Family Gathering 2026

It’s time for our 2026 Family Gathering! This year's dates will be Thursday, June 23rd (Instructor Day), and Friday, April 24th through Sunday, April 26th.

The Family Gathering is a 3-day intensive training event for members of the entire Guild (Chicago, Denver, Nebraska, Dallas, Milwaukee & East Texas), that is meant to deep-dive into training, introduce new curriculum, or just generally 'reboot' everyone's enthusiasm for these wonderful arts we practice. Past FG's have introduced Bolognese polearms, the longsword of Filippo Vadi, armoured combat or sword vs rapier/rapier vs sword, and more! All Guild members of any chapter or at-large membership, regardless of rank or program, whose dues are in good-standing with the treasurer.

The theme this year is "So You Got Yourself Into a Judicial Duel", and classes will be using both studio spaces at varying times to provide classes that fit into one of two tracks: the Duel and Enhanced Performance--meant to help students improve their mechanics, tactics or performance no matter what element of the art we are practicing.
When: 
  • Thursday, April 23rd - Instructor Training; 11:00 am to 4:00pm
  • Friday, April 24th; 10:00 am to 5:00pm
  • Saturday, April 25th; 10:00am to 6:00pm
  • Sunday, April 26th; 10:00am to 3:00pm

Cost: 
All three days: $200
Saturday & Sunday Only: $150
(Refunds will not be given after April 15th, 2026)

Curriculum
We'll be looking at the process of the duel as a way to delve into the classes themselves: the use of shield, spear, sword and dagger, and how this influenced the Armizare and Bolognese traditions. Joined again this year by Kurt Holtfreter of Triangle Sword Guild, classes will include:

Understanding the Duel
1.) Spear casting -- Davis Vader and Max Faas
2) Spear/Partisan and Shield -- Davis Vader, Free Scholar
3.) NovaArmizare: Using the Dagger to Understand Late Medieval Shield Use -- Kurt Holtfreter -- Triangle Sword Guild
4.) Sword vs. Spear--Transitioning in the Fight and Dealing with Unequal Scenarios -- Greg Mele, Guildmaster
5.) Entering the Zogho Stretto: Filippo Vadi's tactics and plays of the close play -- Sam Halote, Free Scholar
6.) Oops, You're in the Duel (Workshop) -- Greg and Kurt

Enhancing Your Performance
1) Heels, Shoulders, Hips and Toes--Jacques Marcotte, Free Scholar
So you've paid for a private tutor to prepare you for your duel, but how do you refine things between sessions while practicing on your own? A 4-step mnemonic for addressing common structural issues.

2) Dancing with the Enemy--John O'Meara, Provost
A progressive series of weapon-agnostic exercises to internalize the use of tempo in controlling the fight

3) Rhythymic Fencing--Nic Cabrera, Scholar
Fencing is a dance to the death. If you don't know how to dance you don't know how to fence.

4) Don't Panic, Execute -- Max Faas, Scholar
We have all been in the position of not being confident in what the “next right thing” to execute in a non-cooperative or competitive environment is. This class is tailored towards exploring critical self evaluation, in-real-time opponent analysis, and snap decision making skills in the context of sparring.
 
5) Two Clubs and a Dagger--Fencing with weird weapons--Scott Jeffers, Free Scholar
We will use weird weapon combinations to explore fencing concepts that can be applied broadly to any weapon. We also will learn ways to transition between weapon systems.

 Additional Goodies

There will be two lecture by the Guildmaster, plus:

1. Spring Scholar Prize (Armizare, Bolo and Rapier!)
2. Friday Fight Night
3. Planned merriment.

REQUIRED GEAR

A list of required gear will be forthcoming! 

Please reach out to us at [email protected] for any comments, questions, or concerns.

Date: April 23, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Main Location
4437 N Ravenswood Ave
Floor #1
Chicago, IL 60640 US
Date: April 24, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Main Location
4437 N Ravenswood Ave
Floor #1
Chicago, IL 60640 US
Date: April 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Main Location
4437 N Ravenswood Ave
Floor #1
Chicago, IL 60640 US
Date: April 26, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Main Location
4437 N Ravenswood Ave
Floor #1
Chicago, IL 60640 US
Spaces Left: 37 Capacity: 70
Event Price: $200.00
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