WHO WE ARE

Founded as Savannah Lion Dance in 2023, the Golden Koi Lion Dance Association (GKLD) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Savannah, GA, with a mission dedicated to “Perpetuating the Art of Lion Dance in the South.” Golden Koi Lion Dance came together as a group of passionate young people who grew up watching lion dance performances. Now, we envision a vibrant community where we can share our culture and tradition with the broader Coastal Empire.

As one of the few teams in the state of Georgia, we provide exciting, high-energy, and memorable performances throughout the state of Georgia for Lunar New Years, weddings, grand openings, corporate events, banquets, and more.

OUR TEAM

Group of young people outdoors, some making peace signs, smiling and posing for a photo.

Three kids standing in front of a playground, smiling and making peace signs or thumbs-up gestures.

Two young people, a woman and a man, standing outdoors at night with their arms around each other, smiling at the camera.

A group of five young people posing in front of two lion dance costumes during a celebration. The lions are bright yellow with colorful details. The background shows a decorated indoor space with pink fabric, windows, and other people.

Group of five young people wearing matching traditional-style shirts, standing in front of a bright pink and purple backdrop with floral and candle motifs, celebrating at an Asian cultural event.

Three people playing traditional instruments for lion dance, outdoors on a sunny day.

People participating in a Lunar New Year celebration, playing drums, cymbals, and gongs, outdoors on a sunny day with Buddhist flags hanging.

Two people wearing face masks playing cymbals with a red ribbon with one another, with a crowd in the background during a Lunar New Year festival.

Two young women and a young man facing and interacting with each other inside a brightly lit indoor setting, possibly a celebration or gathering, with others sitting at tables in the background.

Four people sitting at a dining table with plates of Asian food, two young women in matching shirts, one with curly hair looking at camera, one with straight hair, two others in background, one using phone, indoors with wooden walls and windows.

Two young people, a girl and a boy, stand together at night with their arms around each other, smiling at the camera. They are wearing casual jackets, and there are other people and cars in the background.

Group of five friends taking a selfie at a celebration with colorful lanterns and decorations in the background.

“As Chairwoman of the City of Savannah's Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Task Force, I have had the privilege of working alongside Golden Koi during numerous cultural celebrations, including our annual AAPI Festival. Their performances have become a cornerstone of our community events, serving not only as entertainment but as a meaningful representation of both Vietnamese and Chinese heritage. Through the art of lion dance, they have beautifully demonstrated how culture can unite communities and build bridges across generations and traditions.”

- Whitney Lam Gilliard, Chairwoman of the City of Savannah AAPI Task Force