. 

Lunar New Year was celebrated Jan. 29, but, Hui said, “Traditionally, Chinese folks celebrate the Lunar New Year for two weeks, three weeks, four weeks.”

Lunar New Year is based on the Chinese zodiac calendar. There’s a 12-year cycle of different animals, and 2025 is the Year of the Snake, the sixth animal in the cycle.

There will be performances in Central Library’s auditorium from 12:30-3:30 p.m, with a 15-minute intermission at 2 p.m. Outside the auditorium, there will be about a dozen tables with vendors and community organizations.

Saturday’s celebration is hosted by the Indianapolis Public Library, the Indiana Association of Chinese-Americans, the Indiana Chinese Performing Arts Initiative and Purdue University. 

Hui leads the Indiana Association of Chinese-Americans, promoting its arts program. He was born in China and moved to the U.S. for college. He lives in Carmel, where his neighbors know him for the garden he cultivates. 

He received a 2024 Indiana Heritage Fellowship Award from Indiana University and the Indiana Arts Commission, recognizing his effort to keep Chinese folk dancing alive in Indiana.

Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.

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