莱了
of the people 
by the people 
for the people
摄影师:
Yan Johnson (副会长,波士顿华人摄影协会BPCA)
五月是Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month,简称AAPI。莱镇图书馆举办了 AAPI 艺术展。策划人丁阿姨问我想不想负责其中的舞蹈表演,以展示亚裔文化生活的一面。起初我有点犹豫,但还是热切地与几位芭蕾舞团的朋友- Angelina、Katelyn、Allison和 MimiQ 一起承担了这项任务。 
首先,我们如何通过舞蹈来庆祝AAPI月?AAPI 月对我们又意味着什么?
AAPI 月意味着拥抱我们的文化遗产,让华人的成就得到认知,并提高华人在未来的影响力。在五月份的各种活动中,有一点很清晰:华人社区正在蓬勃发展和强大。我们的长者因华人身份而自豪,创建了一个繁荣的社区。他们将这个优良传统继续传递给我们这一代华裔。
这次演出主要是宣传我们的传统文化,我们选择了传统的红扇舞和长袖舞进入图书馆舞台(化蝶和春醒),也以此表达我们年轻一代对长者的感恩之心。 
除了我们的传统文化,我们还想展示列克星敦的华裔所取得的成就,让更多的人了解我们的艺术文化,提高华人的知名度。无论是通过比赛、爱心援助还是各种社区活动,年轻一代已经在世界上各个角落留下了自己的印记。作为舞者,我们也要结合时代展示华人在艺术界的魅力。
多年来,我们见证了华人在舞蹈界地位的巨大转变,尤其是芭蕾。华裔已经开始在这种以欧洲为中心的当今艺术中脱颖而出。就在今年,莱镇华人的 N&D 芭蕾舞校在YAGP(著称芭蕾小奥斯卡)青年大奖赛波士顿赛区荣获了杰出学校奖,这是史无前例的!群舞 The Plot 获得赛区第一名,与群舞Polka一同入选世界总决赛。每位学生都感受到集体荣誉感!由于时间和图书馆场地的限制,我们把获奖的两支舞也略作改编,呈现给大家。
这次演出包括了传统中国舞,现代舞,和中西合璧的芭蕾舞。从开始策划到演出只有短短的一周。音乐裁剪,服装,到科学排序,报幕等等细节。从未做过的事情,我们自学,学以致用。尽管学校功课重,我们坚持每天排练。就这样,我们一起做到了,给观众留下了满意的印象。
摄影师:
Paul Hsi (会长,波士顿华人摄影协会BPCA) 
顺利的演出离不开老师和朋友的大力支持!图书馆馆长还亲自写信,要把自己的办公室让给我们换服装。策划人丁阿姨对我们的认可和支持是对我们极大的鼓励。参加活动的每个人都特别友好。让我们深刻感受到生活在这个大家庭的温暖。
通过组织这次舞蹈演出,我们对华人社区的了解更深了一步。虽然 AAPI 月只有 31 天,但我们永远都有一个充满活力和凝聚力的社区。爱的传递会继续下去!
In May 2022, I was given the incredible opportunity to dance at the AAPI Arts exhibition in Cary Memorial Library. Despite some initial self-doubt, I eagerly took on the task with my friends at N&D Ballet—Angelina, Katelyn, Allison, and MimiQ. 
But, we faced a tough obstacle: how could we portray AAPI month through dance?  And by extension, what did AAPI month mean to us?
To me, AAPI month means recognizing our past achievements, embracing our cultural heritage, and pushing for further change. In the myriad of activities that occur during these 31 days, one thing stands clear: the Chinese community is thriving and strong. Our parents have created a flourishing community out of pride in their identity, and by doing so, they have passed their pride to the next generation—us. 
And so, our performances are a tribute to our heritage. A celebration of our culture and history; a thank you to the incredible CAAL leaders, parents, and adults that build the Lexington we live in now. Traditional red fans and long-sleeved dresses enter the library stage (Butterfly Lovers and Spring Awakening), and we, as the young generation, embrace everything that has been given to us. 
However, like all celebrations, this one must also point to a future. Besides our tradition, we wanted to showcase the accomplishments Chinese-Americans in Lexington have achieved and our impact on the years to come. The young generation has already engraved its mark on the world, whether it be through tournaments, humanitarian aid, or social action. As dancers, we can only provide a glimpse of the promise of our community. 
Over the years, I have seen a drastic shift in the world of dance, ballet in particular. Chinese-Americans have begun to distinguish themselves in this traditionally Euro-centered art form. Just this year, Lexingtonian-owned N&D Ballet has won the Outstanding School Award in the Boston regionals of  Youth America Grand Prix with invitations to the world finals. This news could not have brought me more joy. The Chinese-American ballet community is integral to who I am—they have supported me endlessly, and without the support from both my teachers and friends, this performance wouldn’t have been possible. Our sense of community, just like it is in the present, will be the driving force of the future. Polka, The Plot, and The Web, pieces danced by students of all ages, represent our promising future as a community. 
Organizing these dances has only strengthened my idea of the Chinese-American community. The dancers, despite being incredibly busy with schoolwork, found time to practice hours each day; CAAL leaders have worked tirelessly to tie the event together. I believe that our uplifting and cohesive community is truly what allows us to thrive. 
While AAPI month is only 31 days, we are a community all year long. As an inherently subjective art form, each dance carries thousands of different interpretations. But my version is this: we take pride in our history, and together, we will shape the future. 
编辑:丁薇
莱了编辑部
美国莱克星顿华协
Chinese American Association 
of Lexington
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