Greetings from Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

We just completed our performances this weekend. It was a great time to see so many Asian and American people gathering in this city, all for a major exciting Chinese holiday.

I have some questions for all of you:
- In our city, more and more groups are forming to perform Lion Dance. How does your team/city work with the fact that there are sometimes multiple teams?

- Especially -- when the lion(s) go to different stores to "bie4-nein2" (bring good fortune & get red envelope), what should the different teams do to not "take away each other's show and/or money?"

- Do the merchants in your city mind that there are multiple organization visiting them? They obviously have to pay out more red-envelope money if there are more teams.

Thanks in advance. I will put more information in my website about the Atlanta cultural events & my own performances. When that web site is ready, I will inform you all again.

------------------------------------------------------------------
Lawrence "Larry" S. Lin, M.S.H.S.
Project Manager,
Enterprises Computing Services Inc.
(404) 722-2374 24 hours x 7 days anywhere
"Industrial/Systems tools, health systems experience, IT focus."
------------------------------------------------------------------

My Group just did the new year performances in chinatown yesterday. Here in Oakland, CA there are many other groups who come out to bless the stores. Although different groups perform on different days, there are sometimes more than one group that comes out on the same day. Yesterday when we went out, we met another group. But it was because they were performing for the new year's parade in which we also performed in. They first started off at the plaza in the center of chinatown and we performed in the parade a few blocks away. We ended up meeting that group at the plaza and we had to greet them with everyone dancing as low to the floor as possible and shook the other heads' hands. After doing so, we all bow at each other and then we continued with the parade. After the parade our group just started blessing the stores... due to the rain and less lion dancers this year, we all got tired really fast and didn't get to bless every store. The most exciting thing about it was that a picture of me and my parter single-thigh stacking and the other head shoulder stacking showed up on a chinese news paper today. I also had the chance to shoulder stack on my partner for the first time with the head when the other head was too tired to shoulder stack. Although I went up with the help of someone's shoulder and someone in back of me holding me up, I was so suprised I actually made it! =) I'm still a little excited and suprised about the shoulder stack, heehee. Well, I hope everyone's experience was as good as mine.

Dorothy

Hi Everyone.

Thanks for those who answered my previous about "fighting lions", in the group or privately.

I owe a little self introduction:
- Name: Lawrence "Larry" Lin, lin2-sheen1 ('woods', 'pleasant')
- Ethnicity: Chinese
- Home town: Taipei, Taiwan
- Current city: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Number of years: 12 years.
- Role: Drummer, head, cymbal.

There are many other things that I would like to share with you, but this will do for now. :-)

Back to the main topic -- will you please tell me/us about how your pass week's performance went? I really am curious how you did, and how your city's shows were different from mine.

I'll tell you folks about Atlanta's New Year celebrations in a later email.

Hi,

I'm new to the group. My name is Debbie (Kung Fu name is Iron Butterfly) from Tarpon Springs, Florida (near Tampa). I've been studying Wah Lum Kung Fu (a northern praying mantis style) for about 2-1/2 years. I just started lion dancing (the head) about 2 weeks ago so I'm really new. My partner Si is also brand new. We did our first 2 shows (as the back up team) last week and have another tomorrow. A friend copied me on some previous list posts which have been very helpful but of course when the time comes to dance we still feel very awkward. Our timing seems good and we're doing pretty good on the lifts (spider, thigh stack and sitting shoulder stack so far). It's animating the Lion that's giving me the hardest time! How often to open/close eyes, mouth and ears, angle of head etc. I feel so preoccupied with this that my mind goes blank on footwork. Sometimes I feel like my feet always have to be moving when I know I should just hold a stance and work the head. I know we have to practice, practice, practice but any tips would be greatly appreciated. Also has anyone used videotaping to see facial expression and did it help at all?

Glad to be on the list and look forward to the posts.

Thanks

Iron Butterfly

PS: Hi Sifu !

practice with prerehearsed footwork. So make up a short skits for all types of situations. Practice with mirrors, to see what the head looks like with every move. And watch a pet cat or dog for reactions of eat,sleep,happy,sad,etc.

Henry

On Mon, 2 Feb 1998, Lawrence 'Larry' S. Lin wrote:

> Greetings from Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Greetings from Switzerland,...

> We just completed our performances this weekend. It was a great time to
> see so many Asian and American people gathering in this city, all for a
> major exciting Chinese holiday.

