As a youth instructor at Academie Duello, I often find my students approaching me this time of year regaling me with their Yule time wish lists. I also have parents asking me what sort of gifts they can get for their kids that are unique as well as educational and connected with their child's passion…
Category: News
Is Bartitsu Practical?
In a preview of a course in Bartitsu taught at the Idler Academy in London, the Kensington & Chelsea Today newspaper summarized: ‘Bartitsu has been devised with a view to impart to peacefully disposed men the science of defending themselves against ruffians or bullies’. The language of the fighting style is enthralling and truly Victorian.…
Family Values Sword News
Notwithstanding the number of snippets We offer up, it’s another quiet week on the HEMA/WMA front. The one item of potential interest is so, not so much for its’ discussion of the science as much as it is for its' nod to swordplay being a potential ‘family event’. Most of us have read something in…
Trailer Ricochet: Triple Damage
This week, we have three trailers of upcoming films that will hopefully have some great fight scenes. Let's take a look at each of these trailers, and analyze what we can expect. Hercules: The Legend Begins Hercules: The Legend Begins Trailer 2014 Movie - Official [HD]Watch this video on YouTube Progenitors The obvious comparison will…
November Workshop Highlights: from Medieval Swordplay to the Modern Umbrella
As Autumn begins to transition into Winter don't get stuck indoors with a case of the rainy day blues. Take this opportunity to try something new at Duello and push the limits of your practice and perhaps discover a new passion! Here's a look at of few of our upcoming workshops in November: INTRO TO…
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More Bow than Sword News
With the imminent release of the Hunger Games sequel later this month, We're not surprised that the press is covering more of archery lately than they are swordplay, jousting, or stage combat (though We supposed one could make an argument that bow use in film could fall into the fight-managers’ realm!) Of note though, is…
The More You Holmes
For the Sherlock fans, I direct you to Bonzuko the webpage of fight director Jenn Zuko-Boughn. She has a regular feature called The More You Holmes, which is a reference to the 80's shooting-star factoid segments. Her explanations of obscure facts in the many Holmes TV series, films and stories are concise and always informative.…
Pounding Out Sword News
Aside from our Ukrainian peers pounding on each other, today’s offering concentrates of some of those unique individuals that enjoy their study of swords and sword history in a way totally different from the blow-by-blow techniques used by HEMA/WMA practitioners. We are lucky in this modern day to have a few skilled craftsmen that have…
The Short and Long of Sword Press
Another eclectic offering of items … fight schools, stage, literature, history and popular culture. Whether you’re interested in the historical background of your favorite blade or chosen discipline; or interested in having some sort of kick-butt ‘white arm’ to bring to your Wii-fight, swords continue to consistently (if somewhat sparingly at times) appear in the…
Modern Scottish Sword Press
No points, just press. Oh wait! I just thought of … ah rats! Too late! … .. . Choose Your Weapon … as long as its Scottish! EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS (Scotland, UK) 17 October 13 Sword fencing maestro revives old techniques (Dale Miller) Let’s see now … let’s check the armory … Scottish broadswords,…
October 27 Cavaliere Class Postponed
A quick heads up to let you know the Cavaliere class scheduled for this weekend has been cancelled, and another class added at the end of the cycle on November 24th. The new schedule is: Class 2: November 10th Class 3: November 17th Class 4 & assessments: November 24th If you have already registered for…
October Workshop Highlights: Umbrellas, Knives and Bows
This Autumn, dare to try something new, push the limits of your practice, and explore new passions! Our Fall season is packed full of workshops that will challenge your mind and body while having fun. Here's a look at of few of our upcoming workshops in October: Umbrella Self-Defence Learn to fend off ruffians and…
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Largely Ignored Sword Press
We’re always a touch perplexed when We search the Italian (and Spanish) press for HEMA/WMA related items – they’re few and far between, notwithstanding what appears to be very active swordplay communities there. And given that most of our Renaissance techniques and studies centre on the fight books of those two nations, it’s inexplicable why…
Bartitsu Instructional Videos
Tony Wolf, author/editor of the Bartitsu Compendium I and II, has posted some Barititsu videos from Forteza Fitness in Chicago. Bartitsu Stick Sparring From the 2012 Bartitsu School of Arms. Read Tony’s blog post regarding the sparring format and the stick choice: Bartitsu.org Bartitsu stick sparringWatch this video on YouTube Milling the Fists Just in…
Little Bits of Sword Press
“It is a very sad thing that nowadays there is so little useless information”. Oscar Wilde We’ve nothing significant in HEMA/WMA press this week … so we’ll go straight to the Snippets. And hopefully, we’ll find some small note that is worthy of the time you spent visiting this weeks’ page. Snippets A Little…
Gummi Sword Press
No lecture today … just press. Enjoy the break while We catch our breath. Gummi Sword! WESER KURIER (Bremen, Germany) 30 September 13 Mit dem Gummischwert aufs Pferd (Karsten Hollmann) Arne Koets and the staff of the Prince’s Riding School of Bückeburg are instructing a small number of student in the chivalric art of historical sword…
Comes Great Responsibility
Injuries happen on all sorts of entertainment projects. Don't be lulled into complacency because a big budget does not mean "safe". Watch this video on YouTube Here I'm quoting directly from the Wikipedia article pulled on 25 September, 2013: Five people have been injured while working on Spider-Man. After two stunt doubles were injured during…
The Carosella Companion: your guide to the weekend
With just a few days left till Carosella 2013, here are the logistics, and some practical tips to help you make the most of your weekend. Getting There All the activities happen at Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op, at 12320 No 2 Road, Richmond, south of Steveston Hwy, at the junction of Andrews. Bus: take…
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