Lion Dance, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration – Austin, Texas
NOTE: I posted an An alternative view of the Chinese New Year for a completely different take on the very colorful images on this post.
In last week’s blog post, I wrote about how I made a mistake and went to a photo event on the wrong day. I made the best of this by getting some interesting and possibly exotic images at a local Asian supermarket. I was also in search for my dragon image that I wanted to post on the Chinese New Year. I headed up to the Chinatown Center again, yesterday, in north Austin for the Chinese New Year’s day festivities. This time, I definitely had the correct day and place. Even at 10:30am the place was jam-packed with cars. I brought the same camera and lens setup as last week, the Canon 7D with the 70-200 F4 and my trusty Olympus E-PL1 with the 20mm lens. If you account for the various crop factors, I had a setup that covered 112mm to 320mm with my Canon and 40mm on the Olympus. Turns out the combo worked out great. From behind the ropes surrounding the performance area, I was able to get closeups with my zoom and use my E-PL1 as a wide-angle. Later on, I also used my Olympus exclusively when I was able to walk up close to the action.
Musical Performance, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Ellen Chang, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Dancing, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Drumming, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
The festivities started at 10:45 am with some traditional Chinese music. The two stringed instruments set the mood and the pace and action continued to increase from the opening performance. The music was followed by dancing and then drumming. Of course, there were the usual martial arts demonstrations.
Martial Arts, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
More Martial Arts, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
I haven’t been to one of these events in a while. Interestingly, many of the performers seem to be from the Austin area, including a large contingent from Summitt Elementary School which is part of the Austin public school system. Back 5 years ago, the performers came in from Houston so it definitely seems like the Asian population is Austin is growing. The dragon and lion dances were the main attractions of the Chinese New Year celebration. After a bit of research I discovered that the participants parade the dragon around on poles. The multicolored costumes worn by two people are the lions.
Dragon Dance, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Dragon Dance Closeup, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Dragon Dance Performers, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Intensity, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Big Head Buddha, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Lee Leffingwell, Austin’s mayor came out as the guest of honor, lighting the fireworks for the finale. The action shifted away from the makeshift stage to the back. The crowds at this point were 5 – 6 levels deep in most places. I somehow was able to escape from the stage and moved over the the backside where the firecrackers were in full force. The smoke and noise were so loud, it started to disperse the onlookers in the back. The people in the know had ear plugs which really is a necessity. Luckily for me, a blog reader suggested that I bring ear protection, something that I definitely would not have thought about — thank you, Jack. I was easily able to slip to the front right, right on top of the small explosions. By this time, I switched exclusively to my Olympus Pen camera. The 40mm lens was perfect for catching the up close action. I probably would have gotten even closer but the lack of eye protection made me hesitate.
Mayor Lee Leffingwell, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Lion Dance and Statues, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Big Head Buddha and Fireworks, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
After the main firecracker lion dance, the performers shifted to several locations around the shopping center. A large firecracker performance occurred in front of the Asian supermarket that I visited last week, intimidating some of the customers. After that, smaller firecracker lion dances erupted in front of the various smaller stores throughout the complex. Between the smoke and fast action, it was a bit of crap shoot to get great images. With all the mini-explosions near me, I didn’t have my usual time to compose the shot. Overall, I was extremely pleased with the performance of the cameras. The lenses I used worked great for me and by having two cameras I didn’t have to change lenses. Certainly a plus in this very smokey environment. Incidentally, my Canon 70-200 f4L and the Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7 are my two favorite lenses. It was nice to put them through their paces on the same shoot.
I was a bit out of practice carrying the 7D with the 70-200 and the 430EX external flash. This is my heaviest combination and after a while my back started to feel the weight. I guess I need to work out more since my light weight mirrorless setup is making me soft. I may have look a bit strange with 2 cameras, with a dramatic size difference, around my neck, but it worked for me.
Lion Dance and Supermarket, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Three Lions, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Lion Dance in Parking Lot, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
Lion Dance and Fireworks, 2012 Chinese New Year Celebration
I’m not sure how this New Year’s festivity compares to the traditional celebrations in Asia but for a few hours I felt transported to another place. I’ve talked about seeking out other ethic celebrations in your hometown before on this blog. Whether it is the Dia de los Muertos celebration or the Chinese New Year, it is great to be able to shoot a different and diverse slice of American life. For the readers that have such opportunities, I encourage you to go seek out your local celebrations.
