It's gotta happen

[Flatlander]

Soooooo, I've been reading through the old stuff here, and a question came to mind.

Will there be another Modern Arnis symposium, ever? Are there any leaders out there who would like to take another kick at the can, or do you all think the brotherhood needs a few years to settle from the last one?

I, for one, would love the opportunity to attend an event like that sometime. As you all may know, I wasn't "on the scene" for the last one, but would have hitchiked to get there had it been tomorrow, rather than last year. Reading through the list of instructors, I can't help but wonder if a training opportunity of that magnitude with such a huge pile of talent in one venue was only a one time thing.

I sure as hell hope not.

Dan.

 

[Cruentus]

Well...I think it will happened more and more as time goes on, as the natural course of things. Datu Hartman and Punong Guro Marlino Hufana taught at the last WMAA camp. GM Worden, Guro Dantes, SM Dagooc, and the Presas kids get together and do events. Guro Parsons, Datu Bong and Hartman did an event that I hosted last year. Members of the MOTTs may decide to do more joint events in the future.

I think that gradually people will start getting together on their own merits, and their will be future grandious events with many different people on the floor from Modern Arnis. Master Jim Ladius (sp) said at the last IMAF, Inc. event that I dropped in on, "We all trained under the same roof at one time...it'll happen again.." I think that he is right...in the sense that at one time, Professor Remy was all our teachers. So...most of us will be able to get together again some day.

It doesn't need to be billed as a "symposium," but I think that events where many different instructors get together to train happen...and will happen more and more as time goes on...

:ultracool :asian:

 

[Dan Anderson]

I have been thinking of doing #2 here in the Pacific Northwest if the interest is there. Let's see if this thread sparks interest or not.

Since there were a number of us who got many different things from PRof. Presas, I think the differences ins instructions styles alone would make it interesting. I don't think you could get 6 more different people in one room than Tim, Kelly, Bram, Dieter, Dr. Schea and myself. It could really rock.

Yours,
Dan Anderson

 

[coreymin]

Hey Everyone:

I talked to Dan Anderson today, and I would agree...another symposium or the like should and can happen...

On Oct. 16th, we have Datu Worden, SM Anderson, Master Ken Smith, Jr., and Shihan Annesi, aptly dubbed the Fab Four, headlining our WRCMA conference this year. We have 3 masters from the PNW and one from New England, so it could happen. For more information, hit our site at www.wrcma.org .

We also have additional instructors coming in:

Shihan Morris Mack, 9th Dan, Head of the Shudokan Karate Organization
Bob Anderson, 5th Dan Kajukenpo and security specialist lecturer
Sean Eastman, Conceptual Martial Arts, who is trained in TKD and Comtech
Master Jeff Bray, 5th Dan, Progressive Fighting Concepts
Guro Andrew Hewlitt, 2nd Dan, Progressive Fighting Concepts

Datu Worden is working on some other guests coming in to cross genres and focus on paper presentations as well...

So far, we have paper submissions from SM Dan Anderson, Shihan Annesi, Master Ken Smith, Betsy Minatani, George Hoover, Cale Merkley and others from the Spokane Modern Arnis group...

So if we can whip this sort of thing out, I see no reason why one cannot arrange the powers to be of the arnis world....

Corey Minatani

 

[Flatlander]

I have been thinking of doing #2 here in the Pacific Northwest if the interest is there. Let's see if this thread sparks interest or not.

That's what I'm hoping for SM'S'DA.:asian:

 

[Dan Anderson]

Hey Everyone:

On Oct. 16th, we have Datu Worden, SM Anderson, Master Ken Smith, Jr., and Shihan Annesi, aptly dubbed the Fab Four, headlining our WRCMA conference this year. Corey Minatani

I want to clarify that although we are titled the Fab Four, we are not the Beatles. I have no intention of becoming like John or George. I have a lot to do yet.

On a straighter note, I am pumped about the conference. This is going to be a (for lack of a better term) scholarly meeting. The demos/workshops should be first rate and Corey is busting his butt to make this a very non-political event. I am as positive about this event as I was about the Symposium.

You out on the east Coast will be able to meet Corey after July. He's moving to Massassachusettes with his wife and family and has intentions of setting up a Martial Arts Research Center much like the WRCMA. Very good idea and with his positive energy and intention, I think he could make a good go of it.

Yours,
Dan Anderson

 

[coreymin]

You out on the east Coast will be able to meet Corey after July. He's moving to Massassachusettes with his wife and family and has intentions of setting up a Martial Arts Research Center much like the WRCMA. Very good idea and with his positive energy and intention, I think he could make a good go of it.

Yours,
Dan Anderson

Hey Dan:

Thanks for the high energy. In actuality, I will try to direct the WRCMA from MA. My good buddy, Ken Smith, is taking the Washington State directorship in my place. I will establish the MA branch, and act as State Director there, and try to recruit two regional directors to help me out. One of the cool things about the WRCMA, no one person is actually the head of the organization, I founded it, but I take a back seat role and help others to develop research and writing skills. By recruiting good people to regional directorships, the WRCMA instills some responsibility to new black belts to help them with organization, management, and logistical problems. The state director, acting as the senior person, will help guide and mold these regional directors. All in all, we hope to develop state directors and regional directors in all 50 states. Right now I'm hoping some senior guy will help wrap up Oregon for me...

