Gund Kwok Asian Women Lion and Dragon Dance Troupe

The Gund Kwok Lion and Dragon Dance troupe, based in Boston, is the first and only all-female Lion and Dragon Troupe in the United States in a performance art that has excluded women in the past based on the outdated superstition that Lion Dancing performed by women will bring bad luck. 


Culturally, Lion and Dragon Dancing is highly esteemed. The Lion Dance is often performed at Lunar New Year festivities, weddings, ribbon-cuttings, etc. The guardian Lion wards off evil and helps start anew by bringing in good luck. The Dragon Dance, on the other hand, is a tribute to Dragon’s importance in Chinese culture. The Dragon is the embodiment of all the ideal qualities such as strength, luck, and success. By animating the Dragon, martial artists not only pay tribute but also bring in good luck for the New Year. Although the dances differ slightly in meaning and purpose, both activities require strength, creativity, and discipline to master the traditional martial arts form. Not only were women excluded based on superstition but they were also excluded on traditional sexist values.

Cheng Imm Tan founded the Gund Kwok Lion and Dragon Dance troupe in 1998. Gund Kwok meaning “Heroine”, the troupe was founded about an old Chinese saying: “A Heroine will not admit defeat to a Hero”. Inspired by a performance by an all-men’s Lion Dance troupe, she believed that Asian women could do just the same. Tan wanted to give women the chance to break stereotyped roles and challenge women emotionally, physically and mentally through a Martial Arts form that was once reserved only for men. Transcending the meek, fragile Asian female stereotype was a long journey. In the beginnings, Tan had to convince women that they could compete with the physical strengths of men.  Tan strongly advocated that women had an inner strength that they need to believe in. And also, women needed stand strong in spite of society’s judgments and perceptions. Despite the tough beginnings, the Gund Kwok Lion Dance troupe has just marked its 12^th year. With over 16 members now, the Gund Kwok Lion Dance troupe continues its ideals of empowerment and betterment for Asian American women.

The Gund Kwok Lion Dance troupe’s dedication to Asian culture while breaking down barriers in the Asian American community is much needed.  Instead of rejecting the Asian American community for it sexist superstitions, these heroines are changing the beliefs of communities for the better.

Asian Man Records

At first glance Asian Man Records may seem like your typical independent label signing bands. But when one pays close attention, Asian Man Records is far from your average record label. Even Asian Man Records’ logo becomes a dead giveaway – appropriating the South Korean flag’s taegeuki. A single mastermind - Mike Park, a musician himself, runs Asian Man Records in his parents’ garage. Park officially created Asian Ma

n Records in 1996, although he had been releasing records since 1991. As a musician, Park wanted an outlet to release his own music but also to release other bands’ music that he found inspirational. On the Asian Man Records website, Park specifically says “I only work with bands that are ANTI-RACIST, ANTI-SEXIST, ANTI-PREJUIDICE, and who support the ideas of peace and unity.” Unlike major labels, Park’s goal isn’t to make money but to spread a positive message. Even in naming Asian Man Records, Park said that he wanted to spread the message of positivity to fellow Asians. Park wanted people to know that a minority, especially in Rock n’ Roll, could be successful. Asian Man Records continues to work with political-oriented bands that promote such positivity and acceptance. Asian Man Records has been quite successful, former artists including Alkaline Trio and Less than Jake. Asian Man Records also expanded internationally with the success of PotShot, a Japanese band and by hiring a liaison in Europe to sell Asian Man merchandise (it is no longer open though).

Asian Man Records was only one of Park’s many activist ventures. In Spring of 1998, he organized a tour called “Ska Against Racism”. The tour’s purpose was to use music to raise awareness about racism. The tour, which spanned over 20 states, was instigated by Park’s personal experiences with racism. With seven bands, a local band at each stop and collaboration with several anti-racism organizations, Park set out to “fight racism in a non-violent manner.” Much money was raised for anti-racism non-profits such as the Museum of Tolerance.

Park also founded the Plea for Peace Foundation in 1999 in San Jose, CA. Park wanted to promote his positive messages, this time, to the youth of the Bay Area. With a decade a hard work, Park was finally able to open the Plea for Peace Teen Center in Stockton, CA.

Mike Park’s endeavors continue to a success today. As a musician, he is still releasing music. As a record label owner, Park is still signing indie bands. Serving as role model for aspiring minority rock musicians, Mike Park demonstrates the positive impact one man can make.

Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Project

World renowned, Grammy-winning, and Chinese American usually aren’t found in the same sentence. And yet, Yo-Yo Ma is all of these. Born on October 7, 1955 in Paris, Yo-Yo Ma was musically influenced, debatably from birth, by his Violinist and Music Professor father and Singer mother. At the remarkably young age of 4, Yo-Yo Ma was already demonstrating excellence as a Cellist. By the time he was 7 years of age, Yo-Yo Ma was performing in front of large audiences. Yo-Yo Ma even performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall at the tender age of 9. Yo-Yo Ma experienced continued success throughout his teenage and adult life – attending Juilliard School of Music, playing under the direction of esteemed conductors, graduating from Harvard University, performing with internationally acclaimed orchestras and writing musical scores for ground-breaking movies such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Memoirs of a Geisha.

Graduating from Harvard University with an Anthropology, Yo-Yo Ma always had an interest in other cultures. Even as a Chinese-American born in Paris, Yo-Yo Ma, understood the dichotomy of the East and West cultures. In 1998, Yo-Yo Ma turned his passion into action, by founding the Silk Road Project. This non-profit organization’s goal is suitably named after the historical trade routes that used to connect and spread cultures. Inspired by the legacy of the Silk Road, Yo-Yo Ma created the Silk Road Project to bring cultural awareness and help bridge the widening cultural gap.

“Every time I open a newspaper, I am reminded that we live in a world where we can no longer afford not to know our neighbors.” - Yo-Yo Ma

The Silk Road Project employs an ensemble of over 60 international performers and composers to tour globally. This ensemble demonstrates the cultural leaps that Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble makes. As seen in the video below, one can find an eclectic mix of traditional instruments from various cultures coming together to create one harmonious sound. The ensemble has performed in over 29 countries and has recorded 5 successful albums.

The Silk Road Project also spreads their cultural values through Education. The Silk Road Connect integrates themes of cultural connections, awareness and experience to under privileged New York City youth ranging from middle school to high school. Members of the Silk Road Ensemble even visit to teach young children music. As for higher education, many members of the ensemble teach at Rhode Island School of Design (where the project was first founded) and Harvard University (where the Project is currently based).

The Silk Road Project is currently in it's 12th successful year and there is no doubt that it will see continued success.

Despite all his cultural contributions, Yo-Yo Ma admits that he was teased for his non-English name and that to this day, people still come up with new jokes about it.