Putting on a show: Penang Hong Guan Culture Association troupe leader Law (centre) demonstrating some moves as the group prepares for Chinese New Year. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Their every step is precise, each movement an exacting piece of work.
And that means months of practice for the troupe from the Penang Hong Guan Culture Association.
“Our members have been training intensively to perfect their routines as it takes months of hard work to ensure every movement is precise and synchronised,” said team leader Law Choon Lim, 32.
For the past 35 years, the association has been an integral part of Lunar New Year celebrations, captivating the crowd with its performances featuring the lion dance, dragon dance and traditional Chinese drum routine.
This year is no different for the troupe as it gets down to serious business to welcome the Year of the Snake.
“We are preparing for another busy festive season. Now, we have about 100 confirmed bookings, though this is slightly lower than usual due to the short period after Christmas on Dec 25.
“Last year, we performed at more than 150 events, and we are aiming to meet or surpass that number this year,” said Law in an interview.
He added that the troupe consists of two teams, each with 25 members, whose ages range from seven to 40-something.
“There is a notable inclusion of 10 girls, the youngest being just 10 years old,” he said.
From the first day until the 20th day of the Year of the Snake, they will be performing all over Penang and parts of the northern region including Sungai Petani and Alor Setar, he said.
“It is our busiest time of the year but we are proud to bring joy and blessings to the Chinese community,” he added.
Law explained that the traditional Chinese drum performance was deeply rooted in tradition that brings the community together during the festive celebration.
But while staying true to tradition, the association has embraced innovation, as demonstrated by the troupe’s expansion in 2023 and the addition of two dragons equipped with LED lights imported from China.
This has brought a modern touch to their evening performances, he said.
Law said they also replaced the traditional “Pearl of Wisdom”, the large ball that the dragon traditionally chases, with a phoenix, a symbol of renewal and prosperity, as a fresh element to the performance while maintaining the spirit of the dragon dance.
“These changes make our performances more exciting and visually captivating, especially for younger audiences. It is a way to keep the tradition alive while appealing to modern tastes.
“We try to bring something new while staying true to our roots as it is a privilege to share our culture with the community and bring good fortune to those who watch our performances.”
While some may find the sound of drums and cymbals overwhelming, Law believes that it is an essential part of the festivities as the “noise” is a celebration of life and prosperity, which could drive away negativity and welcome good luck.
He said their shows are tailored for various occasions including temple celebrations, business openings and private gatherings.