Corey

 

[Datu Tim Hartman]

I have been thinking of doing #2 here in the Pacific Northwest if the interest is there. Let's see if this thread sparks interest or not.

Since there were a number of us who got many different things from PRof. Presas, I think the differences ins instructions styles alone would make it interesting. I don't think you could get 6 more different people in one room than Tim, Kelly, Bram, Dieter, Dr. Schea and myself. It could really rock.

Yours,
Dan Anderson

Are the instructors going to get paid this time? :jedi1:

 

[Mark Lynn]

FWIW

I would like to see something like the symposium happen again. The professor had to many talented instructors out there for any sane person to see (Im trying but then my wife doesn't think my obsession with the martial arts exactly sane) and it would help to see several of the instructors in one place.

However I would like to see something like the symposium was supposed to be like, with a bunch/several Modern Arnis instructors teaching. Not what the symposium kind of became where it was more of a filipino martial arts gathering (I'M NOT KNOCKING THE SYMPOSIUM HERE NOR TRYING TO START THAT ALL UP AGAIN, IT WAS BEAT TO DEATH LAST YEAR.) But the idea of what SM Dan mentioned of him, Kelly Worden, Dr. Schea, etc. etc. on the floor would be great.

From the sounds of this other event, it sounds like it would be cool as well but it's not just MA form the sounds of it rather it's a bunch of different martial arts sharing time on the floor, still cool, but I hoping for a Modern Arnis event myself.

Is this Ken Smith of the MOTTS? I thought he was in Chicago or somewhere?

Mark

 

[mcjon77]

FWIW

Is this Ken Smith of the MOTTS? I thought he was in Chicago or somewhere?

Mark

I don't think so, based on the info I read on the org's website. This Ken Smith appears to be a ground fighting expert. There was mention of his Goju-ryu, Sombo, and Jeet Kune Do training. When people speak of Master Smith in Chicago (Orland Park to be exact) they usually speak of his training in Modern Arnis and Isshin Ryu Karate.

Jon

 

[Bob Hubbard]

Personally, I'd love to see all 6 Datus, the Motts, and a number of seniors all at one event. I mean, the same core but a dozen different interpretations and extentions would be a wonder.

 

[Emptyglass]

Are the instructors going to get paid this time? :jedi1:

Hi all:

A good question is SHOULD they want/ask to be paid? I would think travel and lodging would be a fair deal for out-of-town instructors if they don't have other arrangements. However, if the idea of the gathering (I won't use the word Symposium because its obvious to me there are still hard feelings about that word from some people) is to promote, show off, expand, trade and spread the art of Modern Arnis/FMA in a free-thinking and free-flowing exchange of information, should an instructor feel that sort of event is something larger than "just another payday" or a chance to do something to unify and strengthen what seems to me to be a very fragmented and factionalized martial arts system in the United States.

I see these sorts of events as an opportunity for learning for not only the lower-ranking students who choose to attend them, but also a chance for leading system heads to see what the others are up to. To trade and learn from each other and to examine a different take on what they might have thought their art REALLY was by seeing it presented by someone with equitable skills but a different viewpoint. Also it is a chance to honor the memory of Grandmaster Remy A. Presas by showing that work is continuing to be done on the art he dedicated his life to by his leading students. A chance to still show respect even though he now is gone and a chance to be a leader, a Datu (in spirit if not in actual title) if you will, by setting aside egos/personal feelings/needs for the greater good of the art for a couple of days.

In terms of income, perhaps showing all kinds of people from different reaches of the system your take on the subject might get you some new students. At the very least it will allow you to show your peers what you have discovered works for you and perhaps changes the minds of a few people who might have once thought of you as "rival" and walk away from the event thinking of you as "brother".

Just some things to think about.

Thanks,

Rich Curren

 

[DoxN4cer]

Another symposium type event would be wonderful. I guess that I'll have to miss it this time around, since I'm so far away.

With so many personalities that are out there, I would guarantee that if more people came forward to support it there would be a truly great event.

Tim Kashino

 

[loki09789]

The symposium idea is a good thing IMO. AS LONG AS the intent is to celebrate, respect and learn from all those who have taken MA in so many different directions.

Paid instructors or not, the philosophical reward/goal should be to share and compare how each of these artists have "made it their own" by either organizing MA as a stand alone art or blending it with another art - making both better because of that blending. I remember seeing both stand alone artists, blenders and innovators who took the spirit of MA and ran with it at the last one.

These symposiums should NOT be Re-enactors conventions/Ren Fest types of events that ONLY showcase recycling/repetition of the physical drills, skills and movements that RP passed on through MA. There should be respect for the innovators, tree shakers and hard workers who have built on what they learned in MA but "Made it their own" by applying that knowledge in a special and unique way. Through demonstration, verbal discussion, scholarly 'defense'/rationale those who have carried on the MA spirit of translation/innovation should be showcased as well. The spirit of MA 'tradition' is far more important to me than just being 'traditional' in strict MA movement.

