Shaolin Warriors

[GeneChing]

Just because it's a slow news day, Shaolin-wise...

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts Presents THE SHAOLIN WARRIORS, 11/25
Thursday, August 23, 2012; 10:08 AM - by BWW News Desk

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College continues its 2012-2013 season with a performance by the The Shaolin Warriors on Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 3pm. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children (ages 12 and under) and can be purchased by phone at 718-951-4500 (Tues-Sat, 1pm-6pm), or online at www.BrooklynCenterOnline.org.

In 525 AD, a Buddhist monk named Bodhi-dharma founded the Shaolin Monastery in what would later become the Henan Province of China. This elite group of monks soon became world-renowned for their unique combination of disciplined spiritualism and deadly martial arts prowess. Practitioners of the Shaolin philosophy seek to live a balanced life, with a strong and flexible mind housed in a strong and flexible body. Combining elements from Buddhism and Taoism, Shaolin Kung Fu originated from exercises that were developed 1,500 years ago to train monks to withstand long hours of sitting meditation. It has since evolved into a fluid martial art that is fast, evasive, strong, and efficient while being non-confrontational, focusing not on aggression but self-defense.

In this fully choreographed theatrical production, the Kung Fu Masters of The Shaolin Warriors present a portrayal of a typical day in their lives, including the serenity of morning meditation and chants, daily exercises that strengthen both the body and mind, and dazzling synchronized fighting rituals that employ an array of traditional Shaolin weaponry. These highly skilled monks train from a very young age in mental and physical disciplines, allowing them to perform feats one thought only possible in the movies. The production features many forms of Shaolin Kung Fu as well as a look at the daily life . . . of the warriors and their Zen philosophy.

About Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College
Founded in 1954, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College presents outstanding performing arts and arts education programs at affordable prices, embracing the diverse communities that define Brooklyn. Brooklyn Center welcomes over 65,000 people to the 2,400 seat Walt Whitman Theatre each season and boasts one of the largest arts education programs in the borough, serving 46,000 schoolchildren from over 300 schools annually with its SchoolTime series. www.BrooklynCenterOnline.org.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College's presentation of The Shaolin Warriors is made possible, in part, by the Macy's Foundation and by King's Plaza Shopping Center.

The Shaolin Warriors
Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 3pm
Tickets: $30 adults, $15 children 12 and under

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts
Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College
2 train to Brooklyn College/Flatbush Avenue

Online orders: www.BrooklynCenterOnline.org
Box Office: (718) 951-4500, Tuesday - Saturday, 1pm - 6pm
Groups of 15 or more: (718) 951-4600 x3326

[GeneChing]

I posted info on the Marin, CA show here yesterday.

Shaolin Warriors show off master skills for elderly residents

The Shaolin Warriors have arrived in Honolulu. They made a stop at the Palolo Chinese Home Tuesday to perform for the seniors. They performed feats of martial arts and acrobatics for the residents.

The 22 Buddhist monks are from a Shaolin temple in China's Henan province and are kicking off a 44-city tour in the United States.

Their weapons and robes will also be unloaded at Hawaii Theatre. Their first show is Wednesday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Hawaii Theatre.

All tickets are just $35, and $5 from each ticket goes directly to Palolo Chinese Home.

Shaolin Warriors will perform in Hawaii through Sunday, September 30, 2012.

[GeneChing]

This new show is titled "Voices of the Masters". I'm searching for a website that is specific to the tour, not the individual 44 theaters.

Shaolin Warriors to show their unique style of Kung Fu in Chico
By LINDSAY HOLBROOK - Correspondent
Posted: 09/26/2012 09:57:40 PM PDT


Han Wengiao, representative for the Shaolin Warriors (not pictured), said the Warriors are young...
CHICO —Martial arts. Many people encompass it into one bulk style that involves punches, kicks and getting different colored belts. That could not be further from the truth. Just as there are many different languages in the world, so too are there different forms of martial arts. The Shaolin Warriors will be showing their form of Kung Fu when they arrive here in Chico on Oct. 10.

These Warriors are experienced in many different arts. As athletic as they are on their feet, these artists are just as graceful in their performance. It is this grace that shows the audience just how closely connected these Warriors are with the spiritual side of their art.

While the physical aspects of any performance are quite a wonder to behold, the spiritual side is seen clearly in both what they do and how they do it. It is the Zen philosophy that keeps the Shaolin style to be more than just physical moves. Zen and Kung Fu goes back thousands of years. Whether it is just to work on the mental and physical health of the person, the Kung Fu can be and often is more than a routine and ends up being a way of life even when not training.

