CCACC Evergreen Club's Fanghua Dance Team Dazzled at the 23rd Washington Chinese Culture Festival

The CCACC Evergreen Club's Fanghua Dance Team was honored to be invited to participate in the 23rd Washington Chinese Culture Festival on August 30, 2025. Established in 1999, the festival has grown to become the largest celebration of traditional Chinese culture in the Washington, D.C. area. Through a wide range of performances and displays—including music, art, dance, calligraphy, martial arts, and cuisine—the festival presented the richness of Chinese culture to the public, allowing every participant and visitor to fully enjoy the cultural feast. This year's event was unprecedented in scale, making it the most spectacular edition to date.

To deliver their best performance on stage, the Fanghua Dance Team overcame numerous challenges. Rain or shine, and even when commuting by bus, the members never missed a rehearsal. Under the meticulous choreography of Ms. Pei, the team practiced "The Charm of Chinese National Essence" (國粹之韻), with careful attention given to music, costumes, and dance movements. Ms. Pei patiently demonstrated and corrected every detail. With her guidance, the team's dedication and hard work paid off, and their performance was successfully selected for the festival.

Performing on such a large stage for the first time, the dancers were filled with indescribable excitement. Seeing the Chinese community from across the Washington metropolitan area gathered to showcase their talents and celebrate Chinese culture, they were deeply moved. The nine dancers of the Fanghua Dance Team wore brightly colored traditional opera costumes and beamed with radiant smiles. Although a bit nervous before going on stage, the moment the music began, they immediately entered performance mode. Every gesture, sleeve movement, and step was executed with precision. At the climax of their performance, thunderous applause erupted from the audience, and the essence of Chinese opera was fully expressed, resonating deeply with the viewers. Years of effort culminated in this rare opportunity to perform on a grand stage, allowing the Fanghua Dance Team to showcase the unique charm of Chinese culture while highlighting the vitality and spirit of older adults. Their joy and pride were evident.

After the performance, a mother from Fujian and her child took the stage to play the ocarina, capturing everyone's attention—it was my favorite instrument. I approached them to chat and listened to their familiar hometown dialect, which warmed my heart. The stage performances were vibrant and varied, and the rows of colorful food stalls kept everyone lingering. The 23rd Washington Chinese Culture Festival was truly unforgettable, offering both a feast for the eyes and the palate!

(Written by: Duan Muzhen, Member of CCACC Evergreen Club's Fanghua Dance Team)

The CCACC Evergreen Club's Fanghua Dance Team appeared at the Culture Festival.

The graceful Fanghua Dance Team.

Everyone took a group photo on the lively street. Ms. Tianwen Pei (fifth from right), instructor of the dance "The Charm of Chinese National Essence" (國粹之韻).