Comicpalooza 2011

On Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-29, 2011, members of ARMA in Texas were invited to host a booth at the annual Comicpalooza convention at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX. For three days we displayed the tools of our trade, educated members of the public about our art, watched all manner of costumed folk go by, and generally geeked out over all the awesomeness that is a big comic book convention. On Saturday afternoon we gave a private lecture on the myths and truths about Renaissance Martial Arts, and Sunday afternoon for the big finale we demonstrated our art by sparring for an hour with all manner of weapons both wood and steel, including longsword, single sword, sword and buckler, sword and dagger, and even a bit of staff vs. sword.

Northsiders in attendance were Kyle Cook, Stacy Clifford, Sydney Heald, Wes White, Patrick McClain, John Schmidt, Sandra Rosenbaum, Danielle Campbell and Matt Troncalli. Gene Tausk and Joe Macktal represented the Houston Southsiders, Austin Fontaine and Elizabeth Bernhardt came down from Abilene, TX, and Curtis and Ashley Rochelle from ARMA Denton, TX joined us as well. This was the biggest public event ARMA Texas has participated in to date and we were very well received. Everyone had a great time and we sincerely hope we can make this an annual event.