I missed everything, since I'm in exile at the moment,... I'm from the Netherlands, but currently I'm doing an internship in Switzerland,... so for the first time in about 10 years, I wasn't in Holland to witness and take part in the Lion dance and New Year celebrations..:-(

I do know how things work in the Netherlands, so I'll answer your questions.

> - In our city, more and more groups are forming to perform Lion Dance.
> How does your team/city work with the fact that there are sometimes
> multiple teams?

Some time ago (a year and a half I think) a Liondance federation has been called to life,... At new year celebrations, all teams work together. Normally they all start at the same place (really cool, sometimes up to 12 lions and a dragon together), then they split up to form 4 or 5 groups that all walk different streets, and visit the restaurants etc in those streets,.. normally they take turns in blessing the shops.

> - Especially -- when the lion(s) go to different stores to "bie4-nein2"
> (bring good fortune & get red envelope), what should the different teams do
> to not "take away each other's show and/or money?"

As soon as one of the lions of the group gets the sign that it's his turn to eat (by one of the sifus, who all know eachother and work together), it will start with the ritual and the other lions sit low at a distance and watch. They are instructed not to do any fancy moves, so that the focus remains on the eating lion.

> - Do the merchants in your city mind that there are multiple organization
> visiting them? They obviously have to pay out more red-envelope money if
> there are more teams.

The way it goes as I just described actually means they all get to have several lions in front of their shop for the prize of only one... makes them happy aswell I guess..:-)

> Thanks in advance. I will put more information in my website about the
> Atlanta cultural events & my own performances. When that web site is
> ready, I will inform you all again.

Please do, I'll link to it when it's done.

Rob 'thanks for telling me about your new year celebrations, missed all of it...:-(' Teng

happy new year everyone!

i returned from hong kong 2 weeks ago and took someone's suggestion 'bout checking a lion head as baggage. i guess it worked out for only certain airlines. i bought a #3 multi-color with matching tail and pants for US$389. i kept the head wrapped in the plastic bag, but cut away the box exposing the upper lip and above. (i wanted moving support for the handlers, yet let them know what was inside.) United Airlines would not accept the head as packaged and then I had to sign a waiver stating that they explained there's no liability on their part b/c it's fragile. HK customs/security staff helped gather boxes and wrapped the exposed portion of the head and taped it well at the airport real cool of 'em. i was escorted by a customs officer to UA's oversize/oddsize baggage counter. i was not charged extra. they said at least my lion would be manually transferred vs conveyor belt. what a headache, but i guess the hassle was worth it.

helpful hint:
have one of the floor supervisors radio-in to the basement staff to watch for the lion head. it helped tremendously. in my case, she assigned someone to my lion for its short journey to the plane.

my group participated in los angele's parade last saturday. we got rained on. this saturday is alhambra-san gabriel's parade, which rain is also forcasted. next week is san francisco-- the big one. it will be televised nation-wide (mostly via cable tv). however, the local los angeles folks, it will be on KSCI ch. 18 at 6pm. i also plan to tape it on the tele up in sf. Fox network? ch. 2 @6pm.

how's everyone's performances coming along? let's all share the excitement after the push is over!

Hi all, Happy year of the Tiger to all of you!

My name is George Chan, of Qiao Yi Lion Dance Team, Christchurch, New Zealand. I am resubscibing on the list under my new e-mail address. I am presently in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia overdosing from watching lion dances.

Lion dance during Chinese New Year this year was just as popular as ever even with the current economical crisis, although the red packets were a bit smaller. Quaility and quantity has increased here in my town, and one group even has 4 lions performing together on the poles! I have just saw an article on the newspaper today about a resort in KL that invited 100 lions to perform during 'Chap Goh May'(15th day). The picture was quite impressive. It was on the net, but the picture was too small.

The 1998 World Lion Dance Championship will be held in Genting Highlands in Malaysia from the 15-17th of July(last reported). Best of luck to those who are participating(especial to Peter's group in Perth, Australia if you guys are participating)! Hopefuly I will be able to attend it as well.

I have just watch a children(8-10yrs old) and jurnior(11-14yrs old) lion dance competition organised by a local temple. It was fun, and some of the jurnior could even do the 'ladder' and bending(while in the ladder position)! I think it is a good way to promote lion dance to the general publc, especially parents and children. It is also a great way of getting kids interested in an earlier age.

