"(on Errol Flynn) He was not an actor of enormous talent - he would have admitted that himself - but in all those swashbuckling things he was beautiful." - Bette Davis Intro to Stage Combat Sunday, March 11, 2012 2pm-6pm In this intensive 4-hour workshop, we’ll cover the basics of stage combat, including: ▪Slaps ▪Punches…
Read More... from Intro to Stage Combat Next Weekend and Spring Break Knight Camp!
Earlier this week (on Wednesday) some local Geohashers found Academie Duello to be their alternate location. Check out their record of their SwordFit Bootcamp adventure here.
Given the moderately heavy snowfall that fell on my city last night, we’re going to stay with ‘heavy’ and serious topics this today. From time-to-time, we have to remember that we are involved in a sport involving true weapons – and of a variety of types as well. Theft of Swords … again. NORTHAMPTON CHRONICLE…
“Four things come not back: the spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life and the neglected opportunity.” -Proverb Beginner Archery (FULL!) Sunday, March 4, 2012 9am-3pm Beginner Archery will cover the basics of archery using a recurve bow; including correct stance, the Y grip, proper breathing and the three finger draw and release technique. Also…
Open Barn & Work Party this Weekend Light work at a farm? Is that an oxymoron, you ask? Not necessarily. We have a new shelter to put up. While it is not a job requiring lots of muscle it does take a minimum of eight people to 'walk' it into place, so we could sure…
This week’s offering is eclectic in origin and subject, sometimes one just gets lucky. The major lesson that the Major would like you to take away today is that the cost of some of our kit can be substantial – take care of it – and each others’. Making Swords in Modern Times …
Academie Duello is calling! "All I want is a gentleman. I'm sick to bloddy death of bastards!" -Katie Price Intro to Bartitsu Workshop Saturday, February 25, 2012 1pm-5pm Learn the mixed martial art of the Victorian English Gentleman. In this four-hour workshop, you'll acquire the essential Bartitsu skills of Boxing, Jujitsu, Savate and Cane fighting:…
Read More... from Gentry, Children and The Sort of People Who Like to Sweat at 7am...
Come one come all to Longsword Open Floor! Bring your gambesons, helmets, armour, gauntlets or padded gloves, and longswords. We will be doing free sparring and slow work. There will also be lots of floor for exercises. If you don't have all your gear together, that's alright come out and do some drills or slow…
WMA on the Atlantic Coast dominates this cull – along with Wes’s wistful musing for the week. Recreating a ‘fun’ death? THE RECORD (Woodland Park, New Jersey) 09 February 12 Swordsmanship on display in Leonia (Melinda Aranda and Carol Karels) WEMA authority, author and stage fight instructor Jack Kirby was recently interviewed about how he…
"A halberd (also called halbert or Swiss voulge) is a two-handed pole weapon that came to prominent use during the 14th and 15th centuries. Possibly the word halberd comes from the German words Halm (staff), and Barte (axe) - in modern-day German, the weapon is called Hellebarde. The halberd consists of an axe blade topped…
Academie Duello has the honour of being featured in a documentary by filmmaker Tatiana Balashova that will be screened at the upcoming Women in Film festival at the Vancity Theatre on March 10th. From their program: ARTE, ARDORE, ONORE: THE WORLD OF SWORDPLAY | 10:00 mins 2011, Canada, directed by Tatiana Balashova Arte,…
Snap Quiz: What American state has ‘jousting’ as it’s state sport? And why? (http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/symbols/sport.html, http://marylandjousting.com/) OK, pass your papers forward to the front. While We’re marking them, you can start reading ahead with today’s’ offering. For the past two years, those interested in things medieval have been teased with indications that something significant was brewing…
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…
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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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…
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…
Read More... from A Timely Review: The Knightly Art of Battle
"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!…
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?…
Read More... from The Princess Bride is NOT being Remade. Phew!