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Red Doors

Lion Dance & Demo Team

"To spread the art and defend the cause are the duties of the Mi Zong masters..." 

-Prof. Chung-ho Sheung

Red Lantern

About the teams...

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Lion Dance

What Lion Dances Symbolize?

In Chinese culture, the lion symbolizes power, wisdom, and superiority. People perform lion dances at Chinese festivals or big occasions to bring good fortune and chase away evil spirits.

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The lion dance is one of the most important traditions at Chinese New Year. It is performed to bring prosperity and good luck for the upcoming year. The lion dance is also a way to create a festive atmosphere and bring happiness.

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Lion Dance Styles

The southern lion dance originated in Guangdong, and it is the style popular in Hong Kong, Macau, and the hometowns of overseas Chinese.

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The southern lion dance is a performance based on the study of a lion's behavior, with an emphasis on actions like scratching, shaking of the body, and licking of fur.

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Performances are vivid and entertaining, even comical. There are also skillful performances, such as playing with a ball, which includes swallowing it.

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At Tang Martial Arts Center, we perform the Northern Lion Dance because of it's ties to Kung Fu.

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The Northern Lion Dance

The northern lion dance has close relations to kungfu — Chinese martial arts. A young lion is performed by a single person and an adult lion is performed by a duo. Costumes are more robust, and less decorative, to allow for more movement.

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In the adult lion dance, the performer in front holding the lion's head is often lifted by the other to make the lion stand up. Northern lion dances are more gymnastic, involving rolling, wrestling, leaping, jumping, climbing, or kowtowing.

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Demo Team

The Demonstrations

The demonstration teams perform a sampling of our traditional forms for graduations, special community events, and celebrations like Chinese New years.  Because of the beauty, grace and power of Mi Zong Luo Han and Wu Style Tai Chi it is always exciting for spectators to watch.  

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The demo team consists of students of all ages and skill levels.  We perform group demonstrations where a larger group of students will review a synchronized form together, and then there are solo and two-person forms to show the full flavor of our styles.

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An added benefit of performing on the Demo Team is that you will build your confidence and focus by performing in front of audience, and for those who compete in the martial arts tournaments, that confidence plays a large role in how well you compete for the judges.

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Martial Arts Shrine

Requirements

It is very important that we perform at our personal best levels in order to show respect to our Sifu, our Grand Master Yip, our School, and our Style. 

This is why we must have requirements and expectations to guide us.

 

Start by reviewing the "Guide for All Students"

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Skill Level

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The minimum requirement to join the Lion Dance & Demonstration Team is white belt.  Since we like to demonstrate basic techniques and beginner forms, this is a great opportunity for newer students to begin working on their public performance skills.

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Attendance
  • Regular attendance to weekly classes is a must.  

    • We understand that sickness, other events, and vacations may impact class attendance from time to time, but for the Lion Dance crew and Demonstration team members, regular attendance is required in order to present our style and our school in the best possible way.​

  • Regular attendance to the monthly Lion Dance & Demo Team practice and training is required.  Since we will only be gathering one Saturday each month, in order to be a member of the team, these practice sessions are required.​

    • Again, we understand that life events happen, and excused absences will be granted; however, if there is a special performance coming up that we are practicing for, anyone who misses the practice / training may not be able to perform until the next event.​

    • When we have a big event on the calendar, we may schedule additional practice sessions to prepare.

  • Graduation Performances will also be mandatory.  The Lion Dance & Demo team will perform for the belt testing and graduations, and all team members are expected to attend and perform for the graduation.​

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Practice

As mentioned before, the quality of our performance is a direct reflection on our School, our Style, our Sifu, and our Grandmaster Yip.  In order to show the honor and respect deserved, all team members must practice on their own time.  Class is for learning, but we must be dedicated to practicing on our time away from the school to improve what we have learned.  Out of respect for the other members of the Lion Dance crew and Demonstration Team, we all must do our part to be prepared.

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Attitude/Spirit

The primary guide that should be used here is the school's "Code of Ethics":

This is the most important aspect, and it cannot be stressed enough.  This is not only a reflection on our school, style, and Sifu; this is a reflection on Kung Fu and our culture.  We hold ourselves to a higher standard and also remain humble.

  • All performers will be respectful of others

  • All performers will act with dignity and honor. 

    • Example:  if we make a mistake in a performance or training, we do not stomp our foot or hang our head.  We finish with a smile and our head held high, grateful for the opportunity.

  • During regular training classes, the performers are expected to be the most-exceptional students regarding attitude and spirit.  

    • When Sifu, Simo, Si Hing, or Si Jeh ​give instructions, sound off with a loud "sir"

    • When Sifu, Simo, Si Hing, or Si Jeh is speaking remain silent and pay attention

    • Remember that we are all at different levels of our Kung Fu journey, so be encouraging of other students and inspire them to keep going.

    • Performers are to be the example to all other students when it comes to following the classroom rules and instructions.

Address

5706 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34209, USA

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(941) 795-6986

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