SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Our once-a-month kickboxing class didn't prepare us for the Shaolin Warriors, a troupe of more than 20 kung fu masters, performing tonight at the Orpheum Theatre (1 Hamilton Place, Boston, 617.679.0810). Trained in hand-to-hand and weapons combat, group members are required to endure a rigorous process to achieve mastery of one of kung fu's 18 traditional weapons - dart, dagger, sword, and spear included - and a high level of expertise in all of them. Kung fu, which originated in China's Shaolin Temple more than a thousand years ago, is never used in moments of violence and aggression, which go against traditional Buddhist principles; instead, the monks look to achieve a highly focused state known as "stillness in movement" that allows them to endure the challenges of their training. Tonight's performance begins at 8 p.m.; tickets ($30 to $45) are available at 617.876.4275 or www.worldmusic.org.
