During the past weeks the Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL) together with a team of amatuer performance teams assembled with the help of Professor Ding Wei of UMass Boston put on a show for our local senior living community center, BrookHaven to celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival consisting of dances, Chinese operatic singings, Chinese orchestra music and other artistic performances. It was enthusiastically receved by the standing room only audiences. Below is an account written both in Chinese  and English by author Elizabeth W Xu.

中文稿

秋暮夕月，碧海青天，金樽长满，花树竟妍，熄灯对月饮，分饼庆团圆。

中秋節是中國傳統節日，也是闔家團聚，賞月分餅的日子。老吾老以及人之老，幼吾幼以及人之幼，是華裔傳統價值觀，也是人类美好的願望。對於長輩，中秋節意味著兒孫繞膝，運滿襟福滿袂。在這樣一個美好的日子，CAAL與Brookheavn老年中心（BH）、康樂老年中心合作，為萊鎮以及鄰鎮的老人以及他們的家庭獻上了兩台精彩的演出。

 Brookhaven的演出凝練典雅，來自萊星文化中心的漢服秀《秋月嬋娟》以歷史場景重現的方式為觀眾演繹了數千年中秋節文化、藝術、服裝以及民俗的變遷史。從上古神話《嫦娥奔月》到漢魏時期的《貂蟬拜月》，體現的是先民樸素的月亮崇拜；到了唐代，宗教的色彩淡去，讓位於美學—《高台觀月》《熄燈月飲》，文人雅士開始欣賞月的自然之美。中秋正式成為節日並被賦予團圓含義始於北宋，《千里相思》是閨中人對遠方親人的思戀，《團圓分餅》則是孫輩的彩衣娛親。明代之後，節慶的氛圍更加濃厚，《月下燈樹》讓中秋超越了上元、成為僅次於春節的重要節日。想象中的神仙服飾銖衣雲裳，法度嚴謹數千年做為禮服而存在的先秦曲裾深衣，絢爛開放的唐齊胸襦裙，淡雅精緻的宋褙子與百迭裙，含蓄保守的明代長襖與馬面裙……短短六分鐘，服裝史已過三千年。

更精彩的是京劇社的演出，《鎖麟囊》、《賣水》、《霸王別姬》、《天女散花》。四個曲目，集中了青衣的端莊通透，花旦的嬌俏活潑，以及花衫的集大成，無論是扮相、唱腔，還是身段、舞蹈，都美不勝收。還有GBCCA的民樂合奏《茉莉花》《花好月圓》，ADA的少女獨舞《玉靈兒》，ADA的成人扇舞《左手指月》……

然而，中秋並不僅僅是中國的，亞裔移民將亞裔的文化與節日帶來美國，也吸收學習其他族裔文化的精華。ADA的青少年民族舞《懸月》優美流暢，卻也有芭蕾與現代舞蹈的一點影子。波士頓美少女一曲「更好的我們，更好的未來」不僅是美好的願景，更是可見已存的現實。

無怪乎BH的一位觀眾會感嘆：「多麼令人陶醉的演出啊。我簡直無法想象這場演出所需要的工作量。我想觀眾們都對這個節目如此專業、如此美麗、如此有創意感到驚訝。我很歡喜能夠看到、體驗到如此美麗的中國文化的一角。「

還是BH的觀眾：「很多人都在說這是多麼美妙和富有教育性的一場演出。除了大約兩年前馬友友在這裡表演的時候，我還從未見過這個大廳如此擁擠過！」

另一位BH的觀眾則誇贊了CAAL的努力：「BH的人們仍在談論你們為我們所有人創造的非凡之夜。你們的表演令人大開眼界，充滿了如此豐富的中國文化。CAAL與Brookheaven之間的合作與夥伴關係在行動中表現得非常美麗。"

如果說BH的演出是一場晚輩獻給本土老年人的中國文化的盛宴，Cary Hall的演出則是一場三代同堂長輩親自參與烹制的大席。

情深意長交誼舞；彩雲追月天鵝湖。英台不必化蝶去，雨巷佳人賀晚福。平均年齡七十五歲的老人們在舞台上展現出了他們令人驚艷的才華，梁祝的美麗、時裝秀的雍容、小品的詼諧、芭蕾的優雅。笛子、獨唱、開場舞、謝場舞，一場場青春洋溢，很難相信表演者已是祖父母。

