Columbia University Lion Dance for Culture Shock 2006

[youngyauchoy]

I found this disrespectful of the traditional role of the southern lion and the dai tao fut. Innovation is fine, but this was not very good innovation. Using northern lions, which don't have the same traditional meanings, would have been less problematic, though I still don't think I would have liked it much.

The other problem is just that there wasn't much skill in the performance anyway. Outside of obvious the shock value, it was pretty boring. Maybe your regular performances are better.

[charliez83]

Tradition vs innovation? Not sure why some think that 'Lion Sleep Tonight' is a bad song. Pretty cool, I think. Although, dancing using JT's 'Sexy Back' with the lion dance is a great idea, however, I think the group should actually integrate the traditional art and the modern art, not dancing in a 'costume'. It seems to mock the whole idea of lion dance. Can't blame people for taking it as an insult to the art.

[p4intb4ller]

im not going to blame this bastardization on anyone. wat's done is done. Even though lion dancing, is considered an art there are still traditional codes that must be acknowledged. I am not here, nor do i have the authority, to flame on anyone, but i do hope this group may consider revising certain elements of there show.

[FruityPandas]

I love how the guys whose name is "Wing Chun is Gay" is lecturing me on respect? At least, I'm a Taoist and have studied Taoism for years.

At least I don't tell you you don't know shit about Wing Chun and that you should shut the hell up.

I'm more respectful that that.

lol

[kcsliondance]

wht the hell!they are spoiling th art...

[FruityPandas]

If you all are so angry about the "disrepect," then don't blame us. Blame the people who people who put on the show and ask us to do it.

Seeing as how popular this act is and seeing how more than a handful of lion dance groups have thought this was clever and interesting and not disrepectful, I wonder how much this little segment in the REST of the peice (which is always traditional) is "spoiling the art."

[otautahilion]

It is definitely unconventional...very interesting! If you had used a woman mask then you won't have got much flak as it would definitely be more appropriate. It is good to see young people getting involve in Lion dance & trying to find their own way & interpreting it. However while inovation is goos you should always strive to improve your skills too.

[lopchurng]

It's a shame that some lion dancing has come to this.

[dchan51091]

Very disgraceful...music is not suppose 2 b african...THIS IS CHINA...disgracing and misinterperting the chinese tradtion and art.

[dream8girl]

I don't mind the dislikes against the video, but at least criticize it properly. The music, first of all, is from a Taiwanese comedian and from Justin Timberlake - both who I would call far from "African". Even if it were African, isn't it nice to incorporate some new beats? To add to it all, the performance was in NYC, not in China. We're a school group - we haven't gotten to the genting poles yet. As for the non-genting, i understand why you might be hating on our performance.

[minivan81]

That might.. have been entertaining, but it was total disrespect to the art of lion dancing.

[minivan81]

That might... have been entertaining, but it was also total disrespect to the art of lion dancing.

[neva2muchrice]

That was a total disrespect for the Dai Tao Fut. It might have been okay without the Dai Tao Fut head. I like the fact that it was choreographed but that was no where near traditional. Don't mean to offend someone but isn't a Culture Shock mean presenting Asian culture in America and not conforming to it? I have as much love for lion dancing as the next person so I'm pretty offended by that. Just a little constructive criticism.

[FruityPandas]

well...that was out of order...daaamn it

[FruityPandas]

The Tao is not "constant," meaning it moves, flows, and adapts; most importantly, it changes. "When Confucius went to Chou to ask to be instructed in the rites by [Lao Tzu], Lao Tzu said, 'What you are talking about concerns merely the words left by people who have rotted along with their bones" (viii). Confucian adherence to unchanging ways is ridiculous in the eyes of Lao Tzu.

[XReflection]

That..was retarded.

[FruityPandas]

hmm like you, maybe?

[XReflection]

Yea, maybe...Not. This is the worst Lion Dance Show I've ever seen in my life. I find it rather disrespectful in a sense to Traditional Lion Dance.

[FruityPandas]

Well, we've got Lao Tzu on our side when it comes to sticking to antiquity and being judgmental and stuck in old ways.

Talk about disrespect... I'm not sure you should be an authority on that since you're the one throwing around "that's retarded." hah

Not that I should have to defend the group, but this is the one "non-traditional" show we do every year for Columbia among many many traditional performances.

Sorry that your rectitude doesn't allow you to have fun.

[wolfrainxd]

LOL you guys are funny