I am too bored so while surfing the net, happened to stumble upon this, COULD be linking to the event that VanNess will be attending on 12 October 2007...seems the event is linked to Shaolin
Extracted from, china.org.cn
Global Kung Fu Star TV Competition Starts
A formal launching ceremony of the 2007 K-Star Global Chinese Kung Fu Star TV Competition has recently kicked off in Beijing.
This is the second time that China's Shaolin Temple teamed up with TV media, including Shenzhen Satellite TV and Hong Kong TVB, in organizing this reality show contest, through which they hope to find out a new Jet Li or Jackie Chan.
According to the Overseas Edition of the People's Daily, head of Shaolin Temple, Shi Yongxin, and kung fu stars, Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung, and famous director Stanley Tong attended the launching ceremony.
The year's competition will be held not only in China but also in America, Australia, Britain, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. Regardless of nationality, skin color or style, anyone who practices Chinese Kung Fu is welcomed to take part.
Competition on the Chinese mainland will be held at Mount Wudang, Mount Huashan and Mount Emei, which are academic centers for the research, teaching and practice of Chinese martial arts. The top 36 candidates from the contest will get the chance to train in Shaolin Temple before the final rounds, which will be held at Mount Everest in October.
(CRI.cn August 24, 2007)
Extracted from, china.org.cn
Search for New Icon of Chinese Kung Fu
The Global Chinese Kung Fu Star TV Competition kicked off on Thursday seeking to discover a new icon of Chinese kung fu to follow Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
The competition is sponsored by China's youngest star TV channel Shenzhen Star TV and the 1,500-year-old Shaolin Temple which is regarded as the very cradle of the Chinese kung fu.
The six-month long competition will be held in six domestic zones -- Shenzhen, Beijing, Zhengzhou, Shenyang, Chengdu and Shanghai.
It the same time the organizing committee has established five international competition zones in the United States, Germany, Russia, Italy and Australia, said Wang Maoliang, president of Shenzhen Radio, Film and Television Group. He stressed this showed that selection was open to everyone in the world who participated in kung fu.
Shi Yongxin, Abbot of the Shaolin Temple, said one of the most important goals of the competition was to showcase Chinese kung fu culture. He said it was also an attempt to develop the cultural legacy of kung fu and promote it throughout the world.
The winner of the competition will be given the opportunity to play television roles in a series about Shaolin Temple and there's also the possibility of a Hollywood movie on the same theme.
Kung fu is regarded a precious legacy of China's 5000-year history. Historically kung fu was used to fight one's enemies and protect the homeland.
But in the peaceful times now enjoyed by many Chinese kung fu has not disappeared but gained significant new interest through international cinema success.
