Dear Friends and Students,
 
We will be teaching at the 2009 Paddy Crean International Art of the Sword Workshop at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta, Canada from December 29, 2008 through January 03, 2009.
 
This year we have the unique opportunity to teach a purely historical fencing track for the entire week.
 
Class Descriptions
 
Cutting and Thrusting: Metamorphosis of the Sword and its Influence on Technique.
Through the centuries, the design of the sword has changed to fulfill the needs of the function of that Period.  This Progressive Symposium will examine how the evolution of the sword influenced the way it was manipulated.  This seminar offers the opportunity to analyze the application of Fencing theory as it is applied to four different weapons; Spanish Side-sword/Rapier, Backsword, Italian Rapier and French Small-sword.  Each day, all four classes will look at the same principles (details below) so you can see how these principles apply very differently (or similarly) to each weapon.
 
Classes:
Maestro Ramon Martinez – Spanish Sidesword/Rapier
Maestro Paul Macdonald – Backsword
Maestro Jeannette Acosta-Martinez – French Smallsword
Jared Kirby – Italian Rapier alla Capo Ferro
 
The concepts to be covered are:
Day 1: Posture, Positioning and Movement.
[The Guard(s), stance and how to move differently in each]
Day 2: The Attack: Cut and Thrust.
[Mechanics of the actions focusing on defensive considerations]
Day 3: Offensive Defense.
[Considering your Defense while striking]
Day 4: How to start a fight.
[Entering safely]
Day 5: Control your Adversary.
[Controlling the interplay by controlling the blade, distance and time]
Day 6: Let's Get it On.
[Analyzing the Assaults]
 
Each 1.5 hour class will be at the same time everyday for six days.  All four classes will run independently of the others so you can take 1, 2, 3 or all 4 classes.  Those signed up for all four classes can participate in a semi-private lesson after dinner every night with all four instructors.  These lessons will review concepts and answer questions from the class that day.
 
 
General information:
 
Arrival: Sunday, December 28, 2008
Departure: Sunday, January 4, 2009
Workshop Fee:
 
Package 1 - Single Accommodation
Registration Processing Fee: $31.00 CDN
Single Accommodation: $397.00 CDN
Full Meal Plan: $212.00 CDN
Program Fee: $740.00 CDN
Total: $1380.00 CDN
 
Package 2 - Shared Accommodation
Registration Processing Fee: $31.00 CDN
Shared Accommodation: $215.00 CDN
Full Meal Plan: $212.00 CDN
Program Fee: $740.00 CDN
Total: $1198.00 CDN
 
Registration deadline is October 3, 2008
 
For registration see:
http://www.banffcentre.ca/programs/program.aspx?id=620
 
For information on the host:
International Order of the Sword and Pen (IOSP) see http://www.iosp.org/index.php/Main_Page
 
*The information may not yet be on the website yet as they are notorious for being late on updating this.
 
On the registration application there will be a question (how did you hear about this workshop) please write from the Martinez Academy.
 
Sincerely,
Martinez Academy of Arms
www.martinez-destreza.com