A Glowing Revue
by Bill Daley

When someone tells you
"You should have been there for the last FMPTA meeting,"
usually you'd say, "Well, tell me what I missed!"

Not so easy, this time around. It was a spectacularly visual program, and to get any sort of appreciation for it, well, you just had to be there. The photos will help, but they hardly capture the fluid motion and colorful interplay of ethereal patterns of light that martial arts Grand Master Roy Williams and his wife/partner, Master Mary, created for us on stage.

Grand Master Roy is a living legend in the world of martial arts, and has been so for some 30 plus years. He is the creator of the Weapons Divisions in American Sport Karate today, and was the first Professional Karate Association Weapons World Champion. He has appeared in the movie Angel with a Kick and has consulted and choreographed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mortal Combat and Batman Forever. His students include the current Women's Weapons World Champion, Casey Marks, and other up and comers.

The idea for the use of ultraviolet light to show off martial arts moves originated in Roy's dorm room in 1971 (hmmm...were there blacklight op-art posters anywhere in the vicinity?). The power and control are still there, but now we see a level of precision never before experienced. Roy created the UVAA (Ultra Violet Arts Association) in 1976; the First World Competition was held in Charlotte, N.C., in 1990.

Witnessing the spectacular demonstration, few people have any hint of the drive and determination that it takes to produce these images of light from an arsenal of weapons. These deadly arms are now instruments of an artist trying to emphasize balance, time, rhythm, and light. Master Roy calls it "revealing the mystery of the rhythms of light." Most karate demonstrators break boards and cinder blocks, but Roy and Mary seem to be breaking through into another dimension; the sweeping fans of color arc through space like luminous nebulae in a whirlwind dance of galactic splendor. Think of the Jedi knights on ecstasy, and you'll have some idea what it looks like.

Roy has turned this into a fine arts form known as HALO AURA™, which he describes as "a radiant light around or above the head or body seen as emanating from a person, place or thing, projecting a rayed being of subtly pervasive harmony." He has updated and modified traditional martial arts weapons for this purpose. For instance, the nunchaku has been redesigned to create the "penchaku", the first pendulous balanced chaku. These multi-sectional chucks allow for greater speed, power and maneuverability, and more importantly to the viewer they will fly and exhibit lengthy air-time suspension.

After the demonstration, Master Roy opened the floor to questions.

Q: What are your weapons made of?
A: Different types of wood, like poplar, maple or oak. For this type of performance I use mostly wooden weapons that can be painted with the fluorescent colors.
Q: What did you think of the movie Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon?
A: It was excellently.
Q: How does a martial artist get started working in the movies?
A: In the past you needed to prove yourself on the karate circuit before attempting the movies.
In many martial arts movies today, the director would rather have a good actor than a fantastic martial artist. So be a good actor and acquire some martial arts training. For example in the Oliver Stone movie Alexander, Collin Ferrell was taught how to fight with two swords.
Tom Cruise is starring in a film called "The Last Samurai". Speciality training is a way to demonstrate your skills to the film industry. The Stars depend on it.
Q: Can you photograph the blacklight effect?
A: Yes, with time lapse photography. You can see some of the photos on my website,
they are examples of my Fine Arts Series named Halo Aura "The Spirit Within the light".
The other exciting thing about martial arts in general is that it's a crossover medium. Worldwide it can break down the language barriers internationally, through sports not war. Everyone does something a little bit different, but everyone can understand each other
with this special inherient language of art.
The most impressive thing about the presentation was how utterly easy they made it all look. Only after the lights came back on could we see that they were sweating; though the result is a breezy rainbow of flowing photons, these are true martial arts moves and they take an enormous amount of energy, effort and concentration. A light workout indeed! We ended the night with Grand Master Roy commenting,
"Feel good about your craft, whatever it is -- it's a blessing."
For more information and some dazzling photos, check out www.RhythmArts.com

Black Belts in Black Light

In response to a challenge from a "lesser" foe, tough guys are wont to sneer to their henchmen, "Take care of my light work."

Martial Arts Grand Master Roy Williams is a tough guy, but he prefers to do his own light work -- UV light, to be specific. The application of glowing colors adds an ethereal otherworldly dimension to the exciting kicks, leaps and sword slashes of his martial arts routines. It has been likened to a trip into the Twilight Zone, but perhaps a more appropriate reference would be that of a Jedi knight wielding his light saber against the Dark Side.
Grand Master Roy and his wife, Master Mary, have agreed to put on a live demonstration (with musical accompaniment) of this ultra-violent use of ultra-violet light for the benefit of our members and guests. Producers and directors may want to consider this stunning visual display for a future production; martial arts enthusiasts will no doubt be impressed by Roy's mastery of mind and body. After all, he's won more titles than you could shake a day glow sticks at.
See for yourself at www.RhythmArts.com