MGM Macau to Host International Lion Dance Championship on 20 and 21 August

MGM Macau will host the 2nd “MGM Macau International Lion Dance Championship” on 20 and 21 August 2011 at Grande Praça.

With the slogan “The Leading Lion Reaching New Heights”, MGM has invited 10 prominent lion dance troupes from all over the world to compete for the Championship.

The 10 lion dance troupes are from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, U.S.A., Hong Kong and Macau SAR, all of whom are the creme de la creme of their own region, including last year’s champion Singapore Long Tian Pugilistic Dragon and Lion Dance Group, the first runner-up of last year’s competition Macau Associação Desportiva e Recreativa Hong Vai, the 40-time international winner Malaysia Kun Seng Keng Lion and Dragon Dance Association, celebrated Hong Kong Ha Hon Hung Sports Association, Chinese Taipei Wenyang Dragon and Lion Dance Association, Guangdong Zhongshan Technicians College Neon Dragon and Lion Association, Thailand KhonKaen Dragon and Lion Athletic Association, U.S.A. Wah Ngai Lion Dance Association, Vietnam Doan Truong Doan Lan Su Rong Nhon Nghia Duong and Macau Clube Desportivo Wai Ieong.

All participating teams will be required to finish different themed forms of movement in 10 minutes to demonstrate vivid gestures and expressions of the lion. The judging criteria will follow international rules and regulations, and based on the difficulty of the footwork, as well as coordination between the lion and the music. Each team’s final score will be the average of the scores from both 20 and 21 August.

The champion, the first and second runners-up will receive cash prizes of 50,000, 30,000 and 20,000 patacas and tailor-made trophies, respectively. The remaining teams will each be awarded an 8,000 patacas cash prize and trophies.

This year’s event has introduced new programs including the first-ever Female Lion Dance Performance Competition, Creative Lion in Style, Fun-filled MGM Macau Lion Dance iPhone App with attractive lucky draw prizes.

Five female lion dance troupes from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau SAR are definitely one of the new highlights of the event.

Riding on the success of the Guinness World Record “The Largest Dancing Lion” in 2010, new and contemporary elements have also been added to the event and this year MGM is presenting two exclusive lions specially designed with brand elements in style. The MGM lions will be presented during the competition in a special performance.

The competition is organized by MGM Macau with the support of Macau Government Tourist Office and Macau Sport Development Board. The judging panel is supported by representatives of Wushu General Association of Macau.

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