Page 56 - Martial Science Magazine February 2018 dig

OURS AND
TEVENTS The Martial Arts History Upon the encouragement
Museum is also very big on of the martial arts com-
their on-going events aver- munity and the blessing
Tours are held daily in a aging two to three events of Gerald Okamura, the
variety of different settings per month. Some of the Martial Arts History Muse-
and locations but when an many events that the muse- um re-started Dragonfest
educational organization um hosts are photo exhib- with just as much pizzazz
wants to offer parents of its, craft fairs, healing and as before. Since the reviv-
the scholars they serve health-minded seminars, al of Dragonfest in 2014,
field lesson opportunities workshops and book sign- it has grown to over 2,000
with educational content ings, which gives a variety visitors, 140 booths and
and value, museums are of different options for the has expanded to a two-day
their go to destinations community to participate event. It has become a ven-
– specifically the Martial in, engage diverse inter- ue for martial arts prod-
Arts History Museum. Cur- ests, and be entertained ucts, animators, cosplay,
rently, thousands of chil- by. One of the significant reunion of martial artists,
dren come to the museum events for the museum and gathering of pioneers
each year and up to 30 to lies in the “Honor Days”, and movie stars that this
90 children are guided in which dedicates two hours event is the next comic-con
just one session. Children to honor a martial arts pi- for the martial arts com-
are then led through the oneer, legend, notable munity!
facility by museum do- achiever or martial arts in-
cents with animated story structor. This event is one IGHTS, CAMERA,
telling, fun facts, and tons to share that person’s life, LMUSEUM PRO-
of questions and answer accomplishments, and is a
sessions throughout the very touching time where DUCTIONS!
tour. At the conclusion of people come from all over
their tour, scholars work the nation to show respect In 2017, a new branch of
on a fun scavenger hunt as and give thanks to their in- the museum was estab-
they earn a museum stick- structors. lished called Museum Pro-
er while getting educated ductions. This new depart-
about martial arts histo- RAGONFEST – ment is dedicated to all
ry. Tours are not limited areas regarding multi-me-
to children, the museum DMARTIAL ARTS dia and publishes at least
hosts a number of tours for COMIC-CON one new book a year.
senior citizen groups, men-
tally and physically chal- In the 1990s, actor and Headed by director Wil-
lenged groups, Make-A- martial arts pioneer Ger- liam Ford, a biography of
Wish Foundation and many ald Okamura started a con- each icon is recorded and
more. It is Matsuda’s goal vention called Dragonfest. highlights their historical
and the ones that volun- This convention was an contributions to the arts
teer to be servant-leaders accumulation of martial as well as their life history
to enrich the lives of com- arts stars, pioneers and ce- through the productions
munity members through lebrities, which started in a new “Biography” series.
their joint efforts in help- small room with a handful The first film project that
ing with the American Red of tables and it amounted has been released from
Cross and charity events into a larger convention Museum Productions is the
that the museum has been with over a thousand vis- Gerald Okamura Biogra-
a place to unite for causes itors in attendance. The phy, which is now available
greater than themselves. event lasted for nine years on Amazon.
as Dragonfest ended and
laid dormant for the next Museum Productions plans
ten years. to use these documentaries

56 MARTIALSCIENCEMAGAZINE.COM