Shannon Lee

Shannon Lee (daughter of Bruce Lee) will be presented with a proposed Bruce Lee Congressional Resolution on Thursday May 17, 2012 recognizing the immense impact that Bruce Lee has had on American and global popular culture and the important role he played in creating a bridge between cultures, championing values of self-respect, self-discipline, and tolerance and pioneering and cultivating the genres of martial arts, martial arts films, fitness and philosophy in the United States and the world.  The Resolution was introduced by Rep. Mike Honda and was co-sponsored by Reps. Judy Chu, Jesse Jackson Jr., Raul Grijalva, Hansen Clarke, Roybal-Allard, Eni Faleomavaega, Laura Richardson and Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.

For Immediate Release:     

Congress, Media & Entertainment Industry, Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community Come together to Honor Bruce Lee

Rep. Honda Introduces Resolution Honoring Bruce Lee, Joins with AAPI leaders, Entertainment Industry for Screening of Spike TV’s “I Am Bruce Lee” Documentary at MPAA Theatre

Washington D.C.— Today U.S. Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Members of Congress, Congressional staff, leaders from the media and entertainment industries and members of the AAPI community are coming together to honor the life of legendary martial artist Bruce Lee at a reception and screening of the new documentary “I Am Bruce Lee.”  The reception is taking place at the Motion Picture Association of America’s theatre in downtown Washington D.C. as part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and is co-hosted by Comcast, Viacom, Spike TV, the Bruce Lee Foundation, and Meridian Hill Strategies, which represents the Bruce Lee Foundation.

“It is my privilege to introduce legislation honoring the life and contributions of Bruce Lee and the Bruce Lee Foundation and to be with such a diverse group of leaders to celebrate Bruce’s legacy as part of APA Heritage Month,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA).  “Bruce Lee’s legacy and the Bruce Lee Foundation continue to be a global force that bring people together, break down barriers and create opportunities for young people – in keeping with the values of excellence, leadership and inclusion that we celebrate this month.”

“Being great is one thing, but being remembered is another thing,” said Jon Jones, Current UFC Light Heavyweight World Champion.  “To be great, magnificent and remembered, you have to stand for something and change the world in a way. People love Bruce Lee all over the world, and I want to have that same impact.”

At the reception, Rep. Honda is presenting Shannon Lee, Bruce’s daughter and the President of the Bruce Lee Foundation, with a Congressional Resolution (http://1.usa.gov/KquepX) that he introduced honoring the contributions of Bruce Lee and the ongoing work of the Foundation.  The Resolution is currently co-sponsored by Reps. Judy Chu, Jesse Jackson Jr., Raul Grijalva, Hansen Clarke, Roybal-Allard, Eni Faleomavaega, Laura Richardson and Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.

“We are deeply honored by the strong support we have received from Rep. Honda and the Members of Congress, the entertainment industry, and leading stakeholders from AAPI community who are joining us tonight for the screening and reception to celebrate what my father stood for,” said Shannon Lee, President of the Bruce Lee Foundation.  “We are also very grateful for the Congressional Resolution that honors my father’s legacy and the work of our Foundation which puts his values into action every day in the form of education, scholarships and community enrichment.”

“As a powerful national voice for inclusion and reconciliation, it is very fitting that Congressman Honda joins with the Bruce Lee Foundation to bring a diverse group of lawmakers and stakeholders together to keep the torch of Bruce’s legacy burning brightly,” said Ernest Baynard, President of Meridian Hill Strategies Inc. “Bruce Lee’s legacy is a living thing— we are incredibly grateful to Rep. Honda and all the Members of Congress and stakeholders who are standing with us to keep that legacy alive and pay it forward for future generations.”

“We are proud to support this event to celebrate the work of the Bruce Lee Foundation as part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month,” said Johnnie Giles, Executive Director, External Affairs, Comcast Corporation.  “Along with Chairman Emeritus of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Representative Mike Honda, other Members of Congress, we honor the legacy of Bruce Lee.  As part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Comcast is making over 350 entertainment choices highlighting Asian American Pacific Islander culture and contributions, including several of Bruce Lee’s films. Comcast is committed to bringing our customers diverse programming, and has continued to expand our Asian-Pacific American programming across our viewing platforms.”

