Welcome to the first full week of August. Our Blue Cord and Red Cord curriculum works on a 9 month rotation and we're back to month 1. In both our calendars this is a month on fundamental rapier. For Reds (level 3) we're working on plays in various tempos and how to counter them. For…
Riding Level 2: Adjusting the Reins When you were a beginner rider, your instructor may have marked a spot on the reins, and said "keep your hands here." We do that because most riders tend to ride with reins far too loose when they start out, and the mantra "shorten your reins" gets old to…
We lead with two Canadian items this time around, a first We think for this blog. HEMA/WMA ‘is’ alive and well in the ‘True North, strong and … well trained’. Given the late start that Canada had with discovering a European martial arts heritage (no medieval nor renaissance-period sword fighting actually took place here in…
We've just finished our fifth week of Knight Camp this summer. If you're unfamiliar with Knight Camp it is this super-awesome kids summer day-camp that we run weekly during July and August. In the camp kids learn swordplay, pole weapons, and grappling as well as non-martial knightly skills such as medieval games, heraldry (the science…
We've heard Fight Directors say some version of the following: You must act during the fight The choreography should be an expression of your character Don't worry about the speed, it's the intention that matters What does any of that mean? Imagine a Real Sword Fight The mentality and strategy of sword fighting largely remains…
Revisiting the Independent Seat The third item on the Riding 2 checklist is the same as for Riding 1: 3. Exercises at halt & walk The only difference is we want you to be able to do them at the walk as well as the halt. So go back to this post and review those…
It’s quiet out there (again) … too quiet (still). But, there are whispers of sword-sounds in the far off distance – though We had to dig hard this week to find them. Playing the Prize in Poland GAZETA (Warsaw, Poland) 26 July 13 Znów powalczą o miecz króla Kazimierza. Turniej rycerski w Szydłowie (Paweł…
On Monday night Academie Duello was part of a momentous event, the launch of CC Humphreys newest book Shakespeare's Rebel in a coproduction between ourselves and Bard on the Beach -- one of Canada's most celebrated Shakespeare festivals. I have to say that this was one of the most exciting and fantastic events of which…
Within Bartitsu, we emphasize low kicks for self-defense. The coup de pied bas is a shin kick that is very hard to guard, partly because it is difficult to see coming. Here's the kung-fu version of this kick, which is almost identical to our savate method: The low kick that has gained popularity in the…
Swordplay in books, swordplay in movies, swordplay in the public venue. There are plenty of examples out there (and We do mean ‘out there’) on how swordplay (and by inference ourselves) is viewed by those that have not yet joined us. For better or for worse; movies, television, demonstrations and yes, even books; will influence…
This is an exciting final week of the month at Academie Duello. I am getting ready to day for an event at the Vancouver Shakespeare festival, Bard on the Beach, for the launch of CC Humphreys latest novel Shakespeare's Rebel. We're doing a prize playing amongst senior Academie Duello students as well as choreographed fights…
A reminder about tomorrow's event with a title too long to fit in the header: Academie Duello and Bard on the Beach present Shakespeare's Rebel Book Launch & Sword Fight Event When? Monday, July 22nd, 7pm Where? Bard on the Beach, Vanier Park What? A fight show and book launch! Celebrate the launch of Bard…
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Whether you're looking for a fun way to get and stay in shape, or a new mentally and physically stimulating hobby, our Beginner's Courses have something for everyone. Take it from one of our Taste of the Renaissance graduates and now ongoing student: First off, if you are thinking about stopping in here, stop thinking…
Riding Level 2: Mounting 2. Lead horse, mount & dismount independently There's no big secret to mounting and dismounting at level 2. We simply expect you to do it more smoothly and with greater confidence. So go back and review level 1, enjoy the videos if you missed them the first time, and work towards…
Ground. Those interested in WMA/HEMA use and history are always trying to manoeuvre on it, dig around in it, or landing on it … usually with somebody’s assistance! With somebody’s enthusiastic assistance. Ground Zero. OTTAWA CITIZEN (Ontario) July 13 Medieval Festival in Osgoode a smashing good time (Gemma Karstens-Smith) Zach Lovering was one of Knights…
Welcome to Duello.TV for the week of July 15. Sorry that we missed our post from last week; sickness can strike even the most stout of us and I succumbed for a good part of the week. Now I'm back at it and we're into week 3. This week we're continuing our focus on single…
Now that we've finished with the curriculum for Horsemanship Level 2, it's time to move on to Riding. A Level 2 Rider is someone with a good basic seat position, capable of riding with one hand or two and switching posting diagonals, who has begun to work on canter, gaming skills, and dropping the reins…
Shakespeare's Rebel Book Launch DATE/TIME: July 22nd, 7:00pm to 10:00pm LOCATION: Vanier Park, Vancouver On the night of July 22nd, Bard on the Beach, together with Academie Duello, Canada’s premier medieval martial arts school will put on a swashbuckling night of swords and words! Come join us at Vanier Park to celebrate the launch of…
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