The Tiger Dance Leapes In

The Year of the Tiger brings with it an exciting tiger dance.

Just as Tiger Beer has always been associated with winning, the Year of the Tiger is a year that is geared towards renewed prosperity, accomplishment and all-around success.

With the new lunar year just around the corner, one can expect the celebrations to soon intensify. One celebration that is bound to catch the eye is the tiger dance, which is making its début in the country this year.

Introduced by Master Siow Ho Phiew, the tiger dance will complement the other long-established dances of Chinese New Year, the lion and dragon dances.

So what is the story behind this new dance?

Well, it’s actually not such a new dance. The tiger dance originated centuries ago in China. It has a style and choreography that is similar to the lion dance. Tigers have long been regarded as a majestic symbol of authority and is sometimes even revered as a deity, being dubbed the “God of Wealth”.

Tigers are believed to bring financial luck, so it’s no surprise that the tiger dance is much sought after during the start of the lunar new year as a symbolic way to ward off bad luck and spirits, and to usher in safety, prosperity and a successful year.

According to one source, the tiger dance originated about 300 years ago in the village of Lo Wu in Hainan. The village was at the time ruled by a celebrated female leader, Madam Xi. One of the ceremonies conducted whenever the local militia was about to leave the village for an expedition was the tiger dance.

Madam Xi and her troops were widely praised for restoring peace to Hainan, petitioning for governance in the town of Ya Zhou, and bringing new agricultural technology to the village.

To commemorate Madam Xi’s achievements, the villagers later made a habit of re-enacting the tiger dances performed during the launching of her military expeditions.

As with the lion dance, most tiger dance performances feature a pair of tigers, usually with two skilled martial arts exponents operating each tiger. The tiger dance starts off with the symbolic dotting of the eyes to “bring it (the tiger) to life”.

During the dance, the two tigers face off in a mock display of aggression with acrobatic movements that mimic those of actual tigers. The dancers’ athletic prowess, martial art skill and coordination are what count.

Not surprisingly, the tiger dance is visually striking.

Just as in the lion dance, the tiger dance usually makes use of props such as pillars and platforms on which the tigers negotiate and leap as they spar. This year, for the first time ever, the tiger dance is making its début in Malaysia to commemorate the Year of the Tiger, courtesy of Tiger Beer.

Be sure to look out for it.

Tiger début

The tiger dance was brought to Malaysia by Master Siow Ho Phiew who trained the first troupe here three months ago.

According to him, “Before this, the tiger dance was not known at all in Malaysia, as we already have the lion and dragon dances. However, with the Year of the Tiger around the corner, it’s a great time for the tiger dance to make its début.”

Where will the tiger dance be performed?

The tiger dance is featured in a local Chinese movie sponsored by Tiger Beer called Woohoo! which is about a group of young men who train in the art in order to perform at a special ceremony held once every 60 years.

The dance has featured in a number of Tiger Beer’s Year of the Tiger launches. There will be more such performances in numerous locations across the country including Penang, the Klang Valley, Ipoh, Ma lacca and Johor Baru.

Is the dance being adapted to Malaysia?

“A majority of the moves from the tiger dance have been improvised. It makes sense for us to try new styles and techniques in the creation of Malaysia’s first tiger dance. If I only followed what has already been done, there would be no creativity or innovation,” says Master Siow.

o Tiger now sports a new vibrant look that reflects its acclaimed status. Tiger has won admirers from around the world since 1932 with its distinctive clean and crisp taste.

It has won more than 40 international medals, including the prestigious Brewing Industry International Award.

Genting 14th National Single and First Double Lion Dance Championship

The Video is finally out for purchase. Get them to spice up your chinese new year atmosphier
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Purchase them at This Link

News On Recent Genting Nationals Copetition

ONE would have thought that winning another national lion dance championship would be easy for someone who had 19 world and 10 national titles under his belt.

