Classes & Weapons Demos

ARISIA has many interesting Classes and hands-on Weapons Demonstrations for you to move your body as well as your mind.

Classes

Chainmail Show & Tell - Come chat and share and show off your work.  This is not a selling event, rather a place to share everything from sources to tools to techniques to finished work.  (Friday, 7:00 p.m., Grand Ballroom A, 1:00 hr.)

Gentle Yoga - This is a restorative, restful, flowing (*vinyasa*), one-hour class suitable for all levels. There are no standing poses. All movement is coordinated with the breath. Practitioners at all fitness levels who revel in a deep slow session are encouraged to attend, including those of us who are older, obese, or otherwise have significant physical limitations. Enjoy a lighter heart and a greater sense of harmony. Please bring a Yoga mat or a towel and dress comfortably. Organized by Portia Brockway.  (Saturday and Sunday, both at 8:30 a.m., Commonwealth Ballroom ABC, 1:00 hr.)

Wand Dueling Workshop with HP-NYC - The art of wand dueling is a centuries old practice that has unfortunately fallen by the wayside in today’s modern wizarding curriculum. Join Harry Potter NYC as their top wand dueling instructors demonstrate several of the offensive and defensive moves most frequently employed in duels. Many of these can be seen being used in the now famous Harry Potter documentary films. You can bring your own wands, or if needed training wands can be provided.  (Saturday 10:00 a.m., Grand Ballroom A, 1:00 hr.)

Walk the Labyrinth - Take a long walk in a small space. Come find your center in our 30'x30' Seven-Circuit Classical Labyrinth. A tool for walking meditation, use it to find a little peace during the excitement of Arisia. Supervised children welcome. (Saturday and Sunday, both at 10:00 a.m., Commonwealth Ballroom ABC, 1:15 hr.)

Intro to Juggling - Never thrown a ball in your life? Think juggling two balls is impressive? Or are you still working on a shaky 3-ball cascade? Stop by and learn the basics, or if you can already juggle, learn a few new tricks. All necessary equipment will be provided. Instructor Brian Campbell.  (Sunday 11:00 a.m., Grand Ballroom A, 1:00 hr.)

Open Juggling - Stop by and practice your juggling, contact juggling, diabolo, poi, or other manipulation art. Swap tricks, learn techniques, practice passing, or just hang out and watch. Came to the intro to juggling class? Keep practicing and learn some more. Missed the intro class? Learn at open juggling. Extra balls will be available, and some other loaner equipment, but bring your own if you can. Instructor Brian Campbell.  (Sunday 12:00 p.m., Grand Ballroom A, 1:00 hr.)

Weapons Demonstrations

Everything in *A Game of Thrones* is Wrong (Lecture) - Athena School of Arms presents: Hollywood and TV are notoriously bad at depicting the medieval setting correctly. Combat and warfare in medieval-ish settings for both fantasy and historical movies and books are woefully misleading. Swords aren’t heavy, armor worked, and longbows didn’t rule the battlefield. Personal combat and the conduct of war through the ages will be discussed to expose these myths.  (Friday, 8:30 p.m., Grand Ballroom A, 1:00 hr.)

Massachusetts Bay Colony 1630 Pike & Shot Drill - When the first English colonists came to America, they expected to have to fight. Muskets and pikes dominated the battlefields of Europe, and would soon decide Britain's fate in the English Civil Wars. See the Salem Trayned Band, a re-enactment unit portraying the militia of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in its earliest years, demonstrate how the colonists brought this military technology—including sixteen-foot pikes—to the New World.  (Saturday, 11:00 a.m., Grand Ballroom A, 1:00 hr.)

A Roman Legion: Legio III Cyreaica - The Roman Legions are undoubtedly among the best known and most influential military forces in history. Their exploits remain legendary, and they continue to be a subject for books, movies, and TV. This New England-based reenacting group seeks to accurately portray the Legion in the 1st Century AD, initially tasked with keeping Egypt’s rich ports, grain supplies, and mines under Roman control. Members will showcase various arms, armor, tactics, and troop types (Legionaries and Auxiliaries).  (Saturday, 12:00 noon, Grand Ballroom A, :30 min.)

The Cutting Truth of the Sword - Athena School of Arms presents: A demonstration of cutting with real swords, and other elements of advanced training. Followed immediately by hands-on lessons with the Longsword. Learn the basics of attack and defense in the German Longsword tradition. Advanced lessons available for students who have already done the basic lesson. All equipment provided, no experience necessary.  (Saturday, 1:00 p.m., Grand Ballroom A, 1:30 min.)

En Garde! SCA Rapier Fencing Demon - Ever wish you could duel like the Three Musketeers, swashbuckle like a pirate, or fight in a tavern brawl? Fencers from Barony of Carolingia - Boston’s local Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) group - will demonstrate 16th & 17th Century rapier techniques. Spectators will experience the duel and group melees up close, and see how historical sword fights differ from the world of Hollywood adventure. Information on how to join the group’s practices will also be available. (Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Commonwealth Ballroom ABC, 1:00 hr.)

Salem Zouaves: Civil War Swords & Sabers - In the mid-nineteenth century, a military fashion craze swept Europe and the United States. Known as Zouaves, they were originally French-Algerian light infantry famous for their colorful Turkish uniforms, athletic precision drill, and ferocity with cold steel in battle. The Salem Light Infantry, an elite militia company from Salem, Massachusetts, went Zouave in April, 1861. This demonstration will feature saber drills and fencing styles practiced during the Civil War era. (Sunday, 2:00 p.m., Commonwealth Ballroom ABC, :30 min.)

Salem Zouaves: Civil War Musket & Bayonet Drill -          In the mid-nineteenth century, a military fashion craze swept Europe and the United States. Known as Zouaves, they were originally French-Algerian light infantry famous for their colorful Turkish uniforms, athletic precision drill, and ferocity with cold steel in battle. The Salem Light Infantry, an elite militia company from Salem, Massachusetts, went Zouave in April, 1861. This demonstration will feature the uniforms and the bayonet-fencing and musket drills practiced by the Salem Zouaves.  (Sunday, 2:30 p.m., Commonwealth Ballroom ABC, :30 min.)

Highland Charge! - Athena School of Arms presents: the Scottish Broadsword - A weapon of soldiers, nobles, mercenaries and criminals. A demonstration of the fighting methods of both the army regiments and duellists of the 18th century. Followed immediately by hands-on lessons - learn the Regimental drill of the Scottish tradition. Advanced lessons available for students who have already done the basic lesson. All equipment provided, no experience necessary.  (Sunday 3:00 p.m., Grand Ballroom A, 1:30 min)

The Martial Arts of *A Game of Thrones* - From swaggering bravos to knightly duels, George R.R. Martin drew on historical exemplars in creating his ultra-realistic, ultra-gritty fantasy world. But how did these martial arts really work, and where does truth end and fiction begin? Join renowned historical combat master Dr. Ken Mondschein and his students of Worcester Historical Swordsmanship for an exploration and demonstration of the combative skills found in A Game of Thrones, followed by a hands-on class in the knightly martial arts!  (Sunday, 5:00 p.m., Grand Ballroom A, 1:00 hr.)