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Schedule Overview
 
To register for classes, print out a registration form and turn it in to Gorin, Atlas or Valegorn.
 
Registration Form
 
Alternatively, you can email your class list to gorin@astralwinds.net

 

 
Astral Winds
Grand Academy III
March 9th - 12th
At the old Upark Bldg
Please join us for our 3rd Annual Grand Academy.   This year we're taking advantage of Spring Break to offer more than 25 classes on more than 20 subjects.
 
These classes include subjects such as Leather-working, Sewing, Fighting and Weapon Construction.  Students will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, all of which they'll get to take home with them.
 
 
COST
This year, instead of paying a flat fee for the event, attendees will pay $2 for each class they wish to attend.   Regardless of how many classes you register for, this fee will never exceed $25.  Some classes have a limited number of students allowed, and these will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis.  So register and pay early to reserve your seat in your favorite classes!
 
 
MATERIALS FEES
 In addition to that, each class may have a Materials Fee associated with it.  This fee will cover the materials needed for students to participate in the class.  Alternatively, students are allowed to bring their own materials instead of paying the materials fee.  All materials needed for any particular class will be detailed in the class description.  It is important that students register and pay for their classes as soon as possible as some supplies will need to be mail ordered.
 
 
FOOD
Students will be given a break for Lunch and for Dinner.  There will be no provided food, but students will be given the opportunity to get food from nearby restaurants and grocery stores.  Students can also have food delivered to the school.  Students will also have access to a refrigerator and a microwave.
 
               
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES                
 
Fighting Fundamentals
Mon - 09:00-11:00am   OR    Wed - 09:00-11:00am
Class Size: 25
Materials Fee: $1 to borrow
Materials: Single Short Sword
 
This class will teach students the fundamentals of Amtgard combat.  This class is for new and experienced players alike. 
 
Sword and Board Fighting
Mon - 11:00am-12:00pm   OR   Wed - 11:00am-12:00pm
Class Size: 25
Materials Fee: $1 (Very limited supply)
Materials: Single Sword and Shield
 
This class will focus on the techniques needed to fight with a sword and shield.
 
 
Florentine Fighting
Mon - 1:00-2:00pm  OR   Wed - 1:00-2:00pm
Class Size: 25
Materials Fee: $1 to borrow
Materials: 2 Short Swords
 
This class will teach students how to actively attack and defend with both hands at the same time.
 
Polearm Fighting
Mon - 2:00-3:00pm   OR   Wed - 2:00-3:00pm
Class Size: 25
Materials Fee: $1 (Very Limited supply)
Materials: 1 Polearm
 
Students will learn how to handle a polearm against a variety of opponents.
 
 
Team Tactics
Mon - 03:00-5:00pm   OR      Wed - 03:00-5:00pm
Class Size: 25
Materials Fee: $1 to borrow
Materials: 2 Short swords or Sword and Shield
 
This class will teach students how to fight in a group environment without tripping over their allies.
 
Sewing Basics
Mon - 11:00am-12:00pm
Class Size: 10
Materials Fee: $3
Materials: 1 yard of fabric.
 
Learn basic sewing techniques with the classic needle and thread as well as the modern sewing machines and tools.  Learn by doing.  Create basic Amtgard materials like sword covers, spell ball covers, pouches and sashes. Come away with a better understanding how to create your own unique Amtgard look or just repair that pair of pants you split up the backside at the last battle game.
 
 
Shirts and Tunics
Mon - 1:00-3:00pm
Class Size: 10
Materials Fee: $6
Materials: 3 Yards of Fabric and any desired trim.
 
The basic needs of Amtgard garb are the shirt or blouse and a pair of pants or skirt. Learn to make yoked shirts and chemises to fit your frame.  Learn to utilize form and function in the basic pieces of your Amtgardian look. Come away with a top for the battle game or the beginnings of your court garb.
 
 
Pants
Mon - 3:00-5:00pm
Class Size: 10
Materials Fee: $6
Materials: 3 yards of Fabric and a drawstring
The basic needs of Amtgard garb are the shirt or blouse and a pair of pants or skirt.  Learn to make pants and skirts to fit with waistbands or drawstring. Learn to utilize form and function in the basic pieces of your Amtgardian look. Come away with a bottom for the battle game or the beginnings of your court garb.
 
Appliqué
Mon - 6:00-9:00pm
Class Size: 10
Materials Fee: $3
Materials: Multiple pieces of fabric, matching thread
Come learn how to put that awesome piece of heraldry onto your garb!  Students will learn how to appliqué a design onto fabric by making their very own belt favors.
 
The Bigger Picture
Mon - 6:00-7:00pm  OR  Thr - 6:00-7:00pm
Class Size: 25
This lecture class will introduce students to the history of Astral Winds, our Kingdom of Dragonspine and the Kingdoms of Amtgard.
 
Battlegame Tactics
Mon - 7:00-9:00pm  OR  Thr - 7:00-9:00pm
Class Size: 25
This lecture class will discuss various tactical approaches to Battlegames, including Formations, resource application and maneuvers.
 
Basic Leatherworking
Tue - 9:00-10:30am
Class Size: 10
Materials Fee: $5
Materials: 15" x 4" piece of tooling leather, rivets, snaps and dye.
This class teaches students about the tools and processes used in leather working.  Students will make a sword holder for their belt.
 
