Under the Lion: Vietnamese Lion Dance in Bayou La Batre

Charlie Tran has led Beast of the Bayou, a lion dance crew in Bayou La Batre, since age 17. He illumines lion dance history, its place at the center of Vietnamese New Year, Buddhist roots, and its many elements: blessing and community, materials and movement, drumbeat, red envelope, and the Buddha. He also reflects on recruiting and growing dancers, and the future of his hometown.