The Zhong Yi Kung Fu Association Lion & Dragon Dance Troupe has performed Lion & Dragon Dances for Chinese New Year, Grand Openings of businesses, weddings and festivals throughout Madison, surrounding areas and many parts of Wisconsin.

What is Lion Dance (舞獅)?

Many people look at martial arts and see the students learning kicking, punching, and fighting applications and they think that is all there is. Many students of the traditional Chinese martial arts styles are often drawn to the arts because of the beauty, grace, and power of the weapons and empty hand forms. Students of traditional Chinese martial arts styles not only learn the martial part of their art (Wu - 武), but also the civil part with many traditions and customs (Wen - 文). Often this takes the form of the student seeking the knowledge of the culture that inspired the art that they now study. Another way that Kung Fu students are able to learn the civil aspect of their art is through Lion Dancing, which should not be confused with Dragon Dancing.

The ZYKFA also offers its youth members the opportunity to learn Dragon Dance. The Dragon Dance is performed by a group, holding poles under the body of the dragon, and performs intricate routines and formations with the dragon body as it chases a pearl (handled by another performer). The ZYKFA currently has a youth size five person dragon.

The Lion & Dragon Dance classes taught at the ZYKFA offers a great way for students to work on stances, fluid power, and expressing their creativity. The Nature of Lion & Dragon Dancing helps build a strong sense of belonging, both in the school and with the community at large. It takes many people to perform the dance; the musicians, the Lion, the Dragon, the Monk and others must interplay with military precision.  The Lion & Dragon Dances are performed at grand openings and special events to bring luck to the event and start it off with a bang, that is why the most common time to see a Lion Dance is during Chinese New Year celebration.

Here are some events Zhong Yi Lion Dance Troupe has performed in:

• Elvehjem Museum - opening of exhibit "Masterworks of Chinese Painting: In Pursuit of Mists and Clouds"
• UW Dance Professor Li Chiao-ping's wedding
• Chinese Student Association Chinese New Year celebrations
• Tricia Yu's Tai Chi Center Chinese New Year celebration
• Madison Holiday Festival Parade
• Celebrate Madison
• Dragon Boat Festival (Racine, WI)
• Fourth of July parade (Racine, WI)
• ZYKFA members and family weddings
• Several local Chinese businesses grand openings and New Years celebrations
• Madison Area Families with Children from China New Year celebration
• Racine Area Families with Children from China New Year celebration
• Northeast Wisconsin Families with Children from China New Year celebration
• Henry Vilas Zoo Benefit - Feast with the Beasts
• UW Varsity Band Concert at the Kohl Center (as seen on WHA - PBS)
• Confucius Institute (UW - Platteville) New Year Celebration
• Opening for the USKSF North Region Kung Fu Tournament
• Prof. Li Chiao-ping's production "The Knotcracker" - Overture Center
• Dragon Boat Races - Madison, WI