彩衣娛親的晚輩自然更加出色。天使舞蹈學校帶來了《草原的祝福》與《茉莉芬芳》，兩支世界舞蹈大賽的獲獎作品讓任何誇贊的語言都相形見拙。新英格蘭武術的小演員英姿勃發，無論是器械還是拳術都舞得虎虎生風。越劇表演藝術家蔡新芬一柄劍將陸游痛失所愛浪跡天涯的落拓刻畫的淋灕盡致。舞蹈《雪域》高遠聖潔，童聲合唱《但願人長久》萌化人心。更難得的是萊鎮歷史協會的殖民舞蹈團，平均年齡近七十的舞者和樂手們同一時刻還有鎮門廊音樂會的三場表演，卻依舊合理地安排好時間奉獻出一場完整而精彩的殖民舞蹈。

「但願人長久，千里共嬋娟」。無論美國中國，是黑皮膚還是白皮膚，老人們都會希望兒孫繞膝、福運滿襟。無論年長年少，是西班牙裔還是南島土著，都會希望家人安康世界和平。康樂中心總裁Lucy表示：老人們很感恩能夠在美國與親人朋友共慶中秋，也希望能通過自己的努力，反饋社區。華協主席和圖書館基金會董事林曉梅則表示本次中秋演出以及場外服務的全部收入都將捐贈給圖書館ChiRP項目以及Lexington Food  Pantry。Food Pantry為許許多多的貧困家庭和新移民提供了初始幫助。圖書館即是社區聚會中心，也是思想交流的中心。它是移民學習新文化、傾訴自身意願的起點；也是移民和社區分享不同民族文化遺產的重要講壇。

And English version:

In mid-autumn's tender grace, we worship the moon's warm embrace.

Golden goblets gleam, blooms and trees, a splendid chase.

Lanterns dimmed by slender white hand, we drink under the moonlight，

Mooncakes shared, our unity, a cherished, heart- melting night.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a cherished tradition in Chinese culture, a day when families come together in joyful reunions, enjoying the beauty of the moon and sharing mooncakes..  “to honor old people as we do our own aged parents, to care for all children as if they were our’s ”, the famous Mencius quotes represent traditional Chinese values, as well as the universal wish for a better world. For our elders, the Mid-Autumn Festival signifies the joy of being surrounded by their children and grandchildren, overflowing with happiness. 

On this beautiful day, CAAL , in collaboration with Brookhaven Senior Center and A Joyful Adult Healthcare Center (AJAHC) , presented two wonderful performances for the elderly and their families from Lexington and neighboring towns.

The performances in Brookhaven were educational and elegant. The Hanfu reenacting show , "Charming Autumn Moon," presented by the New Legacy Cultural Center, vividly portrayed the historical evolution of the Mid-Autumn Festival， concise but rich in culture, art, attires, and folk customs over thousands of years. The ancient myths like "Chang'e Flying to the Moon" , the Han and Wei dynasties' "Diaochan Paying Tribute to the Moon," (～190AC）reflected the simple moon worship of our ancestors. During the Tang Dynasty （618-907AC) the religious aspect faded, making way for aesthetics.  "Appreciating the Moon from the Terrace" and "Extinguishing Lanterns and Drinking by the Moonlight," demonstrated how literati’s and dignitaries enjoy the natural beauty of the moon. The formal recognition of Mid-Autumn as a festival with a reunion theme began during the Northern Song Dynasty(960-1127）. ”Longing across Thousand Miles " expressed the aching and longing of those far from their loved ones, while "Sharing Mooncakes" showed the happiness of those together. After the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the festive became even more vibrant, and "Flowering Lanterns under the Moon” showed the elevation of Mid-Autumn to a significant holiday, second only to the Spring Festival. 

The 6 minute’s performance not only demonstrated how the ancient practice of moon worship transformed into a cultural heritage that fills the Chinese people with love and pride, but also exhibited the 3000 years of development of traditional Chinese costumes: the imaginary goddess dress as light as the clouds, the solemn tri-angonal body-wrapping attire from the Pre-Qin era, the splendid bodice and long skirts characteristic of Tang dynasty , the elegant and delicate slitted robe and pleated skirt of Song dynasty , as well as the dignified gracefulness of long robe and Mamian (horse-face) skirt combination of a conservative Ming Dynasty. 

