Martial Artistry: Shaolin kung fu, wushu, tai chi, Chinese lion dance, draong dancing and weapons demonstration in July in Albuquerque, NM

Independence Day July 4, 2002 Sifu and Mr. Baca hopped off the plane in Albuquerque during the wee hours of the morning of Independence Day, anxious to snatch a few hours of rest before gearing up for the big celebration at Kirtland Air Force Base. We've been proud to sponsor an entire stage for this event for the last three years running, ever since the event returned -- due to popular demand -- from its regrettable hiatus. It was a perfect day. The grey skies cooled temperatures down considerably, giving us huge crowds and a comfortable time performing. With its undeniable family appeal, our kung fu, wushu, lion and dragon dancing exhibition was once again set up close to the Children's Area: a huge hangar filled with fun stuff for kids to do before the nighttime fireworks display. Some of our big "kids" decided to take advantage of a break between shows to run off and play...

When the senior student and the second highest ranked square off, you can be sure that entertainment is in the offing!
(above, left) No gentleman he, Mr. Shirkhorshidian goes for a head shot on Ms. Cordova. Ah! But Ms. Cordova gives tit for tat. *(above, right)* She ducks a later head shot and topples an overextended Mr. Shirkhorshidian.
	But, usually our team works together, rather than in opposition, as these photos here show. Talk about synchronicity! *(left)* Jason Padilla, Johnathan Padilla and Lan Nguyen form a perfect tableau as they perform Xiao Hu Que, or Little Tiger Swallow, a Shantung Shaolin form. *(right)* Our multiple-championship sisters, Lan and Nancy Nguyen, in perfect sync, perform triple tornados into splits.
Modern wushu stylists are truly at home in the air. *(right)* Amir Shirkhorshidian takes off in a back handspring.									Can you say "air"? *(left)* Jonah Donnarumma does a mile high aerial cartwheel.
*(right)* Whip chain is a blast, and James Cole's set is extremely popular with the audience. Here he does a butterfly kick over the whip chain. You can see the blur, but not the chain, although you can spot the chain's flag: it's the greenish colored swatch that appears to be levitating just left of center. By the way, ain't our new summer uniforms spiffy? A whole lot more pleasant in the heat than our monk robes! But don't worry -- the ever popular robes are still worn during our indoor (read here: climate controlled) and fall and winter performances. Don't forget to watch for them at our upcoming Second Annual Chinese New Year Celebration to Benefit St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital!
					*(left; below, right)* Our beginners, Lillie Vosa, Erich Vera, Albert Vera and Nick Montoya perform Kung Lik Kuen, or Power Fist Form. It's a simple matter to make one person at a time look good, but getting so many young beginners to be in sync and yet move powerfully, confidently and cleanly is quite a feat!
But, the show and indeed, the school, should be about more than the individual. As you can see from the photos, these kids put the "team" in teamwork. It not all about leaping, kicking and punching. It's about loyalty, modesty and harmony -- good kids having a great time and learning about the way society, ideally, should work: a rising tide, lifting all boats.
									State Champion Iwin White tries to sweep National Champion Chris Baca off his feet, while Chris dives out of the way in a monk spade vs. snake spear fighting set.
Told you we had big crowds. Mushu actually had quite a time trying to snake his way through them...

Johnathan Padilla, Jonah Donnarumma and National Champion Lan Nguyen confront their imaginary opponents with the dao, or sabre.
					James Cole, Jonah Donnarumma and Amir Shirkhorshidian "cut with palms in horse-riding step". From the International Nanquan competition routine.
				*(left)* Amir Shirkhorshidian and Reserve National Champion Monique Cordova with double daggers. Or maybe Amir's doing the dance of the seven veils... *(right)* State Champion Iwin White and National Champion Chris Baca in the lance routine.
*(right)* Senior Student Amir Shirkhorshidian snags some sky with the tornado kick.				*(right)* State Champion Nancy Nguyen "looks at moon".		*(right)* Lan Nguyen and Albert Vera land in splits!
		*(left)* Jason Padilla and Monique Cordova present the Wind and Fire Wheels.						*(left)* Li the Southern Chinese Lion, played by Lion Dance Team Leader Diana Ma and James "Sparky" Esparza.
Another "big crowd and Mushu" shot. That's little Squishy as the "pearl girl" -- still cute as ever. At 102, Lan will still probably be little and cute -- I just want to be around then to remind everybody to call her "Granny Squishy".

			*(left)* Chris, Jason, John, Monique and Lan with Xiao Huo Long or Small Fire Dragon. *(right)* Nancy Nguyen lands in splits in Hua Zai Feng Jian, or Blossoms on the Wind Straight Sword.
*(below)* They spend hours and hours every week in the wushuguan, training, teaching, watching each other over, and over, and over again. But there they are, still smilin'. From left to right they're Erich Vera, Team Mom Kelly Cole, Amir Shirkhorshidian, Lillie Vosa, Iwin White -- and the ever-enthusiastic James Cole, still oo-ing and aah-ing after all this time . . .

*(left)* Amir Shirkhorshidian, Monique Cordova and part of Nancy Nguyen perform Golden Phoenix Double Daggers.							*(left)* Jonah with butterfly twist. *(right)* Iwin in jump split front.
As always, we had a blast, and can't wait until next year, when we'll return with a bigger and even better show! Questions? Comments? Email Martial Artistry