Bob & Kristi Charron would like to invite you to the first event ever held at their farm half an hour south of Madison, Wisconsin the first weekend in June. (June 1st, 2nd and 3rd). We have decided to call the series of events “a la villa” (at the country estate). While we understand this is a little less than two months’ notice, we are doing our best not to conflict with for larger WMA events during the season, and we have already received verbal confirmations from attendees.

The advantage of having this property is that we can have a very small number of guests and therefore provide better individual instruction and a more intimate atmosphere. If four people sign up, then four it is! If we experience high demand, we will run a second iteration of the event later in the year. This event will have a maximum of 10 attendees.

Classes will be held in the incredibly spacious, newly renovated barn which includes:
• Space for 7 pairs of practitioners on the main floor with unlimited ceiling space 
• Four-season, ten foot ceiling loft room that can accommodate 5 pairs
• Acres of practice and play area outside (and June is beautiful in Wisconsin)
• A gallery for guests to audit the classes or join their friends for the weekend

Further renovations will be complete by the time of the event, but current pictures of the barn remodeling and farm house can be found here: http://www.bkcharron.photosite.com/

The only reservation is a paid reservation, and attendance is limited, so it’s first-come, first-serve. Please e-mail Bob at stmartinsacademy@juno.com about attending.

The seminar fee is $200 before May 18th and $225 afterward (we need to plan for and buy food), and includes:
• All meals Friday evening through Sunday lunch (please provide dietary restrictions if any)
• Lodging at the Charron’s (immense farm house with four available floors)
• 3 hours of lecture presentations
• 15 hours of hands on instruction with a small group (More individual attention!)
• Time set aside for answering individual questions for all attendees

All activities will take place on the farm. Classes will begin with Friday evening presentations, continue through an extended day on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and conclude with instruction from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday. This will leave time for traveling home without having to miss any of the instruction, and provides all the late-night talking we can stand. Lectures will provide much-needed rest in-between the hands-on sessions, as well as breaks for meals and play.

This particular seminar will focus on the use of the sword in two hands. Concepts to be covered include:
• Fundamental movement principles of body and sword
• The nature and execution of the seven blows of the sword
• The nature use of the twelve guards
• Zogho largo & zogho stretto
• Fiore’s individual plays at the sword
• Training sequences and chains
• Combat applications of these fundamentals

Lectures will include:
• Medieval academics and the use of books in 15th century Italy
• Martial Arts connections to Law, Medicine, Rhetoric and Ethics.
• Horsemanship and the use of weapons from horseback

We suggest finding your best way to Madison, Wisconsin (we can pick you up at the airport there). If you choose to go through Milwaukee or Chicago airports, we suggest car rental (and car-pooling with other attendees) to arrive at the farm. Driving directions and a map will be provided upon request.

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Thanks!

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