As Lunar New Year arrives in Katy, two local brothers are welcoming the Year of the Horse with more than celebration — they’re welcoming it with tradition, performance, and a major Hollywood milestone.

Caleb and Sebastian Ramirez, young actors and martial artists from Katy, will appear later this year in the upcoming feature film “Do No Harm,” directed by Chris Hartwell and starring alongside Harry Shum Jr. (“Glee,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Crazy Rich Asians”) and Ronny Chieng (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “The Daily Show”). At the same time, the brothers are performing traditional Lion Dance and Kung Fu throughout the Katy and Greater Houston area as part of Lunar New Year celebrations.

The brothers train at USA Shaolin Xiu Culture Centre located in Katy, where they study traditional Shaolin Kung Fu and Lion Dance under the guidance of Master YuChao Sun, a 34th-generation Shaolin monk who leads the center’s Lion Dance and traditional Shaolin Kung Fu program. The brothers have trained in Kung Fu for the past five years. Their training blends physical discipline, cultural education, and performance art — skills that have translated naturally to the demands of professional film and theater work.

“As Asian American kids growing up in Katy, learning Lion Dance and Kung Fu has been such an important way for them to stay connected to their culture,” said their mother, Heather Connorton. “Seeing them now share that tradition with local schools and businesses during Lunar New Year — while also appearing in a Hollywood film alongside Asian stars — feels incredibly full-circle.”

Lion Dance is a centuries-old Chinese tradition performed during Lunar New Year to bring good luck, prosperity, and protection from negative energy. Dancers operate an ornate lion costume through synchronized movement, drumming, and martial-arts-based choreography. The performances are often featured at schools, libraries, temples, and community events to mark the start of the new year.

Caleb and Sebastian are part of the performance team from USA Shaolin Xiu Culture Centre and will appear in multiple Lunar New Year–season events across Katy, Richmond, Sugar Land, and Houston throughout late January and February. Community members are invited to attend the public performances listed below.

“Lion Dance is my favorite thing we do,” Caleb said. “When the drums start and the lion comes to life, it feels like you’re part of something ancient and powerful. You’re not just performing — you’re carrying a tradition and sharing good luck and happiness with everyone watching.”

The brothers’ upcoming film represents a major milestone in their acting journey. Working alongside Harry Shum Jr. and Ronny Chieng — two of the most prominent Asian American actors in Hollywood — made a lasting impression on both boys.

In addition to their film work, both boys are active professional theater actors and have performed with respected Houston-area institutions, including partnerships with Alley Theatre and A.D. Players at The George.

This Lunar New Year season is especially significant for Sebastian, who will appear in the world premiere of “Crime and Punishment” at A.D. Players at The George, portraying Young Rodion Raskolnikov. The contemporary stage adaptation, written by Jayme McGhan and directed by Sophia Watt, features filmed sequences by Jesse Groth-Olsonand runs from January 28 through February 22, 2026.

“Being in a world premiere is always exciting,” Sebastian said. “It feels special knowing that I’m helping bring a brand-new version of this story to life.”

The timing of the film’s release, Sebastian’s world-premiere performance, and their Lunar New Year Lion Dance appearances has made this season especially meaningful for the Ramirez family.

For the Katy community, Caleb and Sebastian’s story is a reminder that big dreams can start right at home — and that local kids can grow into both cultural ambassadors and rising young artists.