The photographs were taken with my Canon 7D and Olympus E-PL1. Please make sure to click on a photograph to see a larger image and hover over the photo to see the exposure details.
Some more information on the Lion and Dragon dance teams. Here are links to the Texas dragon/lion dance team and the Summitt Dragon/Lion Dance Team just in case you are interested in the groups or thinking about partaking in new year’s celebrations.
atmtx photo blog 
Great pictures. You captured the action very well! I really like the intense looks of the dancers faces and the fireworks shots. I actually know some of these guys. If you wanted to point them towards your site, the Dragon Dance team is called the Texas Dragon Dance Team – they are located at http://www.tddt.org – I danced with them 3-4 years ago.
Thank you, Peter. You compliments mean a lot. Also, thank you for the link. I have added it to the post.
I’m with Peter on this, everyone is really enjoying the celebrations and the passion of the performers really stands out. Great shot! 🙂
Thank you, andy1076. It was a fun time. Looking forward to next year.
Great pictures. Not only thanks for sharing them, but for also promoting our culture of cultures.
aFrankAngle, Thank you. I think its great to be able to share the different culture throughout the world. It’s also nice that the US has this much diversity.
I love the colors in your dragon photos — very auspicious.
Thank you, Ammon. I made the colors extra bright for the year of the Dragon. Let’s hope its a great year for everyone.
SUCH beautiful pictures…looks like an amazing celebration!
🙂
Mikalee Byerman that you very much. It was fun and noisy celebration!
I love all pics 😀 I wish I could be there 🙂
minasparklinadesign, thank you for the compliments. Any big cities near you that might have a New Year’s Celebration, next year?
Beautiful shots! congrats on being pressed.
lolivopalmsprings, thank you. It is the first time I was pressed. Very happy and honored. Somehow, I feel like my blog has hit some kind of milestone.
Really great pictures.
As pointed out, the moments have been captured brilliantly.
Happy Chinese New Year, it’s the year of the Dragon I believe!
And that girl is really pretty!
Happy New Year to you to. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Thank you everyone for all the likes! After a year and a half of writing this blog, this is the first time I’ve been been “Freshly Pressed” quite an honor.
Love these pictures! So beautifully captured.
Sum, thank you. Photography is my passion so I’m trying hard to capture events as well I can.
Ohh thanks for sharing with us your experience! I love the variety of colors. Gotta love those Chinese New Year celebrations!
I think this week is pretty much the last for celebrating Chinese New Year, and I’ll be attending a few festivities myself:)
Romantic Asian Guy, my pleasure for sharing. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you have a good time at your local festivities.
Such festivity in these skillfully captured images! I wish we had something like this in our neck of woods. If you are interested in learning a bit of Chinese, feel free to read my weekly blogs at http://teachmechinese.wordpress.com.
LL, that you for your compliment. I will keep your blog in mind.
Definatly captured the action here … I love the photos 🙂
quirksofthemind, thank you. There was much action to capture.
Awesome Photos!!! Thanks for sharing & Congrats on being FP!
cravesadventure, thank you. First time I’ve been pressed, very excited.
These photos are wonderful, you definitely have the skill! My students of Chinese will love these when I show them next week!
DjanoglyCC, thank you. Please feel free showing them in class, it would be an honor.
Love the pictures, particularly the ones with the smoke. Really captured a sense of motion and energy in those.
But really, they are all great. Excellent work here.
skyraftwanderer, thank you so much. I was looking forward to the smoke and firecracker photos. I’m glad some of them turned out.
This is just awesome.
Top notch caption.
Thanks for sharing, your pictures rock!
Congratulation on making it to “Freshly Pressed”
nanaamaakpoblu, thank you. I’ve gotten better at the photography, now I’m working on my writing. Slowing improving, I think and I hope.
You certainly have gotten better.
Keep posting 🙂
Xin nian kuai le
Great shots, the colors are so vivid. Love it.
wherethedaytakesme, thank you. I made them a bit more vivid that usual for the festive occasion.
Gong Xi Fat Choi ! I also have a posting about Chinese New Year. Here is the link http://priajelita.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/gong-xi-fat-choi-sin-nien-kuai-le-2563/ Please check it if you have time. Thank you
Lulu Simawati, thanks for you visit and I checked our your posting.
