Wellington Chinese Sport & Cultural Centre

The Wellington Chinese Sports and Cultural Centre is a place rich in history for the Chinese community of Wellington. One of the objectives of the Centre is provide activities which will serve to preserve the Chinese culture amongst its members, promote it amongst the wider community. With this in mind, the following “cultural”activities are currently available to members of the Centre.

Lion Dancing (Childrens and Adults)

Coordinators :
Vince Sue vmyz.sue@xtra.co.nz
Bronwyn Tims btims@xtra.co.nz

The WCSCC Lion Dance troupe was established in 1999, and started with a group of boys who were interested in learning this traditional and popular form of entertainment. The boys first performed at the opening of the Speech and Cultural Day in August 1999.

  

Since then they have performed at a number of community events including the Festival of Asia in 2001, the IRB Rugby Sevens Parade, and most recently Chinese New Year celebrations in Courtenay Place in 2002. They have continued to learn the intricacies of this dance during the past two years and have made great progress. The boys are supported by a dedicated group of adults who provide the music. Recently the Lion Dance Troupe was expanded in include adult lions.

We also have Chinese dancing for girls and boys up to age 13. We currently have 3 groups of various ages (5-7yrs old, 8-10 yrs old, 11-13 yrs old). They enjoy performing dances at various festivals and events, particularly during the Chinese New Year events. If you would like to find our more about any of the cultural activites, please contact Vince Sue on vmyz.sue@xtra.co.nz.

The WCSCC Dragon Dance team comprises members (Chinese and non- Chinese) between the ages of 13 to 50+. The group have quickly developed an international skill base of this traditional art form and currently perform at various locations around the lower and mid North Island, and have also competed internationally with the worlds best performers in Hong Kong at the World Luminous Dragon Dance competition during January of this year. Having returned from this competition, the committee have identified an opportunity to introduce younger members into this art form.

Having a Chinese Dragon dance as part of the festivals (Asian and non-Asian) brings these events to a new level. It enhances and educates the wider New Zealand community about Chinese culture - few people have been privy to such intricate and skilled performances. For example the main Dragon Troupe have already performed at 10 public performances since returning from the International Competition in January this year. They have also performed at the New Zealand Chinese Association Easter Tournament Opening Ceremony and at least another 18 times by the end of April!

Eleven teams from 10 countries participated in a competition which included the very best teams from Asia and including one team from Scotland. The Singapore team were the champions on the night with two Hong Kong teams placing 2nd and 3rd. The NZ team exceeded all expectations by placing a very creditable 8th place.

There was great media interest in the team prior to their departure and upon their return as detailed in the table below:

Date	Media	Details
14/1/10	Dom Post	http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/3228253/Kiwi-team-set-to-shine-in-Chinese-dragondance
26/1/10	Radio – Radio NZ	Asian Report -http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/asian_report
11/2/10	TV One –Good Morning Show	Short performance and interview with the show’s co-host. www.tvnz.co.nz (On demand TV “Good Morning Show”)
7/3/10	TV One - Asia Down Under	http://tvnz.co.nz/asia-downunder/s2010-e2-video-3395198

Since their return from Hong Kong the group have performed and received numerous invitations to perform at events and festivals not only in Wellington but nationally as follows:

February	Wellington Chinese New Year Festival (finale for New Clothes event, street parade and closing act on Festival Day). Preview screening of Mao’s Last Dancer at Reading Cinema Wellington Dragon Boat Festival
March	International Day celebrations in Napier and Hastings
April	Opening for NZCA Easter Sports and Cultural Tournament 18 performances as part of the Miss Saigon show at St James Theatre
May	Opening for International Wushu show at Town Hall “World on Stage” event in Palmerston North

The exceptionally high standard of performances achieved by the group is the direct result of the excellent level of training that has been provided to the team as part of their upskilling for the competition, and their time and commitment in working towards this goal. Four training clinics run by qualified Dragon Dance instructors from Singapore held over an 18 month period not only trained the team itself but has resulted in a number of senior members in the group now capable of maintaining the skill level of the team and conducting training of new members. This is critical to ensure the longevity of the group and to maintain the skills achieved to date.

Audiences in Wellington and throughout the country have been given a greater experience and appreciation of this important part of the Chinese culture, and the level of professionalism brought by the team to performances at events has been be a major contributor to Wellington’s ever growing reputation as the events and cultural capital of NZ. If you would like to find out more about this exciting art/sport, please contact: Vince Sue on vymz.sue@xtra.co.nz