Kevin Clifford/Nevada Appeal Mikaela Jackson, 9, from left, and Dartanyan Perry, 10, perform the role of The God of Land while Paul Chung, 14, and Taylor Bradshaw, 11, perform the opening introduction of the Dragon Dance at Chi Kwan Tae Kwon Do on Friday night.
As many prepare to celebrate the Chinese new year and welcome in the year of the dog, more than 40 Carson City residents will be showing off their skills.
The group, all students of Chi Kwan Tae Kwon Do in Carson City. are spending the evening demonstrating several of their learned skills, including dragon dancing, forms and breaking bricks.
"The students are between 4 years old and 58 years old and are at different levels," Grand Master Chi Doung said.
The group will participate in the demonstration as part of the Lunar New Year Festival being held from 6:30 p.m. to midnight in the casino exhibition hall of the Silver Legacy Casino in Reno.
"The people who created this event asked us to come up and help them. They have seen the students and know that they will do well at the demonstration," Doung said.
The event will include food and drinks along with several demonstrations from area martial arts schools. There is no cost to attend the event, however organizers said donations are being accepted.
The demonstration, while one of the biggest the Chi Kwan Tae Kwon Do club participates in, is one of several the group will take part in this year. Doung said the group also does demonstrations for senior centers, assisted living centers and other organizations.
Sunday is the first day of the Chinese New Year, marking the beginning of the 4703 year named the Year of the Dog.
-- Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.