Martial Artistry: Shaolin kung fu, wushu, tai chi, Chinese lion and dragon dancing and weapons in Albuquerque, NM: Making a Chinese Lion; Eye-Opening Ceremony for Southern Lion

Wednesday December 18, 2002 Between it being testing week and a regular school weeknight, we had a tough time gathering resources for this performance. But, with a worthy cause like this on the line, Martial Artistry's Team Steel Phoenix came through. Sifu even made one of her rare appearances with the lion dance team. *(right)* Danielle Stender and Lillie Vosa play the kung fu warfan.
		It was an exhausting night: several hours of hauling heavy equipment, by hand, up two stories for the pre-event set up (we were promised a cart, which was summarily shanghaied by another group who not only had less equipment, but who arrived after us), rushing off to take and teach classes, zooming out of the school at the last bow (many thanks to Ann Shubert for closing up!), pounding full tilt down blocks of city sidewalks from the parking lot to the Convention Center. Important Safety Tip: NEVER trust Chris Baca's directions. Unless you *WANT* to run a marathon... *(left)* Instructor's Aide Jonah Donnarumma side kicks with the monkey staff. The crowds really enjoy the high-end acrobatics of this kung fu animal routine.
Although the Convention Center itself left much to be desired (No carts available? On a WEEKNIGHT? With all the other exhibition halls unused? What's wrong with this picture?), the folks directly associated with Heathcare for the Homeless were a joy to work with. *(right)* Reserve National Champion Monique Cordova and Junior Instructor's Aide Danielle Stender leap into flying crane in a kung fu wind & fire wheels set.
		Compliments started pouring in via email the very next day. Martial Artistry's Team Steel Phoenix was praised again and again, and we were post-haste invited back for next year. *(left)* Kip, as the Naughty Monk, is startled to find just what snatched his hat.
Albert Vera leaps into the air in the jump split front kick made famous by Billy Jack...		... and if that's not impressive enough, look how he lands!
As always, Mushu was a big hit with the audience. It's hard not to enjoy a 5-foot long smile on a 75-foot long dragon.
	Reserve National Champion Monique Cordova concludes a wushu double-head spear form.		Albert Vera punches in a modern wushu Changquan (Long Fist) routine.
		That ornery lion stole his hat, and now that he distracted her with lettuce and retrieved his head gear, it's Kip's turn to get even by stealing the lion's meal.
It's just really not a good idea to steal a lion's meal. And it's an even worse idea to tease them with it! Almost all Southern Chinese Lion Dances involve the lion solving a puzzle. In this case, Piao Liang's "puzzle" is how to get the lettuce from that pesky monk!
		And here's how. Have a nice trip, Mr. Monk? See you next fall! And, by the way, you make a GREAT Barkalounger -- or maybe you're a La-Z-Boy.
The three phases of skyward kick with sole: 1) pull foot behind head 2) start descent 3) land in splits 4) savor gasps from audience.		Albert Vera snags some sky with the wushu jump front kick.
"Talk to the claw..." National Champion Chris Baca performs a modern wushu tiger routine. Kung fu is famous for its animal styles, like tiger, crane, snake, dragon, leopard, monkey and mantis, as well as some lesser known systems, such as dog, duck, toad and scorpion.
	Here's Chris again in Shaolin Shuangdao. He picked up this kung fu routine when Sifu dragged him off with her to train with the Shaolin monks in China.		Instructor's Aide Jonah Donnarumma does the difficult arabian. This aerial technique has a scary blind landing, so it takes serious guts to pull off.
		Oh, these flexible people! National Champion Chris Baca and Reserve National Champion Monique Cordova land in splits during a kung fu Mandarin Duck Razor form.
Junior Instructor's Aide Alex Daniels wheels across the stage in the back walkover.		Instructor's Aide Jonah Donnarumma flaunts his simian side with the wushu monkey staff.
Alex Daniels levitates her side kick, while lion dancers Kip Barkhurst and Kyra Gryphon look on. Now, if we could just get Alex to look at her side kick...
		Reserve National Champion Monique Cordova displays the drama of Northern White Dragon kung fu.
"Okay, guys and gals! Party's over -- time to load the birdmobile! Come out, come out, wherever you are!" Sound Goddess Dorothy Stender gathers the lion dancers. To home, to bed -- thanks, Team, for another job well done!