Happy New Year 2012, Year of the Dragon. What is the population of Austin for those of Asian descent? I don’t view Texas full of alot Asians….at least we don’t hear much about them here in Canada. So maybe things have changed?
My partner actually will be visiting Austin tomorrow and some locals will be taking him around by bike. They are all cyclists….just as I am also.
Am also at @ http://www.velo-city2012blog.com where you can see not New Year’s images, but info. on the size of the Metro Vancouver’s Chinese population.
Jean, the Asian population of Austin is still small but growing. I found this interesting article from the local newspaper, the Austin American Statesman
“Asians have come a long way in sheer numbers, too. New census data show that although Asians represent just 6.3 percent of Austin’s nearly 800,000 residents, the Asian population has surged by 60 percent since 2000, making it the fastest-growing group in the city by percentage, at triple the rate of Austin’s overall growth . At 49,560 people in 2010, Austin’s diverse Asian population ranked second in the state, behind only Houston.”
Here is the link to the entire article:
http://www.statesman.com/news/local/asian-population-surges-in-austin-1460337.html
Welcome to Austin, I hope you have fun.
Austin has so much to offer…what an amazing place to be…..I missed this Year’s Chinese New Year in Houston…So, this is like my way of celebrating it, with the fantastic, colorful, festive, jubilant images that leaps to life.
I feel lucky to be in Austin. Though I do visit Houston from time to time. Especially getting some good Chinese and Vietnamese food on Belaire blvd.
You are so Right, I am an Austin Native, but have spent the last 10 years in London, & now Miami, So your amazing pics, brought me right back to the center of cultural diversity!
Happy New Year from Miami. All The Best for 2012 and Beyond!
924COLLECTIVE.WORDPRESS.COM
Thank you for your visit. 924collective, Look around on my http://www.mostlyfotos.com blog and search for Austin. There is a bunch of images from here.
BTW, when is the last time you’ve been in Austin. The city, especially downtown has been growing a bit.
Wonderful outcome. Must be so nice to be there!
Di’, It was fun. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Beautiful pictures ! i wish i were there !
evelynpang, if you ever have a chance, maybe you can visit Austin sometime. It’s a great city.
How wonderful. Thanks for the great shots. I love colour and movement.
gaycarboys, thank you.
Oh my god.Love the colours and the the quality of the pictures really stand out!
Nour Abdul, thank you so much. My passion for photography does keep me busy.
Its really great information updating through the blogs…… Interesting to visit it.
cool!
Dear Atmtx, nice photos and write up.
The celebration looks a bit artificial and probably lacks the tradational elements.
I am Rangan from Calcutta, India and you also have a Chinatown. The Chinese New Year is celebrated more on the streets. Here are two links from my blog.
http://rangandatta.wordpress.com/2011/12/31/chinese-new-year-calcutta/
http://rangandatta.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/achipur-birth-place-of-calcutta-china-town/
Rangan Datta, read both of your posts about the Chinese and Chinese New Year in Calcutta. Very fascinating. Thanks for the feedback. Maybe the version here in Austin is a bit commercial? Still nice that they are having the celebration.
Your posting and pictures are excellent. I felt like I was there!. Thank You! I’ll be sharing this on my blog as well!
Atul M, thank you. Glad I was able to show you a bit of my world and city.
Very nice pictures. I am not an expert in photography, but I can tell you captured the moments so well. Especially, the girl playing the instrument and the martial art kid. Thanks for sharing. Happy Chinese New Year.
djhuang, thank you. I find occasions like this to be a wonderful time to practice photography.
These are truly stunning photos! I am a WordPress photoblogger too, I’m glad we share a common interest of seeing life through a camera 🙂 Great Job.
aacohen97, thank you. Isn’t photograph and photo-blogging fun. It does take a bunch of time but I’m enjoying myself. I’ve visited your site too. You have some great angles, some bordering on the abstract. Great stuff.
How exciting! The photos are amazing! Thank you for sharing. 🙂 I didn’t really celebrate Lunar new year this year – we just had a romantic dinner for two. Although, I will have my first Lunar new year celebration in Taiwan next year. xD
Eileen黃愛玲, romantic dinners are important too. Love the illustrations that you have on your blog.
what a wonderful world !! ❤ it
studiothirstycrow, the world is neat. Thanks for stopping by.
