Lunar New Year Lion Dance Assembly

By Sarah McGowan | February 2, 2023 |

This week we had the most amazing guests join us in our 2023 Lunar New Year Celebrations. Cheryl from our Early Start program organized the whole school for a performative experience of a lifetime. CGS was starstruck with the group performance of the Chinese Lion Dance and a collaborative Wushu Movement Piece. We are so thankful for the incredible opportunity Cheryl created for our CGS family to learn more around this year’s Lunar New Year.

The presentation was presented by Wayland Li Martial Arts Centre which is an elite Chinese martial arts school based in Toronto, Canada. This world-renowned martial arts school offers contemporary Wushu instruction for children and young adults. The school was established in 1998 by Master Wayland Li, a former national gold-medalist in China and an internationally recognized coach. Over the years, Master Li has trained world-class, young athletes that have collectively won hundreds of medals in national and international competitions.

The Lion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries in which performers mimic a lion’s movements in a lion costume to bring good luck and fortune. The lion dance is usually performed during the Chinese New Year and other Chinese traditional, cultural and religious festivals. It may also be performed at important occasions such as business opening events, special celebrations or wedding ceremonies, or may be used to honour special guests by the Chinese communities. Our lovely Principal Marie was chosen to participate in the performance to bring great luck, good fortune and ever-growing prosperity to our school and community.

The goal of Wayland Li Martial Arts Centre is to train future champions and foster a love of Wushu (Martial Arts). Wayland Li Martial Arts Centre applies high standards to bring out people’s full potential by improving fitness, self-confidence, and respect. They have participated in many challenges, contests and world competitions for their specific crafts, skills individually and as a group. Their youngest performer is currently one of the top 3 best martial artists globally.