Sword – Page 2

The Sword Experience is Coming to the Greater Austin Area!

Get ready Texas, the Sword Experience is coming to the Greater Austin Comic Con. Join Adrian Paul this June 15th for an exciting adventure of swordplay and fitness as you learn the fight choreography from the 2005 blockbuster superhero film Batman Begins. Train alongside Adrian Paul just as Bruce Wayne trained with the League of Shadows and hone your sword handling and fight skills, and take your Con experience to new and exciting heights. Everything is bigger in Texas, and we’re excited to bring the best fitness and travel experience to Austin. The Greater Austin Comic Con is sure to attract Texans from all across the state, so if it’s your first time in the greater Austin area, we thought we’d share some great tips to get the most out of your visit.

When you think of Texas, food is always the first thing that pops to mind, and Austin has no shortage of delectable eats. Just south of Austin is the small town of Lockhart. Considered the Barbeque Capital of Texas, this small town is the perfect place to drop by after getting your sweat on with the Sword Experience. Step into a piece of Texas barbeque history at Smitty’s Market. Smitty’s has been named one of the Top Barbeque Restaurants in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine. Try some of their delicious brisket or sausages that have won multiple awards. Or pop on over to Chisholm Trail BBQ, a favorite with the locals. You’ll find delicious barbeque and buffet style sides that will blow you away. Or if you’re looking for a more personal experience with your pit master, with barbeque at an unbeatable price, head over to Smokey Z’s BBQ for some delicious roadside dining.

If you’re looking for great burgers, Austin is home to several burger joints to tickle your fancy. If you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, then the homegrown chain P. Terry’s Burger Stand is the perfect fit for you. Founded in 2005, P. Terry’s has quickly become an Austin staple and has branched out with locations surrounding the greater Austin area. You’re never too far from one of these delicious burger joints, so grab one on your way to or from the Con. If you’re in search of a premium burger experience, look no further that Salt & Time, a farm to table dining experience. The restaurant sources all of its meat from Texas ranchers. The result is the famous “Butcher Burger.” The freshly sourced meat guarantees that every burger has a different flavor day after day. Grab some beef-fat fries with your burger to top it off. Or, if you love burgers, but think just an ordinary bun is too plain, then indulge in gluttony with Gourdough’s Public House. Gourgough’s menu is filled to the brim with delectable donuts and deserts, but why not try one of their delicious donut burgers. That’s right, donut burgers.

If you’re trying to take it easy on the calories and get the most out of your workout and training with Adrian and the Sword Experience, then take a look at some of the great vegan and vegetarian food that Austin has to offer. Although Texas is mostly known for its barbeque and meat, Austin is a fantastic city for those whose diets mostly consist of the plant variety. Many Austin restaurants source their vegetables from local farmers for fantastic food to table dining. Visit Citizen Eatery for an entirely plant based and vegan menu. Get a taste of Vegan Tex-Mex with their Chik’n Nachos, tortilla chips covered in vegan chik’n, bell peppers, onion, vegan queso, and guacamole. Or, check out Counter Culture and experience their vegan takes of Philly cheesesteaks, cold cuts, burgers and more. So, no matter what food you are in the mood for, there are plenty of options for you in the greater Austin area.

If you want to make the most out of your trip to Cedar Park for the Greater Austin Comic Con, check out some of the amazing tourism spots that Austin has to offer. The Austin area is home to dozens of caverns to explore. The Inner Space Caverns are located just outside of Georgetown and offer a view of a distant past. The caverns were discovered in the 1960’s when construction crews happened upon them while drilling. Once uncovered, the cave became a fantastic archeological find. Bones from and fossils from a prehistoric era are still on display, and the caverns are now home to thousands of bats. Exploration of the caverns yields gorgeous views of stalactites and stalagmites. Each spire represents centuries of growth and transformation and are a testament to the wonders of nature. There are plenty of natural wonders that Austin has to offer. Check out the Congress Avenue Bridge, home of the world’s largest urban bat colony. After training with Adrian Paul and learning the fight choreography from the film Batman Begins, what better way to get in touch with your inner Batman than watching the bats pour out from under the bridge at dusk. Or for a closer experience check out the various boat tours on the river as bats blanket the sky above you.

If you just want to relax, see a movie, and maybe grab a bite to eat at the same time, then check out the Alamo Drafthouse. The Alamo Drafthouse has several locations throughout the Austin area. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Lakeline is located just a few minutes from the Greater Austin Comic Con, and offers viewers a unique movie and dining experience. The Drafthouse was created by film lovers for film lovers and celebrates the culture and influence of films from all over the world. Their code of conduct is one of the strictest in the theater business to ensure that your film going experience is not sullied by loud talkers, bright cell phones, and annoying distractions. The theater has an extensive menu for any taste and they often create delectable combinations to pair with the movie you are watching. The Alamo Drafthouse offers a unique film going experience that any cinephile will appreciate. From current showings of blockbuster movies, to screenings of cult classic films, the Alamo Drafthouse is a must visit for any film fan.

