We're back and better than ever!
April 12th & 13th, 2025
Saturday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm & Sunday, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
The Holiday Inn, Saratoga Springs NY
Join us for two days of hands-on instructional workshops in striking, grappling, & weapons arts. There's also a Saturday Night Banquet with the Instructional Staff!
Martial Artists of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome to participate.
The Saratoga Martial Arts Festival has been the Capital Region's Premier Martial Arts Gathering for over 20 years!
Registration opens in January 2025
Festival Updates
11.7.2024: Festival Dates, First 4 Instructors, & Poster
The 2025 Festival will be on April 12 & 13th in Saratoga Springs at the Holiday Inn. Our first four instructors are:
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Dean Franco (Atienza, Sayoc, & Avernir Kail, Piper Knife
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Tim Hartman (Presas Arnis, Kombatan, & Modern Arnis)
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Dave Kalish (Hattatsu-Ryu Karate & Shingitai Jujitsu)
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Dominick Violante (Kempo, Aikido, & White Crane Kung Fu)
Registration starts in January! Download the announcement poster today!
Meet some of the 2025 Instructors
We will be adding more instructors as we get closer to SMAF
Filipino Arts
Dean Franco
Dean started his martial arts training in Tae Kwon Do, advancing to second degree Black Belt. His interests turned to Jeet Kune Do where he studied under Chris Smith and earned an Associate Instructorship from . More recently, he has concentrated on Filipino martial arts, and is credentialed in Atienza Kali, Sayoc Kali, Abenir Kalis and Battlefield Kali. He's also a Piper Instructor in Piper Knife under Lloyd De Jongh and the founder of the FMA Discussion YouTube channel and podcast.
Japanese Arts
Dave Kalish
David Kalish teaches and trains at Fighting Spirit Karate in New Paltz, NY. He has been involved in the martial arts for over 30 years ever since being mesmerized by the artistry of Bruce Lee.
David trained in various styles under many instructors before finding his home at Fighting Spirit Karate. He has black belts in Karate and Jujitsu and went undefeated in regional competition for almost two decades.
He constantly seeks new instructors, seminars, and festivals to expand his never-ending thirst for martial knowledge. Dave is married to world champion Katie Murphy, whom he met at the Super Summer Seminars martial arts camp. They are one couple you DON'T want to mess with!
Filipino Arts
Tim Hartman
Grand Master “Datu Tim” Hartman started his formal martial training in Modern Arnis. After his first year of training, Hartman became a direct student of the late Grand Master Remy A. Presas (The Prof). Before GM Presas passed, he promoted Hartman to “Datu” and the highest active ranked American.
In 1998 Hartman started training Kombatan under the Prof’s younger brother, Ernesto Presas. In 2007, while Hartman was in the Philippines, GM Ernesto promoted Hartman to a 9th degree black belt and Grand Master of the family system.
Hartman continues his education. He is trained and certified in: Modern Arnis, Kombatan, Balintawak Eskrima and Bando. Recently the Datu tested and received black belts in both Kuntaw and Sikaran.
He has taught throughout the US, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, England, Puerto Rico, Poland, Barbados, Venezuela, Chile, Italy, Iceland, Portugal, Finland and in Arnis’ birth place, the Philippines. Though his dedication to the arts, Hartman has become one of the world’s leading instructors of Filipino Martial Arts.
Japanese & Chinese Arts
Dominick Violante
Master Dominick Violante began Martial Arts training in 1977. He was inducted into the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame in July 2003, and the USA Hall of Fame in 2004. He is a Master Level Practitioner 8th Dan Black Belt of Kempo Karate and is ranked 4th Dan Black Belt in Aikido. In addition, he holds a black sash in White Crane/Long Fist Kung-Fu.
Master Violante was an instructor for the Massachusetts Criminal Justice System instructing state, local and Auxiliary Police Officers for more than 15 years. He also became the first non-police officer to be certified in the R.A.D. (Rape Aggressive Defense) Program. Master Violante had a seat on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Reserve Police Federation as the advisor for defensive tactics. He has developed numerous self defense programs recognized by the Massachusetts Board of Education.