California’s lion-dancing women reinvent a Chinese tradition

A lion dancing troupe in southern California is breaking tradition and gender barriers because half of its performers are women. The Los Angeles-based team of members hailing from the United States as well as Asian countries is hoping to change the Chinese art form’s tradition of being dominated by male dancers. Lion dances, often performed during religious festivals and during the Lunar New Year to bring good fortune, involve a troupes wearing lion costumes who dance and perform acrobatic…