Azad's Martial Arts Academy has been a sponsor for these young men who come into town.

One of the instructors there, Peter Reitz has said that these Warriors show "a great example of what a human being is capable of with a lifetime of training."

While many consider "training" in the literal terms, Peter said anyone could take
it to your life.

The group has been performing for the past 12 years. The dedication is sure to shine through.

The representative for the Shaolin Warriors, Han Wengiao was not only a pleasure to speak with but also opened my eyes to just what this team is capable of doing. There was one thing he said that could sum up his time spent with these Warriors: "Shaolin Warriors are a group of young boys. Full of passion, each of them is the master of certain kung fu feat with which they are devoted to cheering up the audiences in every corner of the world and spreading the positive energy to them. Their kung fu feats are rare-to-see and very authentic traditional Chinese style which is at the verge of extinction as fewer and fewer young generation practice because the impact of pop culture and trendy stuff.

"With a spirit of Zen philosophy, their performances are also conveying a message of inner peace to help people find the true self and pursuit of ultimate value from the tumultuous world we are living in. And more will be found out from the show by different people."

Whether you are 8-years-old or in your 80s, you are sure to enjoy the performance. The combination of theatrics, physical feats and spiritual moments shining through is sure to wow anyone in the audience.

Chico Performances presents the Shaolin Warriors at Chico State University's Laxson Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $32 premium, $27 adults, $25 seniors and $19 for students and children.

[GeneChing]

Found an 'official' site with tour dates. See Columbia Artists Management, Inc. There's a vid, but the schedule is too bothersome to cut&paste here (would have to re-add all the months )

Photo Flash: First Look at Kung Fu Masters, Shaolin Warriors, Coming to Houston, 10/27
Friday, September 28, 2012; 02:09 PM - by BWW News Desk

The kung fu masters known as the Shaolin Warriors are returning to Houston for two performances on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. in Wortham Center’s Cullen Theater, presented by Society for the Performing Arts. BroadwayWorld has a first look below.

Geared for the entire family, their latest theatrical production, titled Voices of the Masters, showcases the remarkable skill and stunning movement that is a trademark of the Shaolin Warriors. Performed by the Buddhist monks of the Shaolin Temple, a sect that has become known throughout the world for its disciplined spiritualism and deadly martial-arts prowess, the production features many forms of Shaolin kung fu, as well as a look at the daily temple life of the monks and their Zen Buddhist philosophy. Having trained from a very young age in mental and physical disciplines, these kung fu masters perform feats one thought only possible in the movies.

For nearly 1500 years, the Shaolin Temple has been the heart and soul of Chinese kung fu. The Shaolin Monks were men of action ready to defend, yet men of peace ready to console. The monks train in martial arts for several hours every day, perfecting the art of hand-to-hand and weapons combat. Each monk is required to achieve an extraordinarily high level of proficiency in each of the Temple’s 18 traditional weapons and to become a master of one.

However, it is the daily practice of seated meditation, which enables the individual performer to sustain a demanding physical regimen. Through a practice known as Ch’an (Chinese for Zen), they calm the body and focus the mind to a single collected point in order to attain a mental state known as Samadhi, or complete mental absorption. It is in this quiet, yet highly focused state of mind, that they are able to sustain extreme physical discomfort and pain and undergo the intense daily training required to achieve and maintain the level of adeptness for which they are so highly praised.

Tickets for the Shaolin Warriors range from $35-$70 and can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org, by phone at 713-227-4772 or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall located at 615 Louisiana St. Hours of operation: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday. For groups of 15 or more call 713-632-8113.

Founded in 1966, Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) is the largest independent non-profit presenting organization in the Southwest. Since its inception, SPA has sponsored more than 1,000 performances of the world’s finest music, dance and theater events, in adherence to the belief that the arts are fundamental to the overall enrichment and quality of life within the community. In addition to presenting artists, SPA seeks to provide a variety of learning experiences for adults and children through master classes, lectures and special student performances, as well as build relationships between the performing arts and other interests within the greater Houston area and throughout the state of Texas.

Photos: Courtesy of Columbia Artists Management, Inc.

[David Jamieson]

So, this is coming through town.

Shaolin Warriors: Kung Fu Masters of China.

Anyone know where these cats are coming from? Which school?
By now, I've come to realize that these shows are virtually never actual Shaolin monks from the monastery.

I am merely curious as to the connection of this group.

[David Jamieson]

anyone? da info?

