Cost: FREE w/ RSVP (Please check the box of the sessions you plan on attending when prompted on the RSVP form.)
Day 2: There will be 3 workshops on this day, covering different aspects of Esgrima. You’ll check the box of the sessions you plan on attending when prompted on the RSVP form.
Session 1: Conditioning, Footwork, Movement 10am-12:30pm
Session 2: Fundamentals of Esgrima de Machete, Basic Strikes and Blocks, Cruza Sequences 1:45pm-3:30pm
Session 3: Double Stick Techniques and Sequences 3:30pm-5:30pm
What to expect: You should bring a water bottle and bagged lunch, or plan on eating in the neighborhood between workshops. Water refills are available in the studio. Workshops will be taught primarily in English but can be translated to Spanish. Please indicate to the instructor if you’ll need translation before class begins.
Please note: Photos will be taken of this event, by entering the space you agree to have your photo taken for Pieter's archival and promotional purposes.
About: Esgrima de Machete is an Afro-Colombian martial and cultural art that dates back to the Colombian struggle for Independence from Spain and later the landowners that oppressed enslaved peoples. Esgrima is an elegant but crafty art that creates body control, refined skill and rhythm, showing how martial arts and music evolve across the diaspora, and centering a history, which enslavement, colonization and white supremacist violence has attempted to destroy, erase and hide. This 3-day festival is the culmination of a 16-week long class series collaboration between Maestro Sonny Batata and Pieter Performance Space.
Session 1: Conditioning, Footwork, Movement • 10am-12:30pm
About: The first session begins with the fundamentals of movement. The most important aspect is how to move properly with alignment and ease. The art of Esgrima de Machete starts from the feet moving up to the hands. We will explore the different footwork patterns that will open into engaging an opponent.
Teachers: Miguel Lourido Velez, Sonny Batata, Rondel Benjamin
Session 2: Fundamentals of Esgrima de Machete, Basic Strikes and Blocks, Cruza Sequences • 1:45pm-3:30pm
Teachers: Maestro Miguel Lourido Velez, Sonny Batata, Rondel Benjamin
About: This session follows into the fundamental aspects of engaging an opponent. We will explore the different strikes, and blocks, then applying these into “cruzas” straight line sequences that are the basis of the art. This will give a fundamental understanding of how the game is played in Esgrima de Machete.
Session 3: Double Stick Techniques and Sequences • 3:30pm-5:30pm
Teachers: Maestro Miguel Lourido Velez, Sonny Batata, Rondel Benjamin
About: The final session will progress into the use of basic double stick patterns and concepts. Attendees will learn how to work with two sticks and the blocks and strikes that accompany the progression of the movement sequences.
Bios:
Arthur "Sonny" Batata is one of two practitioners and instructors of Esgrima de Machete, he has been teaching in the Los Angeles area since 2018. The idea of cultural exchange has been his focus since the inception of the offering in collaboration with Miguel Lourido.
Maestro Miguel Lourido Velez descends from a long line of “grimistas” in the Machete y Bordon systems of the Afro- Colombians in Cauca Valley. His journey began in Puerto Tejada as a child. He would sneak to watch the rehearsals of the “Macheteros of Death” and later joined the group at the age of 15yrs. He would grow in the art through learning from a succession of maestros and finally studying exclusively with Gran Masetro Hector Sandoval. Together, they established and operate the Academia de Esgrima y Machete and continue to uphold this Afro-Colombian tradition.
Rondel Benjamin Born in Trinidad, Rondel Benjamin is a skilled martial artist in many styles including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Capoeira. Rondel is a life-long disciple of martial arts. After traveling 10 years to pursue his martial studies, Rondel returned to Trinidad to discovery the roots of the Kalinda, the stick fighting tradiion of Trinidad. Rondel is also runs the machete program at his school Bois Academy in which he collaborates with Maestro Miguel.
Access Info:
The practice can be physically rigorous, mostly standing in a low stance, squatting, and jumping. We will be using sticks as armaments or wooden reproductions of machetes.
The space is located on the 2nd floor with one flight of stairs directly up from the entrance. Elevator access is available; please email pieterpasd@gmail.com prior to event if you will be using it. The elevator is spacious enough for any mobility device and the 2nd floor space is free of any steps or mobility barriers. There are no automated doors in the building.
There are two all-gender restrooms with three private stalls and a urinal. Each restroom has one stall accessible for mobility device users.
Free parking is available directly behind our building at 2412 Workman Street. There are two additional free city lots south of Broadway on Workman Street. There is also ample metered parking in the neighborhood, free after 6pm or 8pm, depending on the street.
Have questions or need additional accommodations? Email pieterpasd@gmail.com and we will do our best to assist you.
This programming is made possible in part by a grant from the California Arts Council and the DCA Los angeles.