Bartitsu at the San Francisco Edwardian Ball
On January 22nd and 23rd, nine gentlemen and suffragettes from the Botta Secreta historical martial arts school performed a Bartitsu exhibition at the Edwardian Ball, a SteamPunk event held in San Francisco’s Regency Ballroom.
The audience, almost all sporting the latest in neo-Victorian finery, was wowed by an action-packed ten minute antagonistic extravaganza combining Vigny stick fighting, pugilism, wrestling, savate, jiujitsu, singlestick fencing and navaja knife combat in the Spanish tradition.
The display (narrated by “E.W. Barton-Wright” himself!) has also introduced a new catchphrase to San Franciscan SteamPunks: “Belabour him as you see fit!” was the battle-cry of the night.
“Keep diving with your stick between peoples’ legs, upsetting them right and left,” – E.W. Barton-Wright, 1901
Tags: bartitsu, Botta Secreta, Edwardian Ball, San Francisco, Steampunk
Events, Pop culture | Bartitsu Society Friday, 29th January 2010
4 Comments
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By tudza, Friday, 29th January 2010 @ 11:41 pm
Hmm, I’m doing a three day seminar next month on the use of the navaja.
Yes, I must make myself a t-shirt for the new catchphrase.
By Rachel, Monday, 1st February 2010 @ 9:15 pm
I am hoping that bartitsu will one day come to the NYC area – I know many people would be interested and there are plenty of venues. But I guess none of the instructors live nearby and I understand the cost of traveling and staying in NYC can be a deterrent. Nevertheless I do hope to experience or at least watch bartitsu training in New York one day! Thanks for reviving this fascinating martial art.
By Bartitsu Society, Monday, 1st February 2010 @ 11:51 pm
Hi Rachel,
we’ve had quite a lot of interest from the NYC area and there is talk of an East Coast seminar for later this year. You’re welcome to join the Bartitsu Society forum – http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/Bartitsu_Forum/ – to network with other enthusiasts in your area.
Cheers,
Tony