Mid-autumn Celebration photo update

Thank you for making yesterday's Mid-autumn Festival Celebrations a success!
Here is a quick update for those who missed the amazing show.

I'll come back to post more once I have the full set of photos from that day.

- Chin

武状元 The Champion DVD

Kuen Wushu Relocation Open House

A big thank you to all who came down to support our Relocation-Open House event last Sunday, 28 Feb 2010. Here are the photos taken on that day. See if you can spot yourself!

武状元 The Champion

For the first time in Singapore, World-renowned Beijing Wushu Team will be bringing their Wushu Champions and World-class martial art skills to the Victoria Theatre on the 7th of February 2010, in 80 minutes of exhilarating Martial Arts performance that is “The Champion”.

“The Champion” is a fusion theatre piece of Chinese martial arts, dance and music. Set in ancient China and present-day Beijing, two martial art pugilist train relentlessly for their dreams to become a Martial Scholar（武状元）and a World Wushu Champion.

Showcasing the talented cast from Singapore’s Kuen Wushu Academy and China’s National Wushu Champions from the Beijing Wushu Team, “The Champion” is directed by Mr. Chin Woon Piaw, Founder of Kuen Wushu Academy, with Wushu choreography by World Wushu Champion, Master Di Guangwen, Chief Trainer at Kuen Wushu and former Beijing Wushu Team Captain.

Beijing Wushu Team is China’s top professional Wushu team, having produced numerous China National Champions and action movie stars such as Jet Li, Donnie Yen, Wu Jing. The Beijing Wushu Team has showcased its top-notched Wushu skills through its Beijing Wushu Team Tour around the world, coming for the first time to Singapore in February 2010.

Cast – Beijing Wushu Team

       Liu Qing Hua – Multi-time All-China Games, World Wushu, Asian Games Champion

       Li Xin Yu – 2008 China National Champion in Taiji-sword

       Wu Di – 2009 World Wushu Champion in Spear-play

       Wang Xi – 2008 China National Runner-up Longfist

       Guo Jing – 2009 China Traditional Wushu Baguazhang Champion

       Luo Hong – 2009 China Traditional Wushu Fanziquan Runner-up

       Li Yan – 2008 China Youth National Longfist Champion

Cast – (Singapore) Kuen Wushu Academy

       Liu Juan – 1996 China National Youth Championship Overall Champion

       Zhou Jing Jing – 2001/2002 Two-time China National Intervarsity Overall Champion

       Chen Zhi Peng – 1998 China National Youth Championship 3^rd place in Sword-play

       Wang Liang – 2007 Singapore National Ditang Quan Champion

       Chen Keng Qi – 2002 Singapore National Tanglang Quan (Mantis) Champion

       He Chang Jiang – 1999 China National Intervarsity Champion in Sword-play

       Wang Zhen – 2002 Hebei Handan City Wushu Competition 3^rd placing Overall

Tickets available through SISTIC website www.sistic.com.sg
SISTIC Hotline: (65) 6348 5555 and at all SISTIC Authorized Agents.

Kuen Wushu & Beijing Wushu Team 2010 Performance

First time in Singapore!

World renowned Beijing Wushu Team & S'pore's No. 1 Kuen Wushu presents

武状元 THE CHAMPION

Get your tickets from SISTIC today.

Starring Wushu Champions from Beijing Wushu Team & Kuen Wushu Academy

Video Update "One Heart One Kuen"

Hi all.

Finally found the time to upload another video from the Kuen Wushu Mid-year performance earlier this year at the NAFA Lee Foundation Theatre.

This item aptly titled "One Heart One Kuen" is choreographed by Chief Trainer Di Guangwen himself. Talents include students from Kuen Advanced class and Kuen Wushu's Performance Troupe. The video resolution has been intentionally brought down for faster uploading to youtube's servers. Inside you will see familiar faces of your favourite Kuen Wushu trainers and affiliated trainers.

Enjoy!

PS: Keep a look out on this blog for the latest news update on a whole *NEW* Kuen Wushu Production coming Feb 2010. Titled "CHAMPION" featuring the best from Kuen Wushu Academy and the World Renowned BEIJING WUSHU TEAM!  

BEIJING WUSHU TEAM + KUEN WUSHU ACADEMY = ONE HELLAVA SHOW!!!

APEC 2009 @ Esplanade

APEC 2009 Singapore has drawn to a close and Kuen Wushu is proud to have played a part (albeit a small teensy bitsy one) in its success. (There... I've gotten the self-plug in...LOL) We were the only Wushu school to take part in the "Singapore Evening" show, specially put together by our nation's bests (Dick Lee helming as Director, lotsa stars and big names in the music and entertainment industry), for all the delegates and world economic leaders from ard the globe. Its not every day, or every year for that matter, that you get to play host and show off to half the world's richest and most powerful men and women.

The "Singapore Evening" song-and-dance item was a success as expected but it almost didn't as one of our trainers had a rather bad case of food-poisoning and messed up the 2nd segment during the final rehearsal on Friday night. In the end everybody pulled through and executed their parts with nary a glitch. Kudos to CJ, YP, WF, LJ & GZF!