But Si Tiam Yong, from Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon As­­sociation Muar, begged to differ. The victory, he said, was an exceptionally meaningful one for him and his partner Chong Kok Fu.

“After two previous attempts, this is the first time we are bringing home the champion’s trophy of this biennial Malaysia National Lion Dance Championship,” the 21-year-old said.

This accomplishment might help him put away the memories of his bitter experiences at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands, especially an accident that happened in 2006.

Breakout!: The dramatic opening of the performance by the Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Association Muar troupe, which had the lion breaking through a cage.

“I fell from a pole during a practice session two months before the competition, and was forced to take a break for a month,” recalled Si, who controlled the lion head.

It was sheer determination and a strong passion for the art that had spurred Si for a decade, while Chong, on the other hand, revealed that he was addicted to the thrill of the challenge.

“I take pleasure from the audience’s excitement when they are awed by the new moves we have invented,” the 24-year-old said.

In the 14th championship held at the Arena of Stars in Genting Highlands last weekend that drew 40 lion dance troupes, the Kun Seng Keng team received thunderous applause from the crowd with its “backward handstand” move.

“The hind legs of the lion were lifted while its front legs moved backwards,” Chong said.

The other seven teams put up equally stunning performances in the finals, although three teams lost significant marks due to accidental falls. Nevertheless, all three of them climbed back up the high poles and completed their routines, to the delight of the crowd that cheered them on encouragingly.

Good coordination: The two lions of the Subang Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Association Selangor interacting with each other on the high poles.

There was also a handful of Malay and Indian team members amid the Chinese-dominated troupes.

Young Bakri Anwar was one of them. The 13-year-old hit the gong for the Petaling Jaya Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Association Selangor, which emerged the third runner-up.

The pint-sized SMK Sri Utama student, who had participated in three lion dance competitions so far, said he was introduced to the troupe by his Indian friend a year ago.

“This is my first medal and I am proud of my team’s achievement,” he said.

When probed further, Bakri admitted shyly that he harboured dreams of becoming a lion dancer one day.

Sponsored by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Cotra Enterprise, the championship was also the first ever that incorporated the Double Lion category, in which two lions strutted their stuff in the court simultaneously.

Albert Fong, the coach of the champion team – Subang Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Association Selangor – said the most difficult part was to coordinate the interactions between the two lions.

The team’s highly dynamic performance started off with the two lions breaking through a box. They then embarked on a journey in the “mountains” (poles) in search of the cheng (a flower attached to a pole).

“One found it and happily shared it with the other,” Fong said.

The three-day event ended on a high note with Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Senator Heng Seai Kie, Resorts World Genting public relations and communications senior vice-president Datuk Anthony Yeo and Selangor & Federal Territory Lion Dance Association chairman Leong Lik Thong jointly presenting a mock cheque for RM10,000 to the Kun Seng Keng team.

Kwong Ngai Lion Dance and Persatuan Seni Goh Chor Wushu Tarian Singa Segamat won RM6,000 and RM3,000 respectively for emerging first and second runners-up.

Article Pick By Local News Paper http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/11/25/central/5166519&sec=central

The Highlights Of Genting 14th Single Lion and 1st Double Lion National Competition

THESE IMAGES BELOW ARE ALL SHOT IN HIGH RESOLUTION WITH A NEW DIGITAL SLR, TO GET THE BEST QUALITY VIEW OF EVERY PICTURES, JUST CLICK ON THEM





On The Left, Image Shot with 50mm 1:1.8 Lens






The Preliminary 1 highlights

KSK Worship Altar to get blessing--------------------------------The Competition Ground

Kwong Ngai, Lion Tail Spinning 360 Degree

KSK on Fut Shan Lion Performance--------------Kwong Ngai Training After Preliminary 1

