Ah yes, the joys of playing in firecrackers... I love it! No really, I do, but ever since this story happened I'm a little more cautious when I do it. I'll get to my story in a moment, but just a few things first: I lost a bunch of messages when the mail server at SDSU crashed a few weeks ago. I was able to get back all of the lion dance list messages to put into the archive, (When I finally do get a chance!) but I lost a personal message from Sifu Gobert Yeung, who led the lion dance workshop last month. He was asking to be included on the list, but I hadn't gotten around to sending in the message to the list server. If anyone has his email address, please send it to me and I can add him to the list.

Okay, story time! Brandon, Brian, Robin, Jeff and the rest of my "crew" - you guys might remember this one...

As the only lion dance group in San Diego that is licensed to perform with firecrackers we are in pretty big demand around new years time. A few years ago our group coordinator was late ordering firecrackers and instead of getting the regular strings of 1,000 small ("ladyfingers" we call them here), he was stuck getting the bigger strings of 2,000 which also included about 25-30 of these other firecrackers which were about 3 inches long and half an inch thick and would fly out when they went off. Well, like i've shared before most of our performances are done freestyle so the lion heads can pretty much decide what they want to go do. So smart me decides to brave out the firecrackers and go dance "where the action is." Everything was going fine too, until one of those big suckers went off and flew straight at me - it hit my "shock-proof" wrist watch and blew it to pieces and tore off the skin around my knuckles and some of my lower arm. It wasn't that bad - it healed in a few weeks - but sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't been wearing my watch! We're supposed to take off our watches when we perform, but I was in a hurry that day and didn't get a chance to do that yet.

Battle scars... I'm sure everyone's got a story or two to share. This is pretty interesting.

Chris

At 01:44 AM 9/3/96 -0700, you wrote:
>As the only lion dance group in San Diego that is licensed to perform with
>firecrackers we are in pretty big demand around new years
>time.

What do you mean by licenced? You have to be a "certified" nut to dance in firecrackers?

Up until last year, there was a 500 firecracker limit for anyone in Hawaii who had a permit to burn firecrackers for New Years. So before last year, all you could buy were the small packs unless you knew some of the many illegal dealers and prices were generally pretty high. When the ban was lifted, though, prices fell in some cases, about 90%. In the past, it had cost about $14 for a 5,000 string but after the ban was lifted, grocery stores were selling them for $3. Of course, that ruined the business for the illegal dealers because their prices were suddenly, too high to compete. Therefore, this past year at Chinese New Years, there were tons of firecrackers in Chinatown. In general, the Vietnamese, businesses burn the most. Some Vietnamese restaurants would put out two or three 50,000 strings at a time.

Since we're on the subject of firecrackers, if you want to come to Hawaii during Chinese New Years, don't expect to see the nice lions. That is the time of year when we bring out the old heads with lots of resin and fiberglass reenforcement. We do play nice heads in the parades because there aren't much fireworks there, but when we play the stores in Chinatown, our lion heads are our armor!

Sherman

well i would like to know who can tell where to practice lion dance in singapore ? Is it from cc or lion dance club

>What do you mean by licenced? You have to be a "certified" nut to dance in
>firecrackers?

hey Sherman & all!

Yep you gotta be a card carrying fool to do what I try to sometimes, but it's fun! =) All of our "head" players like to dance in the firecrackers - it looks impressive to the crowds when you can show "bravery" (read that as "stupidity") No really, We all started out as tails and performed for places that threw firecrackers under the tail for fun, so we just got used to the explosions up close. This new generation that didn't get to experience that is kind of chicken. Just kidding! no offense to anyone!

San Diego city bans firecrackers so in order to use them you need a "pyrotechnic operators license" and you need to pass a big test to get it. Ours is the only group to do this. you also need an "explosive device users permit" from each county you plan to use firecrackers in and "class C explosives insurance" before you can get the permits. With all the licenses, permits and insurance it costs us about $300 per location to perform with firecrackers. This is why the other groups don't do it. of course there's all the illegal stuff going on, too - but we've had people call the cops and fire department on us, so we make sure we do it all legally.

You're totally right about the Vietnamese liking to burn the most - there's this one place called Pho Saigon where we perform every year and they burned 16 strings of 5,000 last year. There was so much smoke the lions were invisible and so much noise you couldn't even hear our instruments. It was really crazy. That was one of the places the fire department got called on us.

Safe lion dancing, everyone!

chris

Sherman - you mentioned a little about this in your first message, but I didn't get a chance to respond until now. Our group is the oldest in San Diego and therefore we should have seniority. We do perform with the Green and black lion occassionally, but I don't feel that the other groups out there (especially the new ones) really know the history or significance of this lion. I don't know what it's like in the cities where the rest of the lion dance list members are, but here in SD a lot of the old traditions are lost.