So many discussions have touched on how MA is an actual performance/physical art form AND a conceptual training approach. Both directions should be recognized. There may be a foundation of MA, but criticism or negativity like "That isn't MA" because it isn't only the physical art that RP taught has no place in a symposium.

 

[Dan Anderson]

Are the instructors going to get paid this time?

If possible, yes. We'd have to discuss whether it would be a flat rate, part of a percentage profits split or what have you.

Is this Ken Smith of the MOTTS?

This Ken Smith is a certified JKD instructor in Washington state and also an NSI black belt. He's quite tall where MoTT Ken Smith is average height.

Personally, I'd love to see all 6 Datus, the Motts, and a number of seniors all at one event. I mean, the same core but a dozen different interpretations and extentions would be a wonder.

This would be THE ideal including Bram Frank as well. I think having all of them would be cost prohibitive.

A good question is SHOULD they want/ask to be paid?

Ideally, yes.

The symposium idea is a good thing IMO. AS LONG AS the intent is to celebrate, respect and learn from all those who have taken MA in so many different directions.

I have a different direction I would like to take and that is having the seniors in western (US & Europe) Modern arnis teach and demonstrate their skills. AS I have said before, Remy Presas approached us all in different ways. We all have a piece of the pie, so to speak, and the presentation alone of all of us would be worth the price of admission itself.

We all move differently within the same art from the same teacher. We stress different aspects fo the same art. That is what I'd like to see in this Sympo. If I take the ball and run with it, that's the direction I'll take it. Again, it could really rock!

Yours,
Dan Anderson

PS- Tim K. We could have George tape it again if things work out and you could get the DVD.

 

[Rich Parsons]

PS- Tim K. We could have George tape it again if things work out and you could get the DVD.

I have my copies.

 

[DoxN4cer]

PS- Tim K. We could have George tape it again if things work out and you could get the DVD.

Hell yeah.

 

[DoxN4cer]

The symposium idea is a good thing IMO. AS LONG AS the intent is to celebrate, respect and learn from all those who have taken MA in so many different directions.

Paid instructors or not, the philosophical reward/goal should be to share and compare how each of these artists have "made it their own" by either organizing MA as a stand alone art or blending it with another art - making both better because of that blending. I remember seeing both stand alone artists, blenders and innovators who took the spirit of MA and ran with it at the last one.

These symposiums should NOT be Re-enactors conventions/Ren Fest types of events that ONLY showcase recycling/repetition of the physical drills, skills and movements that RP passed on through MA. There should be respect for the innovators, tree shakers and hard workers who have built on what they learned in MA but "Made it their own" by applying that knowledge in a special and unique way. Through demonstration, verbal discussion, scholarly 'defense'/rationale those who have carried on the MA spirit of translation/innovation should be showcased as well. The spirit of MA 'tradition' is far more important to me than just being 'traditional' in strict MA movement.

So many discussions have touched on how MA is an actual performance/physical art form AND a conceptual training approach. Both directions should be recognized. There may be a foundation of MA, but criticism or negativity like "That isn't MA" because it isn't only the physical art that RP taught has no place in a symposium.

Amen to that, Paul. You and Rich Curren made some really important points on "showcasing" the art. Bring what you have, people shouldn't mimic the Professor and chant his name as a mantra when they have nothing real to contribute to the art. Show how you've made it your own.

TK

 

[Flatlander]

SM'S'DA, if you could keep us informed of your ideas and progress on this topic I would really appreciate that.

You keep qualifying this with "might" and "maybe"....what reservations, if any do you have to organizing this?

Honestly, Dan, I can't think of a better guy for the job. You've got my vote. Thanks.

To everybody:

It's great to hear your feedback on this, I wasn't sure if I should bring it up or not. You all sound pretty positive, and that's refreshing.

 

[Dan Anderson]

You keep qualifying this with "might" and "maybe"....what reservations, if any do you have to organizing this?

Honestly, Dan, I can't think of a better guy for the job. You've got my vote. Thanks.

To everybody:

It's great to hear your feedback on this, I wasn't sure if I should bring it up or not. You all sound pretty positive, and that's refreshing.

Flatlander,
Reservations:
1. If he attended, could everybody work with Jeff Delaney?
2. Would anybody commit and then later pull out?
3. If there were no cash for anybody, would they still teach/show up?
4. Would there be squabbles regarding who goes on when (1st, 2nd, 3rd,
etc.)?
5. Would I get support in promoting this event or would everybody sit on
their hands and wait to see what happened
6. Would I get demands like "If (insert name here) is on the bill, I'm not
going to show up. It's your call."?
7. Or, "Unless (insert name here) is on the bill, I'm not going to show up. It's
your call."

As much as I liked the first Symposium, it ran up against a number of difficulties that I would rather not have at the second one.

Yours,
Dan Anderson