Heralded for its spectacular martial arts and cultural performances during the Sydney Olympic Games at the beginning of the Millennium, over 400 Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy member volunteers will come to Los Angeles from around the world to deliver a breathtaking cultural performance at Arcadia Performing Arts Center on Sept. 16 to promote love and peace and bring people closer together in celebration of the Academy’s 50^th anniversary.

Under the theme of “Tai Ji Culture, A Precious Treasure: Bringing Hope to the World,” the program will incorporate martial arts, music, dance, and drama to express the origin of martial arts, master-apprentice relationship, philosophy of yin and yang, and more.  During the rich cultural feast for the senses, “four ancient celestial creatures”—dragon, golden phoenix, qilin, auspicious lion— and the “Eight Immortals” in Chinese mythology will appear, sharing boundless joy and positive energy with the audience.

As the focal point of the event, leaders from various fields will beat Tai Ji drums and unfold Tai Ji fans, encouraging the public to spread goodness and to usher in an era where all people listen to their conscience to do what is right as the pronunciation of “drum” and “fan” in Chinese means to “encourage” and “goodness” respectively.  California State Senator Ed Hernandez, Mayor Eric Ching of Walnut, Mayor Chin Ho Liao of San Gabriel, Mayor Sandra Armenta of Rosemead, Mayor Pro Tem Mary Su of Walnut, Councilmember Larry Spicer of Monrovia, Superintendent David Vannasdall of Arcadia School District, singer and actress Rebecca Holden, music producer Joel Diamond, and other leaders will attend the event.

Originated thousands of years ago, Tai Ji Men is an ancient menpai (similar to school) of qigong, martial arts, and self-improvement.  It is a treasure trove of traditional Chinese culture and holds the key to unlock the origin of wisdom.  In 1966, its grandmaster, Dr. Tao-Tze Hong, established Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy, which aims to improve people’s health physically and mentally as well as to promote love and peace through cultural exchanges.  Its members have presented over 2000 cultural performances in 66 nations.