“Spike TV is proud to partner with the Bruce Lee Foundation and Congressman Honda to celebrate this inspiring film that delivered critical-acclaim and record ratings for the network,” said Kevin Kay, President, Spike TV.

For more information about the Bruce Lee Foundation go to: www.bruceleefoundation.com

Contact:

Jack D’Annibale (Honda) (202) 225-3327

Ernest Baynard (Bruce Lee Foundation) (202) 550-1610

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What: Reception and Screening of Spike TV’s documentary “I Am Bruce Lee”

When: Reception 6:30 – 7:00 PM. Screening 7:15 – 8:45 PM. This will also be a media availability for Shannon Lee and Rep. Honda and event hosts.

Where: Motion Picture Association of America (1600 Eye Street, NW)

Related:

OFFICIAL BRUCE LEE PRESS RELEASE

Bruce Lee Official Site

Bruce Lee Legacy On Twitter

Bruce Lee Foundation

IP Man and Bruce Lee

After studying Wing Chun for more than 6 months, Anthony Wong Chau Sun will reportedly take on the role of Ip Man on IP MAN’s final chapter, which will start film production on location in Foshan in August of 2012.

In the film, Chau Sun will play Ip Man later in life, from his 40s until his death.  Anita Yuen Wing Yi will play his wife while the role of a very young Bruce Lee is still being cast.  When asked if he would feel any pressure playing the role (especially after critically/fan acclaimed performances by Donnie Yen), Chau Sun said, “no” his film will be “Ip Man’s real Hong Kong experience that has not been made before.”

Anthony Wong

Related Info:

Anthony Wong Chau Sun Filmography at IMDB

This top box office hit has pulled in over US$ 86.5 million at Chinese box offices since it was released on the Chinese mainland last December of 2011, ranking fourth on the list of top-grossing movies.

Related:

Flying Swords of Dragon Gate at IMDB

Flying Swords of Dragon Gate Movie Trailer

This style attracts many westerners for its low-impact kata and health benefits, but is rarely explored in western culture for its actual combat potential. Though beautiful and primarily used in America as a workout and meditation routine, Tai-Chi is a real combat system, with many forgetting that the style has been used to fell skilled boxers in full-contact matches.

The upcoming Tai-Chi Zero seems to be one part Jackie Chan and one part Tetsuo Iron Man, starring a character whose abnormally large forehead makes him both a target for bullies and a master of the form.

With choreography by Sammo Hung, the project has had Jet Li attached in the past and is set to be directed by Stephen Fung of House of Fury. Based loosely on the life of Yang style Tai-Chi founder Yang Luchan, the movie is set to blend reality with fantasy in a feast for the eyes and ears.

Related Info:

Tai Chi 0 at IMDB

Sammo Hung at IMDB

You see the same back and forth over the stars, directors and producers of martial arts entertainment, arguments on whether Randy Couture could ever take Steven Seagal, or whether Donnie Yen really deserves to be put on the same plateau as Chan, Lee and Liu just yet. Much of this debate is healthy and keeps the community and culture alive, but sometimes you wish we could just bring both ends of the spectrum together and admit that the martial arts is a big world with room for many seemingly conflicting approaches to the art.

Martial Arts Entertainment Magazine successfully finds that middle ground. From interviewing champions and stars like Christine Bannon Rodrigues to mining overlooked gems of the genre like the films of Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Hwang Jung Lee, Art Comacho and more. A creation of the very bold and creative (Team Americas) Zaino family, the publication also covers sports, training, films and everything in between.

With video, interviews, audio and enough content to keep you clicking for days on end, every new issue of Martial Arts Entertainment Magazine is sure to bring you at least a couple of new pieces of information no matter how hardcore you happen to be on martial arts entertainment.

Related Info:

View Martial Arts Entertainment Magazine on Isuu

Listen: Martial Arts Entertainment Radio

The MMA star has explored a variety of forms from kickboxing to grappling and wrestling for her career in MMA, but 87Eleven has been an all new experience for the performer, introducing Carano to Judo, boxing, Muay Thai and Tae Kwon Do, as well as sword fighting and gymnastics.

