Learning the moves and secret language used by Chinese lion dancers around the world was all part of the ‘‘how to become a lion dancer’’ workshop held last week in Lawrence. Ten children from the area took part in the first of three workshop sessions conducted at the St John rooms, under the tutorage of Lisa Hanson, of the Otago Southland Chinese Association’s Dunedin lion dancers group. Tutor Lisa Hanson, of the Otago Southland Chinese Association’s Dunedin lion dancers group, checks on Kendal Homer (8) as she learns how to handle Leonora the lion and move like a Chinese lion dancer in Lawrence last week. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVEFunded by the Creative Communities Scheme, the workshops will be spread out over the year to give as many children as possible the chance to discover lion dancing. Heath Little (10, left) and Tom Ponsonby (9) have fun with large cymbals at the Chinese lion dancing training they attended in Lawrence last week.PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE‘‘We are hoping to have Leonora, our new community purchased Chinese lion, parade with Jimmy our Chinese dragon at the upcoming lantern parade later in the year,’’ she said.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 30, 2021 16:30 UTC