Dragon Dance Performance

At 12.00 noon the programme started with speeches from various prominent citizens within the Chinese community and also the Lord Mayor of Birmingham. Sweets were then thrown into the very large crowd to symbolise good luck. As soon as this was done the alley to the Arcadian was filled with the sound of crashing cymbols and the beating of the drum as the Lion dance started. The Lion danced along the alley clearing a path through the crowd as the musicians followed behind. The Lion is believed to drive away evil spirits and so bring in good luck and prosperity for the year to come. Towards the end of the dance, the firecrackers were lit which produced deafening crackling noises which thundered around the Arcadian.

A brass band then took to the stage to play several tunes, and we used this opportunity to dive into one of the local cafes. Although the day was dry, it wasn’t brass band, but more like brass monkey weather. It was bitterly cold and we desperately needed to warm up and have a nice hot cup of coffee. After finishing our coffees we ventured outside again and bumped into the Lion dance troupe who were waiting to do a Kung Fu demonstration. Some of us knew the leader of the troupe from last year’s Lion dance judges course, and also from several dances we had watched during the year. I had a quick chat about different aspects of the performances, doing bookings etc which proved very informative for our club when we start to take bookings for our Lion dance troupe.

Several members of the troupe then took to the stage for their Kung Fu demonstration. The display was unfortunately very short and basic by comparison to our club’s usual demo standards. The troupe then left the stage and performed a Dragon dance routine. This was the first time I had seen a live Dragon dance and it did look a lot simpler than the Lion dance. Although the timing is obviously more acute with seven Dragon dancers as opposed to only two in the Lion. This display started right next to where we were standing and then finished by circuiting the Arcadian ending up on the stage. The troupe then led away the dragon while the lead troupe member performed a very good Tai Chi routine.

Dragon Dance Performance

Other Chinese groups then took to the stage performing Pak Ming opera, dancing, etc. After this we finished the day by having a meal at a Chinese restaurant around the corner from the Arcadian. The food did take a little while coming, probably due to the amount of people that had the same idea. When the food came it was excellent, and proved well worth the wait. We then passed away several hours eating, drinking (Chinese tea), and talking. It’s these occasions which I personally feel benefit the club, when the members socialise and become more friendly, which in turn bonds the club closer together.

We all had a great day and hope to return next year. Maybe not as spectators, it could be us performing and giving the demonstrations.

Written by Paul Burkinshaw
(Chief Instructor of the Sil Lum Kune Chinese Boxing Association.)