The performers in 87Eleven need to be able to perform any stunt that the director might want, so the grueling routine that the athletes go through can be seen as both hard work and, as Carano puts it, a “12 year old boy’s dream,” in that every day consists of endless punching, kicking, jumping and going through coordinated routines.

Carano will be putting her new abilities to work when Fast and Furious 6 begins filming in the coming months. No word yet on whether the shoot will involve the 87Eleven crew or if the rumor of pop star Rihanna featuring as the villain will come true.

Related Links:

87Eleven Action Design

The Fast and Furious 6 (IMDB)

The book promises to give martial arts business owners an edge on making sure their schools, dojos, training centers, pro-shops and programs can get much needed visibility. It’s a short no-fluff read of approximately 42 pages, but chock full of advice and tips to truly master local marketing online.

A free sample of the book can be downloaded at Amazon for iPad, Kindle, Blackberry, Android and Windows Mobile and desktop devices.

Visit:

Maximize Your Local Search Visibility: For Martial Arts Marketing

Okay, maybe not, but what you might not know is that Kevin James has actually been a major fan of UFC and MMA for awhile, having trained with Randy Couture back in 2006. The movie will star the high school footballer as a physics teacher who gets into the MMA scene and making his way to the UFC in an effort to save his school’s music program.

Seeing the comedy star as a capable in-ring athlete may seem like a stretch for some viewers, but remember that the 5 foot 8, 250 pound 45 year old star has held his own with Couture in sparring matches in the past, so he’s no pushover, however he may appear in films like “Grown Ups.”

Far from a mere left-field casting choice, James has actually been pushing the movie as a way to bring MMA more to the mainstream eye rather than treating it as a niche sport.

Co-starring Henry Winkler as the best friend Selma Hayek as the school nurse/love interest, the film entitled “Here Comes the Boom” is currently set for a 2012 release. There’s no telling if the movie will play it straight or throw in some of Kevin James’ trademark self-deprecating humor, but the film at least promises to present mixed martial arts in a realistic manner.

Here Comes The Boom (IMDB)

Legendary martial artist Taika Oyata, the founder and head of RyuTe® Renmei as well as Oyata Shin Shu Ho Ryu®, is on his way to the Polander Academy of Martial Arts where visitors will be able to meet the man in person and hear him speak.

Taika Oyata’s ancestry dates to Zana Oyakata, a high ranking Shuri Government official prior to the Satsuma invasion in Okinawa. This heritage refers not only to the bloodline, but the instructions of the Okinawan Warrior class, as well: The Uhugushuku No-Tan-Mei.

In his youth, Oyata would develop the 12 basic kata of the RyuTe into a comprehensive training program, and introduce full contact protective gear sparring, or bogu kumite, to Okinawa. Serving as a chief referee for tournaments in the 60′s and winning a major championship in Japan, Oyata taught US Servicemen through the decade and established a dojo in the United States in the 70′s.

If you can’t make it to the Polander, check out Oyata’s book, “RyuTe no Michi, the way of the Ryukyu Hands,” an exploration of the theory and methodology behind the style, as well as the practical application and philosophy of the martial arts.

If you do get the chance to see the man in person, Oyata is a true Karateka and a rare master of the form. Do not pass up the opportunity if you can help it.

Meet the Grandmaster and Founder of RyuTe Kempo Karate!

Where:

Polander Academy of Martial Arts
5017 Wilson Lane
Bethesda, MD 20814
Telephone: 301 656-0558

When:

Saturday, May 19th
11:00am to 3:00pm

Get updated event info

“The National Foundation for Cancer Research is calling on Martial Arts Studios around the world to designate one (or more) classes to cancer research. Studios can also choose to do a special event or demonstration, and donate those proceeds to cancer research.

During these classes and events, studios can help by handing out cancer education materials such as the Cancer Prevention & Detection Kit, and by donating the proceeds of that class or event to cancer research.”

Contact:

Eli Goldstein

National Foundation for Cancer Research

301-961-9163

Egoldstein@nfcr.org