The Brandeis Lion Dance Troupe has performed under several occasions at various institutions. Our very first (but unofficial) appearance occured at the Lunar New Year Show at Brandeis University in the spring of 1997. There, Chris Tran, Stephen Wong, Ronn Roeung, Hong Tran, Alaric Toy, and Paul Hung put on an amateur yet brave performance for an audience numbering over 200. Hong Tran was armed with a Native American drum that was rented from a local music store for a mere 32 dollars. Alaric Toy was equipped with a fender from an '87 Caddy and a pot cover; both graciously donated by Chris Tran. Paul Hung was outfitted with a ravishing Vietnamese dress (used in several performances of the night) and a Renegade Monk (Little Buddha) mask borrowed from a participating university. Finally, Ronn Roeung and Stephen Wong were the stars of the show as they were attempting to control the power of the Lion (NOT A DRAGON!) which was lent to us through an agreement with the Vice President of the VSA. From THIS...two roommates were inspired. (Crazy world isn't it?)

Paul Hung and Stephen Wong (Class of 1999) were inspired by the perfect (hehe) performance that night and went on with the nutty idea of forming a team for the school. The whole group (as small as it was) agreed enthusiastically. Of course, none of us had any idea how to do it...except Chris. Chris was already the founder and Vice-President of the VSA so who better to ask?

Ignoring the topic of chartering the club first, the group went on to practicing and performing other "gigs." Apparently, someone in the audience was pleased and wanted us to perform! Wow. Gathering more and more unofficial members, the club performed an absolutely flawless dance at Wellesley College!! Lettuce was donated by the Wellesley cafeteria and this time an authentic drum was generously lent to us by the Wah Lum martial arts school in return for some rockin' drum riffs by our own Hong Tran. However a pot was still used in place of the gong and cymbals. =( Regardless, the performance was PERFECT and the crowd loved it.

With a new confidence riding in our hats, the team was invited to perform at Opening Ceremonies of Brandeis Asian Awareness Week. With more new members, the team was ready to awe the Brandeis community. But it was not to be...the area of the stage proved to be too small and a slight miscommunication proved to be a near fatal mistake. The team recovered nonetheless and was raring to do more dancing...but first..we needed money...

Desperate to improve the quality of the club, a constitution was written and proposed to the Student Senate for approval. With members Paul Hung, Stephen Wong, and David Austin present, the Student Senate approved the club with a unanimous vote. In fact, check out the clipping here. We were now officially...a Troupe. Now, obtaining money from the Allocations Board, permission was granted in the purchase of cymbals and a gong to replace our pots and pans. We were delerious with joy.

Purchasing the cymbals and gong just in time for another event, the Troupe performed yet another flawless dance on stage. Even though we were missing drumsticks, that didn't stop Hong from rapping with his bare hands. The Troupe even tried a new trick...climbing up an unsteady ladder. Simply spectacular (remember...we are self taught.)

With a new semester, the Troupe hopes to even out do the performances of the past years. Look out and listen up...the Lion has returned.