The story of my efforts at launching Kendo in Trinidad.
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Kendo demo & POS dojo
Hi everyone, this is Eddy, the Kendo (Japanese fencing) instructor informing you that on the 27th and 28th (Saturday & Sunday) we will give a short Kendo demonstration at a Karate tournament held at Jean Pierre Complex. The expected starting time of the demo is 12pm (noon) and should last no more than 30 minutes. Please note that they charge a 10$ entrance fee at the door for the Karate tournament.
It's your chance to see Kendo in Port of Spain for the first time in many years. In addition, starting January 4th (Tuesday) we will start new classes in Port of Spain, at the Woodbrook Methodist Church Hall (on Victoria Ave., across from the Governement Printery).
Kids classes: Tuesday 6pm - 8pm Age: 10-16 years old Fee: $40 per month Adult classes: Friday 6pm - 8pm Age: over 16 years old Fee: $60 per month (includes additional practice on Wednesday at St-Augustine dojo)
Please send out this information to all your friends and family. I hope to see many of you at the demonstration and hopefully in the January classes as well!
Me again... in regards to the demonstration on the 27-28 of this month at Jean Pierre Complex, I will ask the organisors to schedule us on both days, around lunch time. Not knowing your availability here is the programme I suggest:
Saturday (30 minutes) - Audience: Kids and parents - Kiri Kaeshi (all - wearing bogu) - Ji Geiko (one on one) - Ji Geiko (Eddy & Kwesi, others remove Men/Kote) - Kata #1 (one on one)
Sunday (30 minutes) - Audience: Teenagers, Parents & Adults - Kiri Kaeshi (all - wearing bogu) - Ji Geiko (one on one) - Kata #1-#10 (Eddy & Kwesi) - Shiai w/eddy as referee
** Please let me know as soon as possible whether you expect to come or not.
After both demonstrations we will setup a table and give out leaflets / explanations, show the equipment, swords,... to whoever wants to know. I appreciate if you could help with that as well.
All for now, I'll let you know when everything is confirmed,
Folks, I have been invited to Aruba again on a very short notice. I will leave this Friday (Nov 19) and come back next Friday (Nov 26). During this time, there will be no practice (including on 11/26). I apologize for the inconvenience, you guys are not getting much practice these days...sorry. But trust me, this is an investment in the future and you will eventually benefit from it.
We WILL have classes on Wednesday the 17th (tomorrow) and Wednesday the 1st of December, so see you there.
Great news ! After some effort, I received confirmation today that starting January 4th we will have access to the "Methodist Church Hall" (right next to Tranquillity HS and across from the Government Printery). I booked two time slots: Tuesday from 6pm-8pm and Friday from 6pm-8pm. As I mentioned to you already, the current class held on Fridays in St-Augustine will now be held in POS instead. Tuesdays will be either an extra practice for us or a kids' class, I have yet to decide that. The fee shouldn't change (for you anyway). I hope that you will all be able to join the first few classes at the minimum, to encourage the beginners we will recruit by then.
Hi, I wanted to let you know of the latest developments...
Demonstration: We are invited to a Karate Tournament for a demonstration in POS (Jean Pierre Complex) on the weekend of the 27-28 of November (this month). I have yet to decide when we will show up -either or both days- but I wanted you to know so that if you are available that weekend please keep it open. I assume I will see most of you by then so we can organize a little bit.
Kendo in POS: I am talking to 2 places right now (Woodbrook Youth Facility and Methodist Church-next to Tranquillity HS) to reserve their halls for at least 2 hours per week starting in December. As soon as I get the OK our current Friday night practice in St-Augustine will be stopped and an alternative night will start in POS. I count on all of you to help me with the beginning class in POS, at least once a week. Eventually, within a few weeks, I want to have 2 or 3 more classes a week in POS for adults and kids. I hope you can support the expansion of the dojo by your presence. After that, the next target is San Fernando, ok Prem ;-) As soon as I get confirmation (hopefully early next week) I will let you know. To make it clear, from next month, we will have 1 practice on Wednesday in St-Augustine, and at least 1 in POS (for adults) and 1 for kids. Fees will be adjusted of course.
All for now, let me know if you have any questions/comments,
