ance was serene and gentle, ….
ance was serene and gentle, and it is also a powerful exercise that promotes health and well-being for seniors. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has recognized tai chi as Intangible Culture Heritage. It helps improve balance and coordination, builds strength and flexibility, and can help manage chronic pain or blood pressure. The club’s performance featured modified movements so the performers could flow through the movements without struggling.
The Japanese American Club featured Hikari Taiko drummers along with its club member dancers. Hikari Taiko is a traditional Japanese drum known for its thunderous, booming sound. Ranging from small handheld drums to massive floor-standing bass drums, they are played using wooden sticks called bachi. The 10 Hikari Tokai drummers played two thunderous songs, including the theme for the traditional dance, “Tanko Bushi” or “Coal Miner’s Song.” The dance simulates the movements of coal miners digging, throwing coal, wiping away sweat and pushing carts. It was created to lighten the monotony of labor and as a celebration of life. They also performed the dance “Tokyo Ondo.”
With plenty of aloha spirit, the Hui O Hula club brought the joy of Hawaiian hula and music. The dancers celebrated the rich tapestry of the people, friendships and cultures that make Leisure World a welcoming place. The group performed hula to “Grand Old Flag,” with many individuals crossing the stage with red, white and blue flags in their hands, followed by “God Bless America.” With colorful costumes and smiles on their faces, Hui O Hula brought fun to their performance of the “Green Rose Hula,” a song about admiration and affection.
The Filipino Association of Leisure World presented two dances and songs from an a capella choir. The first dance featured dancers wearing floral garlands to the song “Bulaklakan,” which is a traditional and joyful Philippine folk dance, originating from the province of Bulacan. The second dance was “Polka as Nayon,” which was popularized during Spanish colonial era from the Tagalog region of the Philippine Islands. The performance ended with the choir singing “God Bless America.”
The evening’s emcee was GAF President Anna Derby, who announced the Vietnamese- American Club’s program with a real love story.
“It all began with a love story at Leisure World’s table tennis club,” Derby said. “Don [Nguyen] and Vivian [Do] met, fell in love, and after several years of dating, decided to tie the knot. Rather than a modern western-style wedding, they chose to celebrate their union with a beautiful traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony.”
This culturally rich presentation, featuring wedding guests representing the three regions of Vietnam was reenacted on stage.
The audience loved hearing the background of the performance, and the place went wild even before the show started.
The “Lion Dance” made an exciting scene and was followed by a spectacular Vietnamese traditional wedding scene, with over 20 performers lined up with traditional costumes.
It was a scene to remember for the evening. Every time the groom’s and bride’s parents handed out a red envelope to the newly wed couple, the audience shouted for the performers to hand out another money envelope to the happy couple.
Kim Yen was the emcee of the wedding ceremony performance of Nguyen and Do. Many in the audience were impressed by the Vietnamese Club’s ability to present such a beautiful and entertaining story over a period.
After the performances finished for the night, Derby called out the five raffle winners who won $100 each, plus 10 winners for $50, and four winners for $25, for a total of $1,100 in prize money. The Vietnamese Club. LW Arirang Club, Hui O Hula and one anonymous donor contributed to the prize money.
The GAF thanks those who attended the event and supported the performers and the GAF’s mission to bring all residents and their cultures together.
The GAF also thanks those who volunteered for the program in both front-facing positions and those behind the scenes.
Many thanks also goes to Zechariah Jauregui, a representative for California State Sen. Tony Stickland and Seal Beach Mayor Pro Tem Ben Wong, who attended the festival. Jauregui and Wong presented the GAF with a certificate of recognition at the beginning of the event.
LWers packed the Amphitheater to watch all of the performances.
Zechariah Jauregui (right), a representative from the office of California State Sen. Tony Strickland in District 36, presented a Certificate of Recognition to GAF President Anna Derby (left). Seal Beach Mayor Pro Tem Ben Wong (center) was also present to award the certificate. The GAF is honored to accept this recognition from Sen. Strickland for bringing the multicultural festival to Leisure World and promoting unity within the community.
LW Arirang Club opened the show.
The Chinese Friendship Club performed tai chi.
The Japanese American Club's performance featuredthe traditional Hikari Tokai drum.
