Dragonfest 2016

I attended my first ever Martial Arts convention called Dragonfest.

Dragonfest is an annual fundraiser for the Martial Arts History Museum.  The convention hosts a variety of booths.  For $25 guests can meet local instructors to discuss their systems and styles, shop various items ranging from Japanese style art to knives and even Gi’s and of course meet various celebrities.

When I first arrived it was a bit of a culture shock.  The mixture of the variety of booths, the Taiko drums and lion dancers were an adrenaline rush and slightly overwhelming.  There was a stage available for demonstrations, performances and a live auction. There was a large diversity of systems, some I hadn’t even thought about seeing at a Martial Arts convention such as the United States Sumo Federation and Michelle Manu a Hawaiian Weaponry specialist.  It was while I was first walking around that I met Robin Hart.  

Robin Hart is the Owner of Muay Thai School USA and is the only female professional promoter in the USA that has brought some of the best Muay Thai fighters from around the world to the USA.  Robin found out about Dragonfest after her and her Summer Junior Muay Thai Camp students visited the Martial Arts History Museum.  She told me, “The networking here is amazing.  It’s awesome to be a part of the Martial Arts Community.”

And what a community it is ranging from Muay Thai, Kenpo to Kung Fu and even Sumo. Robin reassured,
​ “Even though there’s not a traditional belt system (in Muay Thai) we still have advancements like any other system.  When people are deeply involved with Martial Arts they have a deep respect for each other regardless of the system.”

As I walked and talked I found that I could have a thorough conversation with anyone about Martial Arts.  I sat down and spoke with Carrie Ogawa-Wong, 2005 inductee into the Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame, White Lotus Kung Fu Master and instructor at the White Lotus Kung Fu Studio.  Her and her husband Doug Wong (Founder of White Lotus Kung Fu and Author) were selling his books, t-shirts and handing out information on their Dojo.

Carrie has attended every Dragonfest, minus the very first one.  As a veteran to the convention she said, “It’s great that once a year we get to see our olds friends in the different systems that we have in a way grown up with.”

She insists,
​ “Anyone can attend, there’s a little bit of everything in the Martial Arts culture here.  People can be so limited on the culture of Marital Arts so it’s good to attend.”

I ran into fellow Kenpoists Marissa and Minh Mach at Ed Parker Jr.’s booth and asked them what they thought about their first visit to Dragonfest? 
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Marissa had thought it would be smaller, “I didn’t expect it to be this big and with all the notable Martial Artists here.  It’s awesome and we appreciate the varieties (systems/styles).”

​There were many notable Martial Artists present for the event; from Ed Parker Jr., Don “The Dragon” Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock. One of the celebrities I had the opportunity to speak with is Al Leong, actor from Die Hard and Big Trouble in Little China Town.  He had attended last year as well and told me, “This is a better location, it keeps getting bigger.  This brings a lot of different people together and different styles together.”

Yet these meetings are not just limited to a photo op and autographs.  I spoke with Mr. Leong about his book “The Eight Lives of Al “Ka-Bong” Leong,” which tells the story in vivid detail of his career in film and stunt work.  At each celebrity booth, guests can purchase memorabilia, have the celebrity sign and then discuss and talk with them and this is all possible because everyone here is approachable.
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Towards the end of the day I was able to meet up with the one and only Cynthia Rothrock.  Cynthia is a Martial Arts Film actress that is heavily involved with the Martial Arts History museum.  She has attended every Dragonfest. 
She explained,
“The Martial Arts History Museum is sponsoring this where you can meet actors and other Martial Artists, there’s entertainment and knowledge for everyone.  Everyone here is so friendly and it gets bigger and bigger each year.”

Cynthia explained that anyone can enjoy Dragonfest.  She studies 5 different forms of Martial Arts: 3 Chinese systems and 2 Korean systems.  She says anyone interested in starting Martial Arts could attend and see the various demonstrations and speak to the different practitioners to determine what system is best for them.

The truth is I was slightly skeptical about attending Dragonfest.  

​I had envisioned a group of mainstream pretend Martial Artists running around in some costume and swinging fake Samurai swords at each other…

It wasn’t that way at all.  Everyone had pride in their system and style and where excited to be at an event where they could discuss their passion for the art.  The Martial Arts History Museum might have hosted the event, but it is the passion we all share for the study and art of Martial Arts that brought us there and kept us captivated. 
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Though this event may be overwhelming for some, I would greatly encourage anyone to attend.  This event was an eye opener to the idea of having support not just in your dojo and your own system but to reach out to other various systems.  

The physical training may vary but the spiritual journey is all the same.