I don't think I'll be going to see the movie "War Horse". Not because I tend to find most Spielberg movies a bit too treacly, and not because most horse movies make me yell at the screen (why do movie makers think we won't notice when they swap a 16 hand bay for a chestnut…
Year: 2011
International Sword Press & Dance Lessons
We’re all over the map this week, but we have selected a ‘dominant theme’ for this slightly lengthy effort! Respects, Wes Romantic Sword BIRMINGHAM WEEKLY (Alabama) 13 October 11 Garden Variety Gallantry We often read of European knights swearing oaths on their hilts – the sword representing the very best of honour and…
Molasses
Some words on going slow today. Those of you were at Longsword Focus (Mon @ 5:30; Wed @ 12:00) were given homework: cut 30 fendenti and accompanying falso riverso sotanifor a week. It's really easy to do; 30 cuts takes about 1 minute. If you're going fast. And, if you're only concerned about going fast…
Start Something New!
"What then is chivalry? So strong a thing, and of such hardihood, and so costly in the learning, that a wicked man or low dare not undertake it... Whoso would enjoy high honor first must suitably display that he has been well-schooled in such arts..." - The Biography of Sir William Marshall Intro to the…
Stage Combat Priorities 1: Safety... Boring!
This is really the first post in my series on the basics of stage combat and how it is applied in real productions. Last time, I talked about the illusion of violence, and how the effect to the audience must match the rest of the production (a fairy tale should be magical and melodramatic, while…
Read More... from Stage Combat Priorities 1: Safety... Boring!
Guest Instructor: Sean Hayes!
Hello folks, Exciting news today! We have what a special guest instructor from the WMA community coming to town. Sean Hayes is Maestro D'Armi of the Northwest Fencing Academy in Eugene, OR. Maestro Hayes' school focuses on Armizare, the martial art practiced by Italy's knightly class and draws his teaching from the Fiore de' Liberi…
Test your knowledge
The UK Pony Club has just launched a new 'Pony Prep' website: http://www.ponyprep.org/training.php While it is quite obviously aimed at the younger set, it nonetheless has some good instructional videos and simple quizzes you can take to test your knowledge: especially useful for those assessing Horsemanship level 1 on the 27th. You don't need to…
A Fistful of International Sword Press
We offer an eclectic mixture for this round and though not all of them are useful in our ‘studies’ – hopefully, they will appeal to your ‘interests’. Respects all, Wes In Memory THE PROVINCE (Vancouver, British Columbia) 13 November 11 Surrey Sikhs offer sword to military Sikhs of the Surrey Dasmesh Darbar Gurudwara…
Off-hand drills
No big news today. Just thought I'd share another drill. It's from this past month's Green Cord curriculum. The patiente stands in terza. The agente makes strikes to the patiente, who defends against them primarily with the off-hand, unless it makes super-good sense to defend them with the sword. For added complexity: The agente can…
Buying a Rapier
So, now you've got your green cord and you're getting tired of wrestling for the loaner rapiers: it's time to think about getting your own sword. The Academie Duello store has a variety of entry-level rapiers, falling into two categories.The CAS Hanwei practical rapier is available in two lengths, 37" blade or 43". This is…
Bartitsu 12-nov-2011
This week in Bartitsu! Review of Cane: close strikes Lesson in Jujitsu: Rolls, hip throw, sacrifice throw Integration: Bear hug and rear choke defense See you at 3pm!
The Evolution of Sword Design in Pictures
@octaypus forwarded along a very cool diagram of the evolution of swords, looking primarily at their hilts and grips, throughout the centuries. It is a very cool diagram that I felt was worth passing along. Ahh the display we could make with just a few more swords in our museum!
Bartitsu Workshop this Saturday (video)
Saturday 12-November will feature another Introduction to Bartitsu workshop from 1pm to 5pm. I hope this video gives you an idea about the content. Canes are provided for all. If you'd prefer to use an umbrella, you may bring your own. For other questions, please contact Bartitsu Instructor David McCormick. To sign up, contact Academie…
Job Opportunities at Academie Duello
Greetings all! Academie Duello is looking to fill a couple exciting positions: one instructor and one volunteer. Please consider these postings yourself and pass them along to anyone who you feel might be a great fit. SwordFit Coach & Instructor Academie Duello is looking for a dynamic, fit, and charismatic teacher to be the…
Another Black Mare at Red Colt
Introducing Calo Heros Jolie: See the full gallery on Posterous Jolie is a 12 year old registered Canadian Horse. She has a sweet temperament, excellent manners and she loves to go. Her job will be mainly eventing and Pony Club testing, but you can expect her to put in a few hours of Mounted Combat…
Digging Up More Press about Swords
Old techology, current technology and maybe future technology – the swords of our past will figure prominently in our future. Lots of Digging to Do HARBURGER ZEITUNG (Germany) 07 November 11 Mit Schild, Schwert und Lanze (Carsten Weede) With Shield, Sword and Lance: An archelogical dig is exploiting a Saxon burial site…
The ballad of (T)Roland
Easy post to write today... I'm simply linking to Roland's notes on practice from his blog, Terminal City Duellist. I'll keep my commentary out; Roland's put in a lot of thought to this and writes it out very well. I will re-mention something that bares repeating. Freeplay, while an opportunity to let loose (it is freeplay), is…
Bartitsu 5-Nov-2011
This week in Bartitsu! Review of Savate: chasse-croise Walking stick lesson: close strikes Integration: kick defence and follow-up See you at 3pm.