This past weekend the Guild was an invited performer at the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo or C2E2. During a one-hour demo we demonstrated longsword, dagger, armoured combat and sword and buckler, followed by Q&A and then a 45 minute lesson for interested attendees. I don’t think we expecting the size of the crowd – [...]
Review: Traditional Italian Knife and Stick Seminar
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This past weekend (actually, for the last five days), Forteza had the privilege of hosting Roberto Laura for an immersion in the world of Italian folk arts. For those who do not know Maestro Laura, after many years in traditional Asian arts, he has spent the last twelve years traveling back and forth from Germany [...]
Our New Adventure – Creating the Forteza Clubhouse
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It is hard to believe that the Guild’s new home at Forteza Fitness, Physical Culture and Martial Arts has already been open for seven months! From what began as a cement floor that looked a bit like the Grand Canyon, chipping paint with half a century of grime and dirt, and plain brick walls, our [...]
Armizare Academy and Forteza review
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Ed – Reblogged from Devon Boorman’s Academie Duello blog. Devon was one of AA’s instructors and is also the founder and chief instructor of Academie Duello – the largest WMA school in the world. Stay tuned for photo and video updates from Armizare Academy over the next week. Event and School Review: Armizare Academy and [...]
Armizare Academy Updates!
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Space is still available for this exciting retreat, dedicated to the fighting art of Fiore dei Liberi. We have revised the schedule, which now includes a coached fencing class, a keynote address by Tom Leoni, translator of the Getty and Morgan Ms and a great deal more! Check it out: http://www.chicagoswordplayguild.com/armizare-academy-a-celebration-of-the-knightly-arts
New Workshop: The Swords of Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet
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This is something new that two of the Guild’s instructors are developing in conjunction with our friends at R&D Choreography. A new look at Elizabethan swordplay and stagecraft, for the fighter, actor, and actor-combatant alike! http://fortezafitness.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/swordplay-of-romeo-juliet-broadsword-and-rapier-in-elizabethan-england/
A Video Look into a Scholar’s Prize
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This past weekend (April 22) the Chicago Swordplay Guild held its first Prize at Forteza Fitness, Physical Culture and Martial Arts. Although this was the first Prize to be fought at Forteza, Playing the Prize has been part of rank advancement in the Chicago Swordplay Guild since 2001, and we proudly embrace the traditions of [...]
Congratulations to our new Swordplay Scholars!!!
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The Guild extends a hearty cheer and congratulations to the following new Scholars: Christina Bailey – Armizare Erin Fitzgerald – Armizare Heather Hilchey – Armizare Jake Paral (CSG North) – Armizare Robert Rutherfoord – Renaissance Swordsmanship Nathan Wisniewski – Armizare These six all took the list at our new sala d’arme, Forteza, against three of [...]
Martial Blades Concepts Seminar at Forteza Fitness May 6th!
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In this one-day seminar, CSG Free Scholar and Martial Blades Concepts (MBC) instructor Keith Jennings will present comprehensive instruction in the fundamental skills of the MBC system and the progressive training methods necessary to make them into defensive reflexes. This seminar will provide step-by-step instruction in the fundamental skills of using a knife as a [...]
Scholar Prize Playing: April 22nd!
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What is a “Prize Playing”? The Chicago Swordplay Guild utilizes a ranking system based on the medieval academic system, formalized around the 14th century. This system, in several variations, was ultimately adopted by the historical fencing guilds of England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain and generally included three to four ranks, or grades, beginning with [...]