[Songshan]

David, I would guess they are a touring troop put together from the Deng Feng schools. The description in website says they are disciples of the shaolin schools. I noticed the term "Shaolin Temple" was carefully avoided and not connected.

I think a while back Gene Ching posted an article about a Shaolin touring group that was vocally outcasted by the Shaolin Temple so I don't think they are an official representation of the temple....but I could be wrong.

Either way, the guys that come from the Shaolin schools totally earn my respect. They are amazing athletes and performing is a means of survival for them. Thanks Gene for the find. I will make sure I see the show.

[Songshan]

Found an 'official' site with tour dates. See Columbia Artists Management, Inc. There's a vid, but the schedule is too bothersome to cut&paste here (would have to re-add all the months )

I saw the show in Houston on 10/27/12. For me personally these shows never get old. I had a great time and enjoyed the performance. I think this performance had the best attendance so far. It did way better than the last touring group that came through several years ago. There were no chances to meet the cast/group but their skills were great. Surprisingly all the shaolin warrior performers names were listed in the program book including the producers.

As a honest reviewer, noticeably different were the background paintings used in the performance. The background painting of the Shaolin Temple was different in the sense the symbols painted over the door of the temple didn't show the traditional "Shaolin Temple" It had different symbols (2 to be exact) but I couldn't tell you what they read because I can't read Chinese The choreography was very good and different but if you ever seen a shaolin performance before the old adage of "if you seen one, you seen them all." applies here. The lack of any narration made it difficult to explain to the audience what exactly they were seeing. Maybe that was done on purpose to keep it as a theatrical performance. Either way check them out if they come through your town. You won't be disappointed.

[GeneChing]

I'm glad to see that the performers are defined here as 'secular disciples' and 'martial monks'. That's significant progress as performance tours seldom make this distinction. It's so much easier to just say 'Shaolin monks'.

Young life: Mind over matter at Mason
Nice moves: Meet the Shaolin Warriors.
BY COLLETTE CAPRARA
FOR THE FREE LANCE–STAR

This weekend, area families will have a rare opportunity to view the daily life of those who train within a Chinese Shaolin temple and to witness the results of years of rigorous discipline.

In “Voices of the Masters,” 22 Shaolin warriors will exhibit awe-inspiring feats of the mental, spiritual and physical control that is accomplished at the highest levels of mastery of the kung fu martial art. Performances will be held at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas and George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax.

The Shaolin technique began 1,500 years ago in the Hunan Province. Some of the performers in this stunning presentation are “secular disciples” of the discipline, while others have earned the rank of martial monks. That title connotes devotion to the Buddhist doctrine as well and is conferred only by a master and involves even more intensive training and challenges.

As the action begins, the audience is introduced to two 12-year-old boys who, in the narrative, are just beginning their journeys to become qualified Shaolin warriors. Viewers will then witness the challenging tests the boys will meet and pass at each stage of their development.

In reality, the two young protagonists have been training in the martial art for half their lives, learning techniques that range from turning an opponent’s force against himself, to deft, graceful and lightning-quick moves of evasion and defense, to astounding acts of pain-enduring mind over matter.

During three points in the production, children will be invited to join the warriors onstage to try their hand with a kung fu movement. Each performance will be preceded by a pre-performance discussion, free to ticket holders.

What: Shaolin warriors present “Voices of the Masters”
When: Friday, Nov. 9, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 10, at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 11, at 4 p.m.
Where: Friday, Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas. Saturday and Sunday, George Mason University’s Center for the Arts, Fairfax
Cost: Hylton Center: $32–$48; youths through grade 12 admitted half-price when accompanied by an adult. Center for the Arts: $24–$48; youths through grade 12 admitted half-price when accompanied by an adult.
Tickets and info: 888/945-2468; cfa.gmu.edu; hyltoncenter.org

Collette Caprara is a local writer and artist.

[ShaolinDiva]

Actual Shaolin warrior monks are used only when the shows are approved and endorsed by the Abbot of the Songshan Shaolin Temple, China. That also includes the trademarked names of "Shaolin Temple" and other related image copyrights and other related products, and terms . Basically , China has trademark rights in the USA protected by laws of trademark infringement .

They do get "policed" in USA for unauthorized uses of copyrighted material which is a requirement of the trademark.

[GeneChing]

...But in actuality, what defines an 'actual Shaolin monk' is impermanent. When the Abbot first assumed power, he recruited many biaoyenseng, had them baisee under him, and sent them on 'official' tours. Many of them have left the order, to be replaced by the next gen of more 'official' monks, and some of those have left too. But that's a different Pandora's box then what I was implying above. A reporter will usually just refer to the performers as monks out of simplicity, even when the tour promoters are clearly making at least a token effort to distinguish themselves.

