Here are some FAQ to give you a better understanding of the performance. If you have any queries please e-mail us.
What is the purpose of lion dance?
Did you know that one of the stories about the origins of lion dance? Mentions that in order to scare away the beast that was terrorising the village. The villagers banded together and created a costume to mimic a lion and created a lot of noise by beating their pots and pans.Nowadays we have a highly stylised costume, the pots and pans have been replaced with a drum, cymbals and gong. Therefore, the significance associated with lion dance is seen as dispelling malevolent spirits and bringing hope for health, fortune and happiness to an event or property.
What type of event is lion dance suitable for?
For all the events listed below. For a standard performance there should be a focus point or a proximity to the audience. At a wedding the focus point is the couple and the guests are close by, so the lion can interact with them. For example, placing a single lion in a large field far away from the crowd, is not going to be great. For that type of performance, it is far better to have multiple lions and/or props the lion can climb.
- Weddings
- Business opening
- Cooperate events
- Birthdays
- Anniversaries
- House blessing
- Product launch
- Parades
- Festivals
- Filming
- Commercial photography
- School workshops
How much space do you require?
An ideal area would be 5×5 metres, but we will adjust the performance to the available area. If the area is very tight, then there will be more interaction with the guests. Where there is an opportunity to perform outdoors, that is a good option.
Can the lion greet guests as they arrive at the venue?
Yes, it’s best to have the lion by the entrance. The lion will become animated and the music will strike up as the guest arrives. This serves three functions. First the guest will get a surprise, secondly it marks out the venue for those who are unsure of the exact location. Finally, it notifies the organisers that another guest has arrived and to be ready to welcome them.
Can we get the lion with the hanging lettuce?
Yes, we will need a minimum of 8ft (2 metres 44cm) the lettuce will be hung at the venue if there is a suitable fixing point. If not, we will ask the VIP or a guest to hold a stick with the lettuce suspended. If neither of these options are viable, we can bring a stand.
What’s with the lettuce and fruit?
The lettuce is used, as in Chinese the character for greens sounds the same as fortune. Oranges are used as the sound is similar to gold in Cantonese. When the lion shreds and throws the lettuce towards the guest of honour or venue, it is called being hit or covered by fortune. The oranges will be arranged in a fortuitous pattern on the floor, with the lettuce being placed with or suspended above them.
I don’t fancy being covered in lettuce!
That’s fine, just let us know in advance and we will present the whole lettuce to you.
What do I do with the lettuce?
Typically, the shredded lettuce will be cleared by the venue after the performance. Traditional Chinese households have an altar to the ancestors and the whole lettuce will be placed as an offering on the altar. Some guests have been known to take a piece and put it in their wallet for that day, in the hope of some fortune.
How long does a performance last?
Between 12-15 minutes,
I have a tight schedule can I get a very short performance?
Yes, we performed for the prime minister. We were given a total of three minutes to perform and exit. At a televised sports award a total of five minutes was given. So yes, we can perform to set times. If you are mainly looking for photographs or footage let us know in advance and we can adjust the performance.
How do we book the team?
If you can fill out the form on the “services page”. Please make sure you give a date, time of day, venue, so that we can you an accurate costing. If you decide to go ahead, we will send a simple one-page agreement and an invoice. Once we receive the fee your booking will then be confirmed by email. We will contact you before the date to make sure that everything is on track. You will then see us at your event.
Can we get a discount?
Yes, we offer a favourable rate 13-16% discount if the fee is paid 100% in advance. This means on the day you can enjoy the performance and we are not chasing you for the fee.
What form of payment do you accept?
Bank transfer, cheque or PayPal, if you want to use credit card.
Are you insured?
Yes, we have public liability insurance up to the value of £5 million. We also have risk assessments if required.
Do we need to provide anything?
It is customary to provide a red packet with a token amount of cash inside that will be placed with the lettuce.
Okay, where do I get the red packets from?
If you can’t obtain them, we can provide you with some.
Can the lion stay after the performance to take pictures with our guests?
Yes, sometimes we spend more time taking pictures with the guests than performing.
What areas do you cover?
Nationwide and Internationally.
How far in advance do we need to book?
2 months seems to be the average. We can and have taken performances on short notice. Our wedding clients book a year or two in advance.