from the October, 2015 issue of Kiai!

Celebrating Thirty Years of Art with Heart

By Sensei Martha Thompson
4th Degree Black Belt

Can you guess what Gioia, a 4½ year old preschool student, has in common with me, a 68 year old college professor? We both train at Thousand Waves! Gioia is among the youngest students at Thousand Waves, and I am among the oldest. Thousand Waves showcased its cross generational appeal at the October 3, 2015 Art With Heart performance with performers from the Adapted Seido Karate (ASK) program, Little Kicks, Juniors, Youth, Teen, Adult programs and guests Grupo Capoeira Brasil.


The 30th anniversary Art With Heart included revivals of favorite performances from
years past, such as this kata medley.

Seido Karate was the focus of the evening, interspersed with Kajukenbo and Capoeira. ASK and Thousand Waves children shared their strikes, kicks, kata, self-defenses, and non-quitting spirit. Grupo Capoeira Brasil lit up the stage with their music, dance, and acrobatics. Thousand Waves adults flew through the air; broke multiple boards; shared kata; applied kata; sparred; demonstrated self-defenses, and used weapons such as boken, jo, knife, light saber, nunchaku, sai, and tonfa.

Through performing, slideshows, music, emceeing, backstage and support work, Thousand Waves members also shared their hearts: the joy of growing up in and growing through martial arts; the love of family and friends who cheer us on and sometimes join us on the training floor; the shattering of stereotypes of who a martial artist can be; and the connections we have to those who have moved on, passed on, and disappeared.

On Sunday October 4, Thousand Waves members, along with family, friends, and supporters gathered at the dojo for a party to celebrate visionary founders Nancy Lanoue and Jeannette Pappas;  the inspirational influence of Sarah Ludden;  the incredible group of early students (e.g. Kyoshi Martha Fourt, Sensei Laura Cuzzillo, Laura Tesch, and Sally Wigginton);  and the talented group of board members, teachers, staff, and volunteers who contribute to the fabulous work done at Thousand Waves (check out pages 22 and 23 of the beautiful Art with Heart program for their names).  We also appreciated those who envisioned and created this very special 30th Anniversary Weekend (see page 22 of the program for names).

When I congratulated Gioia on her performance at Art with Heart, she thanked me but was most excited to show me her new orange belt and was looking forward to her classes the following week. Her enthusiasm for what is to come reminded me that the 30th Anniversary weekend was special because through our celebration of our past, we are making a commitment to our future.

Special 30th Anniversary Commemorative Program Books are still available for the taking
in the TW lobby!

Sei Shihan Nancy and Jun Shihan Sarah revived a favorite kata duet, “Blackbird”.

Multiple ranks of color belts performed a medley of kata and partner work.


The Mat Skills performers were flying over and rolling under each other in a blur, and finally held their side kicks up for this photo.


Guest artists Grupo Capoeira Brasil wowed the audience with their acrobatic fighting and energetic music.


The “Grew in the Art” piece featured young adults from Thousand Waves who grew up in the TW kids’ program.

The Junior Black Belts performed an exciting array of kata and partner work, all while wearing sunglasses.
"And We Went on Singing…" was an ensemble piece created by Senpai Margarita to honor the disappeared of South America.


"It's a Family Affair" featured some of the multi-generational families who learn karate together at Thousand Waves.


Art with Heart showcased several weapons pieces. The largest group performed a medley of bo kata and fighting.


Toward the end of the evening, Jun Shihan Sarah and Sei Shihan Nancy
performed another favorite which has evolved with each rendition. To the music of
"They are Falling All Around Me", they dedicated their kata to the memory of people
who have been important in Thousand Waves history.