On the first day of Chinese New Year, all the guests in Pan Pacific Singapore were greeted with lion & dragon dance performances and a live calligraphy show. I have lost count on how many years since I have not seen this traditional way of Chinese New Year celebration. Probably since I came to NZ 7 plus years ago. Of course, there were the rare occasions where we saw one or two lion dances in the yearly Santa parade or CNY fair, but sad to say, they were never good.
I really miss the good old days where the lions went house-to-house on first day of Chinese New Year. Us kids would always be dressed in our best new year clothes, waking up early in the morning, waiting for the lion dance team to come from the back of a lorry. Those are the greatest part of my Chinese New Year childhood memories. So imagine my excitement when I knew that there was going be a lion dace performance at the hotel foyer in new year day! 
So, off I went, first thing in the morning, anticipating a great show. And, I was not disappointed, what a great show it was. At around 11:30am (half an hour late, duh!), the lions came. There were four of them, all southern style (you can read more about lion dances here), but somehow three went MIA and only one stayed for the performance. The other three must have gone to other parts of the hotel. Anyhow, the one was good enough for me. What a great performance it was. My heart was all pumping with great joy. It was then, in a long long time, I felt the Chinese New Year spirit return in me.
(There was also a dragon dance performance but it was nothing to write home about.)
Hehe, feeling a little overwhelmed with nostalgia. Anyway, as you’d imagine, I took A LOT of photos, have to post them up in 2 parts. Here is part 1 for your viewing pleasure.
May 15th, 2007 at 4:57 am
cc,
When I was small, I always scared of Lion Dance. I would asked my mum or dad to chase it away. Or, if I was at my great-grandfather house, I would hide in his room. Memories…
Now, I take revenge everytime I see the lion. I’ll give a smack at the butt when I see it. haha!
May 15th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Kok
I have been strangely attracted to lion dance since young. Haha.
Wei, hope the lion won’t sue you for sexual harassment. Haha.
May 15th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
for me, i scare of the lions (of course is lion dance’s) when i was aroudn 5 - 6 years old, always hide under my bed when they come in our house during CNY.
Now i like it a lot, not the normal CNY’s lion where they go each and every house, but are those competition’s. Everytime there’s this lion dance competition i would crave on goin it, but nobody accompany me
sad..
May 15th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
I love your photos. There are so nice
I will post some of my nice photos too. Haha.
May 15th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
My my, what great pictures of the lion dance. Brings back good memories of when I was a little girl.
* sits down patiently and waits for Part 2 *
May 15th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
yipguseng
I love the lion dance competition too, never been to the live show though, used to watch it on TV.
thanks for dropping by!
kuanhoong
Your photos are very nice too! Will check back for more later.
Giddy Tiger
patient is the keyword here. Haha, have been lazy to edit the photos.
May 15th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
cc,
Hah? You serious??? They so fugly you also like mehhh? haha!
Sexual harrasment? If they were to sue me, I think the cow I milk already sue me loh. hahaha!
May 15th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
kok
Oh yea, who can forget the poor cow. Wahaha.
May 15th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
i miss lion dances too, over here also not so nice!
May 16th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Dong dolong chinag dong dolong chiang!! hahaha… i use to be very afraid of lion dance! haha the head is just so HUGE…
May 16th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Like kok, I oso very sked of lion dance wan, owes stand far far behind.
May 16th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
wow…. what a good catch on all the lion dance movement! U must b invest in a good camera! Nice review!
May 16th, 2007 at 2:32 pm
yeaa those were the good old days..wake up early in the first day of CNY and waiting for the lion dance
sad the tradition dies off while we grow up, now we only see those dance at shops or malls
May 16th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
I love Lion Dances but not the firecracker ceremony… one of the reason most of the time I forfeit myself from viewing a Lion Dance. I’ve got a very weak and timid heart
Comments by Kok:
Now, I take revenge everytime I see the lion. I’ll give a smack at the butt when I see it. haha!
To Kok:
Eh Kok, mana boleh lidat. So pervert one. LOL. But I had to agree… those wiggling butts does look cute and tantalizing at times. Bawhahahahaa
May 16th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Wuching
same in nz.
Davin
Haha, huge meh?
FireHorse
Aiyo, why everyone also sked one?! Haha
Jackson
Thanks! I was just lucky, to have clicked clicked clicked on the right time.
Huei
Yes, those were the good old days. I don’t know why they don’t do i anymore, maybe the angpao they received were not enough to cover their costs anymore.
Kleio
Everyone seem to be scared of the lions hor, I must have been a weird little girl back then. Haha.
May 17th, 2007 at 1:06 am
aiyo VERY BIG ar.. summore it moves so fast! like wanna Gubble you up! @_@ although i know there’s ppl under there but i am still afraid they would purposely knock you down hahaha (watch to much TV)*
March 10th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
lol…. so cute
CC: Thank you!