Festival Dance 1: Slytherin: Chinese New Year Dragon Dance

The dragon dance will be in two parts. The first part will show all four dancers with one dragon (see stage picture below!)
The second part of the dance will cover aspects of the dragon dance and lion dance, where each of the four dancers will have their own costumes - two being dragons and two being lions.


Part 1:

The stage and costume:

~As flames erupt from mysterious surroundings, Fated appears, dressed in his festival suit and ready to join into the dance. He admires the large dragon colored in crimsons and daunting yellow colors. Flickering flames portrude from the dragon's mouth, as a low growl escapes its throat~

~Donning his festival dance uniform, he falls into slow careful steps as the dance begins~

Snape takes the tail end of the magnificant costume as Fated takes the mouth, the flames roaring behind them as the lights blaze, reflecting upon their dance steps as they mingle their way through the crowds.

Delta steps in front of the crowd anxiously and clears her throat.

"Today, we have gathered here to witness the Chinese New Year Dragon Dance. In China, the Dragon Dance is often the highlight of the lantern festival as part of the New Year festivities. The dragon, which might stretch a hundred feet long, is usually made of silk, paper, and bamboo and held by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets. However, in other countries and predominantly in the United States, the Chinese New Year is celebrated on a shortened schedule and the Dragon Dance always takes place on a weekend. Also, many Chinese-American communities have added American parade elements such as marching bands and floats to the festivities. Here, today, we parade before you the dragon - a symbol of power and might."

With Delta's words, Fated, Snape and Salazar flew into the air, turning their bodies in such a way that caused the costumes to come alive under the bright flames. Flames flew from the dragons head as the three slytherins landed perfectly upon the ground once more

~As the flames erupted around them, Fated danced around performing several flips in the air and then returned back to his spot.~
~He took the head of the dragon once more, as Snape and Iritzsipv held the dragon up from the middle.~

~Delta's words sounded all around them, adding to the intensity of the dance~

::Iritzsipv smiled as she danced underneath the dragon, it's beautiful body turning with gracefulness. Her legs worked in wonderful fashion, first walking like she was stepping to music, and then slightly lifting them off the ground, almost like a march. She smiled still as she could her Delta's voice mixed with the sounds of the crowds on either side of the dragon.::

Smiling, Delta steps forward once again to relay the Dragon Dance's long history.

"The Dragon Dance started during the Han Dynasty as part of the farming culture. Called the Sacred Dragon, the Dragon is able to move on land, able to fly in the sky and able to swim in the sea.This symbol of power and respect that was conveyed by the dragon actually caused the emperors of ancient China to consider themselves as dragons. As a result, the Dragon became the emblem of Imperial Authority. The Dragon, which apears frightening, but wears a kind expression, symbolises supernatural power, goodness, fertility, vigilance and dignity. Its many physical features resemble many animals including the horns of a stag, the head of a camel, the ears of a cow, the eyes of a rabbit, and the scales of a carp.

The Dragon Dance was widely taught by the time of Chun Chui, alongside the teaching of martial arts. Its place in Chinese history was solidified when the Dragon Dance team of the province of "Foochow" was invited to perform in Beijing and was highly praised by the 'Ching' Emperor himself.

Now, the Dragon Dance has become a staple in Chinese festivities and is celebrated and remembered by all of the Chinese people."

The slytherins led the costume of the dragon througha hoop of flames which sparked high above the audience, the costume glittering wildly under the lights as they bent and rose with the music and made their way into te audience

~They made their way through the cheering crowd, with their feet moving at a rhythmic pattern as they hoisted the dragon's head higher as it spewed bright fiery flames from its mouth for all to see~

::The progression through the crowd was enchanting. Everyone was cheering and shouting their heads off. The Slytherins felt glorious as they directed the dragon's body artistically.::

~The Slytherins were stomping their feet and dancing in step with the pounding of the drums.
~Hoisting the dragon's large head higher sparks and fireworks exploded overhead creating a magically enchanting show of fire and sparks as the dragon was moved around in a rhytmical pattern by the Slytherins~