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Toronto District School Board

Celebrating Culture and Connection: Lion Dance at Drewry SS

Categories: News

Drewry Secondary School was filled with energy and rhythm with the help of special guests First Canadian Lion Dance Team.

As a congregated special needs site, finding inclusive, high-sensory, and engaging cultural experiences is vital, and this performance exceeded every expectation. The students’ smiling faces, cheers, and laughter were heard throughout the performance, filling our halls with joy.

The Lion Dance, a traditional symbol of happiness and celebration, is performed to scare away evil spirits and usher in good luck and fortune. The dancers brought the lion to life with breathtaking athleticism and expressive movements, captivating our students from start to finish.

Students were also able to participate by playing traditional drums and instruments, trying on the vibrant lion costumes, feeling the artistry firsthand.

Three students whole a long pole with lettuce tied to the end of it. They are dangling the pole in front of a large costume lion who is looking at the lettuce ready to eat it.  A large costume lion stands in the centre of a room with groups of students standing on either side of the lion for a posed photo.

The performance was masterfully adapted to ensure all students felt included in the celebration, and Drewry hopes to make this an annual tradition. Staff and students alike highly recommend the Lion Dance as an unforgettable cultural experience for any TDSB elementary, middle, or congregated school.

You can watch the Lion Dance on YouTube, created by Peter Mcdonald, SNA at Drewry SS: