Shaolin Warriors in da Bronx!
December 3rd, 2012 by Mr. C
(Bronze masked warriors)
(photo courtesy of the Shaolin Warriors program)
Buddhist Monks from the Shaolin Temple in China rolled into Lehman College in the Bronx last Saturday to perform a dynamic show comprised of kung fu, prayer, control, superhuman feats, athleticism, & acrobatics! The Shaolin Warrior performance was a showcase demonstrating the martial arts of Shaolin and their deep dedication with preserving their art. The high energy show was complimented with a soundtrack that included hypnotic buddhist chants, traditional drumming, some holistic zen tunes, and dashes of electronica to speed up the adrenaline! The dazzling lighting that accompanied the sets added much dramatics to enhance the sequences. The theme of the stageshow “Shaolin Warriors” included a story line of a young boy training to become enlightened as a warrior and his eventual graduation. Of course to support the storyline, the main meat and potatoes or should I say vegetables (for the buddhist in you) of the show highlighted the techniques of Shaolin Kung Fu including the 18 legendary weapons of china, empty hand routines with the display of the animals (Tiger, Mantis, Cougar, Snake, Monkey), Drunken Boxing, fighting with empty hand & weapons as well as performing some amazing acrobatic routines! The troupe also demonstrated some awesome physical feats such as the monk laying on a set of broadswords who was then layered on top with another monk resting flat on a bed of nails topped off with a slab of concrete only to be demolished by a person wielding a sledgehammer! Then there was the monk who was showing off his internal strength by absorbing a few heavy log strikes to his abdomen as the log was forcefully rammed a few times by his mates. Another crazy feat was the monk who placed the tip of a spear under his collarbone as he bent the wooden shaft of the spear met by his resistance. My favorite one of the night was the monk who used a chinese cleaver to cut cabbage which was resting against his abdomen! There was no apparent blood spillage that I could see! This of course was not to be outdone by the monk who was resting belly down on 5 spears acting as stilts!
One of the funniest sequences of the night was when kids from the audience were invited on stage to learn a few moves! It was cute and hella-funny watching the kids mimic the moves and sounds of the monk!
(Kids on stage learning a few moves-photo by mr c)
Overall, the Shaolin Warriors performance was a fun filled show with great choreography and breathtaking imagery but more importantly, demonstrated the unity of zen with the martial arts. If you get a chance to see these Warrior Monks tour in your city, go for it! It’s an experience better seen live than in written form!
(Broadsword and Nail Bed sandwich topped with a slab of concrete!)
(photos courtesy of the Shaolin Warriors program)
Tags: kung fu, shaolin monks, shaolin warriors
Posted in art, community, mr. c, photos, theatre | Comments (0)
