Said to be born from the deep-rooted traditions of Shaolin monks in China, the group usually presents stories that evolve around the daily lives of the monks at Shaolin temples.

“It’s an honor for us to be able to present a world-class performance from China that showcases not only the agility and exceptional ability of martial arts but also valuable Chinese Buddhism life virtues,” Mayapada Bank director Suwandy said in Jakarta on Wednesday.

“I hope the Shaolin Warriors can give the audience a glimpse into the life of the Shaolin monks and their deep-rooted traditions,” said Rina.

She added that she was optimistic the show would attract a wide-range of audiences, from Shaolin fans to martial arts enthusiasts.

“We are aiming for up to 90 percent occupancy for all five performances,” she said.

The Shaolin Warriors show have reportedly performed in front of over 10 million people around the world. It has made appearances in many countries, including the US and the UK.

– See more at: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/01/13/shaolin-warriors-entertain-jakarta-february.html#sthash.IuBohJ9p.dpuf

Miss Australia was quizzed about legalising marijuana. Miss Colombia had to address the Illegal-drug trade in her country. And Miss USA wasn’t let off the hook – they asked her about gun control! “This is an incredibly difficult issue and the United States is constantly weighing the options,” she replied, without even sweating. “I think it’s incredibly important that all individuals have the right to protect themselves and feel safe, but I also think that sometimes we need to look at safety as a whole – more than just our personal safety. So I think we need stronger regulations. Specifically, I think we need to pay attention.”

The finalists did their best to stay politically correct and not tread on any toes, but you have to wonder if Miss Philippines’ answer carried any weight beyond helping win her the Miss Universe crown. Saying it’s okay for US troops to be stationed in a foreign country suggests it should be the norm everywhere. The main problem with such questioning, though, is that they were so unfair to the contestants. Yes, the questions gave the ladies a chance to demonstrate their intellect, but their honesty had to stay mute.

I remember a time when the pageant involved a more creative Q&A. Back in 1973 Miss Philippines was Margie Moran (and she won the crown too). She was asked, plain and simple, “If you had $1 million, what would you do with it?” Her response was just as straightforward: “I’d buy a big house where I could live with all the people I love.” I’d certainly have given her full marks for that display of honesty.

Brook Mahealani , Miss Universe 1997

Photo: t-pageant.com

Miss USA Brook Mahealani became Miss Universe 1997 in part because of her reply to this sparkling question: “If there were no rules for one day and you could be outrageous, what would you do?” “I’d eat everything in the world,” she said. The audience laughed and she added, “No, you don’t understand – I’d eat everything twice!”

Perhaps it isn’t so silly after all being asked what your favourite food is. If the idea is to test someone’s creativity and sincerity, probing queries about politics and other controversial issues are completely unnecessary. Leave the big policy questions to the world leaders (and see if they can come up with a better answer than a beauty queen). If the politicians do their jobs properly and resolve a few problems, maybe future generations of young ladies can get back to more fun and creative questions on the pageant stage.

And for all the little girls out there, today being Children’s Day, I send you a wish that you grow up to live in a better world, one filled with love and peace – and fewer hypocrites.

Clearly the local promoters are getting better at their jobs. In 2015 we had Katy Perry, Muse, Imagine Dragons, One Direction and the Script performing in Thailand for the first time. Keen to return were the Backstreet Boys, Elton John, Avenged Sevenfold, Jason Mraz, Boyzone, Michael Buble and Michael Learns to Rock – as well as a surprise visit by Bon Jovi after a too-long absence.

“It was another golden year for the company,” says Neil Thompson, second in command at BEC-Tero Entertainment, the heavyweight on the local concert-promotion scene. “We signed a partnership agreement with Live Nation that allows us to bring more international shows to Thailand. This year we’ll finally get to see Madonna live in Bangkok after 30 years of waiting, and many more acts. BEC-Tero plans to hold two or three concerts and events per month.”

Initially billed as one night only, on February 9, the gig sold out within days, prompting arrangements for a second show on the 10th, for which there are still some seats left in case you thought you were out of luck.

Another show that’s sure to be terrific will be Diana Krall’s return on February 19. The five-time Grammy-winning jazz singer-pianist will be at Siam Paragon’s Royal Paragon Hall for her second appearance in Bangkok.

