It has been such a busy start to the year I've barely had time to write about cool stuff going on, let alone actually participate in it. I wanted to share some info on a few cool things that are coming up or in fact going on right now.
Don Juan
As you may have read, Academie Duello was involved in a partnership with a Vancouver production of Moliere's classic play Don Juan. I had the opportunity to go and see it on the 28th of December and I must say it is superb. The cast delivers the serious and philosophical aspects of the play with conviction while also managing excellent delivery of the comedy -- this is a funny play.
The whole production has a great updated feel, using a simple set along with video projections, music, and some well placed sound effects to create something that is both modern and poetic.
It's on at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre till the end of the month. Go and see it!
Lecture Series at the Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium (VISS)
The Lecture Series has come together for VISS and just on its own it's exciting. The Lecture track focuses on swordplay, history, writing, and movies and features professors of history, researchers on historical swordplay from throughout North America, and swordplay focused authors Neal Stephenson (Baroque Cycle, Reamde, Snow Crash, Mongoliad), CC Humphreys (Jack Absolute, Vlad, A Place Called Armageddon), and Christian Cameron (Tyrant, Killer of Men, God of War).
A full weekend lecture and audit pass is $75 and gives you access to two full days of lectures as well as access to audit any of the diverse array of swordplay and martial arts workshops happening throughout the three days. More information on public events, full seminar passes, and the lecture series are available at www.vancouverswordplay.com
Ursulmas Tournament
The Society for Creative Anachronism is an historical reenactment society that holds events throughout the world. On January 26th and 27th they will be hosting an event in Monroe Washington called Ursulmas. This event features a superb rapier tournament that attracts some of the best SCA fencers around to fence in two to three different events. Academie Duello will be sending a contingent of our senior students down to participate and expand their exposure and experience with different methods and approaches to historical fencing. Being that we are not a reenactment group everyone is scrambling to put together some appropriate costume so we can participate. We'll post photos!
Devon Boorman is the Co-Founder and Director of Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay, which has been active in Vancouver, Canada since 2004. Devon’s expertise centres on the Italian swordplay tradition including the arts of the Renaissance Italian rapier, sidesword, and longsword, as well as knife and unarmed techniques. Read more from Devon Boorman.