By Sean Hatchard
It was a rather strange venue to hold a martial arts demonstration.
But there Dave Perkins was, then just a wide-eyed 19-year-old, strolling into a minimum- security prison in his native New Brunswick to perform for a group of convicts.
“It was just like the movies,” says Perkins, 30, who moved to Ottawa three years ago and resides in Centretown.
At the time he had only been practicing martial arts for three years, but is now a 14-year veteran of the sport.
“You walk in and everyone’s quiet and they’re eyeing you up and down and here I was coming right from university classes and putting on a little demo. It was very interesting,” Perkins says.
And he certainly caught the attention of the inmates.
At one point in the demonstration, as Perkins performed his specialty style Hung Gar — a southern form of kung fu which emphasizes hand movements, strong legs and offence — he suddenly yelled after a few minutes of gentle breathing.
It startled an inmate so much he jumped out of his chair.
“It was interesting to them because they had never seen anything like it before and they were very open to it,” Perkins says.
No prisoners are expected for Perkins’ next performance, but organizers say it will be one of the biggest martial arts demonstrations Ottawa has ever hosted.
Perkins is one of 120 martial artists who will converge in Centretown Oct. 26 for Martial Arts Gala 2002 at the Adult High School at 300 Rochester St. at 7 p.m.
Twelve clubs including 10 from the Ottawa region are expected to take part in the event.
Performers from Toronto, Western Canada and New York State will also attend.
The showcase will feature over 20 different fighting style demonstrations including the Cantonese Lion Dance, Tai Chi, Aikido, kung fu, karate, Indonesian Pencak Silat, jujutsu, Muay Thai, Wu Shu Brazilian Capoeira and Filipino Kali.
Perkins, who trains with both the Carleton University and Algonquin College martial arts clubs, says the spectacle is all about showcasing the world of martial arts.
“We’re hoping to give it some exposure, so people might find something that can benefit them,” he says.
“If you look at a Tai Chi class, it could be for rehabilitation, to get some balance back or it could be just to get out of the house. We all have our different reasons.”
John Hum, the head instructor for both the Carleton and Algonquin clubs, is the chief organizer of the Gala.
He describes the event as a “martial arts Broadway show.”
Hum also organized the inaugural Martial Arts Gala in 2000, which sold out the Glebe Collegiate Auditorium that seats roughly 1,100 spectators.
“There is a huge demand and the reason why we’re doing this again is because right after that last show, people were calling us asking when the next show is,” says Hum, who has been teaching kung fu for over 20 years.
“We’re doing this because most people have the image of martial arts from what they gather from the media or the latest Jackie Chan movie.
“We’re trying to portray an image of discipline and hard work and that you can accomplish anything with enough patience, practice and determination.”
That’s an image Perkins can attest to.
“There’s just so many different layers and different levels to it. You’re always learning something new and no matter how good you are, there is always someone better,” says Perkins, who holds a black belt level sash in Hung Gar.
Dan McPhee, a Centretown resident who has trained under Hum for seven years, says martial arts is “a great exercise.”
“If you’re part of a team sport, you have to go with the team, but if you’re training in martial arts, it’s on an individual level, so it allows you complete freedom in training.”