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Purple Cloud Monastery in China's Wudang Mountains, a highlight of The Peaceful Dragon's 2011 trip to China.

2012

The Peaceful Dragon is pleased to present this varied schedule of special events celebrating the best of Asian culture. Details of these and other events are coming, so do check back. (For a look back, here are 2011 Special Events.)

For more information on any event, call 704.504.8866 or email us at info@thepeacefuldragon.com.

Key: • for adults; • for children (and their parents); • all ages

Saturday, January 21, 11am-2pm
Chinese New Year's Festival

The Peaceful Dragon celebrates its 15th anniversay with its 15th Chinese New Year Festival.

The Peaceful Dragon will be hosting its annual Chinese New Year's Festival on Saturday, January 21, from 11am to 2pm. Admission is just $3 per family, or FREE with a donation of a non-perishable food item for Loaves and Fishes charity.

Fun for the entire family, the festival will begin with the colorful ceremonial Lion Dance and Dragon Dance said to bring good luck to everyone for the coming year. Then throughout the festival you can enjoy exciting demonstrations of Chinese martial arts and health arts including Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Yoga, and performing arts such as traditional Chinese dance and music.

Local experts will be on hand to exhibit various Asian arts and practices including feng shui, calligraphy, acupuncture and Chinese medicine. There will be fun and games for kids, including an obstacle course, plus face painting, arts & crafts and more. Additionally, free introductory mini-classes in tai chi and kung fu will be offered for both children and adults, and there will be special one-day festival discounts for anyone interested in enrolling in The Peaceful Dragon’s ongoing classes.

There will be fun and games for kids, including the fabulous obstacle course, plus face painting, arts & crafts and more.

Catered Chinese food will be available to purchase for lunch.

In China, Taiwan , Vietnam and neighboring countries where the holiday is celebrated, weeks of preparation take place including cleaning, cooking and making travel arrangements so entire extended families can be together. Here in Charlotte, the Asian population has grown rapidly in recent years and the holiday and its traditions remains an important part of their lives. The Peaceful Dragon's celebration is open to everyone and is particularly of interest to Americans looking for the chance to discover some of the wonders of authentic Asian culture.

Additional festival highlights include ongoing raffle drawings and door prizes, and FREE shuttle parking. The festivities are all held indoors so the festival takes place rain or shine.

Saturday, January 21, 6:30 pm
Chinese New Year's Banquet

Master Sbarge always says that if you can only spare the money and time for one extra event each year, this is the most important event of the year for Peaceful Dragon students. In accord with Wu-De and the customs of a traditional Chinese martial arts school, the entire “kung fu family” should welcome the new year together to show support and bring good luck to each other.

This always-exciting annual banquet includes Student, Disciple and Teacher-level promotions; special awards ceremonies; d.j. with dancing and partying; raffle prizes and more. Family and friends are welcome! The banquet dinner will be held uptown at the very nice Center City Holiday Inn and will include appetizers, multiple entrees, dessert and cash bar.

Tickets are on sale now at our front counter on a first come, first served basis – seating is limited and tickets may sell out so don’t wait. Last day for purchase is Wednesday, January 18 – sorry, no exceptions for latecomers. Adults $45, children 10 and under half price.

Saturday, February 25 (10am-4pm)
Team Tournament

Lion Dance and Opening ceremonies: 11am
Competition Begins: 11:15am

Everyone who competes is a winner! Enjoy friendly competition with your team mates and show your school spirit and pride. Young or old, beginner or advanced, we'll have multiple events for you to choose from:

Tai chi and internal forms
Shuai chiao
Sparring
Push hands
Stances and basics
Empty hand forms
Weapons
Two-person forms
Two-person techniques
Team Relay Races and more!

Medals and Award Certificates for all competitors - Special Prizes for Team Winners and all competitors!

Registration Forms are available at the front counter and must be turned no later than Wednesday, February 23. Sorry, no late registrations can be accepted.

There is no fee for competitors: it's completely covered by your activity fee. Spectators fee $3 (children aged 3 and under FREE). All spectator fees go to The Peaceful Dragon Scholarship Fund.

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Friday Evening thru Sunday, March 2-4
Shaolin Workshop with Master Guolin

We're delighted to announce that the renowned 34th generation Shaolin monk, Venerable Shi Guolin, will be leading an exciting Shaolin workshop at The Peaceful Dragon. Master Guolin is the successor to the Abbott of the famed Shaolin Temple, Shi Yongxin, whom you may have seen featured in the Wall Street Journal and National Geographic.

Master Guolin will be guiding us through a workshop that is suited to both Tai Chi and Shaolin students, beginner or advanced. It is open to teens and adults, as well as children who are green sash and up, age 9 and over.