Well, that's all from this part of the world for now. Hope to see more activity on the list and happy lion dancing to all!

George Chan

Hello all dancers,

My name is Peter Liew from New Zealand. I've been reading your emails for a while now but have not said much. I'm a Malaysian trying to set up a Lion Dance club at the Uni here. At the moment I've only one set of equipment. My concerns now is how to teach and organise a large group of about 25 people. The way I was taught to Lion Dance was not in a big group like this, and have not taught a large group before either. My other concern is how to keep them in. I'm expecting 25 people may sign up and at least half will slowly drift out, and about 8 to 10 people will remain who are strong and motivated with a "Lion Heart" if I may use that term. I have some ideas, such as:

Compulsory Kung Fu lessons, and or Tai Chi.
Pot lids to use as cymbals. (Try not to laugh)
A wok as a gong.
Big pots as drums.

Dancing footwork, headwork and routines are easier to teach a group of people than the musical instruments. The idea is not to have anyone standing idly and not concentrating. Although it is important for them to watch first, from my experience watching and doing are two different things. It is also hopefull that more heads will be available as the club is more establish. The basic goal of the club is to promote the art and culture of Chinese Lion Dancing.

So, if you have experienced a similar situation or have any suggestions to what I'm trying to achieve here please share. Thank you for your time. Good luck to those entering the competition in Genting. Thanks to George Chan also for discussing with me before.

Peter Liew

Hi Peter!

Congratulations on forming a new large group. Here are my advices:

= I see lion dance as comprised of two major components: strength and art.

[1]. Strength. Lion dance is high physical. Therefore, one part of performer training should focus on physical conditioning (pardon my choice of terminilogies... they are based more on western athletic training than Asian martial arts foundation.) Some of the training obviously will come from any style of Kung Fu. But other modern styles of training may even include:
- Cardiac endurance (running, jump-rope, rowing, cycling)
- weight lifting (focus on three distinct parts: legs, waist/back, arms)

[2]. Art.
2.1- Flexibility. Lion dancing is just like the name implies, a dance. Therefore, some degree of flexibility is required. This would included stretching that is already a part of kung fu training. It is usually then a good practice to begin a work session with some group stretching (kung fu, tai chi or modern stretch routines) (cover all three major groups -- lower, mid sections and arms!).

2.2- Creativity. In order to inspire the performers, build up their knowledge and help them to truly become "artist dancers", a training program must contain some creativity training. This can include:
- Watching experienced members perform.
- Watching instructional tapes.
- Assigned reading of books, article, and pictures.
- Watch other teams perform.
- Watch animals -- cats, tigers, lions -- in the zoo, on TV, at home
- Hold discussions.

2.3- Emotions. To move to the "next level" of performing, the ADVANCED artist must consider building up mental reserves for peak performance. This training can include:
- Develop cultural awareness -- with kung fu styles, literature, paintings
- Understand dynamics of "audience interaction"
- Work closely with musicians
- Develop some "back pocket" tricks -- be flexible to change performance at a moment's notice
- Meditation
- Build character -- team work, humbleness, communication, work ethics (good lion dancers can lose a lot of success if these are not achieved!)

= Specific Issues about a Larger Group:
- Some training can be done at group level -- e.g. physicial training, artistics development. There are some additional factors:
o Environment. Space, noise level, floor type, clothing, time, duration, sound amplification, equipment availability, temperature, etc.
o Content. Language, choice of instructional depth, terminologies, "home work", established curriculum, etc.
- Other aspects need to happen at an INDIVIDUAL level -- working with the more advanced performers, working on assigned teams, working for specific show events. You may have groups break up into smaller groups, which are led by more experienced members to further develop their leadership skills.

A complete training program will cater to all (or most) of these aspects, such that the limited amount of time and trainers will be deployed, in right proportions for each component based on needs.

Best wishes. Let me know if there is anything that I can add or clarify for you.

p.s. Like other performing arts -- let the performers know what they are doing! Video tape, hand-written notes or glass walls are all marvelous tools.

Lawrence "Larry" S. Lin, M.S.H.S.

Hello Peter!

My name is Paul and I founded the Liondance Troupe over at Brandeis University in Waltham Massachusetts. Let me tell you, pot lids are the cheapest and best sounding things next to the gong and cymbals. Well...my troupe (when we didn't have any money) used pots and pans and even a fender from a 86(?) Cadillac Seville. It was an interesting sight and the audience loved it. As far as advice goes for a university group, nothing picks up their spirits and motivates them to liondance more than knowing that they're practicing for an upcoming performance.

