Dragon dance (wu-long) and lion dance (wu-shi) are popular performances during Chinese festive celebrations. Often the performances are a combination of acrobatic skills and traditional Chinese drums and bass (like a gong).
Lion dance is a folk recreational and sporting activity, imitating the movement of lions. As an important tradition in China, it is usually performed with the dragon dance on auspicious occasions, as lions express joy and happiness. A good performance is believed to bring luck and happiness. There usually are two performers who play the lion. One, handling the lion's head, leads the dance and shows the lion's emotions. The other plays the body and the tail. They hide themselves under a cloth hide attached with the head.

For over 2,000 years, the dragon has turned from a symbol of deity, emperor and imperial power into a symbol of the rising Chinese nation. The Dragon Dance , accordingly, has been elevated from asking for God and rain to expressing people's courage, pride and wisdom. The attraction of dragon dance is the swirling and turning of the dragon. Usually the dragon "chases" behind a large ball--which is supposed to be a pearl--and moves according to the way the ball moves.

Time: 19:00 on the 15th of May
Place: SCC
Price: free