Dragon dancing at Peters Library
The dragon that the Tecklenburgs brought home from China.
Children and their parents listen to the story of dragon dancing before splitting up into groups of musicians and dragon dancers.
John Tecklenburg passes out musical instruments, explaining the tempo will go up then back down during the dance routine.
Dorothy Tecklenburg instructs students how to do the wave technique with the dragon.
Dancers executing some of the more complex moves.
McMURRAY – Chinese New Year was celebrated the week of Feb. 19 in the namesake country, an annual tradition of dayslong fireworks, loud music and dragons.
“Dragons are neither inherently good nor evil in Chinese mythology,” said Dorothy Tecklenburg of Amwell Township, who spent five years in China.
Though she was in a wheelchair from a recent skiing accident, it didn’t hold her back as she instructed a dozen parents and their children in how to orchestrate a dragon dance Saturday at Peters Township Public Library. Tecklenburg, and her husband John, posted the youngsters underneath a red vinyl and cloth dragon, alongside other children who banged on cymbals, tambourines and other noisemakers.
“This is to scare away Nain, the monster who comes every year at Chinese New Year,” she said. “And Nain doesn’t like the color red, booming sounds or dragons. So it’s our job to scare him off so we can have good luck throughout this year.”
Fireworks blast off all week long in China, which are enjoyable for about the first 10 hours, she said.
One of the kids led the bobbing dragon around with a dragon ball, or pearl, that represents wisdom.
Tecklenberg guided them through some literal twists and turns as the dragon coiled up and appeared to chase and eat its own tail.
As the frenetic banging increased in volume and pace, the dragon’s movements became agitated and jerky until the “music” reached a climactic crash.
“I think you guys did it!” she said to the crowd.
“Nain won’t be back for awhile.”