-Paul

good luck to all who will be participating in KL at the Genting resort. just remember concentrate,work hard and have FUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peter!

25 is a good group size.

In response to your query, the liondance troupe where I used to practice was part of a kung fu school so we had only the more advanced students under the lion for performances. They had the proper form for footwork and the strength and endurance. Usually they practice for 6 months to a year before to be the tail of the lion in a performance.

The monk was generally played by the most senior student present.

The newer students begin on the cymbals and gongs. The drum was for the instructor / coach. One exception was made for a reasonable advanced student who had a very good background in drumming.

Basic strength, form, endurance, stances is worked on in kung fu class.

Time is dedicated teaching the new students to play the instruments together, so they can all stay on tempo, start and stop cleanly, etc.

Next they practice basic footwork with and without the lion. Then they learn a basic scenario or story. At this point the footwork comes more naturally and they can concentrate on the personality and moods of the lion. Later, they can work on some interaction with the monk and the audience.

I have some video clips of some of our tricks with one or two lions and a monk at the URL:
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~lars/LionDance/
We usually modify the rehearsals for the students to reflect upcoming performances. E.g. for restaurants we have lots of tables and chairs, use sticks to simulate lowceilings or light fixtures, plus a few people wander around in the way of the lion as pretend waiters, drunks or small kids. For parades, we practice smoothly switching teams and signalling. And so on...

Lars

Hi Peter,

Well, I think if you want to keep them in, you must make them feel involve in the club, ie. give them some responsibility, make them part of the decision making process etc. However as they are be students do not get them too involved! Try to ask for their opinion on what will make them stay in the group, implement those idea which are possible. Contact them personally, so that it will hard for them to fade away 'unnoticingly'. In my club there are many of this 'drifters', one of them is an experience lion dancer. It was hard for him to accept the stlye we were training under. So, I guess you can only try as much as possible, and don't cry over spilt milk! At least those left will be the real asset to the club.

Our club is not linked to any martial art so we don't have any martial art practises, but we do have some martial art related workout for strenth and flexibility build up. The way our club practise is that everyone must first learn the cymbals, clapping with just the hands first. This can done in a group. Later, they can take turns with the cymbals. Those who can get the cymbals right are basically able to do the gong, so we seldom train people specifically on the gong. The drums are a real problem, even though only a few person(those with potential) will be trained on it. Luckily we have 3 drums, so we take turns. If not, a telephone book will do just fine. However, do not practise on wooden floors as it will leave marks!

For training the lion, first we train the steps and headwork without the lion head. This can be done in a group. Later we train with a practise lion without the tail, and finally with the whole lion.

In my experience it is difficult to have everybody doing something at the same time unless someone is always keeping an eye on them. This someone will end up with little time for their own practices. Only a few are so motivated that they will train by themselves. In some cases they will split into groups, and the'group leaders' will motivate everybody. Of course, upcoming performances are the best motivation tools, and also the best learning time. So it will be helpful if performances can be found or organized for the members. Well, that's all from me now. I hope the above is some help to you, and if you need any more help me and my group will try our best to help. Hope the see lion dance in NZ flourish. All the best to your club, and happy lion dancing.

George Chan,

P.S. For any of those who can read Chinese, the following site has an article on liondance every day(It is a Malaysian Newspaper, you will have to search of the specific article): http://www.rhmedia.com/guangming

yes, george's info is correct. this yr's competition is in malayasia. during my trip to hk last month, i had hkta contact the urban council regarding any lion dance competitions. hk will host the '99 championships.

let's meet in hk and have a mini-convention for ourselves.

Hi Peter,

Congrats on getting a team together. George had a very good answer. I'll just add a little.

Do you have a system for teaching? The old way of just watch and learn is not good for large groups. Once you have little snippets to do, drill drill drill. This is good for the group. They get energy doing it together and it teaches the fundamentals.

We do group drills (everyone doing the same thing) and line drills. (A set of people drilling the length of the room and alternating). Just be creative.

For the music. I'm not laughing at lids. We require everyone to be able to "say" the music. It is not enough to clap hands. For some reason, this doens't translate well. Again, drill drill drill.

Once you get a base built, then they can free style.

Hope it helps.
Stephen.