The first tribute to the Masters of Martial Arts, by Wesley Snipes, was a bash!

The event was capped of in the Shepherd Hall auditorium at City College and was hosted by comedian, and former host of BET's Comic View, Don "DC" Curry. The evening featured many famous guests from the entertainment industry, including Sinbad, supermodel Madison Michelle, Chris Roc and of course, Jackie Chan. But, this was only a part of the nights festivities.

The main attractions, were the many Martial Arts Masters who attended, to promote Wesley Snipes new movie Blade, in which he plays a futuristic Vampire Samurai who'll do anything to eradicate Vampires from the planet. Sinbad, the host of the late night TV show Vibe , said, "It takes somebody like Wesley Snipes to bring something like this to Harlem , a place where many people would like to look past."

Besides representing uptown, the event also recognized and highlighted the careers of the Greatest Martial Artists in our century, such as Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Master Quang Fu Pan. These men who once fought in Dojos now bring their skills to many, who would not have the chance to see their skills except in watered down kung-fu and karate flicks or "twisted Hollywood" movies.

Nevertheless, the event displayed a side of Martial Arts
which are always mentioned but hardly ever viewed up close -- its spiritual powers. This part of the martial arts is the main factor which has kept the masters loyal to their trade and instills in them the willingness to continue training. According to one of the Great Masters, Jung Rhee, "Clearness of the mind, Honesty in the heart and Strength in the body are elements which helps one to live a perfect life." He also adds that balance is important by enplaning that muscle and power is needed but with flexibility the body becomes stronger with more efficiency. At the age of 66, he can do one-hundred and ten push-ups in 1 minute. I guess this is what it takes to be a master in anything, evenness.