Chinese Dragons & Dancers

Established in Perth in 1995, the Yaolin Kung Fu Association presents the Chinese Dragons & Dancers act and has performed at thousands of events, including international exhibitions and training. Lion dancing uses a mythical lion costume worn by two people, drawing on the strength, balance and Kung Fu grounding needed to retrieve an auspicious object through a path of obstacles. A single-lion version tells a story of a lion searching for food and luck across rivers, bridges and mountains, built around stunts performed on benches and tables. Their Aerial Pole act sends a lion dancer to the top of a high pole, releasing a banner said to scatter wealth and luck, closing in a display of Kung Fu and acrobatics. A team of five to six drummers can also perform Battle Drums, a form with roots on the battlefield now kept as a folk art in its own right.