With their numerous appearances in local parades – usually including the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade (July 23rd this year!) – the Seattle Chinese Community Girls’ Drill Team is, quite simply, famous. This afternoon, during a welcome break in the rain, they performed at a snug but perfect venue: The new Welcoming the Spring Courtyard at the Seattle Chinese Garden, atop West Seattle’s Puget Ridge on the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus.

For 10 minutes – all shown in our unedited video – they performed their precision routines in their shimmering traditional costumes, in much-closer quarters than the usual parade route provides, yet without missing a beat (of the drum). The drill team’s appearance concluded two hours of performances and demonstrations welcoming the public to the ever-growing Chinese Garden. Other events are planned this spring, as you can see on the garden calendar here, which also lists its regular spring hours, Wednesdays-Sundays (admission is free to Seattle residents). You can also catch up on behind-the-scenes garden happenings here.