Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu Association

The Shaolin Hung Mei Kung Fu Association is more than simply a school of traditional Chinese martial arts. Through our unique structure and programming, we have become a comprehensive cultural center dedicated to preserving and sharing Chinese history, philosophy, and arts. 

Through a wide range of classes, performances, workshops, lectures, and special events, we not only train our members, but also raise awareness of Chinese heritage among the general public, and create opportunities for people of Chinese descent to connect with their traditions.

We preserve tradition without compromise.

Over our three decades of service, we’ve had the honor of performing at many landmark events, including:

Colorado State Capitol: We performed as Governor Polis signed a bill recognizing Lunar New Year as an official state holiday.

Denver’s Apology for the 1880 Anti-Chinese riot: When former Denver Mayor Hancock officially signed a letter apologizing for the anti-Chinese riot that took place on Halloween of 1880, we performed and were featured in the documentary Reclaiming Denver’s Chinatown. This made Denver the fifth city in the US and the first outside of California to issue such an apology.

Commemoration of Denver’s Chinatown: At the unveiling of the mural and plaque honoring Denver’s Chinatown before it was destroyed, we gave a 45 minute performance, including Lion and Dragon dances and Kung Fu demonstrations for more than 1,000 attendees.  

Far East Center Lunar New Year Celebrations: SHMKF has opened the Far East Center's Lunar New Year celebrations every year since 1995 and has been instrumental in the event's growth from a one day to a two-day event attracting several thousand now including a variety of vendor booths. Our involvement has grown to include performances for the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations.

Opening of the Asian Chapter of the Democratic National Convention: This event was run concurrent with and – literally – next door to the Democratic National Convention at which President Obama was nominated to run in 2008.

U.S. Olympic Training Center – Colorado Springs: SHMKF was asked to perform for a celebration marking one year prior to the Beijing Olympics. Many of the U.S. teams, athletes, as well as team administrators and other dignitaries were present. And, in fact, we were asked to create/organize the entire performance which included a Lion Dance, Kung Fu, Chinese dance performances presented by two dance troupes and a musical presentation on the instrument called a “Gu Zheng”.

Chinese New Year Celebrations in Deadwood, South Dakota: Believe it or not, Deadwood had the second largest – outside of San Francisco - Chinese population in the U.S. in the mid-1800’s. An elderly couple wanted to celebrate Deadwood’s Chinese heritage so lobbied a bunch of casinos for funding and arranged New Year celebrations right on the main street. They arranged bus transportation for us and brought SHMKF to South Dakota on 3 occasions.

Organization of Chinese Americans Chinese New Year Celebrations: The OCA helped us get our start in Denver by introducing us to a variety of shop owners, etcetera, for whom we performed Lion Dances in what is called “Bai Nian” or – loosely translated – “welcoming the new year.” We have performed for the OCA annual celebrations every year since 1995.

Colorado Springs Chinese Cultural Institute: SHMKF began performing for the CSCCI more than 20 years ago. We have become the keynote performance to the point where the event principles of the organization do not schedule their event until they verify our availability. Their “standard” procedure is holding two performances and we open both with Lion followed by Kung Fu.

International Festival at CU-Boulder: One of – if not the – largest (attracts well over 1,000 attendees) festival held at CU-Boulder and which features performances of a wide range of diverse cultures.

Asian Pacific Association of Longmont (A-PAL): SHMKF has opened every A-PAL Lunar New Year Celebration since inception - more than 15 years - and is considered the keynote performance.