In the first part of Chivalry Today’s Summer of Chivalry bonus podcast, host Scott Farrell speaks with Jared Kirby, president and organizer of the First Annual CombatCon – a gathering of Medieval and Renaissance martial arts enthusiasts which kicks off a variety of great summertime events. Plus: A conversation with Devon Kurtz, director of education at the Higgins Armory Museum, about their new exhibit called Castle Quest; and we invite you to tell us what you’re up to during this Summer of Chivalry on the Chivalry Today Facebook page!
Quicklinks — Use the links below to learn more about the events and activities featured in this podcast episode
- Make arrangements to attend the first annual CombatCon, June 24-26 in Las Vegas, Nevada;
- Visit the Higgins Armory Museum to experience their Castle Quest (link no longer available);
- Share your plans, photos, and videos of your Summer of Chivalry on our Facebook page.
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Segment 1: An Interview with Jared Kirby — Chivalry at CombatCon
Scott interviews Jared Kirby, accomplished actor (he appeared in a recent production of Macbeth with the York Shakespeare Company), fight choreographer, and president and organizer of the first annual CombatCon to talk about historical European martial arts, Victorian stick fighting, Jedi knights, zombies, and steampunk fiction. What do all of these things have in common? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is: The code of chivalry. The spirit of romance, honor, and heroism is the underlying foundation of nearly all the events, presentations, and workshops that attendees will be enjoying at CombatCon.
You can learn more about Jared Kirby’s impressive background in acting, fight arrangement, and directing at his website, The Art Of Combat.
It’s not too late to make plans to attend CombatCon in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 24-26. The Tuscany Hotel is offering special weekend rates to CombatCon attendees.
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Segment 2: Castle Quest At The Higgins Armory Museum
Scott is joined by Devon Kurtz, director of education and public programs at the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, Mass., to talk about the museum’s new exhibit Castle Quest, which opened just in time for Summer 2011 vacationers. The display gives visitors an opportunity to see life inside a medieval castle through the eyes of the people who call it home – from the knight and the lady to the stable hands, grooms, and archers.
Castle Quest is just one of the engaging, interactive exhibits you’ll find when you visit the Higgins Armory Museum. You can find a full listing of the events and activities going on in the museum on the exhibits page of the Higgins website.
The Higgins Armory Museum also offers courses and workshops in historical fencing and sword combat as part of their Academy of the Sword program. Sword-fighting enthusiasts and re-enactors who live on the West Coast (which is a bit far for commuting to the Higgins for lessons) might wish to join Chivalry Today’s Knight School Historical Sword Combat program on Friday evenings at San Diego’s Team Touche Fencing Center.
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What Are You Doing This Summer (of Chivalry)?
Got big plans this summer? If you know of an event that would be of interest to Chivalry Today’s fans and podcast listeners – a Renaissance faire, a lecture or talk on medieval history, a screening of an independent movie with a fantasy theme, or any activity or event that relates to the ideals of chivalry — then share it with a post on the Chivalry Today Facebook Page.
Or, if you’ve been to an event or site that you want to share with everyone – a festival, battlefield, performance, town, or castle – post your vacation pictures or videos on the Facebook page for everyone to enjoy. Or, just post some thoughts on your summer reading list: What book(s) are you enjoying at the beach or park that are taking you away into a realm of chivalry? We want to know more about your Summer of Chivalry!
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Coming Next Month in Summer of Chivalry Part 2
We’ll take a trip to the acclaimed Getty Museum in Los Angeles for an exhibition of medieval clothing and fashion, and a walk down the runway with a 14th century “clotheshorse”; and we’ll explore one of the most famous (and fatal) deeds of arms of the late Middle Ages as we prepare for a re-enactment of the Combat Of The Thirty in August in a field just north of Pittsburgh, Penn.
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