Postby Stacy Clifford » Mon Feb 09, 2009 12:55 pm
Fellow ARMAteers,
It's been a while since we posted a reminder on here, so here are a few reasons why you should be getting excited about the upcoming event and get your registration in to us soon:
- Three full days of training in ten different classes by eight of ARMA's most experienced instructors.
- The chance to meet and train with over 100 fellow ARMA members from every corner of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Poland, Greece, and anywhere else we can get 'em. All those names on the e-list and the forum come with faces to talk to and bodies to fight with, and you'll get no better chance than this.
- Free run of a giant, AIR CONDITIONED indoor ballroom for the whole weekend in July. We've got bathrooms and water fountains enough for everybody and enough Gatorade to drown in, and no class will have to worry about being cramped for space, plus you'll be able to leave your equipment there safely overnight without dragging it back to the hotel.
- Discount lodging at one of the nicest hotels outside of downtown Houston. If you were here for the last one, this is a major upgrade for almost the same price.
- Three catered meals a day on-site, so no need to scramble for eggs in the morning, we got it covered.
- Introduction to the New Longsword Curriculum by ARMA Director John Clements - If you haven't seen this yet, prepare to be amazed. If you're used to the old ARMA way of teaching, this will revolutionize the way you look at your primary training weapon. If you're new to the art, consider yourself lucky, you got here just in time for our best yet. If you have seen it already, you know it's well worth seeing again. This really is the state of the art folks.
- Basic Training Tips for New Members by Free-Scholar Aaron Pynenberg - If you're looking for help organizing and improving your training, our new ARMA Deputy Director and resident exercise freak will be there to get you on the right path to continue developing your skills when you go home. Aaron is ARMA's own version of Hans and Frans all rolled into one, and you will be PUMPED UP!
- Basic Single Sword by John Clements - Sword and buckler has long been a staple in ARMA, but what do you do when you drop the buckler? John gives an overview of single sword and sword & dagger with his usual dizzying array of sources in this spotlight on a somewhat neglected combination.
- Di Grassi's Cut & Thrust Method with Free-Scholar Stacy Clifford (yours truly) - Where John covers the spectrum, I focus in on the distinctive style of the opinionated Giacomo Di Grassi for an in-depth look. I've been having a lot of fun working on this and I think it will be a great compliment to John's class that really highlights the differences between single and longsword.
- Master swordsmith Kevin Cashen is back with more on his scientific approach to sword making and research. Kevin's talk was a huge hit at the last gathering and we didn't exactly have to twist his arm to get him back here for an encore.
- Video Assessment - Don't have access to a video camera in your study group? We'll have one on hand to videotape you while getting personal evaluation from senior students so you can take it home for your own review.
- Spear Fighting with Free-Scholar Gene Tausk - Here's one we don't do every day, but a real eye-opener if all you've worked with so far is the sword. This is a rare opportunity to focus on one of the most important and least written-about weapons on the battlefield.
- Rapier Fighting by John Clements - Another weapon we can't get enough of and one of John's favorites, no education in RENAISSANCE martial arts would be complete without it.
- Grappling & Throws by Scholar-Adept Erich Wagner - Another class with immediate personal self-defense application in the modern world, Erich covers the important basic concepts of what the masters considered one of the most important fundamental skills in fighting. Learn how to toss big guys around like potato sacks and land safely when it's your turn to fly with one of ARMA's best grapplers.
- Open Training with John Clements - Two hours to ask John anything, 'nuff said.
- Two more of our best and brightest (guess who...) will play their prize for Free-Scholar ranking on ARMA's biggest stage. Prize Playing is unique to ARMA and our single most exciting, challenging and rewarding event. This is where ARMA's fighters really set the standard and you get to participate, so you don't want to miss this.
- Free Play! - What would an ARMA event be without challenge matches and random beatings? We'll have two sparring rings set up where every pair of fighters gets five minutes each to test themselves in combat. You can face whoever's next in line or pick your partner and settle the trash talking once and for all (until the next event anyway...).
- Once again we'll have some great door and trivia prizes and raffle items donated by our vendors for you to win and take home.
- Albion Swords, New Stirling Arms and Crescent Moon Armory are all back with more goodies, and there will also be ARMA shirts, ties, mugs, mouse pads and other cool stuff for sale.
- All this for $150 plus travel expenses. There is no better deal anywhere, period.
Whew! I'm tired just from typing all that, and we've still got a few surprises left. As you can see, this is no small undertaking, we plan Texas big and we wouldn't have it any other way. We've made our commitment to you to put on the best event ARMA has ever seen and we want you to be there to share it with us. One of the best comments we heard after IG07 was that it was just like coming home for Thanksgiving, and we couldn't agree more, so the sooner you can get your registration in the better we can make sure no one goes home hungry. Let the drooling begin!
The ARMA Houston North and South Siders
Last edited by
Stacy Clifford on Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:43 am, edited 3 times in total.
0==[>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Stacy Clifford
Free-Scholar
ARMA Houston, TX