Lotsa activities going on everywhere. With the entire Esplanade venue in lockdown and streets ard Marina Square blocked for the better part of the day, to say that security was good would be an understatement. As the Dean puts it delicately while he hands me the security badge for the day. "Even flies need badges to go through...".

Spent most of yesterday at The Esplanade waiting for the show to start in the evening. After setting off from Kuen Wushu ard 1.30pm, we made our way to Marina Square (A big thank-you to the parents for the ride!). Took us nearly an hour to make it thru the security scanners set up at the floating platform. They really did a thorough job making us queue up to go through those airport metal detector gates and putting our bags through the X-ray machines.

Went through a couple of rehearsals in which the Kuen Kids from our intermediate classes were involved before we proceeded to the rest area for rest and food. The kids had a ball of a time, chit-chatting non-stop for most of the day in-between practices for their items. I supposed it was a fun thing to do and a good experience to be part of some grand event. I certainly remember my own experiences of taking part in competitions, of Wushu camps and performances and certainly the Chingay Parade. Dear parents, thanks again for your consent and support for the trainers. Your children are in good hands. :) 

Here are some rather badly taken photos I took with my handphone. Heh.

Post Event Update for One Heart One Kuen

Its over! Yeah! And YES, ITS A SUCCESS!

Once again, thank you all for supporting "One Heart, One Kuen". Thanks to all the parent helpers, student performers, stage crew, planning committee and of course the executing committee, for their hard work and tireless contributions!

*Deep Bow*

Everybody at Kuen has been on semi load and operating frequency post event. After a crazy 5 weeks of planning and preparations, it is a huge relief. It was a logistical nightmare to coordinate (8 different locations to come down for rehearsals) and bluddy expensive to put together. All those weeks of planning, execution and practice culminated in a night that would not soon be forgotten. If by some huge stroke of misfortune you weren't able to get tickets or make it to the venue for the performance on the 31st May at the NAFA Lee Foundation Theatre, here are some clips I've uploaded that were screened on the day.

Trailer for "One Heart, One Kuen"



The Amphetamized Kuen Trainers Introduction



Interviews for "One Heart, One Kuen"


Here's a nice read on the VS blog (Victoria School) covering the event. There's a clip of the boys entertaining themselves doing silly things like making a "blair-witch + dawn of the dead" video clip in a huge pile of Goodie Bags. Add in some music, singing and tap-dancing, and Voila! We have another mega-hit production in the making. Lets call it ...
Dawn of the High School Zombie Musical - Death by Goodie Bag.

Extreme Makeover - Liu Juan laoshi

We did a show last night at the new Bellini Grande at Clarke Quay. It was the launch of the Singapore Service Star - an accreditation scheme by the Singapore Tourism Board. Liu Juan laoshi had to fly into the stage and perform a few mid-air poses, with the help of stunt wires of course (courtesy of our Stunt Master - Yanbin)

Before

After


In the locker room with Yanbin, stunt master for the wire flying sequences.

Wait a minute... She reminds me of someone in this makeup. Doesn't she look like Helena Bonham Carter in Sweeney Todd?!? She does right! Muhahaha...

"Love and Destiny" at the Botanic Garden

Finally over! Phew...
I'm sure you'd have notice that it was pouring on Saturday. Most everyone there thought it was probably gonna get postponed. Was still drizzling by 5.45pm but the amazing thing was people starting streaming to the spectators area holding umbrellas and wearing raincoats. We were surprised at the turn out, even the Minister didn't mind sitting in the rain to watch. At that moment something stirred and I won't deny we all felt good to be part of this creative ensemble cast. It was a good show.
***Applause applause***

Quoted from email circular:
************************
The 12th Chinese Cultural Festival started on 23 February will come to a close on 22 March with a finale performance at the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Gardens at 6pm.

The Finale Dance Musical titled "Love and Destiny" is presented by People's Association and supported by Central Singapore CDC. The performance is based on the classic Chinese tale of the Butterfly Lovers (Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai). The musical will showcase a rich blend of classical music, modern dance, singing, beat-boxing, artistic gymnastics, costumes, and props. This performance is supported by Central Singapore CDC and Singapore Botanic
Gardens. Groups involved in the performance include PA Talents, Black Forest, beat-boxer Charles Wong, Malay Acappella Group Juz-B, Kebun Baru CC, Chua Yi Fang, Kym Rhythmic and Kuen Wushu Academy. Admission is FREE!

Please bring your family, friends and relatives to watch this specially choreographed dance musical. This is really a not-to-be-missed performance for all. Please send this emailer to people you know, of all ages and from all walks of life. See you there!

