In 1976, Grandmaster Bow Sim Mark founded the first Chinese Wushu Research Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. Its purpose was to promote the study and practice of traditional and standardized martial arts from China. The Institute and its affiliated schools around the world offer a variety of classes, seminars, and publications.
Grandmaster Bow Sim Mark is a world renowned expert in tai chi and wu dang sword. She was named Inside Kung Fu magazine’s Woman of the Year in 1994 and 1996, and has been extensively featured in media coverage of Chinese martial arts in the US and internationally. She is the author of a popular series of books on wushu. Her son, Donnie Yen, is one of Asia’s top action stars.
Master Bow Sim Mark and her performance team celebrated the Year of the Tiger at Boston’s Children’s Museum on Feb. 28 2010. See highlights of the performance in the “Video” section.
Donnie Yen’s epic adventure film BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS was just nominated for a record 19 categories at the upcoming Hong Kong Film Awards. Yen’s biopic of Bruce Lee’s teacher, IP MAN, took “Best Film” at last year’s ceremony.
Check out the teaser that was just posted for IP MAN 2, Donnie Yen’s follow-up to his kung fu masterpiece that won “Best Film” awards in Asia last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov3SMFCoyfQ
The starting date for the Family Wushu/Exercise Class has been changed to February 6.
Leda Elliott will offer another 8 week series of her popular family classes for children 4–9 years old (must be accompanied by a parent). The classes will introduce your child to some stretching, balancing, jumping, kicking and some simple wushu movements combined with the invigorating beat of the chinese drum. Location: 130 Lincoln St. in Boston, February 6 to March 27, Saturdays 10am-11am. Cost: $120 per parent and child, $60 per extra child for entire series. For more information go to http://www.wushu-leda.com/html/grouplessons/2010_calendar.htm
Leda will also begin 8 week courses in tai chi and flexibility and conditioning for adults on Wednesdays at 6 and 7:15 PM starting January 20. Go to above link for more information.
Starting this month, new beginning tai chi classes will be offered at the Boston school on Thursday and Friday at 6 PM and Sunday morning at 9:30 AM. Call (617)426–0958 or email cwri@taichi-arts.com for more information.
Donnie Yen’s latest film, BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS, is a big hit, according to the New York Times and screendaily.com – read about it here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/24/arts/24iht-chen.html
http://www.screendaily.com/news/distribution/asia-pacific/bodyguards-and-assassin-tops-holiday-box-office-in-china/5009319.article
His next film, the highly anticipated 14 BLADES, has been moved up to a release date of February 5. See the newest trailer here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0HoZL111yk&feature=player_embedded
Grandmaster Mark’s son, kung fu star Donnie Yen, will star in two high profile martial arts films that will be released in China during the upcoming holiday season. BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS will open on December 18, followed by 14 BLADES in February. Yen just wrapped production of IP MAN 2 and is now filming JING WU FENG YUN, which is loosely based on the FIST OF FURY story. His sister Chris appears in GIVE EM HELL, MALONE, which will be released on DVD on January 26.
The latest BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cavVzO8O4Ms
14 BLADES teaser trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDEF0k9eESg
GIVE EM HELL MALONE trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9MJXSePl_A
The New York Times website just posted an article about Donnie Yen’s latest films and his current superstar status in China. Read “An Action Star Moves to the Lead” here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/20/arts/20iht-donnie.html?ref=arts
On April 25 at 10 AM, Grandmaster Mark and her students, along with Sifu Rick Wong and his students from the Chinese Martial Arts Center of Melrose MA, will celebrate World Tai Chi Day at the Chinatown Gateway Park in Boston with a free performance. Call 617–426-0958 for more information.
Boston’s top daily newspaper just published an article about Grandmaster Mark and her daughter Chris Yen. Read the article here: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/08/kung_fu_daughter/
The online version doesn’t have the pictures that accompanied the print version, so we’ll post them in the photo section of this site.
On March 14 2009, the World Martial Arts Federation will give a Lifetime Achievement Award to Grandmaster Mark in recognition of her many years of teaching and performing wushu. If anyone is interested in attending the banquet, contact the Boston school at 617–426-0958.
Top honors for IP MAN