Even more exciting were the performances by the Beijing Opera Club : "Unicorn Purse," "Water Carrier”, “Farewell to My Concubine," and “Flowers from a Goddess”. The four pieces showcased a complete sets of major female characters in Beijing opera: the gracefulness and wisdom of Qingyi, the vivacity and prettiness of Huadan, and the culmination of many talents of HuaShan. Their appearances, singing, figuring, and dances were stunning and eye-opening. 

GBCCA's folk music ensemble played "Jasmine" and "Blossom under Full Moon”. Angela Ding played solo dance "Jade Spirits" and ADA's adult fan dance "Upwards to the Moon”. All of these performances are charming and characteristic of Asian heritage. 

However, Mid-Autumn is not exclusive to China and Asia. While immigrants bringing their culture and festivals to the United States, we are and will be continually absorbing and learning from other cultures. ADA's youth dance "Dancing in the Moonlight” is full of Asian gracefulness yet had trace of ballet influence and strength of modern dance. Boston Girls' performance of "Better Us, Better Future" not only conveyed a beautiful wish but also reflected an existing reality.

No wonder a Brookhaven audience exclaimed, "What a joy! What an enthralling production. I can only begin to imagine the amount of work that went into that production. I think everyone in the audience was amazed at how professional, how beautiful, and how creative the program was. I loved seeing and experiencing that beautiful example of Chinese culture. ”

“Many people told me how wonderful and educational it was . I have never seen the Hall so full except when Yo Yo Ma performed here about 2 years ago!   ” Another Brookhaven audience member expressed her appreciation. 

“People at Brookhaven are still talking about the extraordinary evening you created for all of us at all levels.  Your performances were eyeopening, filled with such rich Chinese culture. The outreach and partnership between CAAL and Brookhaven is beautiful to see in action.  ” The audience didn’t forget who made this happen. 

If Brookhaven's performance was a cultural feast offered by the younger generation to the local elderly, the Cary Hall performance was a grand banquet prepared by all three generations. The seniors, with an average age of 75, displayed their astonishing talents on stage, from the beauty of the classical “Butterfly Lovers” dance to the grace of “Swan lake” performances of ballet ; from the humor of skits, to the pleasant tenor singing and Flute solos. It's hard to believe these energetic performers are grandparents.

The younger generation shone even brighter. The Angel Dance Academy presented "Blessing from the Prairie" and "Jasmine”, two award-winning masterpieces from the “world dance championships “ that left any praise inadequate. Young actors from the New England Martial Arts Academy showcased their martial arts skills, whether it was weaponry or without weapon. Renowned Yue opera artist Xinfen Cai vividly portrayed You Lu who tragically lost his love and wandering around the country. The dance "Snow-capped Mountains" showed the simplicity and purity of Everest natives, while the children's choir's rendition of "Wish We all have a Long Life” was both cute and heartwarming. What's even more remarkable was the Lexington Historical Society's Colonial Dancers, whose members, averaging nearly 70, skillfully presented a splendid and unforgettable colonial scene， especially considering that they just completed three shows for the Lexington  Porchfest half an hour earlier!

"May we think of each other over a hundred years, whisper to Artemis across a thousand miles. " 

Regardless of whether one lives in the United States or in China, has dark or fair skin, the elderly all wish that their children and grandchildren could be close to them and their lives to be filled with blessings. Regardless of age, whether one is of Spanish descent or indigenous from distant islands, people all wish for the well-being of their families and living in a peaceful world.

Lucy, the President of the AJAHC , expressed her gratitude that the elderly can celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with their loved ones in Cary Hall.  She also felt honored to be able to help the elderly to give back to the community. Melanie, the Chairperson of CAAL and board member of Cary Library Foundation, stated that all proceeds from this Mid-Autumn performance and off-stage services will be donated to the Library's ChiRP program and the Lexington Food Pantry. The Food Pantry provides initial assistance to many impoverished families and new immigrants. The library serves as a community gathering place and a center for intellectual exchange. It is the starting point for immigrants to learn about new cultures and express their desires. It is also an important platform for immigrants and the community to share different cultural heritages.

PS Many photographers were at the show. I am trying to get permission to post some of their photos within the next 48 hours so that the photos can be added here. If not successful in time than look for further articles where I'll post them.