Columbus, OH June 28th Event

[Keith Culbertson]

After working through a couple of entanglements, I have secured a full gymnasium at Ohio State to host an event on the Saturday concurrent with the Origins Game Fair. I had suggested a larger program before, but it seems best to start with demonstration times at Origins Thu and Fri, then have an event taught by JC Sat, then have all of us attending join in to enjoy Origins a bit on Sun while presenting a couple of seminars and engaging in sparring/more training/demo time all afternoon in the exhibition arena again at Origins. It only costs $3 to get into the exhibit hall and common areas due to their new push to increase at least casual attendance. Of course, a few have said they may attend Origins anyway and are more than happy to join us Columbus area locals throughout.

So, I ask you all now whether there is interest and what type of NTP people have been dying to request. Louisville is trying for a 1.0 a few weeks before, so maybe a follow-up 1.1? Perhaps a 2.0 for sword and dagger/buckler? Any other ideas?

Depending on how many show, cost would likely run $75-$125 each as usual for a session with JC. There are many hotels close, maybe a little crash space too.

hope to hear from folks soon,

best

[Aaron Pynenberg]

Cool idea Keith- also and in addition to JC's presentation it would be cool to have like an ARMA "Round-uP" where we would set aside say 4 hrs of intense free-play and cross training with each other- in other words structured free-play "sessions" where someone pulls names out of a hat to start, then everyone switches partners until everybody has been with everyone else...we learn so much from each other we should start capitalizing on this when we attend these local events- just a thought, but man I am in for this kind of thing for sure- AP

[Will Adamson]

I'm kinda on the fence about trying to make y'all's event, but if you have the organized freeplay set-up like Aaron just suggested...I'll have to make it a priority.

Great idea Aaron!

Edit: As per usual I now realize that I will be on my way back from another obligation and won't be able to make it. AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!

[Keith Culbertson]

Since Sat will probably be taken by JC's instruction, we could certainly try that at the arena in the exhibit hall on Sun; as far asd I know we have it from 12-4pm (and we can continue to battle while others pack up). At the same time, while taking a break or on a rotation, some members might be able to speak with the public to answer questions, show some manuals, and such as we will have done earlier in the week. I have scheduled two one-hour blocks for seminar presentations ( one will concern mythbusting, the other application of realism in RPGs) Sun morning, but people will still have tons of interest during the arena time.

[Ben Michels]

I would be up for making the drive out there. =)

[Jeremiah Backhaus]

I have no idea what Origins is. But getting together for a Seminar and some major free-play, that sounds like a great time. I am extremely interested in coming. Count me as a tentative yes.

-Jeremiah (GFS)

[Keith Culbertson]

Right, I did not supply any info since the e-list proposal, so here is the link for those interested to se what Origins is:

http://www.originsgamefair.com/

I always have a blast each year, but then I am a games fanatic....

feel free to e-mail me with any q's about it

[Keith Culbertson]

I am sending this as a reminder that we are still trying to find enough people for the seminar aspect of this event. It has been suggested by a few that it be a sword and dagger/buckler seminar. No other suggestions were made other than the intensive freeplay planned for Sunday. We have five committed, one probable, and a couple of maybes. Please let me know of any other interest

best

[Keith Culbertson]

well, it seems the Loisville 1.0 is unlikely to occur, so I am trying to get in touch with all the ARMA folks who were interested in that event to see if they can make it here for June 28-29

if so then we are looking at the new 1.0 as a now-popular seminar request, but remember there will be plenty of time for the round-robin sparring and such both Sat and Sun

still working on it...

[Keith Culbertson]

I regret to announce that there was not enough interest generated to bring John for the event. However, I am wondering who definitely would attend a revised ARMA 1.0 on June 28th if Gene Tausk will do it for less, as well as who are still interested to be part of the demonstrations (basically a fun time with lots of sparring) during Origins (It is 10am-2pm Thu, 2pm-6pm Fri, and 12pm-4pm Sun; if we do not have the separate event Sat at OSU, then Sat from 10am-2pm is scheduled).

It is only $3 to get in on Sat and Sun to the exhibit hall, but for Thu and Friday, they have said a regular entrance badge to Origins is needed. I will be a volunteer to earn mine and anyone else can as well, just visit the origins site to find out more (16+ hours volunteered gets a full run of the show badge all week and more).

I know that a lot of 1.0 events have been going on lately, but I thought there was real interest from both Louisville and our area at one point, plus a few from various points. Yet here I am fanning barely warm coals...if there are any better suggestions as to a time or content or any other aspects, please chime in.


thank you for your interest

[David Kite]

I'd have happily attended, but unfortunatley my best friend is getting married that Saturday.

If you did something later in July or early August I could make more of an effort to come over.

David Kite
GFS, ARMA in IN

[Keith Culbertson]

well, having heard nothing more from anyone, I guess we will forego any actual ARMA member specific event on Saturday and focus on the 4-hour demo times Thu-Sun at Origins. hope to still see a few folks there from time to time if around the area

[Keith Culbertson]

Hey all, the demonstrations at Origins went very well, plenty of interested folks stopped by to listen and try us out. I was very happy to meet James Sterret (a member of ARMA from Missouri), Stephen Archote and his son and wife (Hollow Earth Swordmakers--yeah, I got one of those awesome wasters!), and several people seriously interested to find ARMA members near their homes in DC, Milwaukee, Cleveland, Dayton, and a few more I cannot recall exactly. One of the members of the foam-weapon group who shared the arena with me will move to Columbus next week and was very excited to have a new direction to expand his skills when he joins us. I imagine plenty of folks will be visiting the website soon.

ARMA@Ohio State members Ryan Woo, Scott Sperling and Jeff McCarl helped out on Saturday--thank you guys! The arena space in the exhibit hall was sufficient for the event, usually I spoke with 5-6 people at a time, although a couple times I had 20+ to work with, on a revolving door basis throughout the 4-hour time blocks Thu-Sun. Some people were more interested in the historical aspects, but most wanted to battle, especially many kids who were often my best students. I explained all the basic goals and methods of ARMA, had them look through books and try out the equipment, and answered lots of questions. Received lots of compliments and I was even on CBS television with one of the newsladies who learned a few skills quickly for the quick spot to promote different events at Origins. I hope for an even better event next year.

[Jeremiah Backhaus]

Keith,

Hey Man, way to Go! Glad to hear that it went well. I hope that you can do it again (and I won't break myself, so I can go!). Good work dude.

How many from Milwaukee did you run in to? Seems to be developing more interest there.

-Jeremiah

[Keith Culbertson]

Thanks Jeremiah, I hope you can make it next time too. There was just the one guy from Milwaukee that I recall, hope he contacts us soon to get him to the right place.

take care