Chinese New Year Celebration 2003 - Dragon, Lion, Kirin Dances

農曆新年舞龍、舞麒麟、南北醒獅表演

To make this page more original, I'm putting both Chinese and English descriptions here.

Date: February 1, 2003 日期:癸未年正月初一
Venue: Richmond Yaohan Center 地點:列治文八百伴中心
Dragon Dance, Kirin Dance, Lion Dances are the traditional dances performed during the new year or big celebrations. The synchronicity and juggling moves of the performers are simply unforgettable. This is my first time to watch up close, indeed very exciting. Although there were a few rain droplets from the sky, the enthusiasm of the crowd was not affected at all. 舞龍、舞麒麟、南北醒獅表演是每逢春節或重大慶典中常見的中國傳統歌舞;武師的韻律和戲法實在令人難忘。這是我首次這麼近看,當然是興奮萬分。雖然有點天雨,但圍觀者的興趣絲毫不減。

The performers and guests are getting ready to worship with incensing.

武師和嘉賓們準備上香。

Eye-dotting of Dragon

可有聽過「畫龍點睛」,點睛是重要的步驟呢。

Crowning of Lion with red ribbon

嘉賓為紅獅的頭綁上紅絲帶。

Dragon dance

舞龍

 

8 feet tall fire cracker, and it's LOUD! Dragon is about to start dancing.

八尺高的鞭炮,很響很大聲呀!金龍快起舞啦。

Dragon, dragon dancing towards me now.

舞龍正朝著我走過來。

Dragan and Lions are dancing around.

舞龍和舞獅同時進行。

Dragon is resting leisurely.

金龍遊閒地稍休。

Vivacious Dragon turns around.

活潑的金龍輕輕轉身。

Golden Lion Greetings

金獅獻瑞

Golden Lion dances gracefully.

金獅步履輕盈,舞姿幽美。

Golden Lion standing on back legs.

金獅雙足而立。

Golden Lion climbing the pole.

金獅攀上高柱。

Golden Lion greeting everyone.

金獅拿著揮春向大家拜年。

Golden Lion playing up high.

金獅在高柱上玩耍。

Red Lion catching the green (lettuce)

紅獅採青

Red Lion dances towards the green.

紅獅緩緩步向那青菜。

Red Lion stares at the green.

紅獅定睛望著青菜。

Red Lion watches over the green.

紅獅虎視眈眈。

Red Lion catches the green.

紅獅採青。

Red Lion chews the lettuce a bit.

紅獅輕輕嘴嚼青菜。

Red Lion catches the remaining green dangling above.

紅獅採摘餘下的青菜。

Red Lion chews the green and about to spit some out.

紅獅快將吐出那被嘴嚼過的青菜了。

Wow, look at that stage of the Lion dance.

對於熟練的武師,那舞台難不到他們吧。

Lion Dances, Catching the Green

南北醒獅、採青

Northern Lion gallops happily.

北獅歡騰跳躍。

Northern Lion catches the green and chews the lettuce.

北獅採青。

Southern Lion joyfully greets people.

南獅向群眾祝賀。

Here is the crew taking care of the music. The drum and gongs are important to maintain rhythm and synchronicity. Of course, the drum and gongs amplify the festive mood.

怎可以忽略那些打鑼打鼓的武師們。鑼鼓的重要性在於維持韻律。當然,鑼鼓聲平添不少節日喜氣。

Southern Lion catches the green.

南獅採青。

Kirin dance was performed on stage later. Since I didn't get a view broad enough to take pictures, the lovely Kirin dance was not captured. But I can assure you, it's another formidable performance! 舞麒麟於稍後在舞台上表演。由於人潮阻隔,我並沒有為麒麟拍照。不用多說,你也可以肯定麒麟舞也是同樣精彩的。
My big bonus today was to meet the God of Fortune! 今天還有幸接到財神的金元寶!
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