Here's a case and point:

Mantis style, Brooklyn style
By Colin Mixson


Photo courtesy of Brooklyn College
Bonified Shaolin badass: These Kung fu monks are coming to Brooklyn College straight from the legendary Shaolin Temple.

Your kung fu is strong — now taste my Tiger Style!

Bona fide Buddhists hailing from the legendary Shaolin Temple are flying to Brooklyn College on Nov. 28, to shower audiences with displays of their furious kung fu.

“They are masters of kung fu,” said Shaolin Warrior interpreter Han Wanqiao. “They crush metal bars on their foreheads, they smash stone slabs on their belly, they lie on beds of nails, they thrust a spear on their throat, and bend the spears into a curve.”

Aside from absorbing blows that would maim or kill lesser men, the Shaolin masters will exhibit their fighting prowess, displaying styles ranging from the famous crane mimic to more esoteric forms of battle.

“They will demonstrate Chi kung, an inner strength exercise, allowing you to control your strength and make deadly movements,” Wanqiao said. “Also, they mimic animals; eagles, tigers, scorpions.”

The martial masters may be far from their home in the Pagoda Forest, but the monks do not allow their travels to infringe on their rigorous training — you can take the monk of the Shaolin Temple, but you cannot take the Shaolin Temple out of the monk.

“They are no longer in the Shaolin Temple, but they still have their tradition. They do meditation everyday. They practice martial arts intensively, and during the tour they don’t have much time, so they take 30 minutes before the show to warm up, leaping, jumping, stretching,” said Wanqiao.

As powerful as they are in battle, the Shaolin monks are not — despite popular misconceptions — invincible, according to Wanqiao.

“They can be killed by conventional weapons, they are not immortal,” he said. “They get the flu sometimes, like ordinary people.”

Shaolin Warriors at Brooklyn College [2900 Bedford Ave. between Gleenwood Road and Avenue I, (718) 951–5000, www.brooklyncenteronline.org]. Nov. 25, 3 pm. $30

[GeneChing]

"If I've told them once, I've told them a thousand times, put 'Spinal Tap' first and 'Puppet Show' last... We've got a big dressing room!"

Go & Do: PizzaFest, holiday arts tour, and The Shaolin Warriors
November 16, 2012 2:00 AM

Pizza fest tonight

Children's Museum of New Hampshire's fourth annual PizzaFest and Holiday Auction from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 16, at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire, 6 Washington St., Dover. All proceeds benefit the museum's innovative education and outreach programs. PizzaFest attendees will be able to sample different varieties of pizza from local purveyors, then vote for their favorites. Seacoast area restaurants will be serving up both cheese and specialty pizzas for guests to sample and judge in the categories of Kids' Choice Cheese and Grown-Ups' Choice. A judging panel will crown the Judges' Pick for Best Pizza, Best Crust and Most Creative Toppings. The cost of the Children's Museum PizzaFest and Holiday Auction is $10 for adults, $7 for children age 10 and under, and children age two and under are free. Advance reservations are required as space is limited. Reservations can be made online at www.childrens-museum.org or by calling the museum at 742-2002 during regular weekday business hours.

Visit local studios

A holiday arts tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 17; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 18. Eleven artists welcome the public into their art studios on the weekend before Thanksgiving for socializing and holiday shopping. This is the original arts tour of the seacoast, and it remains a free tour — no entrance fee or tickets to punch. Follow the self-guided tour along a three-mile loop in town and stop to see what's new. Artists at each studio will feature their new work along with the designs they've become known for. Work is for sale, and many studios will have ongoing demonstrations throughout the weekend. Tour maps can be downloaded from the Web site at www.portsmouthartstour.com. Signs marking each studio with numbers and balloons will be posted to help navigate the driving loop.

Warriors return

The Shaolin Warriors return to The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, at 3 and 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 18. Called "Voices of the Masters," the production follows the journey of a young warrior apprentice as he is guided by the older monks through his lessons, from seemingly impossible acrobatic positions to shadow-sparring and from martial arts to feats of weaponry. Tickets are $42 and $38 and are on sale now at the box office in the theater, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, over the phone at 436-2400, or on the Web site www.themusichall.org.

[GeneChing]

I was tempted to post this in the S@tC thread because it's Cirque Du Ciel, but this thread is really more appropo.

