MILLBROOK — The community gathered to create an overflow crowd to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, after learning how to say “Happy New Year” in Chinese.
The event celebrated the start of the “Year of the Snake” while gaining greater understanding of Chinese arts and culture. The program, held at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, Feb. 15, was sponsored by the Millbrook Arts Group and the Mid-Hudson Chinese Language Center.
“We’re always excited to introduce Millbrook’s children to a wider community,” said Millbrook Arts Group board member June Glasson.
Lin Fen-Lan, director of the Mid-Hudson Chinese Language Center, located in Poughkeepsie, began the program by teaching a bit of the Chinese language and explaining the cultural tradition of the Chinese paper lantern and lantern festivals held throughout China, Taiwan and surrounding Asian countries.
What observers commonly believe to be Chinese dragons, often seen in parades or cultural celebrations, stem more from the lion, seen as a mythical creature, as lions are not found in China. Some traditions have thought of the lion as a cat, all serving as inspiration for the design of the dragon with a large head and fabric body animated by human dance performers providing the legs. The dragon-lion-cat dance is thought to have the power to frighten away evil spirits.
Young dancers demonstrated their talents in interpreting Chinese dance as cultural tradition at the Chinese Lunar New Year event that attracted an overflow gathering of families. The program was sponsored by the Millbrook Arts Group and the Mid-Hudson Chinese Language Center at the Millbrook Library on Saturday, Feb. 15. Photo by Leila Hawken
Accompanying the dragon dance is a traditional cacophony of percussive instruments, gong, cymbals and rhythmic drums, the sounds filling the library space, the total effect being to keep evil spirits at bay.
Babies born in the Year of the Snake, Lin said, can look forward to possessing intelligence and wisdom, good fortune, prosperity and health. The Chinese see the snake as wise, clever and thoughtful, so that babies born this year will grow up to be problem-solvers who think before they act.
Other performances included Chinese yo-yo demonstrations requiring expert coordination, and young costumed dancers demonstrating their talents in traditional dance.
Noting that this year was the first performance appearance at the Millbrook Library, Lin was pleased to see Millbrook’s children being introduced to Chinese culture.
“We love our culture,” Lin added.
A Poughkeepsie all-volunteer non-profit since 1968, the Mid-Hudson Chinese Language Center is family-oriented where students of all ages and backgrounds come together to learn the Chinese language, culture and the arts.
To learn more, go to www.mhclc.org.
Work is expected to continue for the next three to four weeks. Residents should anticipate minor traffic delays.
Sidewalk construction that will extend the town sidewalk to Beekman Park got underway this week along Route 44. On Wednesday, August 20, excavation began. Project Manager Don D. was at the controls of the excavation equipment.Photo by Leila Hawken
Pantry essentials at Dugazon
“My Louisiana roots come from my mother’s family in Baton Rouge via New Orleans where many of my memories of cooking, food, antiquing, flea markets, hospitality, entertaining, originate,” Graham said.“Being raised in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, enhanced the importance of community, family, friends and regional cultures, forming the essence of Dugazon.”
Graham and Marden sat on the front porch telling the story of their shop’s evolution. With its wicker loveseats and geraniums in bloom, the old porch invites visitors to linger.
Matt Marden and Bobby Graham open Dugazonat 19 West Main St.in Sharon on Aug 27. Jennifer Almquist
“Bobby has been talking about Dugazon ever since our first date 21 years ago,” Marden said smiling. “I could not be more thrilled that his dream has finally become our reality.”
Graham laughed, then shared their hope that Dugazon embodies the spirit of lagniappe, a French concept of “adding a little extra to bring unexpected kindness, generosity and delight into everyday life.”
Marden worked at Staley-Wise Gallery in New York City. “Town & Country” recruited him to cover men’s fashion. He became fashion director of “Details” magazine and later style director for “Esquire” magazine.
Graham spent 24 years at Condé Nast as a Fashion and luxury advertising sales executive for “Vogue,” “GQ,” “Vanity Fair,” “AD,” and “The New Yorker.”
Within their light-filled shop, unique antiques and vintage cookbooks mix with kitchen necessities such as wooden spoons and cutting boards. Dugazon is bursting with elegant and functional items ranging from designer John Derian treasures to Louisiana hot sauce, luxurious table linens from Milan-based La Double J, and pantry essentials including Café Du Monde beignet mix, Mam Papaul’s jambalaya fixings, and various jams.
Scandinavian 19-inch tapered candles from creators ester & erik are available in 30 colors. Other offerings include vivid naïve paintings by New Orleans-born artist Alvin Batiste, who now works out of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, and paper goods designed by Marden’s first cousin, Carey Marden Shaulus.
Alvin Batiste paintings and ester& erik candles on display at Dugazon.Jeff Holt
“Dugazon becoming a reality has been a lifelong dream that comes from deep in my creative soul,” Graham said.“My experiences and memories from my roots, family and friends is what Dugazon is all about. Being able to share this with the world means everything to us.”
Dugazon opens Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m.and will be open Wednesdays through Sundays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Phone: 860-397-5196
Instagram:@dugazonshop
Website:www.dugazonshop.com
