Experienced: Eight persons for dragon dancing

Facing over a million people and under the lenses of the world, the dragon dancing lineup will represent China and Chongqing to send best wishes to the whole world. What is the performance lineup? Facing the approaching performance, the eight dragon dance team members (average age of 30 years) old are not nervous. Instead, they keep improving under the stress.

They are not nervous because they have participated in numerous worldwide and nationwide grand events. The team leader, Zhang Shunsheng, is the third generation municipal inheritor of the Tongliang Dragon Dance and former coach of the national dragon dance team.

Landscape Chongqing is to be integrated into 15-meter long dragon dance

Learning dragon dance from Tongliang dragon dance national inheritor Huang Tingyan since 15 years old, Zhang Shunsheng has immersed in Tongliang dragon dance for more than 30 years. According to Zhang Shunsheng, the team to perform dragon dance in America is not large, but every member is elite. All of them once participated in the performance of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and celebration for the 60th National Day Anniversary.

Compared with giant dragons at the Olympic Games and National Day evening party that are tens of or over hundred meters, the smallest Tongliang dragon to New York is only 15 meters long. The stage for performance at New York Times Square is only 12 meters long and 5 meters wide. Although the dragon is downsized, it is not easy to perform wonderful Tongliang dragon dance on such small stage.

In order to integrate the theme “Landscape Chongqing” into the dragon dance, Zhang Shunsheng has specially invented the dance movement of dragon boat race, in which the dragon body is transformed into a colorful boat and the sticks in team member’s hands become the poles. Accompanied by the song Sanxiaqing (Sentiment of Three Gorges), the dragon is like a giant dragon boat floating on the Xiajiang River.

In addition to the dragon boat race, Zhang Shunsheng has also selected the “back-resting ahead driving leg movement,” which is a very difficult movement in competitive dragon dance, reflecting the spirit that Chongqing people are not fearful of hardship and dare to overcome challenges. Meanwhile, the golden dragon winding column movement will also be presented to show the bold and generous spirit of Chongqing men.

Brand-new customized: distinctive Tongliang dragon that will go to America

How to let the world see a distinctive Tongliang dragon? In addition to innovative dragon dancing techniques, the Tongliang dragon and costumes of the actors are original and different from those before.

This Tongliang dragon is decorated with LED flashing lights for the first time that will spark silver light when the dragon is moved. When seen from afar at night, the dancing Tongliang dragon will become a glittering silver giant dragon. (Translated by Huang Juan, Fathom Language Limited)