[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

The International Swordfighting and Martial Arts Convention continues to grow as we enter our 9th year of bringing together the finest instructors from around the world!

The dates this year are July 31 – August 3rd, 2008. We are back to our regularly scheduled time of year. Mark your calendar and schedule time off now!

Last year ISMAC moved to the Detroit area to make it easier to get to. We are moving once again to make it even more convenient. We are very excited to announce that ISMAC will be held at the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport which is directly connected to the McNamara Terminal. This way you will be able to fly in and just head to the hotel with no need for outside transportation.

If you thought the Marriott was a step up last year, wait till you see this! And it will even be slightly cheaper (reservations must be made at least a month in advance with the hotel). For images and services available go to http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/property...rtyID=1415

Food is convenient - Beyond the Screening Checkpoint, gives registered overnight guests at The Westin Detroit Metro Airport access to the nearly 90 shops and restaurants in the McNamara Terminal, after screening at the TSA security checkpoint. More details can be found at http://www.metroairport.com/services/mcnamara.asp

A list of attending instructors will be online soon. The exciting changes for 2008 will continue coming!

Sincerely,
Jared Kirby
http://artofcombat.org/public/thespis/Convention/aocflyer.htm

[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

We are pleased to announce the attending instructors for ISMAC 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. You can find the list at http://artofcombat.org/public/thespis/Convention/aocflyer.htm

Take care,
Jared Kirby

[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

I am very excited to present the new format for ISMAC 2008. As the interest in Western Martial Arts continues to grow and change, so do the needs of those studying it.

2008 has some exciting changes. You can see a sample of how the schedule will be organized this year on the website at http://artofcombat.org/public/thespis/Convention/aocflyer.htm

As you can see, we have done away with the 1.5, 3 and 4.5 hour class structure as well as limited enrollment in classes. We still have 5 tracks of classes, but they will be broken down in the following manner:

Taster Track I – this track will consist of basic classes in a variety of Western Martial Arts disciplines. This is perfect for those who are just beginning or those who wish to refine the basics. Most classes in this track will be 1.5 hours with a few 3 hour classes. Participants enrolled in this track can take either of the Taster track classes in each time slot.

Taster Track II – this track will have a greater variety of more “unique” weapons and more of a mix of 1.5 hour and 3 hour classes. Here you will see such classes as Duelling Shield, Boarding Actions, etc. Participants enrolled in this track can take either of the Taster track classes in each time slot.

Weapon Tracks – There will be 3 tracks of classes: Longsword, Unarmed/Knife, and Rapier. Each participant will choose to focus on 1 particular area for the entire weekend. These tracks will have a variety of classes taught by an assortment of teachers on their common theme. The participants in a Weapon track can also choose to take classes in the Taster Tracks (but weapons tracks are closed to the participants signed up for that particular track).

You will also see the addition of evening lectures and presentations for the first time (after a dinner break). These presentations will allow some of the most cutting edge research to be presented to the public. If you are interested in giving a lecture or presentation please let me know the subject matter. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Sincerely,
Jared Kirby

[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

We are excited to offer the fourth annual Col. Dwight McLemore Scholarship for ISMAC 2008. This scholarship will provide full registration to the event and a $150 travel/hotel reimbursement.

We hope to help those who have always wanted to attend but have not been able to afford it and we want to thank Dwight for his support in this endeavor. To be eligible you must not have attended ISMAC before and should show a need for the scholarship.

If you would like to apply, the application is available on the website at http://artofcombat.org/public/thespis/Convention/aocflyer.htm

The competition is high for this scholarship and many deserving individuals are turned down each year because there is one scholarship. Anyone who has applied in the past and did not receive the scholarship is encouraged to reapply as long as they still meet the requirements.

Please read the directions carefully. The deadline for completed applications is March 15th. If you have any questions you can contact me at jaredkirby@hotmail.com

We are also happy to announce the addition of a new scholarship for ISMAC! The Brad Waller Scholarship has been added to provide a deserving student of Stage Combat who is studying Western Martial Arts in an effort to augment their art. The 2008 scholarship has already been awarded, but will be available for ISMAC 2009.

Looking forward to July 31!

Sincerely,
Jared Kirby

[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

Registration is now open for ISMAC 2008 in Detroit, MI and the tentative schedule is online!

With 75 classes offered over the course of 4 days, this promises to be an amazing WMA event. For the list of classes please go to http://artofcombat.org/public/thespis/Convention/aocflyer.htm

You will find a description of the new format under "Class Format". This year features 2 “Taster” Tracks and 3 Weapon specific Track for those who want to focus on Unarmed/Knife, Longsword or Rapier. There will also be lectures in the evening after dinner on a variety of topics such as Spear & Shield, Odd & Unusual Weapons, Rocco Bonetti, Swetnam’s Skeletons in the Closet and more.

The new schedule format allows us to have one flat fee for the weekend. If you choose to take only Taster Track classes then pre-registration is $125 (at the door is $225). If you choose to focus on one of the weapon specific tracks then pre-registration is $225 (at the door is $325). The only drawback to this new structure is that we will have to limit enrollment, so make sure you register early for the track you want to participate in.

Don’t forget to make your reservations at the Westin at the same time. The promotional rate is only available until the end of June.

Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and making new acquaintances in July!

Take care,
Jared Kirby

[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

This is a reminder to those interested in applying for the 4th annual Col Dwight McLemore Scholarship for ISMAC 2008. The deadline of March 15th is quickly approaching. The application is available at http://artofcombat.org/public/thespis/Convent...ipPage.htm and if you have any questions please contact me at jaredkirby@hotmail.com

Once your application has been submitted you will receive confirmation of receipt within a week. If you have not heard back within a week then please contact me.