Our group really hasn't been challenged in over 15 years - most of the groups stay to themselves or are on semi-friendly terms, so it isn't like before where (or so our really old timers tell the stories...) there were rivalries between all the groups and you needed "lookouts" when you performed. I can only remember once when another group approached with their lions while we were performing, but their Sifu waived them off before they got too close. I don't know if it was because he knew of our group or because he just didn't want to get involved at that time. I had seen them perform earlier and I don't think our group could've met their challenge if they pushed it. That's not easy for me to admit either since I was the one performing at the time, and (not to boast) I am considered one of our group's best heads. But be that as it may, I really hope lion dancers here can get inspired by what's going on in the rest of the world and really get going.

So, everyone else - what's it like where you are? Still have "seniority" traditions or has it all changed?

Hi everyone.

When I was doing lion dance in my part of Malaysia lion dance team are all "subsidiaries" of public societies( chinese dialects groups, chinese temples, buddhist temples, workers and sport unions etc) and schools. There is thus little "conflicts" with each others as there are very little things in common between the groups. When two different lion dance group meet, our common practice was to "raise the lion" to show a bit of friendly rivalry. Of course, in older times in China it was different. The only "respect" that is given to seniority we gave was to the unicorn and dragon (which were considered senior to the southern lion) and other celestial and spiritual beings.

However, these protocols are not being encourage nowadays as people are trying to make lion dance more acceptable and popular to all while preserving its identity. Thus, these protocols are "rationalize". Nowadays during the meeting of two groups each should pay respect to each other (irrespect of lion, unicorn, dragons etc). During the meeting, there are no "raising" of the lion, kicking legs winking lion eyes and sniffing of the back as all these are considered disrespectful. Any rivalry is left to the competitions. I don't know if these actions are considered "betraying" the old ways but I feel that these actions are benefactual to this art. Many in Malaysia is trying hard to preserve the art in the face of the rapid "westernization / modernization" of the country. They are also very keen to promoting it to others irrespect of race, nationality and religion. That is why many "superstitious" protocols are not encourage. I feel that nowadays RESPECT is the keyword.

Chris, when you say the green and back lion does it mean the one with the green face, black stripes and green body (Zhou Zee Loong Lion) or the one with the black face, green stripes and black and white body( Zhang Fei Lion)? What is the significant of it? In my time I was only told that the latter shouldn't be used for blessings as they look too fierce.

It is very interesting to hear from people about the lion dances every way and I hope that I will hear comments from everybody. I would like to discuss the tradition aspect of the dance. So hope to hear from some of you all soon!

*George*

Chris,

I guess you must be pretty busy with school. I haven't received any e-mail from the lion dance sig.

There will be a national kung-fu championships on November 23rd - 24th in San Francisco. I will send you a flyer if you will provide me your mailing address. Also the Western Canada Chinese Martial Arts Association will be hosting a tournament on November 2nd in Vancouver. They just sent me some info to ask me to help officiate. Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend as I have two local events on that day, including a self-defense seminar that I will be giving to two Asian American social clubs that I am in, one of them I am the current President (second in command to the CEO).

Take care and perhaps we will see you up here the weekend prior to Thanksgiving?

Don

Hi Everyone,

This is really for the people in the SF area but I'll make it generally available.

George Chan from New Zealand mentioned that he had a few Lion Dance championships videos that he was willing to dub. One setback is that they are in PAL format and usually unviewable in the US. Also, he would have to ship them from the other side of the world.

Well, I do have access to a PAL machine and I am willing to make copies of the PAL stuff. One caveat, since the PAL machine isn't mine, I would be making one copy from the PAL machine and the rest of them from the NTSC copy. Whoever owns the original tape would get the NTSC master. No guarantees for the quality of the tape.

Another bit of related news, I will be in Singapore in late October/early November. I will look for originals of these tapes. George wasn't sure if they were still on the market but he did give me the chinese names so I can look. If anyone wants an original copy (in PAL) of a certain tape or know of others I should be looking for, let me know. I won't charge a service fee but be prepared to pay for any shipping costs (from SF).

Here is the list that George gave me:

>
> Well, I got all my tapes in Malaysia, thus they might still be available
> there, but usually they are only on sale nearing the Chinese New Year. Some
> of my older tapes may not be on the market, and I think video no.1, 2,& 5
> was never been in the market before. However, I will give you some of the
> addresse of the distributers and revelant titles.
>
> TAPE NO.
> 4) Ching Lo Ching Gu Ser Wang Her Siu (in Mandarin)
> (Gold Gong Gold Drum Lion King Wish Age)-direct translation
>
> 6) Chung Guo.Guo Chi.Loong Ser Ta Shai.Che: Loong Ser Cheng Par
> (China.International.Dragon Lion Big Competition.Of: Dragon Lion compete
> dominant)
>
> 7) Singapore -Guo Chi.Wu Ser Ching Ing Whue
> (International. Dance Lion Group Hero Meet)--2 tapes
>
> 8) An Doe.Chu Ling.Kuan Ying.Meau.Ju Pan-
> (An Doe.Bamboo Forrest.Kuan Ying.temple.organize by-)
> Tee Er Ceh.Chuan Guo Ser Yi.Chian Ching.Sai
> (The second (time). All Country Lion Art.Invitational.competition)--2 tapes
>
> 9) Tee Chi Ceh.Wu Ser.Cing Peau.Sai
> (The Seventh (time).Dance Lion.Cloth Trophy.competition)-- 2 tapes

Wondering if anyone could pass me either the web site or mailing address of any lion-dance or martial art store that sells sleeve-less uniforms. Preferrably white or cream color with red trimmings. Thanks for any info passed my way.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Leon Z. Lee

Hi this mail came from singapore, a important notice for you guys who is interested in lion dance competation .