An immensely respected and successful recording and performing artist, Krall is a musical force in other ways as well. She produced Barbra Streisand’s latest album, served as musical director and arranger for Paul McCartney and hit the road for a good cause with Neil Young.

Krall has sold more albums than any other female jazz artist of the last 30 years, and those recordings have earned her nine gold, three platinum and seven multi-platinum commemorative discs. New promoter Viji Corp is presenting her concert, for which seats are on sale at Thai Ticket Major for Bt1,500 to Bt5,500.

On February 27 the Spanish pop quintet Dvicio makes its first landing in Thailand with a show enticingly called “Enamorate con Dvicio” at the Muang Thai GMM Live House in Central World Plaza. BeUS Production is in charge of this event and is expected to announce the finer details at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com on January 16.

American guitar legend Carlos Santana obviously loves coming to Thailand because he’ll be back for the sixth time on February 29 with another concert at Impact Arena, part of the “Luminosity” world tour. Thank BEC-Tero for this monster of a show too.

The fans can’t seem to get enough of Carlos and his virtuoso band either, certainly not when they’ve got such an amazing repertoire of hits dating back to the late 1960s. Count on hearing “She’s Not There”, “Black Magic Woman”, “Oye Como Va”, “Smooth”, “The Game of Love”, “Maria Maria” and many more. Considerably boosting interest is the fact that veteran Thai rockers Carabao will be putting in a special appearance. Seats cost Bt2,000 to Bt5,000 at Thai Ticket Major.

Viji Corp’s second concert of 2016 will feature American alternative-rock group Death Cab for Cutie, their first time in Bangkok. That’s on March 3 at Moonstar Studio in Lat Phrao district.

Singer-guitarist Ben Guibbard, bassist Nick Harmer and drummer Jason McGeer have garnered a reputation over the past two decades as one of contemporary music’s most compelling and creative outfits. Seats (not that you’ll be sitting for long) are on sale for Bt1,800 at Thai Ticket Major.

On March 8 it’s the turn of Australian pop-rock band 5 Seconds to Summer to make a Bangkok debut. BEC-Tero has them at Impact.

These Sydney-siders first found fame on YouTube with videos of them doing cover songs, and then in February 2014 they “went vinyl” with the self-penned single “She Looks So Perfect”, which charted in Britain and Ireland as well as Down Under. A self-titled studio album followed in June that same year and was No 1 in 11 countries. Since then there’s been the live album “LiveSOS”, and if you’ve heard it, you’ll be buying a seat for Bt2,000 to Bt5,000 from Thai Ticket Major.

Japanese guitar duo Depapepe whetted Thai appetites with a short showcase of tunes late last year and is back with the full banquet on March 25, at Central Lat Phrao’s BCC Hall.

Takuya Miura and Yoshinari Tokuoka’s upbeat and sophisticated instrumental pop has made them one of Japan’s most sought-after acts overseas. The recently launched “greatest hits” album “All Time Best” was issued in editions produced specifically for every country they’ve played, including Thailand. That kind of special treatment is bound to win fans, and starting at the end of this month they’ll gladly be paying Bt1,500 to Bt3,500 for seats at the organiser’s website, https://ticket.avalon.co.th.

Time for another legend on April 5 when the ageless Welsh pop crooner Sir Tom Jones revisits Bangkok six years after his last appearance here. BEC-Tero will be unveiling the details on its site soon.

We already know what’s on the set-list, though, because Sir Tom can’t go anywhere without performing “It’s Not Unusual”, “What’s New Pussycat”, “Delilah”, “She’s a Lady” and the pretty much autobiographical “Sex Bomb”. He’s a pop star, but he’s also done rock, soul, gospel, R&B, Broadway-type show tunes and even a little bit of country in the course of a four-decade career, meanwhile selling 100 million records.

Hard to beat that!

Watch the Web

BEC-Tero Entertainment: http://www.BECTero.com

BeUS Productions: http://www.beus.co.th

Avalon Live: http://www.Facebook.com/AvalonLive

Viji Corp: http://www.vijicorp.com

Thai Ticket Major: (02) 262 3456 and http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com