Great photographs!
INDIATRIPPING.COM, Thank you.
l love your beautiful photos from this lunar new year celebration. 恭喜发财！
Katie, thank you.
great shots, you captured some nice moments!
CLANCY OOPOW, thank you.
Wow, that is awesome and thank you for sharing those cool pictures. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed too.
whatsaysyou, thanks for you comment. I’m pretty excited about Freshly pressed. No sure how difficult it is to get on again but I’m sure enjoying it right now.
I’m looking at the shots again.
I like the blog design, and the photos again are beautiful.
7theaven, thank you for the design compliments. It took me a month or so of tweaking to get my main wordpress blog, my gallery and my mostlyfotos photo blog to have a uniform type of feeling.
Those are wonderfullu vibrant and alive. Thanks for sharing them.
bmj2k, thank you. Maybe a bit more colorful and vibrant than usual for a festive occasion.
This is beautiful! And impressive. Love the motion, the colors are amazing!
Great photos……. : )
I love the pictures, Chinese realm:) Love life!
Great photos, they really capture the colour and atmosphere.
Beautiful colours! Miss this from China.
very nice photographs.
TechSmartLife
Great pictures! My favorite is LION DANCE AND STATUES, it looks mystical in those smoky and color scene 🙂
Some nice colorful pics up there bringing in the year of the dragon.
Nice work and congrats on the FP.
John
Beautiful work. Congratulations!
I grew up in Austin and there was certainly not a substantial Asian population back in the days I lived there. How things have changed!
I love the first shot (3 lions) and how contemplative the girl on the stringed instrument looks. My favorite may be the 2 Big Head Buddhas with the lion and all the smoke/sunlight. It’s such an interesting shot. But all your photos are wonderful, colorful, and evocative.
Thanks for posting these. It brought me back AND gave me food for thought. Austin is still a dynamic place!
Julee Celeste, Yes, the Asian population apparently is the fastest growing ethnic population is Austin. Up to about 6 -7% according to the Statesman. Hard to believe. Thanks for stopping by.
Love the photo, nice capture especially the expression.. Love the culture.
Gong Xi Fat Choi
Lovely! Thank you for sharing the exciting event with us and the beautiful photos
wow. This is very typical scene for chinese traditional new year but everytime its amazing and fun to see. Beautiful pictures from the angle. Love it !
Thanks. Interesting to know how this compares to other Chinese New Year celebrations.
You captured the celebration beautifully through your photos! Love the colors! . . . Thank you for sharing!
http://arabianmusings.wordpress.com/
Awesome pictures by the way!
Very cool photos. I’m studying Mandarin and our student and teacher community got together to celebrate the New Year (we’re also getting together this week, for the Lantern Festival).
My city (Porto, in Portugal) doesn’t have a very large Chinese community so the festivities were’t nearly as spectacular as those you’ve photographed so well. Thank you for sharing!
Isn’t it great that you can live in Portugal and study Chinese and chat with someone that lives in the United States and appreciate the Chinese festivities in Austin. The positive side of global communication. Thanks for your comment.
Nice post !
http://www.amiarting.wordpress.com
what in our mind now
Thank you All, for all the wonderful comments.
This looks so much more Chinese than it did here this year in Shanghai…. Maybe I was at the wrong place… There were a lot of fireworks though!
LOL alastor993, that sounds kind of ironic. It does sound exciting to be in Shanghai though.
You came away with a lot of great shots! I feel like I was vicariously there. I thought about going to this but, well, you know how I don’t like being in crowds. Thanks for documenting the event so well.
Mike, I was thinking of inviting you but yes, I knew you didn’t like crowds.
I’m a chinese people, and i am very happy to see that our traditional festival celebrated in friends country
Wow, thanks for visiting. Yes it is neat that we can celebrate cultures around the world.
great pix!! I love the colors and movement in them!
Thanks you.
Great Blog post! I’m from New Zealand, and it’s great to see how CNY celebrations are done around the world. You have captured a good feel of the event through your photography 🙂
Great stuff!
Winston.
Is the internet wonderful! I love getting visitors from around the world. Thanks for our comment, weegeenz.
amazing work! thanks for sharing.