LionDonceFreak In Action. The one on the foreground not those 2 on the jong





The Preliminary 2 highlights

Special Thanks to Miss Amy Lu on contributing some photos to this post

(Left) Segamat Gor Chor (Right) Selayang Hong Teck
Photo Shot By : Amy Y.F. Lu

























KSK In Action. This time playing with new toy, The Hula Hoop
Photo Shot By : Amy Y.F. Lu















Chinese Sports Club Selangor
Photo Shot By : Amy Y.F. Lu

Stay Tuned For Image Highlights On Finals

Genting 14 National Single Lion Competition & 1st Double Lion Competition Preliminaries

Day 1
Single Lion First Round

Kee Ling Kok Lion Dance Team Final Score : 5.47

Pandamaran B Klang Final Score : 5.98

Nam Wah Kangar Pulai Johor Final Score : 7.62

Persatuan Tarian Singa Kin Cho Hang Kuantan Final Score : 7.65

Kun Seng Keng Lion And Dragon Dance Asso Final Score : 9.08

Jun Wai Dragon and Lion Dance : Did not participate due to injuries

Miri United Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe Team B Final Score : 6.61

Persatuan Tarian Singa Pemuda MCA Selayang Baru Final Score : 6.73

Pertubuhan Tarian Singa Bei Her Kota Setar Kedah Final Score : 7.8

Kok Hing Lion & Drogon Dance Final Score : 7.57

Kun Seng Keng Dragon And Lion Dance Asso Bukit Pasir Final Score : 8.81

Persatuan Tarian Singa Hok Seng Final Score : 8.62

Kelba Tarian Naga dan Singa Taman Aman (KSK) Final Score : 8.56

Pertubuhan Tarian Singa dan Naga Hong Teik Alor Setar Kedah Final Score : 7.22

Soka Gakkai Malaysia Martial Arts Group final Score : 8.12

Double Lion First Round

Sg Way Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Asso Final Score : 7.82 (Double Lion Dance 4nd Runner Up)

Persatuan Kesenian Gui Qing N.Sembilan Final Score : 8.43 (Double Lion Dance 3nd Runner Up)

Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Luen Seng Physical Culture Asso Final Score : 4.57

Kok Hong Dragon and Lion Dance Kepong Final Score : 7.75

Single Lion Second Round

Persatuan Wushu, Dragon and Lion dance Long Yi Kulai Johor Final Score : 8.03

Persatuan Tarian Naga & Singa Kwong Ngai Balakong Final Score : 8.95

Petaling Jaya Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Asso Final Score : 8,97

SUPP Miri Lion Dance Troupe Team C Final Score : 5.42

Sg Way Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Asso Final Score : 8.94

Day 2

Single Lion Third Round

Guan Soon Keong Hoong Tuck Lion Dance, Teluk Intan Perak Final Score : 8.23

Persatuan Seni Goh Chor Wushu Tarian Singa Bukit Siput Final Score : 8.80

Selayang Hong Teck Dragon And Lion Dance Final Score : 8.18

Subang Khuan Loke Dragon & Lion Dance Asso Selangor Final Score : 8.34

Pertubuhan Tarian Naga & Singa Wen Chin Kelapa Sawit Final Score : 8.63

SMJK San Min Lion Dance Society Final Score : 7.21

Kun Seng Keng Dragon & Lion Dance Asso Johor Baharu Final Score : 8.73

Kok Hing Dragon & Lion Dance Asso Kepong : Did Not Complete, No Score

Puchong Khuan Loke Dragon & Lion Dance Asso Final Score : 8.20

Kwong Ngai Lion Dance Final Score : 9.05

Pertubuhan Belia Hong Wu Selayang Final Score : 8.36

Kwong Fei Shi Ngai Lion Dance : Did Not Complete, No Score

Taman Desa MCA Lion Dance Asso Kluang Johor : Did Not Complete, No Score

Persatuan Kesenian Gui Qing Negeri Sembilan : Did Not Complete, No Score

Persatuan Sukan Cina Sungai Besi : Did Not Complete, No Score

Double Lion Second Round

Selayang Hong Teck Dragon & Lion Dance Final Score : 6.95

Kwong Ngai Lion Dance : Did Not Complete, No Score

Subang Khuan Loke Dragon & Lion Dance Asso Selangor Final Score : 8.74 (Double Lion Dance Champion)

