Grand Master Jim Kelly, Co-Star of the Legendary Karate Cult Classic Film "Enter the Dragon," Makes Special Appearance at Blue Lion Tournament

Grand Master Eric O'Neal will also be Unveiling The First Educational, African-American, Super Hero Graphic Novel, "The Legend Of Lionman"

New Orleans, LA (PRWEB) November 20, 2008 -- This weekend the world-renown Grand Master Jim Kelly is in town to kick off Grand Master Eric O'Neal's 2008 Blue Lion Youth Title Belt Championships at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside Hotel, Saturday, November 22, 2008 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Karate competitors throughout the country will be vying for the title belt championship to proudly bring home.
   
Grand Master Jim Kelly will inspire the crowd with an extraordinary presentation showcasing his body of work as a karate master and action film hero. This will be the first tournament Grand Master Jim Kelly has attended in many, many years and it is his first special appearance ever in New Orleans. Because of his concern of the plight of New Orleans in the aftermath of Katrina, Grand Master Kelly has come out of retirement from public speaking to uplift and support the children of our great city. All of this has come about because Grand Master Kelly learned of the monumental efforts Grand Master Eric O'Neal has taken to reach out to the children of New Orleans and to help them recover after Katrina.

In addition, Blue Lion Karate Academy students will be performing Bo Staff, Nunchakus and other weapons demonstrations as a special presentation in honor of Grand Master Jim Kelly. The demonstrations will be performed under the glow of black lights and the special glow-in-the-dark weapons will be the only things visible on stage. All performances have been choreographed to upbeat, energizing techno music, sure to amaze and electrify the audience as well as Grand Master Jim Kelly.

Also, Master O'Neal will unveil the first educational, African-American, Super Hero Graphic Novel THE LEGEND OF LIONMAN featuring the first culturally diverse league of Super-heroes. The series was created to inspire, delight, uplift and educate millions of children and adults all over the world. LIONMAN and his culturally diverse team of seven Kurodos work to combat prejudice while attempting to achieve world peace. The LEGEND OF LIONMAN graphic novels contain a series of 28 books inspired by Grand Master Eric O'Neal.
   
Both Grand Master Jim Kelly and Grand Master Eric O'Neal also will be autographing LIONMAN books, posters and photographs. At this event, the public can place their orders for the purchase of the first of the 28 graphic novels of THE LEGEND OF LIONMAN and the Seven Kurodos.

Grand Master Eric O'Neal of the LIONMAN Foundation & Blue Lion Karate Academy will hold a Press Conference on:
Friday, November 21,2008 at 10:00 am
3121 St. Bernard Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70122

About Lionman Foundation:
Founded in 2000, the Lionman Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to empower the youth of New Orleans by promoting self-confidence, self-discipline and self-respect. Our motto is that every child can be strong, confident and successful!

For more information about the Lionman 2008 Blue Lion Youth Title Belt Championships, call (504) 258-7773.

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