Vibrant and dynamic poster for the 1979 International Martial Arts Festival, which was held at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

The event showcased a broad array of techniques and practices which fall under the broad umbrella term of “Martial Arts.” It featured a number of luminaries including Dan Inosanto, a legendary martial artist, instructor, and protege of Bruce Lee; Torio Kuramoto, a master of Shorinji Kempo and founder of the Shorinji Kempo of Hollywood Dojo; Jun Chong, South Korean martial artist and filmmaker; as well as Dan Lee; Fumio Demura; and many other luminaries. The festival also featured television and radio broadcaster Mario Machado, the first American of Chinese heritage to be an on-air television news reporter.

Martial Arts experienced a surge of popularity in the 1970s. This was due to a number of contributing factors including the popular films of Bruce Lee and countless others, David Carradine’s successful “Kung Fu” television show, as well as a popular interest in alternative forms of fitness and recreation, etc.