The Korean Martial Arts Festival 2021 Everybody Wants to Belong By Master Guy Edward Larke
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can claim that? Not just in America, but internationally. What follows was the itinerary:
Sometimes you want to go Where everybody knows your name And they're always glad you came You want to be where you can see Our troubles are all the same You want to be where everybody knows your name Gary Portnoy, Theme Song to Cheers
The COVID crisis has hit the world in so many ways, financially, politically, health-wise and so on. The damage to the martial arts community in general has been immense as well. The amount of school closures and even organizations closing or downsizing in unprecedented. The one thing that no one discusses, whether it’s because it seems unimportant or as an afterthought, is the comradery in the martial arts community. As the old adage goes, no man (or woman) is an island. More than ever, the martial artist (whether professional or hobbyist) needs a place to call home without selling their soul to some organization. Enter Master Thomas Gordon’s brain child, the Korean Martial Arts Festival. It was birthed over 15 years ago simply as a way for exponents of the Korean arts to come together, regardless of rank, style or any other perceivable barrier. It started with modest, but hopeful response and grew every year without fail. Readers of most martial arts publications in North America should be well acquainted with Master Gordon’s legacy, as well as the brotherhood he has formed over the years. Despite the crippling effects of the global pandemic, he has fought to bind the spiritual ties of the martial arts community tighter. Where most events are exclusive or try to draw new people into their organization, Gordon only wants people to share their passion, their spirit and sweat with one another. Is that too much to ask as a requirement? Last April celebrated the 15th event! How man organizations
For KMAF2022, on the Session Leaders’ side, the following are confirmed (in no particular order):
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