Count-down to IGX 2023 reg open (3 posts to go): TOURNAMENTS!
Jeff Tsay
The 10th year of IGX is gonna be… BIG. We have lots brewing, and lots to highlight leading up to and through registration (opening imminently in the next few weeks – just 3 more posts to go so watch this space…!). Also imminent: much more talk on what will be the largest cast of presenters ever (including both new and returning favorites)!
But for today: TOURNAMENTS AT IGX 2023
From the get-go, IGX has placed an emphasis on exploring and experimenting with competitive formats. Our goal has always been to give HEMA practitioners a fun and challenging opportunity to put our various theories to the test.
This year we’ll be serving up tournaments in two main flavors!
The first: SMALLER EXPERIMENTAL EVENTS, which will range from a blend of the familiar (e.g. mass melee, titular exhibitions, etc.) to new innovative formats (e.g. the “Mac Armored Longsword”, simulating armored combat via Mac Armory harness components that enhance modern HEMA gear!!!).
The second: we are pleased to announce bigger and badder tournaments are back! This will come in the form of a LARGER SCALE LONGSWORD TOURNEY that features:
A 3-TIER FORMAT, where participants will be able to indicate their self-selected tier based on experience
An evolved rule set built on IGX lessons learned and some of the latest HEMA best-practice tournament conventions
And in alignment with all of these formats, the scope of PRIZES AND AWARDS WILL BE BROADENED so that a wider variety of participants and competitors (NOTE: NOT JUST TOP 3!!!) will have more opportunity to take home something that celebrates how well they acquit themselves at this 10 year event!
We’re really stoked for IGX 2023 and have a lot more to talk about soon. Next up… PRESENTER HIGHLIGHTS!!!
Jeff Tsay
With 2 more posts to go until reg launch... PRESENTER HIGHLIGHTS! For the 10th year of IGX, we’re very excited to be showcasing the largest cast of presenters to date, a crew that includes some of our favorite presenters from past years (such as Kiana Shiurkin and Mariana Lopez) as well as a lot of new folks we’re excited to host and introduce to the New England HEMA Community.
Presentations will include both lectures and hands-on workshops. Detailed posts will follow on individuals and topics in the coming weeks, but as a preview we’re looking forward to live LECTURES/DEMONSTRATIONS on how HEMA intersects with topics ranging from literature to the law to ethics to smithing to food, with folks like Joe North, Kara Hurvitz, Pax Crum, Alex Silverman - of Forged in Fire fame!, and Allyson Szabon - published author on historical cooking, who is ALSO providing food for the event!
For WORKSHOPS, due to the breadth and depth of our staff this year we expect every presenter to just present a single topic, and much effort is going in this year to help our presenters coordinate and collaborate so that participants can enjoy well-curated content.
For instance, in addition to the typical good spread of greater-and-lesser-known period sources (Fabris, Thibault, Marozzo, Walpurgis, Meyer, Pascha) and weapon systems (rapier, side sword, arming sword, longsword, Jaegerstock (double-headed spear)), we’re excited to share a variety of WORKSHOP CONTENT TRACKS so attendees can benefit from multiple views and discussions:
DAGGER & WRESTLING 4-class track: Ian Davis, Harold Vance, Kimmie Roseblade, Chris Valli, Kyle Toelle
DANCE & HEMA connections: Christian Büttner, Anna Beard
SPORT & PSYCHOLOGY of fencing: Sean Franklin, Kiana Shiurkin, Mariana Lopez
It’s going to be an amazing year for learning and we can’t wait to show you what the presenters have been working on!
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Jeff Tsay
In addition to the myriad tournaments, workshops, and lectures, we want to explore the remaining offerings that participants can expect to enhance their experience at this 10th year of IGX!
First, let’s talk about the FOOD. This year we have the amazing fortune to treat our guests to meals provided by historical food and cookbook author Allyson Szabo! Attendees will have the option to purchase any/all meals from this period spread, which will be served so that attendees can enjoy food while listening to lectures and presentations during the day.
On Saturday evening, there will be a dedicated feast from Allyson’s menu, presented in parallel with a number of other activities designed to enhance the cultural and social experience for all attendees (stay tuned!).
And over the course of the weekend, there will be ample opportunity for attendees to seek out ad hoc field instruction in various martial-adjacent skills (e.g. archery, thrown weapons, and cutting); individualized instruction in the form of private lessons; and of course, open fencing available over the full event.
Attendees can expect more details behind all of these experiences and opportunities in coming weeks. With all these initial highlights out of the way, only one post remains: Registration opening!!! Watch this space!
Jeff Tsay
Happy July 4th: we’re thrilled to announce IGX 2023 REGISTRATION IS LIVE!!!
https://reg.irongateexhibition.com/
NOTE: we highly encourage attendees to REGISTER WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH, as we will use numbers at that point to gauge interest in our meals and tournaments, and size accordingly. During this EARLY REG period reg will be just $100, please take advantage! After that reg will be $125, and then $150 for folks who join us last-minute at the door.
Finally, please enjoy this preview of a 10th year celebration art design in progress! If all goes well, a finalized version will be available for attendees to purchase (or receive as prizes and awards!) in the form of apparel and other fun items. More news like this and other big updates still to come – the hype train's just getting started...
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