Leslie Seto

Ringing in the year of the monkey

Tara Fader

Celebrations of the lunar New Year have started all over the world, and U of T Mississauga (UTM) student Leslie Seto has been actively involved as a lion and dragon dancer at the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple of Toronto.

Lion dancing is a traditional dance, and a form of martial arts, in Chinese culture. It is a highly respected and historical ritual that represents courage, good luck, and power, and is performed to chase away ghosts and evil spirits. Often the lion dance is falsely referred to as the dragon dance. What distinguishes the lion dance is that it only has two dancers, while the dragon dance includes multiple dancers.

Seto joined the FGS temple in 2008, when he was in grade 9. He has since become an assistant, teaching the tradition to adolescents. Performers affiliated with the temple are volunteers from all over the surrounding Greater Toronto Area, and spend a few hours each week practicing.

Leslie Seto in the dragon costume
The FGS group has performed on some of North America’s biggest stages, such as the Pan AM Ignite opening ceremony showcase of martial arts. Fo Guang Shan is one of few temples in the Greater Toronto Area that offers both lion and dragon performances. 

Competition is something that doesn’t seem to be of interest yet, “I can foresee myself continuing to help the group and inspire others to join the temple,” said Seto. “It’s more about the performance, teaching others and being a part of a team, as well as getting everyone motivated before each event!” He also hopes to manage the volunteer performers in the future.

As an active student in the UTM community, Seto was past-president of Residence Council, an active vlogger and photographer/videographer, as well as a valued member of the Varsity Badminton team.

The lunisolar calendar for 2016 celebrates with Chinese symbol for monkey, the ninth animal in the cycle of twelve. In case you missed this weekend’s performance, there is another show taking place at the Lunar New Year Fair, Feb. 13 and 14 at 11a.m. and 2p.m., at 6525 Millcreek Drive in Mississauga.