Hey gang, Although our group has been acquainted with the PA Taiji
Teacher's association for nearly 5 years, this was the first
oppritunity I've had to finally attend the dinner banquet I've heard
so much about. Claudia and Jim joined me for the night's fun. I was
afraid there would be problems getting downtown and finding parking
due to the fact that the date clashed with the Big Car show at the
Philly Convention Center. There was some gridlock but it was
bearable. Also conisdering it to be Febuary, we were blessed with
some decent weather, a beautiful night with Chinese NewYear's
fireworks going off against the Philly skyline as we walked to the
restaurant from our parking area with sword in hand no less! It was
still a bit breezy for wearing Chinese silk formals, but I hung in
there sniffles and all from the head cold I'm fighting off. It was
great seeing all the taiji guys from the picnic and the Taiji
tournament that just past. After we all settled in we were
entertained with alot of variety of demonstrations from TaiJi (Yang,
Wu, Chen Man Ching) Xing Yi, Ba Gua, Northern wushu Broadsword and
some walking Cane defenses by master Tom Updegrove and Hypnotism
thrown in by Master Jih. Chen style Master Frank Shiery talked me
into performing Northern Broadsword despite my orignal intention of
perfroming taiji straightword. My perfromance went over incredibly
well, I think because the audience really enjoyed the change of pace
since there were already many beautiful taiji straightsword demos
performed. It definately pays to be different! To me the highlight
was the lighthearted "duel" between Frank Shiery and David Briggs in
a Xingyi Quan vs BaGua Zhang Battle with the guy from the picnic
singing the theme song from Once Upon a Time in China aka Emperor's
Mandate. Also worth mentioning was David Brigg's Comedy sketch "Slap
Happy" Bates.

Pics will be posted shortly!

Xing Jian Kwai Le!
(Happy New YEar!)


Mel