Sifu Don Grose of the Tucson Ving Tsun Academy has asked me to post an invitation to the 2nd Annual Arizona Wing Chun Gathering. It will be held on Oct. 16th 2004, from 10am to 2pm.
Sifu Don Grose has asked that those who wish to attend to please R.S.V.P. by Oct 1st. He can be reached via e-mail at dgrose@comcast.net .
I’m sorry that I can’t make it to this get together. I was able to attend the last one and had a great time, and some great BBQ. I wish you all the best.
I talked with Sifu Don by email about 10 days ago and the numbers at that time weren’t clear but it didn’t sound great (15 to 20 maybe more maybe less). There has been scattered interest from different groups so as for whole groups showing up ??? but maybe some practitioners from those groups yes. As for scheduled events that is up to Sifu Don I really don’t know the agenda.
John Widener and myself are really baffled (and have had many discussions about why) as I am sure Sifu Don Grose is as to why the low interest this time. I am hoping personally for a big surprise and more showing than expected.
I believe this is a very worthwhile event and Sifu Don Grose should be commended highly for attempting to get us all together to hang out, meet each other and share Wing Chun.
I enjoyed last year’s gathering, but unfortunately I can’t attend this one.
I wish you all the best and I surely hope you will have a wonderful day.
Sorry for the late reply, but I have conversed with some of my sihingdai and as of today (Friday), about 5 members from MengsofAZ and a couple more of their friends will join the Gathering.
I agree, Sifu Don Grose should be commended for this annual event!
My sincere appreciation goes out to Sifu Don Grose (a wonderful host and true gentleman!), Sifu John Widener (great to see you again), Sifu John Sterling (I’ll have to visit you up in Prescott some time!), and Sifu Phil (from Glendale; glad to meet you!), as well as all the students that attended! There were eight members from our school that went, and if I remember correctly, about 10-12 more from the other families (including sifus).
It was great to see all the SNT/SLT forms, Chi Sau exchanges, Paak Sau/intercepting type exchanges, as well as Chin Na demonstrations, and learn of their experiences and knowledge behind their Wing Chun/Ving Tsun/Wing Tsun.
Sifu Don Grose, it was a pleasure to exchange ideas and system knowledge with you.
I quite enjoyed experiencing others’ Chi Sau; it was very fun and educational at the same time. My hat’s off to Sifu Phil and Frank; it was wonderful to Chi Sau with you two and learn how you train Chi Sau.
I felt that everyone was very hospitable and made the environment seem so welcoming.
Overall, I’d love to have more of these events as it has definitely created more friends and stronger bonds within the kung fu community. Looking forward to having some sort of Charity event or public service to help promote future kung fu events with the local communities.
Sifu Grose & company from the 2004 Wing Chun Gathering, I (or one of my sihingdai) will be doing a write up of the event in the Workshop Feedback Forum at HFY108. If you would be interested in engaging in a future discussion there (once the write up has posted), I think that would be awesome!
I just wanted to thank everyone that showed up to the gathering this year. This was not too big of a gathering, though a lot of sharing went on, as well as some chi sau of course.
We should have some photos up late tomorrow or early in the week, so check the our site in the photos section.
Those that couldn’t make it this year, we hope to see you at the next years gathering.
Grose Sifu,
You, your students, close associates and fellow Wing Chun practitioners that gathered today are all to be commended for making today’s gathering the success that it was.
Having met you earlier at the Hung Fa Yi seminar you attended I was already aware of your Heart (tiger) and after today’s exchange of ideas more people in our local Wing Chun community are aware of some of the impressive ideas you have in mind (dragon) for the future. It was an excellent gathering.
Thanks to all that participated and especially Grose Sifu for pointing out we can have a meaningful exchange of the mental as well as the physical. I look forward to future gatherings as well as different projects. Now That my email address is on the circulation list please don’t hesitate to use it. Oh and thanks go out to John Weidener too
To all who attended thanks it was a great time. It was good to at least say hello to you all in person.
Savi good to finally meet you (don’t remember if we met at the last one) I wish we had more time to talk but Sifu John had me on picture detail…LOL. You’re welcome up here in PV anytime it would be great to share ideas, I definitely see the connections between us all. I will be doing a write up also on our news page.
Much sharing happened and I think we accomplished Sifu Don’s goal, friendship. I think if we all stay in touich the ideas shared about the next gathering can definitely make it bigger and also if we keep in touch the charity ideas can definitely be promising.