So yesterday we embarked on the adventure of shooting our first instructional rapier DVD. And I can proudly report that we're at least 60% through principal photography and only about 8 hours behind schedule! 🙂 It was actually a fun and successful day, though as with many things you often find yourself at the end…
Archery's new home at Academie Duello
Our ongoing archery class is launching this Sunday (5 February)! Class runs from 5:30 - 7:30 at Academie Duello (412 W Hastings St.). Archery is a 1.0 credit class, just like SwordFit, Mastery, Stage Combat, and Bartitsu. To join the archery class you must have completed our Intro to Archery workshop. Space is…
Gimme Shelter!
Needs of the Horse part II: Shelter In respect to last week’s topic, food, and this week’s, shelter, humans and horses are opposite. Horses eat and drink an enormous quantity compared to us, and the consequences of going hungry or thirsty are potentially more serious (ulcers, colic, and other digestive upset) than they are for…
Potential Joan of Arc-related Sword Press from Around the World
This being the 600th anniversary of the birth of Joan of Arc, We thought We would offer up a selection of press items detailing either the weapons and armour used by the heroine, or her influence on modern, kick-butt-attitude women being motivated to get into armour. Unfortunately, there does seem to be any 'news', though the…
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A link from Freelance Academy Press
We're quite fortunate in Vancouver to have a raft of instructors to teach us the art we're so passionate about. Not everyone has this and still want to practice. Freelance Academy Press has released several translations of various fencing masters from which to study. We carry many (if not all) in our store and our…
A Timely Review: The Knightly Art of Battle
There was a moment of serendipity on Friday when a shipment of new books arrived for the store, almost at the same time that Academie Duello's delightful patron, Major Wes, put a review of the same book up on the school message board. You all know Wes as the dutiful contributor who combs the internet…
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Bartitsu 28-Jan-2012
This week in Bartitsu: The Introduction to Bartitsu workshop: Fight Like Sherlock Holmes Then, the ongoing class, featuring: 1. Jujitsu review: Standing locks and holds 2. Cane lesson: Bayonnet drills 3. Integration: Locks and disarms with the walking stick Don't miss it!
All Things Shiny and New
"Armour, n.The kind of clothing worn by a man whose tailor is a blacksmith." - Ambroise Pierce, The Devil's Dictionary Armouring Winter Course Begins Sunday, February 5, 2012 10am-2pm Make hardened leather armour to suit your specific needs! The six week winter armouring course is considered 'open' meaning you decide what you want to make!…
The Princess Bride is NOT being Remade. Phew!
If you heard a rumour that the Princess Bride was going to be remade by the director of Juno, you'll be relieved (or god forbid, disappointed) to hear that it was a fabrication of overactive Internet imaginations. More can be read on TNT Magazine here - http://www.tntmagazine.com/entertainment/film/princess-bride-remake-rumours-h...So are you happy or disappointed about the news?…
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What do Horses Need?
Like all mammals, equines have three core needs: food, shelter, and security. In the grasslands of Eurasia, where the modern horse evolved, these needs were met quite differently than they are for most domesticated horses today. A wild horse lives in a herd, travels many miles each day, grazes constantly, and seeks shelter from whatever…
Sword Press (Fencing Press Actually) From Around the World
Given the dearth of WMA related material available this week, I thought We’d take a look at some unique elements of what has fallen out of our Art – Olympic-style fencing. Respects, Wes Everything Old is New Again FIRST COAST NEWS (Jacksonville, Florida) 15 January 12 Jacksonville Fencing Tournament Debuts 'Dagger Fencing' (Jovi Irwin) The 225…
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Bartitsu 21-Jan-2012
This week in Bartitsu:1. Review of Boxing: straight punches, dynamic motion 2. Jujitsu Lesson: entry to standing holds 3. Integration: chancery and escapes See you at 3pm!
Disappointment Abounds! Workshops Are Full Next Weekend!
"If we are quiet and ready enough, we shall find compensation in every disappointment." - Henry David Thoreau Unfortunately both of our workshops next weekend are already at capacity!: Intro to Bartitsu Saturday, January 28, 2012 1pm-5pm Learn the mixed martial art of the Victorian English Gentleman. In this four-hour workshop, you'll acquire the essential…
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