Sincerely,
Jared Kirby

[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

We are pleased to announce the winner of the 4th annual Col. Dwight McLemore Scholarship for ISMAC is:

Chris Last

The committee wishes to thank all the applicants for their efforts and extend a big congratulations to Chris!

Sincerely,
Jared Kirby

[Chris Last]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate this opportunity and am very much looking forward working with everyone there!

[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

We are less than a week away from the early registration deadline (April 15th) when the price will increase by $50. Each track has limited enrollment and each are on a first come, first serve basis. The Longsword track is already over half full! As these tracks close there will be announcements posted on the ISMAC Bulletin Board, so please check the website. If you are planning to attend, now is the time to register!

I recommend making reservations at the Westin concurrently as they must be made at least a month in advance to receive our discounted rate. http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/...;key=29BD1

It is a beautiful location with some great amenities. Here’s just a few things: “Each of our 404 guest rooms and 10 suites feature the Heavenly Bed® and Heavenly Bath® as well as High Speed Internet Access. Rejuvenate with a workout at our WestinWORKOUT® Powered by Reebok Gym, a swim in our indoor pool, or with spa services and massage treatments. Spend your evening in our Dema Restaurant and Dema Bar, offering modern cuisine with an Asian flair.”

See you in July!

Take care,
Jared Kirby

[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

It is a work in progress, but we have launched the image gallery for ISMAC 2007! We already have 450 pictures online and many more to come. It was our goal in 2007 to get images of every class and the staff did a great job with this. Please check back occasionally for more pictures.

To see the gallery go to the frontpage http://artofcombat.org/public/thespis/Convention/aocflyer.htm and click on the link “A Gallery of Images from past Events”. This takes you to the Image gallery frontpage. There are all kinds of great features, such as voting for your favorite images and adding comments, as well as RSS feeds and the like. There is even a way to order quality prints and other items.

Enjoy!
Jared Kirby

[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

We are just a few weeks away from the early registration deadline for ISMAC. If you are planning on attending I recommend getting your registration in soon. You should also take care of your reservation at the Westin because the very discounted rate is only available until June 30th.

If you don't have a roommate, our unique hotel forum will let you chat with those in the same predicament. This makes it easy to connect with other participants and save a little money. Go to the website at http://artofcombat.org/public/thespis/Convention/Hotels.htm and log onto the hotel forum. Just post your message or respond to someone already there.

If you have any questions please contact me at jaredkirby@hotmail.com

Take care,
Jared Kirby
http://artofcombat.org/public/thespis/Convention/aocflyer.htm

[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

A quick reminder about the early registration deadline for ISMAC. Today is the last day to register at a discounted rate for the workshop and the last day to make your reservation at the Westin for only $95/night (although we are trying to convince them to extend it for another week or two).

Directions for those flying or driving are now posted under the hotel section at: http://artofcombat.org/public/thespi...directions.htm
It couldn't be easier if you are flying, especially with Northwest, Continental, Lufthansa or British Airways/KLM.

I also want to apologize for being remiss in letting everyone know that Tom Leoni will not be able to attend this year. I was working so hard to fill his shoes that I forgot to make the announcement!

Lastly, on the frontpage you will find a link to the beginnings of a page for the Patri Pugliese Memorial Auction which will be held on Thursday night. All the profits from this auction will go to support a college fund for his two girls. If you would be interested in donating or if you have any questions please contact me at jaredkirby@hotmail.com


Take care,
Jared Kirby

[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

With the 9th annual ISMAC almost wrapped up, we can finally take a minute to say thank you.

To the Instructors: Thank you for attending and imparting your knowledge to all those assembled. We heard from many of the participants that this was the best instruction they have received at a WMA workshop. Your experience, professionalism and clarity grows every year and you continue to raise the bar for WMA teachers everywhere.

To the Participants: Thank you for attending and being wonderful students in class. ISMAC would not exist without you, and we deeply appreciate the feedback from all those who took the time to talk to us or send us emails about their experience. It is this attentiveness and concern that allows us to improve the convention. Every year we find ourself saying "This was the best ISMAC yet!" Your input allows us to make each year a little better than the last.

To our volunteers: Thank you for keeping the ship afloat. Due to some last minute problems our staff was cut in half during the last week leading up to ISMAC. Those remaining stepped up and you would never have known. Without you, John & I would be completely bald by now.

To Generous Individuals: This year saw our first Patri Pugliese Memorial Auction. Thanks to the generous donors and bidders, we raised a little over $2,000 to donate to Patri's Girls' college fund. Everyone's contribution was wonderful, but special thanks to That Guy's Products because 1/2 of the money raised was from his donation of 2 custom made masks. Other highlights from the evening included Kirk Lawson finding out his signature in a $4 book would go for $100 at auction and my personal favorite was shaving a tonsure into Steaphen Fick's head (there are pics and video out there).

Speaking of, we need more pictures of the event. Several individuals shared the images from their camera during the event, but I saw a lot more flashes going off over the weekend. Please contact me at jaredkirby@hotmail.com and we will get them on the ISMAC site soon.

The energy this year was amazing. We are still feeding on that as we gear up for the 10th anniversary workshop, and it should be the best ISMAC ever

Sincerely,
Jared Kirby & John Lennox

[Jared Kirby]

Hello,

All the pictures we have from ISMAC 2008 are online. Please go to http://artofcombat.org/public/thespis/Convention/aocflyer.htm and click on "A Gallery of Images" to view them.

Take care,
Jared Kirby