After a nap, the lion is ready to play again, but the monk has left, leaving the lion to dance by himself before backing into the cave. Three times the lion disperses the greens onto the audience, giving them the blessings of wealth and good fortune. Sometimes additional greens are hung out of the lion's reach. The lion then takes the greens from the monk and eats them. When the lion gets bored, the monk teases him with some greens, which makes the lion angry, so he subsequently bites the monk. Eventually the monk tries to entice the lion to pray before the altar, but the lion has other plans. He wakens the lion with a drum and gong and they play. He lights a lantern, opens the portal's double doors, sweeps away the dust and leaves, and lights candles and incense burners. An overweight Buddhist monk enters, looks around and prepares the shrine. The Lion Dance begins in a cave, behind a closed portal, with a sleeping lion. In this context the Chinese consider the lion to be a peaceful creature, unlike the fierce tiger which is native to the middle kingdom. Although the lion is not native to China, Buddhists and many others use it to represent courage, energy and wisdom. At the Asian Martial Arts Studio of Ann Arbor, we perform the Classical Chinese Lion Dance of the Southern Style. People interested in scheduled performances of the Lion Dance Troupe should call the dojo at (734) 994-3620.Ĭhinese Lion Dancing has two traditions, the Northern style and the older Southern style.
Kung-fu members interested in participating in the Lion Dance troupe are encouraged to talk with their instructors. The dancers go through extensive training in the many intricate steps and body movements that form the basis of the lion dance, as well as the use of various percussion instruments and their traditional rhythms which accompany the dance. It must be noted that Chinese lion dancing is an extension of the Chinese martial arts, and traditionally is always performed by martial artists. Along with regular martial arts training, they join special weekly classes in the art of Chinese lion dance. Founded in 1983, hailed as "one of the five most prestigious performing ensembles in the state of Michigan" by the Michigan Council for the Arts, the Award-winning Asian Martial Arts Lion Dance Troupe is made up of members chosen from within the kung-fu program.
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