Moving Tradition: The Lunar Production Club at Bronx Science Exhibits Brilliantly
The Lunar Productions club at Bronx Science is a student-led organization that delves deep into the rich tapestry of East Asian culture, showcasing a variety of traditional and modern performances. The club, which was attended by the author in September 2024, comprises five main performance groups: Lion Dance, Singing, Traditional Dance, Modern Dance, and Chinese Yo-yo.
The Lion Dance is a captivating highlight, featuring dancers adorned in elaborate lion costumes. These performances mimic the graceful movements of a lion to the rhythm of drums, cymbals, and gongs. Traditionally associated with festive celebrations such as the Lunar New Year, the Lion Dance is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
Practice for the Lion Dance involves meticulous coordination of costumes and movements to the beat of the music, with a strong emphasis on cultural authenticity and precision.
The Traditional Dance branch, on the other hand, showcases fluid movements, elaborate costumes, and music to convey stories, rituals, or social values. This dance form, which has roots in countries like China, Japan, and Korea, offers a glimpse into the diverse practices of East Asian traditional dance.
Rehearsals for the singers in Lunar involve careful planning, memorizing lyrics, assigning parts, and hitting the right notes. The singing branch serves as an outlet for members to express their creativity and invoke powerful emotions.
Modern dancing in Lunar, which constitutes around half of the performances in the annual showcase, blends sharp, synchronized movements with expressive choreography, often set to upbeat, high-energy music. K-pop dancing is a popular way to promote modern dancing within Lunar while maintaining East Asian origins.
The Chinese yo-yo performance at the annual Lunar showcase requires extreme precision and teamwork among the members. This ancient toy, known as the diabolo, dates back over a millennium and has evolved significantly throughout East Asian history.
Members of Lunar, such as Ngan and Chen, express pride in being a part of the club and value the friendships and experiences they've gained. The club leaves a significant impact on Bronx Science students, fostering connections with East Asian heritage and providing opportunities to learn new skills.
Overall, the Lunar Productions club offers dynamic performances that blend cultural tradition with student creativity, providing both participants and audiences with engaging experiences rooted in East Asian heritage.
- The Lunar Productions club, focused on East Asian culture, also includes a 'lifestyle' section in its annual showcase, featuring segments on 'fashion-and-beauty', 'food-and-drink', and 'home-and-garden'.
- In the realm of 'education-and-self-development', Lunar club members are encouraged to engage in 'personal-growth' and 'learning' opportunities, such as workshops on Calligraphy and Martial Arts.
- The 'news' section of the Lunar Productions club website features articles on current East Asian events, providing students with updates on 'travel' and 'relationships' within the East Asian community.
- 'Opinion' pieces on various topics related to East Asian culture, such as the impact of 'sports' on society, are also published by the student journalists in the Lunar club.
- The 'photography' division within Lunar club captures moments from rehearsals and performances, serving as a visual 'history' of the East Asian performances presented by the club.
- The 'literature' section of the Lunar club showcases poems, short stories, and essays written by Bronx Science students, often inspired by their involvement in the club and their exploration of East Asian culture.
- Members of the Lunar Productions club, like many students at Bronx Science, are deeply invested in their studies, especially those related to 'sports' and 'science', balancing their club activities with academic responsibilities.
- The Lunar Productions club's impact extends beyond the school, influencing 'culture' and 'opinion' within the broader community, as well as fostering an appreciation for the rich tapestry of East Asian heritage.
- The Lunar Productions club's dedication to East Asian cultural performances has become a model for student journalism, demonstrating the potential for clubs to foster 'learning', 'personal-growth', and 'student creativity' while promoting cultural awareness and appreciation.