Pertubuhan Tarian naga & Singa Wen Chin Kelapa Sawit Final Score : 8.36 (Double Lion Dance 2nd Runner Up)

Nam Wah Kangar Pulai Johor Final Score : 8.69 ( Double Lion Dance 1st Runner Up )


Single Lion Fourth Round

Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Luen Seng Physical Culture Asso : Injuries During Training, Did Not Participate

Lembaga Pengurus SJK (C) Pulai Tarian Singa Final Score : 8.61

Persatuan Seni Goh Chor Wushu Tarian Singa Segamat Final Score : 8.91

Persatuan Rekas Pasukan keselamatan Negara Malaysia, Cawangan Mantin : Did Not Complete, No Score

Persatuan Sukan & Kebajikan Anggota Rela Daerah Lion Dance Kluang : Did Not Participate

Final Participating Team For 14 th Single Lion Dance National Competition




























Persatuan Seni Goh Chor Wushu Tarian Singa Bukit Siput Final Score : 7.79

Sg Way Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Asso Selangor Final Score : 8.94

Petaling Jaya Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Asso Selangor Final Score : 8.96

Persatuan Seni Goh Chor Wushu Tarian Singa Segamat Final Score : 8.99

Kun Seng Keng Dragon And Lion Dance Asso Bukit Pasir Final Score : 7.81

Kun Seng Keng Dragon And Lion Dance Asso Muar Final Score : 9.24

Persatuan Tarian Naga & Singa Kwong Ngai Balakong Selangor Final Score : 7.69

Kwong Ngai Lion Dance Final Score : 9.22

Ranks

Champion :
Kun Seng Keng Dragon And Lion Dance Asso Muar Final Score : 9.24

1st Runner Up :
Kwong Ngai Lion Dance Final Score : 9.22

2nd Runner :
Persatuan Seni Goh Chor Wushu Tarian Singa Segamat Final Score : 8.99

3rd Runner Up :
Petaling Jaya Khuan Loke Dragon and Lion Dance Asso Selangor Final Score : 8.96

The Champions till the 2nd Runner Up will See All Of You In 2010 Genting World Championship

Images will be available soon. Stay Tune

Master Siow's Featuring in CNY Comedy Featured Film. News realesed

Master Siow play role as an 70+ years old man in the featured comedy film called "大日子" Da Re Zhi also named as "WooHoo" in English. Surprisingly, Synopsis of the story is basically not about Lion Dance but about TIGER dance. Master Siow plays a Old Grand Master who is a Tiger Dance Master who teach the art of tiger dance to a bunch of young people.

Featuring famous local Astro TV Station and MyFm Radio Station DJ and artist, Jack Lim, Vivian, Siow Hui Min..ect

News To The Lion Dancing Arena :
Subang Hong Teck Malaysia, A team founded by most of Master Siow's employees of Lion Dance Equipment WSH Dragon and Lion Arts we those who are also under the scene doing the stuns on the jongs and also those who contributed to coach the artist to do lion dance movement to apply them in the TIGER costume.

For the Fan Page on more pics for this Movie Click This Link

The Lion Arts Update

It has been awhile since the silence in the lion dance industry. especially in The Lion Arts. Just be back to bring some updates to my fellow followers. Genting Competition will be just around the corner. Tickets and reservation info at this LINK. Hope to see you guys there in the 3 days of exciting tournament.

On The Lion Arts side, We just announce our creative services. offering prints on shirts and pants, cards, flyers and many more. We also branch our creativity out to offer video services for troupes to actually to brand them self professionally when it comes to presentation on their troupe performance offer. We make your simple home video looks professional and more commercialize.

see more on our official webside click here