Fw: Re: Multicultural Night at St. Cloud Technical and Community College

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Hung Vuong

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Apr 23, 2012, 4:31:03 PM4/23/12
to NJac...@sctcc.edu
Likewise, we really enjoyed performing on last Friday night at your event.  What a wonderful audience you have there.  We sure are looking forward to seeing you and the rest again sometime in the future.  And thanks for the check in timely manner.
 
Hung Vuong Association of Minnesota
1159 University Ave W, Saint Paul, MN 55104-4602
 
 

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Nathan Jacobson <NJac...@sctcc.edu>
To: Hung Vuong <hungv...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 10:10 AM
Subject: RE: Re: Multicultural Night at St. Cloud Technical and Community College
Hello Hanna,
 
I just wanted to thank your group again for the excellent performance you gave last Friday.
I have heard a lot of positive comments and had a ton of great feedback on how impressive it was.
I look forward to the opportunity to work with your group again in the future.
Thanks so much.
 
Nathan.
 
 
From: Hung Vuong [mailto:hungv...@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2012 12:34 PM
To: Nathan Jacobson
Subject: Re: Re:
 
Hi Nathan,
 
We have everything set and ready to drive to St. Cloud this afternoon.  See you later.
 
Hanna
 
Hung Vuong Association of Minnesota
1159 University Ave W, Saint Paul, MN 55104-4602
 
 
 
From: Nathan Jacobson <NJac...@sctcc.edu>
To: Hung Vuong <hungv...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, April 20, 2012 9:41 AM
Subject: RE: Re:
Hello,
 
This is great information.
I will plan to read it right before the presentation.
Also, we did receive the invoice and should have the check ready for you to pick up today at the event.
Thanks for this information.
We look forward to seeing you tonight!
 
Nathan.
 
From: Hung Vuong [mailto:hungv...@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 4:06 PM
To: Nathan Jacobson
Subject: Re:
 
Since you are going to make an introduction before our performance.  I have  here a short description about our group and the history of  theLion Dance.  I thought maybe you could this information and make into your own words if you want. Otherwise, you can use as it is.
 
If you like, we can have one Lion on the stage with you while you are talking about the history of the Lion.  This will help the audience see what you are talking about.  A Happy Earth Buddha (was a Monk) will come out when you talk about him.  All this can set up for you if you want to brief  about its history.
 
Let me know what you think and want.
 
 
HVA Program Introduction
Hung Vuong Association of Minnesota, founded in 1999, is a non-profit organization that commits to educate, influence and inspire Vietnamese youths and our community by providing cultural arts and social responsibility programs.  We work with and for youths in the Twin Cities to foster, preserve, and share Vietnamese culture with others. We empower youths to become active citizens and future leaders through mentorship and meaningful activities and programs such as Lion Dance, Martial Arts performances that you will be enjoying in this event today.
 
In addition to working with Vietnamese youths in the Twin Cities, Hung Vuong Association welcome youths from other communities who are interested in learning Lion Dance, Martial Arts or interested in participate in other cultural programs.  Please talk with me (HVA speaker) after the program or contact Mac Le at (insert phone number) if you are interested in learning more about Hung Vuong Association or would like Hung Vuong to perform at your  community or company sponsor event.
Thank you and enjoy the show!
 
 
 

 
Lion Dance History
Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Vietnamese culture, in which performers copy a lion’s movements in a lion costume.  Lion dance usually integrate / combine with martial arts since many lion dance movements require powerful moves and strength.
How was the Lion Dance started? 
The story goes that once upon a time a monk had a dream in which there were many evils and sorrows upsetting the land.  The monk prayed and asked for gods’ advice on what to do to prevent these evils from happening.  The gods told him that a lion would protect people and fight back the evils.  During that time, people had never seen a lion before, but the stories told that the lion was the king of all the other animals.  So, the monk gathered all the lucky or magical animals he could think of to make up a LION.  From there on, the Lion Dance became part of ritual of get rid of demons and bring luck to the families.
If you look closely at any Lion, you can see the Lion head comes in a wide variety of colors and fur of prosperity.  A horn at the center of the lion’s head represents source of power to fight off evils.  A mirror on the forehead is to reflect the demon themselves (demons are supposedly scared of their own reflection).  Their eyes are large (as an eagle’s) to see everything clearly including the invisible things such as evil spirits.  The Lion head is usually made of bamboo and durable layered cloth or paper.  The tail is made soft fabrics with diamond/wave pattern going down the back and tailored with sequin material.
Even though, the Lion Dance originally comes from an old ancient Chinese history but it spreads throughout the Southeast Asia, including VIETNAM.  Each country developed their own style of Lion Dance.  
Of course, a Lion dance cannot be completed without the music and instruments.  The Lion Dance is performed accompanied by the music of beating of drums, cymbals, and gongs instruments that synchronize to the lion dance movements and actions. The basic lion dance movements can be found in most Vietnamese martial arts.  The Lion Dance is usually performed for special occasions such as weddings, open houses, and other variety festivals such as New Year and Moon Festival. Since a Lion represents the prowess, nobility, and fortune, the lion dance will chase away evil spirits and bring good luck and prosperity to everyone.  So, if we feed the lion, in return we get good luck and health.  Of course we cannot feed the Lion real food because this is not a real Lion.  We feed the “magic” Lion with the lucky “red envelope”.  While dancing the Lion is trying to approach the “red envelope” (as called li` xi`) which containing lucky money, either hang highly or place on the table and sometimes kids or adults can feed the li` xi` to the Lion’s mouth so they have a chance to touch and pat the Lion to earn more luck.
You will also see the Happy Earth Buddha with a big belly and a fan in his hand dancing with the Lion.  He is there to cheer, coach and give the Lions directions.  For example, when they sleep, he makes sure that they don’t oversleep so they don't forget to do the work, fighting off the evils. 
 
 
 
Hung Vuong Association of Minnesota
1159 University Ave W, Saint Paul, MN 55104-4602
 
 
 
From: Hung Vuong <hungv...@yahoo.com>
To: Nathan Jacobson <NJac...@sctcc.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 3:34 PM
Subject:
 Hi Nathan,
 
Are you ready for us coming to your campus to perform this Friday?  have you received the copy of invoice from us yet?
 
 
Hung Vuong Association of Minnesota
1159 University Ave W, Saint Paul, MN 55104-4602
 
 
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