Lion dance has a long history among the Chinese people. Because only two to three participants are required, and since only a small dance area is required, performance of the lion dance can be seen just about anywhere you look on Chinese New Year.

The lion is usually controlled by two people: one to manipulate the head, and one for the tail portion. Sometimes a third person, carrying a silk flower ball, or wearing a mask of the laughing Buddha and holding a banana leaf fan, leads and teases the lion into action, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Every Chinese New Year, there’s a parade of lion dances in New York Chinatown. Many lions dance through the crowds, waggle their ears, wink their heavily ornamented eyelids, and swing their long tails to celebrate the joyful Chinese New Year.

Besides Chinatown, you can also see lion dance in other places, such as the Polytechnic University. Every year, the Chinese Student Society (CSS) organizes a lion dance event to celebrate the Chinese New Year with all the students and faculties. This year, the lion dance event will be held on February 2^nd 1998, at Polytechnic University.