Photos and article by Charlie McKee

"Kung Hei Fat Choi" or Happy Chinese New Year 2013 was the theme of the Feb. 1 First Friday Celebration in historic downtown Silver City.

Silver City MainStreet celebrated by hosting Chinese Lion Dancers from Albuquerque, who traversed Bullard Street, entertaining all who followed in their wake.  The dance troupe, led by Sifu Kenny Wang of the Nanbei Wushu School in Albuquerque, carries on the ancient Chinese tradition of Lion Dancing in New Mexico.

At each downtown place of business, the Lions entered bringing good luck for the New Year and taking any evil spirits away with them.  Chinese drum and gong provided the penetrating background beat to the dance.

While the Lions roared, Martha Everett demonstrated Qigong, a quieter form of traditional Chinese movement, at other MainStreet businesses.

Photos and article by Charlie McKee