DATE : 16/12/96
TIME : 7.30PM
VENU : SINGAPORE INDOOR STUDIUM
ENTRENCE FEE : S$10.00
(ticket is on sell now).
SEE YOU GUYS THERE!!!!!!!

>Sherman - you mentioned a little about this in your first message, but I
>didn't get a chance to respond until now. Our group is the oldest in San
>Diego and therefore we should have seniority. We do perform with the Green
>and black lion occassionally, but I don't feel that the other groups out
>there (especially the new ones) really know the history or significance of
>this lion. I don't know what it's like in the cities where the rest of the
>lion dance list members are, but here in SD a lot of the old traditions are
>lost.

Dear Chris,

Hi and how are you! Does your green/black lion represent (Jau Dz Lung /Chao Tze Lung-Mandarin) or (Jew Gee Lung-Cantonese) who was the fourth famous brother in the story of the The Romance of the Three Kingdoms? If this is the case, then would your green/black lion offer first respects to multi-colored lions, red/black lions, and black/white lions regardless of other clubs' seniority (representing Jew Gee Lung's respect for his elder brothers in the story), or would your green/black lion wait for a younger club to begin paying respects even if they danced a "senior" multi-colored white bearded lion?

I've never heard an answer to this question, because it just occured to me while reading your email. Does anyone else have any insights?

Sun neen is coming! Have fun everyone!

>Dear Chris,
>Hi and how are you! Does your green/black lion represent (Jau Dz Lung /Chao
>Tze Lung-Mandarin) or (Jew Gee Lung-Cantonese) who was the fourth famous
>brother in the story of the The Romance of the Three Kingdoms? If this is
>the case, then would your green/black lion offer first respects to
>multi-colored lions, red/black lions, and black/white lions regardless of
>other clubs' seniority (representing Jew Gee Lung's respect for his elder
>brothers in the story), or would your green/black lion wait for a younger
>club to begin paying respects even if they danced a "senior" multi-colored
>white bearded lion?

I find it interesting you mention the story. Here in Hawaii, we have a society called Lung Kong Kung Shaw. This organization is a family organization built on the story of the four brothers and its members consist of people with the last names Lau, Kwan, Cheong, and Chao(or variations of those pernunciations). In Lung Kong, they always order lions in multiples of four. They have their annual banquet on April 4 (4/4) every year. Traditionally, they had a different color lion for each brother. I think they were green, red, black, and white. Although I'm not sure of all the colors, I'm pretty positive that some of my elders have told me that the white represents the Chao (Chu). I'm not to up on Lung Kong's history but I do find it neat that you mention the story. Do you know of other groups that base on the four?

Also, on another note, Dr. Hu will be making a stop in Hawaii in October. We're pretty excited here!

--Sherman

>I find it interesting you mention the story. Here in Hawaii, we have a
>society called Lung Kong Kung Shaw. This organization is a family
>organization built on the story of the four brothers and its members consist
>of people with the last names Lau, Kwan, Cheong, and Chao(or variations of
>those pernunciations). In Lung Kong, they always order lions in multiples
>of four. They have their annual banquet on April 4 (4/4) every year.
>Traditionally, they had a different color lion for each brother. I think
>they were green, red, black, and white. Although I'm not sure of all the
>colors, I'm pretty positive that some of my elders have told me that the
>white represents the Chao (Chu). I'm not to up on Lung Kong's history but I
>do find it neat that you mention the story. Do you know of other groups
>that base on the four?
>
>Also, on another note, Dr. Hu will be making a stop in Hawaii in October.
>We're pretty excited here!
>
>--Sherman

Dear Sherman,

A long time ago, I once saw a lion performance by a mainland branch of the Low Gwan Cheung Jew Family Association. It was in San Francisco's Chinatown, but the group may have been from Los Angeles. They used the rainbow white haired lion to represent Low Bei, the red/black lion to represent Gwan Gung, and the black/white lion to represent Cheung Fei. No surprises there, but they used a yellow lion with black hair to represent Chao Tze Lung instead of the green/black lion. I've asked around, and I get different answers-I've even read that the yellow/black lion represents Huang Chung, another one of the "Five Tiger Generals" (with Ma Chao being the fifth-anyone know what color?).

I hope all the symbolism and cultural references in lion dancing don't get lost. Anyone ever heard of one of the performances by this association where each lion performs in front of a seated martial artist who represents that character that the lion represents? After each lion takes a turn dancing and serving tea to his respective namesake, the martial artist performs with that character's favorite weapon. Too bad we don't get to see any performances like that anymore. Many clubs here in the San Francisco area are concentrating on and improving their tournament style lion dancing, and a lot of the traditional kinds of puzzle-solving, cultural rebus lion dancing are becoming more and more rare.

Corey