The dancers who are a roaring success at Lunar New Year

They make it look easy with their cheerful energy, but across Melbourne, lion dance teams are working hard this Lunar New Year period.

They are in high demand, zipping around town to perform blessing ceremonies at a dizzying array of shops, aged care homes and temples.

Eadie Mae Parsons, 3, watching a lion dance at Spencer Outlet Centre with grandparents Meredith and Adrian Parsons.Credit: Eddie Jim

On Tuesday, Lunar New Year’s Eve, one of the busiest crews dazzled shoppers and retailers who patted the colourful “lions” and took selfies with them at the Spencer Outlet Centre in Docklands.

Drums and cymbals reverberated down the corridors, although one shopper watched unfazed from a massage chair as the throng from the Australian Zhong Hua Qun Yi Lion Dance Association passed by.

Lion dance blessings are booked to banish evil spirits and bestow good luck for the coming year.

Ellie Weng, originally from China, is the manager of the Asian grocery store Pantre and said the lion dance blessing got her into the spirit of Lunar New Year. She said it would bring good luck and fortune, which can refer to money but also includes health, happiness and family reunions.

Adrian and Meredith Parsons said their granddaughter Eadie Mae, 3, had asked to see a live lion dance after seeing them online, and she loved watching a routine in front of the TK Maxx department store in the shopping centre.

Staying zen: A woman in a massage chair watches lion dancers pass.Credit: Eddie Jim

“A couple of the lions got up close to her and shook her hand,” Adrian said. “They made her feel special. She was laughing and dancing to the beat.”

This dance team had a gruelling schedule of 15 gigs on Tuesday, finishing after midnight at a temple, and had another 15 gigs scheduled on Wednesday, New Year’s Day.

One of the crew’s leaders, Charles Vuong, born in Australia to ethnic Chinese parents from Vietnam, said he didn’t mind taking a week of annual leave “to celebrate and enjoy the culture”.

“There’s satisfaction at seeing people’s smiles, seeing their faces light up,” Vuong said.

He said his group was not for profit.

The dancers don’t get paid, but clients pay a fee, which can range from $800 to $2000, that goes towards costs such as equipment, fuel and food.

Carmen Lau, events co-ordinator of the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne, said her group’s dancers were also volunteers and income from lion dance blessings helped fund activities such as martial arts, dragon boat races and soccer teams.

City crew: The Australian Zhong Hua Qun Yi Lion Dance Association in Spencer Street with one of the leaders, Charles Vuong, kneeling at front right.Credit: Eddie Jim

The dancers welcomed the Year of the Snake, which in Chinese astrology represents transformation, renewal and spiritual growth. The snake sign is also associated with wisdom, intelligence, creativity and resourcefulness.

The Chinese Lunar New Year festival in Melbourne’s Chinatown will take place in Little Bourke Street and surrounds this Sunday from 10am to 8pm.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece said more than 200,000 people were expected to cheer on the Millenium Dragon Parade, dance alongside the lions and enjoy traditional Asian delicacies.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.