American Smallsword Symposium
Find Us
  • About
  • Blog
  • Links
    • Events
    • Smallsword Salles and Instructors
    • Links to online texts
    • Vendors: Weapons , Parts and Accessories
  • Contact
  • June 5-7, 2020 Symposium
    • Schedule
    • Instructors and Guests >
      • Jay Glenn
      • Sarah Potratz
      • Patrick Bratton
      • Christopher Treichel
      • Kevin Cote
      • Victor Markland
    • Registration and Payment
    • Venue
    • Accomodation
    • Travel
    • Vendors and Sponsors 2020
  • Deconstructing Smallsword
  • New Page

Why should I go to the AmSS?

4/12/2017

0 Comments

 
Since you asked. You should come if:
  1.  You are a Living Historian, an actor, or a dancer and were always interested in learning about the elegant dueling weapons of the 1700's.
  2. You are interested in history and culture of the Enlightenment Era.
  3. You have begun to study smallsword and want to broaden your exposure to more advanced techniques or different styles or facets of smallsword practice.
  4. You would like to see some original weapons and texts close up. 
  5. You want to test you smallsword skills against other smallsword fencers
  6. You want to test your smallsword  skills against rapier fencers 
  7. You fence rapier, maybe in tournaments or in the SCA, and you think smallsworders will be easy pickings.
  8. You want to hangout for three days with people who can froissement and not feel guilty about it. 
In all seriousness this is the only smallsword event like this in the US.  There other smallsword events where you may get a couple of days of intensive  classes from one or two instructors who share a very singular vision. That can be a great experience.   There are other events where you can have a weekend in Vegas and get exposed to a tasting of a dizzying array of western martial arts. That can be a great, although entirely different kind of experience too. 

But the American Smallsword Symposium is built on a different model.  We are not an academy built on a hierarchy, or a broad but shallow sampling.   Instead we are a symposium in the true sense of the word  where we foster a collegial atmosphere by sharing our interests and joy in practicing the art of the smallsword.  This is not to say that our instructors are second rate or can point to no accomplishments. All are experienced and most are recognized for their excellence internationally.

 What we offer is big tent that is open to the rich and varied styles and techniques that were practiced in the era when a smallsword was a common side arm for the gentleman. A tent that we welcome everyone into who may have an interest in or something significant to share about the art we love and who may grow as swordspeople by the experience. 
Hope to see you there. 
Early Bird Discount ends 4/15/2017   
​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Victor Markland

    Archives

    February 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly