Classes:
Chicago Metro Area

Regular ongoing classes by the Chicago Swordplay Guild.

Weekly Schedule

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  CoD:
LS Intro		 PP:
Members'
Open
6-9 pm		   PP:
LS/R
Intro
9:30-11:30 am

PP:
Members'
Regular
11:30-3 pm

Locations and Cost

CSG at Pulaski Park of the Chicago Park District (PP)

  • Address: 1419 West Blackhawk Street, Chicago, Illinois 60622, U.S.A.
  • Location specifics: Main auditorium
  • Classes:
    • Introduction to the Longsword.
      • 10 Saturdays starting 1/12. 9:30-11:30 am. Instructor: Oscar Erkenswick.
      • 10 Saturdays starting 4/5. 9:30-11:30 am. Instructor: Oscar Erkenswick.
      • 10 Saturdays starting 6/21. 9:30-11:30 am. Instructor: Oscar Erkenswick.
      • 10 Saturdays starting 9/27. 9:30-11:30 am. Instructor: Oscar Erkenswick.
    • Introduction to the Rapier.
      • 10 Saturdays starting 1/12. 9:30-11:30 am. Instructor: John O'Meara.
      • 10 Saturdays starting 4/5. 9:30-11:30 am. Instructor: John O'Meara.
      • 10 Saturdays starting 6/21. 9:30-11:30 am. Instructor: John O'Meara.
      • 10 Saturdays starting 9/27. 9:30-11:30 am. Instructor: John O'Meara.
    • Members' Open Classes. Wednesdays 6-9 pm. Instructor: Varies.
    • Members' Regular Classes. Saturdays 11:30-3 pm. Instructors: Greg Mele and John O'Meara.
  • Cost:
    • Introductory Classes are $100 Chicago residents ($200 non-residents). No equipment fee.
    • Full Membership is $90 per quarter (with a $5 per week late fee) or $315 per year (if paid by the 6th week).
    • Family Membership requires a cohabitating Full Member. $60 per quarter, $210 per year.
    • Associate Membership, $35 per year, is for members of daughter schools and "inactive" members. Associate Members, if they live more than 50 miles from Pulaski Park or study with a daughter school, may attend classes as time allows. "Inactive" members are those who are not attending classes but still want to maintain a relationship with the Guild. All Associate Guild Members have access to the official CSG Yahoo Group.

CSG at College of DuPage (CoD)

Introductory Classes

We have instituted a series of classes designed to expose prospective students to a basic overview of the style of swordsmanship and methods of practice used by the Guild. These classes are organized by theme and are offered multiple times each year at a variety of locations and times. Please check under the individual classes to see when the next session begins.

NOTE:
The current round of Introductory Classes at Pulaski Park started:
Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 9:30 am.
The next round of starts:
Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 9:30 am.

Introduction to the Longsword

Learn an actual historical style of medieval European swordsmanship, based entirely on the documented methods of 14th and 15th century Italian masters of defense! This introductory and continuing course provides the basics of medieval swordsmanship training as a foundation for more advanced practice, including stances, posture, movement, and methods of striking and defending with the medieval "hand and a half" sword. The course will include demonstrations, drills, and free-play with safety gear and simulated weapons. No prior martial arts experience is required.

Introduction to the Rapier

The rapier was the dueling weapon of the Renaissance — the sword of Shakespeare, Cyrano de Bergerac, and the Three Musketeers! This class surveys 16th century fencing texts to teach the basic use of this elegant and deadly weapon, which many a gentleman used to defend his life and honor. Through drills and free-fencing using replica weapons with flexible blades, students will learn the basics of the rapier fight: balance and footwork, blade control, time, distance, attack, and defense. Fencing equipment is provided. No prior experience is necessary.

Member Classes

Students who have completed at least two sessions of any of the introductory rapier or longsword classes may be invited to join the Chicago Swordplay Guild.

The Guild trains two days a week in the main auditorium at Pulaski Park (PP), 1419 West Blackhawk Street, Chicago, IL 60622. Saturdays classes run from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, and Wednesday night sessions run from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Saturdays classes have a formal structure, including warm-ups and conditioning exercises, core mechanics drills, and lessons on a specific topic. Wednesday night classes are an "open class" for more individual training and free-fencing. More details on Guild structure and methodology can be found at their respective links.

Visitors are welcome to come and observe the Saturday sessions, but participation is restricted to Guild members. Interested students should begin by enrolling in one of the introductory classes that run throughout Chicagoland.