The Martial Arts History Museum will host a free book signing and reading event with author Tim Kirk on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 4 p.m., celebrating the launch of his debut novel, All My Damned Mother's Sons. The novel explores music history through the lens of early rock and roll influences, which Kirk described as a passion project inspired by singers and songwriters of that era, particularly those who didn't achieve the same fame as Elvis Presley. The book follows a singer and guitarist traveling in Presley's tracks from 1959 to 1973, immersing readers in the music, style, and fashion of the period, with Kirk emphasizing that Elvis plays a major role in the narrative.
This event is significant because it highlights the museum's evolving function beyond its primary focus, serving as a community hub that hosts diverse cultural activities to engage wider audiences. By integrating a music-themed book launch with a martial arts demonstration, the event underscores important interdisciplinary connections between different forms of artistic and historical expression. The author chose the Martial Arts History Museum as the venue due to personal connections to martial arts, with his seventeen-year-old daughter, a black belt in Tang Soo Do, scheduled to perform a martial arts form presentation before the reading.
Kirk expressed appreciation for museum director Michael's support, noting the unique opportunity to blend cultural events at a venue dedicated to preserving martial arts history. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to explore the museum's exhibits, which showcase the evolution and cultural impact of martial arts. The Martial Arts History Museum, located at 201 N. Brand Blvd., B100, Glendale, CA 91203, is recognized as the world's first and only museum dedicated to this specific history, with a mission emphasizing education and preservation. This innovative programming approach matters because it demonstrates how specialized institutions can broaden their relevance and community impact by creating spaces where different cultural narratives intersect, potentially serving as a model for other museums seeking to deepen audience engagement through cross-disciplinary events.
