Lion Dancers by Cai Tse

Join us on this very special day we celebrate the launch of Lion Dancers by Cai Tse, with a performance from her lion and dragon dancing troupe from the Chinese Youth League of Australia! After the performance, Cai will lead a little lion dance workshop, aimed at the children in the audience, as they clap along to a drum beat to 'awaken' the lion. There'll be opportunity for questions from the audience followed by a book signing.

About the graphic novel:

Former best friends become bitter rivals when one returns to lion dancing after a long absence in this vibrant and heartfelt middle grade graphic novel perfect for fans of Haikyu!! and Fence.

Young Wei dreamed of being a legendary lion dancer just like his dad. With his best friend Hung performing as the tail and Wei controlling the head, he knew they could become the next generation of lion dance champions. But after his dad’s sudden passing, Wei abruptly quits lion dancing—and his friendship with Hung.

Years later, Wei is stuck…in life, in school, and on the bench at games. That is, until he crashes a junior lion dance practice and feels his long-sleeping passion wake up within him once more. The team is happy to have another member to carry on the tradition, especially as one as preternaturally talented as Wei. There’s just one person who doesn’t want him there: the self-proclaimed star, Hung.

As Wei and Hung fight to be considered the top lion dancer, both will have to learn how to face their mistakes head-on and remember what it really means to be part of a team.

About the author:

Cai Tse is a lion and dragon dancer with the Chinese Youth League of Australia (CYL). She represents her team and country in international lion dance competitions as the lion tail, taking home two first place wins since beginning her lion dance career in 2016. When she’s not training, she’s making comics and running with her dog. Follow her on Instagram @ArtofCai.

Founded in 1976, Chinese Youth League - Lion and Dragon Dance Australia (CYLLADDA) practises both Southern Lion Dance & Dragon Dance, and have been performing in New South Wales for nearly 40 years. The troupe performs year round for Lunar New Year festivities, weddings, events and celebrations in and out of Sydney, and have competed internationally against the top teams in the world. CYLLADDA strives to preserve the art and tradition of lion dancing, while making it accessible for modern audiences, and encourages everyone who is interested to learn together.