Details of the performance:
Date: 22 March 2008, Saturday
Time: 6 pm to 7.15 pm
Venue: Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, Singapore Botanic Gardens

With warm regards,

Ong Yuin Ling
Assistant Secretary, Chinese Cultural Festival 2008 Steering Committee/
Senior Manager, Brand Promotion Unit Cultural Industry Promotion Department
Chinese Newspapers Division Singapore Press Holdings

Huayi Festival Rehearsals

Been caught up with rehearsals for the upcoming performance for a Huayi Festival item this Saturday. Its a retelling of the chinese classic "Liang Zhu" (Butterfly lovers) via a fusion of different art forms.

There is a variety of dance and music styles, songs performances (local acapella grp Juz-B) and even an amazing live Beat-box segment that got all of us watching open-jawed.

KUEN Wushu performers are primarily involved in a fusion of dance and Wushu choreography segment that has the guys donning menacing looking black Victorian-like costumes. It features us Men-In-Black preventing the female lead (Zhu Yingtai, played by the lovely Yan Yan *smitten*) from escaping by wielding poles and swords and sabres. Costume looks uber-cool, much better than I expected when I first got the concept art in my mail.

I've got a video of the rehearsal that I'll put up once i get around to editing it. Meanwhile, here's a look at the costume.

KUEN Wushu and Yew Tee Primary @ Chingay 2008

Hey everyone, the photos are out!!! Take a look at these...


All dressed up and ready. Wait... is that lipstick?!? Ahhh!!!


Opening segment - Right centre, in front of the soon-to-be tossed Yusheng.


CHARGE!!! "FOR SPAAAAARTAAAAA!!!!"


"Haaaaiiii-Yak!!!" Look at our flying kick!


Victory!!! Celebration time!



A big Thank You to the students, parents and teachers from Yew Tee Primary school for their unwavering support. Thank you to those who specially took time off to train and perform even on such short notice. We couldn't have done it without any of you.

We had such fun. Now that its over.... depressed liao... Aww...

I know. Let's do it again in 2009!!! Yeah!

Wushu Performance! Y Proms@CLAP!

The performance on Saturday night at Chinatown Kreta Ayer Square was an absolute HIT with the crowd!

Great job to all who participated! A BIG THANK YOU! goes to Kaiting laoshi and Zhipeng laoshi in charge of choreographing and preparation for this event. The meticulous effort put into planning and preparation is evident, clearly seen and translated extremely well onstage into 10 minutes of pure entertainment for the spectators young and old.

Gotta thank the parents of the young performers for their support in sending the children down for practices and rehearsals. I'm sure they must be proud to see the end result. I know I am. :)

Photos photos...

Uh-oh... when will I clear this backlog of photos to post online.

Do wait patiently, I'll get to it soon.... I hope. :p

Costumes maketh the Performance!

Saturday.
Performance at Kranji went well! Me proud of me kids, screaming and punchin early in the mornin for the VIP.
Did some shopping errands for materials needed for costumes and sent it down to Serangoon Garden Sec. ZP's students are making their own warrior costumes for their school play cum Wushu performance next Saturday.

Their inspiration:


SGS Students @ Work!

Mirabelle playing "Who Wants To Be A Maria!" (domestic worker..aka maid)


Keith using his special Mutant Eye-Power helping to dry pieces of painted "armour" while casually sipping his Milo-tinni.

I can't wait to see all of them in their full glory doing their thing! Jiayou lo!

Sentosa Silosa beach performance

Did a group Wushu performance last night at Sentosa Siloso beach.

Almost forgotten how fun performances can be. During the performance that is.

After you bask in the applause and euphoria of being in the limelight for the 10 min or so on stage, you retire to the changing room to change out of your Wushu costume drenched in sweat. You'll slowly feel your legs getting heavier and soreness in parts of your muscles you didn't realise when your body's pumped up with adrenaline just 10 min ago.

The morning after.
Ouch...

I haven't trained for quite awhile and I'm starting to feel the after-effects. Hope I didn't pull any muscles.

I really gotta start working out again. Once I've got everything at the new place more or less settled.

Back to doing paperwork. *sulk*

RSYC Family Day

RSYC stands for Republic of Singapore Yacht Club. It's situated in the West Coast area, somewhere near PSA, 2 min drive from the West Coast drive-thru Macdonalds.

We've been asked to do a Wushu demo at the club's family day event this morning, to create awareness for its Wushu club.

I've been conducting a class at RSYC since the beginning of the year (every Sat 4.30pm-6.00pm). The class is rather small, 8 students with the occasional absentee/s. Really hope the recruitment drive goes well and the no. of students increases coz the timing clashes with another Wushu class held on the same day (Yew Tee CC). That would mean my hands are tied and I won't be able to visit and observe the trainers conduct their lessons at Yew Tee.

I did a mock test during the lesson at RSYC yesterday. Sigh... It got me worried for the kids. Half my class couldn't finish the test routine. They froze... Brrr.... I think being in the centre of the carpet alone and doing the routine is stressing them out. One more lesson till they go for their first assessment and things don't look too good for my class. But comeon, you can't fail the first test? Nobody fails the introductory module. Nobody. It's never been done before. Let's keep it that way shall we.

I'll post some photos of the family day event if I remember to snap some later.