We here at the Sword Experience are just as excited as you are to visit Cedar Park for the Greater Austin Comic Con. We cannot wait to be part of your adventure this June, so come join Adrian Paul as he trains you in the art of sword handling, sword fighting, and physical fitness. Learn the sword fight choreography from the hit film Batman Begins and train just like Bruce Wayne did with his mentor, Henry Ducard. Become the star of your own action movie as a photographer and videographer captures every moment of your training that will be edited and stylized into a video for you to show off to your friends and add to your memorabilia. There is so much to experience in Austin on your visit, from delicious food to natural wonders, but we know that your day with us at the Sword Experience will rival any adventure you’ve had before. Just as The Friendly State welcomed us warmly to the Greater Austin Comic Con, we welcome you to join Adrian Paul this June for your next great adventure.

Spotlight on Stephen Fisher and Bowling Green

Summer is coming in hot this year at the Sword Experience. Adrian Paul has traveled the globe with his fitness and sword fight program, cultivating a large following of people that share a common love of swords, fitness, and fandom of action films. This June, we’re excited to bring the Sword Experience to Bowling Green, Kentucky thanks to Musketeer and Sword Partner Stephen Fisher. We had a chance to speak with Stephen a little about Bowling Green, his past with the Sword Experience, and got to know more about one of Adrian Paul’s most trusted Sword Partner’s and Musketeers.

Sword Experience (SXP): First, tell us a little about yourself. What is the Bowling Green Fencing Academy? What does the Bowling Green Fencing Academy offer? How long have you been in operation?

Stephen Fisher (SF): I am a fencing coach from Bowling Green, KY. Home of the Corvette. I started fencing at the age of 12 (1996) at our local University’s fencing club. After returning from my tour in Baghdad, Iraq, (2006-07) I began my fencing teaching career in 2008. Throughout the years I’ve been a rated fencer in foil, épée, and sabre, a 3-weapon referee and coach. I trained members of our national Paralympic team, and served as a secretary for the US Fencing Coaches Association and tournament chairmen for the KY Division of USA Fencing. I’m also an amateur fencing historian, and collector and trader of antique and vintage fencing weapons and texts.

The Bowling Green Fencing Academy was founded by myself in June of 2012. The University’s intramural sport club was closed to everyone except students, faculty and staff. So, my goal was to start my own business, offering the sport for the first time to the public in Bowling Green. Bowling Green Fencing Academy will turn 7 this year! We offer beginners classes for ages 6 to adult, as well as intermediate and advanced group classes and individual lessons. I teach the modern Italian Olympic school of fencing and we are a 3-weapon club. I also teach theatrical fencing courses where we look at the works of prominent fight masters Fred Cavens, William Hobbs, and Bob Anderson. If you’d like to learn more about BGFA, you can visit the website at www.bgfencingacademy.com.

SXP: What initially brought you to the Sword Experience?

SF: A fellow fencer and collector, Roy Tyler, brought it to my attention a few years ago. As I was a fan of the Highlander series, I had to check it out. I thought it was a great idea that Mr. Paul was teaching fight choreography classes, and the fact he was taught by the late Sword Master Bob Anderson during the first two seasons of Highlander. My friend ended up traveling to the 1st Chicago Elite Experience. Then, as a Father’s Day gift to myself, I attended the Knoxville, TN Sword Experience in 2017. It was a blast! The event was a Con experience and ended up running from 7pm to close to midnight!

SXP: It looks like you’ve worked with Adrian in the past in Lexington. How was it working with Adrian as a Sword Partner?

SF: Correct, I was his Sword Partner, and worked as a Musketeer to help promote the event. I grew up watching Highlander and the chance to work with Adrian Paul is something I’d never thought would happen. I feel the Lexington event went very well. He is a courteous, down to earth professional who knows exactly what he wants to do. He pays attention to every detail to ensure the safety of the participants, and has excellent control of large groups and the structure of the Sword Experience itself. I’m forward to working with him again on June 1st.

SXP: Why do you think Bowling Green will be a good fit for the Sword Experience?

SF: I feel we are in a great location geographically. Bowling Green is a great city with a lot to do, for example, we have Lost River Cave, which is one of the few places in the United States where you can take an underground boat tour, or you can visit the Corvette Museum and plant.

SXP: As a Musketeer, you helped us find the Historic Railpark and Train museum. What were some of the challenges finding this place, and why do you think it’s a good place to hold the final fight?

SF: I scouted out several other locations around town, one including a river walk bridge, and of course the Railpark. We had decided to do the warm up and training portion at my club, and the train museum is conveniently located across the street. the Historic Railpark has a great atmosphere and several episodes throughout the Highlander series had scenes near a railyard. We have access to film inside the Historic lobby and around the railcars on site. It will make a great backdrop for the final video as the participants will be learning a fight choreographed by F. Braun McAsh from the Highlander episode “Methuselah’s Gift” that was directed by Adrian Paul himself. Exciting! Sword Experience aside, the Historic L&N Depot was the hub to reach Louisville, KY and south to Nashville, TN.

We here at the Sword Experience are just as excited as Stephen Fisher is to bring one of the best fitness and sword training events to Bowling Green, Kentucky. We’re even more proud of the wonderful work Stephen has done with us throughout the years. He is a cherished and valued member of the Sword Experience team. If you’d like to learn more about how to become a Musketeer, click here. Or if you believe you have the qualifications to be one of Adrian’s Sword Partners, email us a description of your expertise as well as a video of you work, so we can see you in action, to contact@swordxp.com

Whether you’re passionate about swords, Highlander, historic trains, or classic cars, we’re sure that Bowling Green is going to be your next great adventure that you will talk about for ages.