Robina-based Chinese Dance Group giving back to local community

Community dance group has fun, stays fit and helps others

Blending an exotic mix of Mongolian folk dance, traditional Chinese and Tibetan dance and ballet, Robina Community Centre’s Chinese Dance Group, is giving back to the local community by performing at aged-care centres across Robina and the Gold Coast.

One of the group’s primary instructors, Lan Gao, took up dancing just four years ago in an effort to stay fit, healthy and active while socialising with other women from the local Chinese community.

Lan says the 18-strong group has remained a fixture of the Robina Community Centre for the past four years, practicing their art-form twice a week.

“We put in a lot of hours to perfect our moves and get the timing right so when we perform, it’s flawless,” she said.

“Our dancing is all about flow and gentle movements that show the beauty of our culture through traditional dance and song.

“It’s a perfect way for women in the local Chinese community to come together and have fun while staying fit and most of all, being happy.”

The group performs at various aged-care facilities in the local area, including Villa Serena in Robina and Opal in Varsity Lakes, entertaining and delighting the residents with this stunning art-form.

Lan said the performances were a way to pay-it-forward to the local community while showcasing the traditional dance of her culture.

“We get so much joy from dancing,” she said.

“We have had wonderful feedback from the seniors and they look forward to our visits two-to-three times a year.

“It’s great to do something for other people while also being personally rewarded with health, happiness and youth.”

The group also performs annually at the Chinese New Year Festival and has applied for this year’s Gold Coast Multicultural festival in August.