In September 1995, Professor Ruben Torres
re-opened the doors to the
KIDO Martial Arts Center in Brooklyn, New
York. The Dojo had been closed since 1982. Returning to the place or origin (1971), the Center again began the
process of nurturing the community of Park Slope.
A home to many Living Legends
at the time. (Takahasi Dojo, Tang Dojo, When Worlds Collide, USA Kodokan, Vee Jitsu Ryu, Vee Arnis Jitsu, Kiokushin
Kai, Seido, World Oyama, Tiger Kims' TKD, just to name a few!)
In re-opening the doors to the Dojo, I
first wanted to educate the community I would service by putting on a show at the local High School,
(John Jay H.S.) with the intention of exposing the community of martial arts enthusiasts with different expressions of "flow".
The show was called:
"CATCH THE FLOW!
With no budget nor resources, I
proceeded to make contact with the local "Masters" requesting their assistance. The response was
overwhelming, not at first, but once I started to interview and converse with the Masters they all individually
agreed to come and be a part of this educational event in Park Slope.
As a matter of fact, the only "Master"
who took the time to call me at home and thank and encourage me in my work was:
GrandMaster Ronald Duncan!
I had never met the Master, yet he made the time to call me and
in the softest, gentlest tone, he told me to continue the work I was doing!
To this day, I keep that memory close,
and though he has never asked me for anything, I have been on the sidelines just waiting for a day when the KIDO FAMILY
CLAN could be of service to him. Harigato Sensei.
Though the show was not a financial success
(we were $6.00 in the hole) I spent the $6.00 on water for all the
artist. It opened the community to the type of co-operative work I would continue to do till this day.
My KIDO Team and I have
just returned Tuesday, October 19, 2004 from the
BUDO EXPO 2004, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
where we were:
1. Co-promoters of the event. Sponsored by The
Puerto Rico Jujitsu Association
2. Performed at the show on Friday evening at the Universidad
Interamerican de Fajardo.
3. Conducted a "Masters Seminar" on Saturday at the Embassy
Suites Hotel.
4. Recieved induction into The International Jujitsu Hall
Of Fame (3 individual inductions).
5. Held a book release at the Embassy Suites for:
RIDING THE BREATH/a manual of introduction
to the KIDO FLEXIBILITY SET by Ruben Torres.
Next week on Thursday the 28th
of October, we are off to Trinidad & Tobago for the annual
Caribbean Inter-School
Martial Arts Open Championships.
31st October, 2004
Jean Pierre Sports Complex
Wrightson Road, Port of Spain
Trinida & Tobago,
West Indies
10:00 am.
Specially invited guests, Professors & Grandmasters
from U.S.A. & Puerto Rico
See the best of
Ju-Jitsu, Hapkido, Aikido, Kung Fu, Karate & Kickboxing
in
SUPER DEMONSTRATIONS!
See also Professor Christopher Francis, Caribbean Director, in Action
This site is dedicated to the people of Grenada,
and it is the wish of the people of the West Indies that you will all consider coming and supporting this event with your
Teams.
Please contact Professor Ruben Torres for
the Packet.
Packet Includes
All forms, invitation, schedule of events, list
of invited Masters, list of Specially Invited Guests are included.
