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Post by jimlukelkc on May 2, 2011 17:22:00 GMT
Hi folks, Just a quick mention for an annual event here in the North-East of England. The great northern international festival of martial arts is an event organised by a highly-regarded instructor of Aikido called Peter Seth. All proceeds are donated to cancer research and Her Grace the Duchess of Northumberland gives it her personal patronage.
This year the event will feature over ten different martial arts and 4 dedicated "come and try it" mats. Arts will include Karate, Judo, Jujitsu, Kung-fu, Cane do, ninjitsu, Escrima, Wing Chun, Directional fighting, Capoeira, Kobudo, Kenjutsu, Japanese sword, and weapon
s admission for adults is £5.00 and its a great day out, so if any of you folks can amke I urge you to get there.
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Post by jimlukelkc on May 2, 2011 17:24:28 GMT
Forgot to mention ( D`oh) it will be held in the Sunderland university " CitySpace " centre , Chester road, Sunderland , sr1 3sd 10.00 am till 4pm
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Post by andyupton on May 2, 2011 20:15:42 GMT
You also forgot to mention the DATE !  |
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Post by fleur on May 2, 2011 22:50:58 GMT
Sounds like a blast! Jealous.
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Post by jimlukelkc on May 4, 2011 20:00:52 GMT
what an idiot, sorry folks, it is Sunday 5th June
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Post by fujicolt on May 10, 2011 4:46:06 GMT
Give me a call Jim - I'd love to try to come up and we could go as a group
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Post by jimlukelkc on Jun 8, 2011 14:24:19 GMT
Well folks, the afore-mentioned event has passed. I attended with some students and friends and to be frank it was shocking in parts.
The Shotokan demo was adequate as was the great demo by a local Judo club given exclusively by special needs kids. In the past we have been treated to fascinating insights into the history of kobudo by the great Brian Ford and brilliant demonstrations of escrima and some even more obscure arts.
This time however, many of the demos seem to have been improvised on the spot and were of yawn-making mediocrity. One demonstration of Kali was embarrassingly laughable and if it does not make it onto youtube there is no justice!
Lets not however lose sight of the fact this event was solely for charity and must have been a nightmare to organise and co-ordinate. The fact that it was used by some schools/ryu to publicise their nonsense and the organisers were let down by those partaking not having practised should not detract from the original intent.
What it highlighted for me was the lack of pride some people have in their art and the sheer volume of utter tripe being peddled as serious MA. Even the decent ones dont seem to have thought through what they were doing. For example, the local Shotokan contingent wher to be seen from early in the proceedings pacticing kata etc in an annexe to the main hall. They were obviously well warmed up prior to the demo. Why then start the demo by forcing the audience to sit through 5 mins of warm-ups prior to the main event? For one thing 5 mins is not an adequate warm-up and for another, name a martial art that doesnt warm up?
As for the participants who gave a poor showing, if my club are booked to give a demonstration I ensure all elements are practised at least 2-3 months in advance.
I often wonder why I have difficulty recruiting new members, especially adults, but if this is how the public's perception of martial arts is affected then who can blame them viewing it as ineffectual and outmoded?
I guess I more annoyed on behalf of Peter, the gentleman who organises the event and I use the word advisedly as he is one of dwindling group of men who can be called gentlemen, I know he cant have been happy at the standard and feel for him as this is the 11th year he has hosted this event and it is something very close to his heart.
Well enough of my middle-aged rambling rant!
Thanks for listening Lol !
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Post by fujicolt on Jun 8, 2011 23:54:38 GMT
what a shame James! step in next year and help him vet everything!
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