Death-defying acts from martial arts masters the Shaolin Warriors
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Grimsby Telegraph

AUDIENCES are sure to get a kick out of a new theatrical extravaganza, which is coming to Grimsby direct from China.

The internationally-acclaimed Shaolin Warriors are coming to Grimsby Auditorium with their Return Of The Master show, before embarking on a world tour.


Shaolin Warriors are coming to the Grimsby Auditorium on Saturday, June 29, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £16 to £24. To book tickets, call the box office on 0844 871 3016 or visit www.atgtickets.com/grimsby or visit the venue.

The production comes to you from the producers of the hugely popular ShangHi-Cirque du Ciel.

This breathtaking performance continues the story of the warrior, and vividly depicts the rarely-seen Kung Fu masters’ feats of agility strength and skill, using Buddhist meditation and their rigorous martial arts training.

The fully choreographed production – which features 22 professionally trained Kung Fu masters – has gorgeous scenery, atmospheric music, beautiful lights, and hundreds of costumes.

Audiences will be amazed and thrilled by their death-defying Kung Fu disciplines such as qigong, animal imitation boxing, drunken boxing, and fighting with over 20 kinds of dangerous traditional weapons.

This show is a huge hit over three continents, having now been seen by over 750,000 people of all ages and is expected to sell out venues across the UK.

Edinburgh Evening News said the show was “Jaw dropping! A perfect family show and something for everyone,” while The Jersey Evening News said it was a “Breathtaking show!”.

And, whatever the accolades, it is a must see for family audiences and martial arts experts enthusiasts alike.

Shaolin Warriors are coming to the Grimsby Auditorium on Saturday, June 29, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £16 to £24. To book tickets, call the box office on 0844 871 3016 or visit www.atgtickets.com/grimsby or visit the venue.

[GeneChing]

Slow Motion Shaolin Warriors - Slow Mo #12 - Earth Unplugged

[GeneChing]

The Shaolin newsfeed is always full with reviews of the various Shaolin shows on tour around the world. Most of them I disregard as they are redundant to previous reviews, but this one was...special.
[QUOTE]Booking the Cooks: The Shaolin Warriors’ Gong Bao chicken
The Shaolin Warriors are handy in the kitchen too. Who knew? They show Osin Davis some knife work
Oisin Davis
Fri, Jul 5, 2013, 00:00




There will come a moment in every young boy’s life when he will want to chop a cement block with his forehead. It won’t be a dream-inspired vision or a prophecy that will bring this on, but the sight of a Kung Fu master working his magic as he enters a deep concentration and employs the highest level of inner energy control to make mincemeat of common building materials. Back when I were a wee lad, I could have only seen this kind of discipline in a martial arts film. Today it can be witnessed live on stage as The Shaolin Warriors are in the Olympia for the next three nights with their new show Return of the Master.

Considering that they are practitioners of Qi Kung and Zen Buddhist meditation who have been under a strict training regime since the age of five, the Warriors are surprisingly good humoured. When I asked them how much training was needed before one could administer the aforementioned brick routine, I was told: “Well, we really don’t recommend that anyone try it on his or her own without proper guidance. Maybe it is not a bad idea to try it on your boss’s head, but the Warriors will not take any responsibility for that.”

And when I asked whether there was any truth to the rumours that the drunken boxing style originated in Ireland, the response was: “Different drunkards have different styles with the various liquors available. The Warriors are very much interested in an Irish style, if there is any.” I have no doubt that we could find one.

The Shaolin Warriors are all from Northern China where this spicy dish is everywhere. When they’re on the road, this is the kind of grub they seek to stay fuelled.

The Shaolin Warriors are in the Olympia theatre until Sunday night

INGREDIENTS
500g chicken thighs – remove skin and bones and cut into bite size chunks
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and very thinly sliced
1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and very thinly sliced
2 tsp Szechuan peppercorns
1 tbsp corn flour
4 tbsp soy sauce
40g unsalted peanuts
2 tbsp of peanut oil
4 dried red chilies, roughly chopped or crushed.
4 scallions, thinly sliced

METHOD
Combine the chicken, half of the soy sauce and corn flour, in a small bowl. Mix well and marinate for at least an hour. Heat a dry pan over medium heat and toast peanuts until golden.
Put the oil in a skillet on a medium heat. Add peppercorns and dried chilies and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant. Turn the heat up high and add the chicken. When the meat is seared, add the remaining ingredients and stir-fry until chicken is cooked. Remove from heat and pour remaining soy sauce over the chicken. Serve with boiled rice or noodles./QUOTE]