Master Guolin will teach rarely-seen Qigong and Healing Applications based on the Chinese five-element theory. We at The Peaceful Dragon will be the first to learn these outside of a few advanced students at his own temple. While this Qigong is ideal for all of our students of all ages and health conditions, he will also teach a series of short combat exercises for those interested in improving their fighting abilities. Master Guolin will also teach a special one hour Children's Class for all other children on Saturday, March 3rd from 12 noon-1pm.

The full workshop will run from Friday night at 6:30pm thru Sunday afternoon at 5pm. The children’s class will be on Saturday from 12 noon – 1pm.

Sign up at the front counter by Saturday, February 18th for the Early-Bird pricing. Full payment or a deposit must be made at that time. The fee for the workshop is $275 for the public, $195 for all ACCS students, and $175 for Peaceful Dragon students. The children’s class fee is $25 per student. After February 18th, there is an additional fee of $30 for the workshop and $10 for the children's class.

March 10, day and evening sessions
Tai Chi Mastery
A Special Workshop by Master Eric Sbarge in Columbia, SC

The workshop will be held at the Columbia Tai Chi Center, 2910 Rosewood Dr., Columbia, SC, the school of Peaceful Dragon student, Sifu Wes Adams, and is open to beginners and advanced, old and young alike.

Session I: 9:30am-4:30pm
Tai Chi to Boost Health and Vitality
Through lecture, discussion and hands-on applications you'll gain a thorough understanding of Tai Chi's key philosophical principles and how to put them directly to work for your own health and well-being. Movement emphasis will be on perfecting your posture, smoothing transitions between movements, and using tui shou (push hands) patterns to refine posture.

Session II: 6:00pm-9:30pm
Tai Chi Self-Defense and Push Hands
You'll learn principles, strategies and methods to maximize your inherent power, and minimize your disadvantages. See how positioning and leverage allow you to make the most of your physical and energetic power.

Workshop Tuition:
Early-bird special: register by March 5! Space is limited; this is a first come, first served event. Register right away to ensure your spot. Please pay at Columbia School in Cash Only. Session I only: General Public $130; A.C.C.S. affiliated student $90. Session I and II combined: General Public $180; A.C.C.S. affiliated student $120. After February 20, add $15. (A 50% non-refundable deposit required to hold your reservation. Sorry, no refunds under any circumstances unless event is cancelled by Columbia Tai Chi Center)

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Saturday, March 31, 9am-5pm
Day-long Meditation and Yoga Retreat

Master Eric Sbarge, head instructor at The Peaceful Dragon, will lead an extended session of Chan (Zen) meditation and Shaolin Yoga. The retreat is open to everyone regardless of experience.

Take advantage of discussions and explanations on meditation principles and methods, plus experience intensive practice of meditation. Combine that with in-depth look at the postures and principles of Shaolin yoga.

Early bird price: $79 public, $49 ACCS students, FREE to all Peaceful Dragon students from your activity fee. After Wednesday, March 21 add $20 (except Peaceful Dragon students).

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Saturday, May 12, 2-6pm
Student Appreciation Barbecue

To thank you for your dedication and hard work as students or family members supporting students, The Peaceful Dragon is providing all the food and drink for this annual bash!

Come out with the whole family and enjoy sports, games, water gun fights – or just a relaxing afternoon in the shade of the cabana.

This event is totally FREE for the whole family!

Friday evening thru Sunday, October 19-21
Intensive Tai Chi and Medical Qigong Workshop

Master Sbarge, head instructor of The Peaceful Dragon, will lead this intensive Qigong workshop teaching principles, theory and practical methods of both Tai Chi Qigong and Medical Qigong.

Open to beginners or experienced practitioners, you will discover how to use your thoughts and intentions, movements, breath and even sounds to directly improve the health and strength of your body’s organs and energy systems.

Practical Medical Qigong exercises and meditations will be taught that particularly target the liver, heart, spleen, lungs and kidneys and triple-burner.

Early-Bird Price by Saturday, Sept 22
Workshop: Public $275, A.C.C.S. students $195, Peaceful Dragon students with paid Activity Fee dues just $145.
After Saturday, Sept. 22 add $30.

Saturday, November 10, 9am-5pm
Day-Long Kung Fu Marathon

Immerse yourself in a full day of non-stop Kung Fu while testing your stamina and fortitude. Master Sbarge will lead you through many facets of Shaolin Kung Fu including forms, conditioning, stretches, meditation, chi kung, self-defense techniques, sparring, and much more. This event is open to all adult and teen students (not just Kung Fu - Tai Chi students are welcome too) from beginner to advanced, as well as any children aged 9 and up who have achieved purple sash or higher ranking.

Free to Peaceful Dragon students as part of your monthly activity fee. Be sure to sign up at the front desk by Thursday, November 8th. There will be a late fee of $30 for same day registrations.

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