THE FLEX MASTERS / ADVANCED CLASS MAY 31ST

These guys in the pictures are my training buddies in the weight room of the hombu dojo of Nisei GoJu Ryu.

From left to right are:
Brian Duncan CEO BrionX International Partners in Public Relations, Myself, Actor and Restauranteur Micheal Wright, and
Sensei Luis Mercado 4th Dan Renshi Nisei Goju.

It good to have training buddies to work out with. We have a great time while we maintain our fitness levels.

The next NISEI GOJU RYU ADVANCED CLASS will be held at the Nisei Goju World Headquarters on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in New York. The workshop is open to members of the martial arts community ranking brown belt and above. For information please call 212 674- 6477. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

GOJU AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

I would like to send my respects to all my brothers who travel east. Remembering that dojos are the free mason organizations of the martial arts, we must remember our responsibilities to our service to society.

Last July, I retired from my teaching career and became an associate partner of BRI'ON'X - PARTNERS IN PUBLIC RELATIONS INTERNATIONAL - "IT'S HOW THE WORD GETS OUT". For information please go to: www.myspace.com/brionx . Right now, BrionX is involve in a civil action against the City of Danbury, Connecticut and the Danbury Housing Authority for discriminatory tactics used against it tenants. http://www.newstimes.com/localnews/ci_11902639


I met with Hanshi Malanoski the morning of Thursday, March 12, 2009. He accompanied me to a protest in front of the Housing Authority of the City of Danbury, Connecticut. There we met with the Danbury People's Action Comittee for the Preservation For Public Housing and the CEO of Bri'On'X, Brian Duncan. In the spirit of justice, we at Bri'On'X, thank Hanshi Malanoski for standing up with us and the people of Danbury against injustice.

1ST NISEI GOJU RYU ADVANCE CLASS REPORT

This passed weekend I hosted the Nisei Goju Ryu System's Advance class for members of the martial arts community ranked brown belt and above. The class began with falling skills for safety. Than continued with the break down of the jujitsu inherent in the katas of the goju style.

Everyone had a wonderful time. Thanks to those who attended and hope you got something new to work on. It was nice to have Hanshi Steven "Iron Hands" Malanoski of Shobudo Goju Jitsu (the original) and Hanshi Kevin McGrath of Little Dojo in attendance. Others in attendance were Sensei Luis Mercado (NYC), Sensei Joshua Espinal and Sempai Maritza "Tiger Woman" Rijos From the United States Virgin Island of St Croix, Sempai Mark Muhammed (East Orange, New Jersey), Sempai Carl Marin (Brewster, New York), Evan Baker (NYC), Sensei John Garavuso (NYC), Brenden Burke (NYC), and John Santiago (Long Island).

These classes will be held every fourth sunday of the month. Brown belts and above from any martial arts style are welcomed.

Photos above:

Hanshi Roldan corrects Mark Muhammed as

Sensei Joshua Espinal looks on.

Hanshi Roldan strikes up a conversation with

Hanshi McGrath.

Group shot.

Hanshi Roldan corrects side falling technique.

Click on photos to enlarge.

NISEI GOJU RYU - ADVANCE CLASS COMMENCES

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Inauguration of our New Leader, in this moment of history, President Barack Hussain Obama. The time has come for all men to come to the aid of their country. God Bless America. A proud day for America to see the first American with African roots take the oath of the President of the United States of America. Stand tall America!

OH! YES WE DID.

In Celebrating the new president, we must all find common ground for our mutual growth and Unity. NISEI GOJU RYU is proud invite all to our monthly advanced classes in the ju jitsu applications of the goju katas and well as a well rounded stand up ju jitsu education.

The class will open to all members of the martial arts community with ranks Brown Belts and above. Class will happen on the fourth Sunday of each month, starting Sunday, February 22, 2009. It will begin at 1 pm and end at 4 pm. It will cover a wide range of skills, including basic throwing and falling techniques, joint locks, Etc. Representatives from the US Virgin Islands, India, and various locations in the United States will be in attendance.

For information please call the Nisei Goju Hombu Dojo anytime at 212- 674- 6477.

The photo above was taken, when I did the cover of the Official Karate Magazine's Year Book. The man with me is Sensei Moses Boone who resides in California. Sensei Boone was my dojo brother back in the day.

PS. Don't forget to call for information about the advanced classes.

Coming soon in the beginning of May, I will be hosting three hour bo staff seminar. Look for it in your email.

NEW YEAR EVE CELEBRATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STREET

Come and ring in the new year with us at the University of the Streets and Nisei Goju Hombu Dojo in the East Villiage (L.E.S.). The star of the Show will be Elisabeth Withers, Tony Award Nominated as Shug Avery in THE COLOR PURPLE. The event is a fundraiser for the UNIVERSITY OF THE STREETS, home of the NISEI GOJU RYU MARTIALS ARTS WORLD HEADQUARTERS. Stay after the show to continue the party. For more information, click on picture to enlarge. Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanza, Merry Christmas, and a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year.
Spent it with us. Hope to see you there.

KWANZA CELEBRATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STREET

Nisei Goju Martial Arts and the University of the Streets are happy to invite you and yours to our Kwanza Celebration. The celebration will take place at the University of Streets.

Dec. 26 - Ujoma (unity)

Dec. 27 - Kujichagulia (self - determination)

Dec. 28 - Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibilty)

Lots of arts and crafts, Dancing, Drumming, Poet, Musicians, Food, Story Tellers, Face Painters, Artisans, selling they work, Eagle Mountain Creations's American Indian Jewery, Children's Activities Etc.

I could go on telling you what's up. Click on flier to enlarge. Hope to see you there.

ROLDAN ON ABC'S LIFE ON MARS

In the beginning of July, I retired from my job as a physical and martial arts educator for NYC's Department of Education. I've spent 28 years of my life teaching science, math, special education,health and physical education.

Now I spend my time developing the Nisei Goju curriculum and resurrecting my acting career of the early seventies. It nice to be back in the business.

Since the beginning of September. I have been a student of acting at the famous LEE STRAUSBERG THEATRE & FILM INSTITUTE. When you hear Strausberg, you think method acting.
It's a pleasure to be a student again. I'm a under belt again in another art, that of Method Acting, that has also been referred as the SYSTEM. During the past two summers, I've done some background work the NBC series LAW AND ORDER and ABC's LIFE ON MARS. Now, I am meeting some very interesting people in the business and look forward to working with them.

This past summer I was very fortunate to work with Jason O'Mara, Harvey Keitel, Micheal Imperioli, and Gretchen Mol on the set of LIFE ON MARS. I worked on two episodes in the series and had a wonderful time working on episode five. Whoopi Goldberg was the guest star of show and is truly, a funny lady. Sorry I did not get a photo with her. Friends tell me she from Avenue D on the lower east side. That my neighborhood!

I also met on the set of LIFE ON MARS, John Cenatiempo and his brother Chris. Actually, it was Chris who introduced me to John. John Cenatiempo is the stunt coordinator on the set. I witnessed them blow up a car on the set on third street on the lower east side of Manhattan, really great work. It was nice to Chuck Zito, who was playing a cop in the middle of riot. I got the chance to meet some stuntmen who were also martial artists and that was a good thing.
Although, I was doing background, I hope to land a speaking role in the future. Wish me luck. In the photos from LIFE ON MARS episode 5 "Things to do in New York When You Think You're Dead" are Micheal Imperioli as Detective Ray Carling and me in the background. The second photo is me as a man comforting his lady friend after a girl was thrown off the roof. Check out the full episode on ABC.COM Click on photo to enlarge.