 
Leather Belt Making
Tue - 10:30am-12:30pm
Class Size: 10
Materials Fee: $10
Materials: Belt Strap of appropriate length (1.5" x 60") 2" metal ring, rivets and dye.
 
Students will apply leatherworking techniques to make a medieval ring belt.
 
Armoring
Tue - 1:30-5:00pm
Class Size: 10
Materials Fee: $20
Materials: 20"x20" piece of tooling leather, 6 Buckles (3/4") rivets and dye.
 
Students will cut, shape and decorate their very own bracers.  Students will have an opportunity to experiment with hardening leather.
 
Doublets and Jerkins
Tue - 5:30pm
Class Size: 10
Materials Fee: $60.00
Materials:
- 3 Yards of Heavy Fabric: (Home Decorating Fabric, Brocade, Twill, Gabardine, Tapestry, Faux Leather, etc)
- 3 Yards of Underlining Fabric (Heavy weight interfacing or fabric)
- 2 Yards of Lining Fabric
- 1 Yard Sew-in interfacing
- 6 Metal or Cord 'Frog' enclosures
- 24 Grommets
- 5 yards of wide ribbon, cord or soutache braid for trim/decotaion
- 1.5 yards of lacing to attach sleeves

Need that dashing look for the field or something classier for court garb?  Ladies and Gentlemen learn how to reflect the inner noble in you with a dashing doublet and/or a jaunty jerkin. Put the grand in Astral Winds’ Grand Duchy! Show your style and courtly flair with garb to make a Serpent Knight jealous. This class will show you step by step how to make the classic Doublet or Jerkin. You will walk away with a complete product or the materials to finish your project at your leisure. Come and learn the art of Doublet Making. (basic sewing experience preferred)

 

 
Leadership Fundamentals
Tue - 5:30pm
Class Size: 25
Come learn about Amtgard leadership and some techniques to make the most out of your time in office.  Topics will include teamwork, conflict resolution, motivation and organization and impact/precedence.
 
 
Bellydancing
Tue - 1:30-3:00pm
Class Size: 10
Materials Fee: None
Materials: None
 
In this dance class, students will learn the basics of Belly Dancing.
 
Knitting
Tue - 3:00-5:00pm
Class Size: 6
Materials Fee: $10
Materials: 1 Skein of regular yarn, 1 pair of single point, size 8 knitting needles
 
Students will learn the basics of knitting and will begin working on a knitted scarf.
 
Amtgard Weapon Construction
Thr - 09:00am
Class Size: 20
Materials Fee: $15
Materials: Funnoodle, Sword Core, Duct Tape, Weapon Cover (Microfiber tights for Axes/Maces)
 
This class teaches students how to make a Simple Short Sword, a Flail, an Axe and a Mace.  Students will make one of these weapons in class.
 
Amtgard Shield Construction
Thr - 11:00am-1:00pm
Class Size: 20
Materials Fee: $25
Materials: Plastic Saucer Sled, 10ft of Funnoodle/Thick Pipe Insulation, 2ft x 2ft of open cell foam, 16" x 5" piece of thick leather, 4 nuts and bolts (1/4 inch), 8 fender washers, duct tape, 2 yards of fabric, 12ft of 1/4" rope.
This class will teach students how to make a basic Amtgard strap shield.  Students will create a medium shield in class.
 
 
Flat Blade Swords
Thr - 2:00-5:00pm
Class Size: 20
Materials Fee: $25
Materials: See below
 
In this class, students will learn how to make a flat-blade sword.  The materials necessary for this project are not readily available, therefore, all students will be required to pay the materials fee and have the materials supplied for them.
 
Medieval Dance
Thr - 3:00-5:00pm
Class Size: 25
Materials Fee: $5.00 (Optional)
Materials: Printed Instruction Book.  Please indicate that you would like one.

Don’t be the wall flower because you don’t know the steps! Come and experience the grace and exuberance that is medieval dance.  You will learn the basic steps from slipping circle to siding. Learn the English bransle, the sinful galliard that Queen Elizabeth favored and the favored French almain/allemande. We will travel across the continent of Europe exploring various dance from back in the day. Learn the original line dances not even your parents may know! This is no electric slide.  Sashay with the movers and shakers to your new steps and take home a manual created by the SCAs dancing guild to hone your dancing education.  After all it is a great deal more fun to dance together than to dance alone! Come and shake it.                                                                         

Additional Items to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Ladies bring a skirt (the better to swish with)
 
 
 
Bodices and Corsets
Thr - 6:00-9:30pm
Class Size: 10
Materials Fee: $ 35.00
Materials:

3.5 yards of boning or 6 of the very large (thick) plastic zip ties.  48" Zip ties can be found at Home Depot.

2 Yards of heavy weight fabric (check out the upholstery area).  Brocades, Damask, Shantung, Velvet, Peau de Sole are all acceptable as well.
3 Yards of cording

20-84 Grommets depending on pattern

 
From Capitan Kirk to Marie Antoinette the corset has thrived then and now. Come learn the art of how to make your figure curve and blossom where you want it to with the va-va-va-voom of a medieval corset.  Not into shearing your shape with the trappings of corsetry? This class might still have something for you! Bodices accent the female form and are the basic top from peasant to queen! Learn several different styles and methods for creating a piece that reflects your individuality. This class includes everything you need to create a corset or bodice of your choice.