The Giant List of Lightsaber Stage Combat Choreography, Fighting/Martial Arts, Performance, and Sparring ClubsNorth America-------------------United States-------------Alabama-------Alabama JediWelcome to AL JEDI - Alabama's lightsaber stage combat enthusiasts. This is a group dedicated to the future members of the Alabama Saberwars community. Since this group isn't completely formed, we are looking for people who can help us get started.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alabama-Jedi/113582685371344Alabama Saber Masters (Montgomery, AL)Lightsaber Stage Combat based in Montgomery, AL
Mission: To bring together individuals that are interested in lightsaber stage combat.
Description: This is a group dedicated to the members of the Alabama Saberwars community. We are always looking for people who are interested in lightsabers and stage combat.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alabama-Saber-Masters/183197688403361StarWarsSpace:
http://www.starwarsspace.net/group/alabamasabermastersOfficial Forum:
http://www.saberwars.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=144** (not sure what the difference is between the two Alabama groups, they seem to have the same 3-4 members. Might be on hiatus.)
California----------Golden Gate Knights (San Francisco, CA)A Long Time Ago... a story was told that sparked a fire in many hearts. To fan that flame, we have created the Golden Gate Knights, a San Francisco Bay Area group that offers experienced instruction in saber choreography. With our classes, you will become an expert at saber choreography, spins, flourishes and a whole lot more.
Website:
http://goldengateknights.com/Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_159996834041207&ap=1Inland Empire Saber Team (Riverside/Corona/Inland Empire, CA)The Inland Empire Saber Team is a Star Wars fan group based in Southern California's Inland Empire whose primary activities revolve around staged combat stunt choreography for fun and fitness.
According to the founder, as of May 2012 they have yet to hold a practice. New club.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/198680916899739/Forums:
http://kuyaverse.proboards.com/Advert:
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/grp/2881261244.htmlLA Jedi (Los Angeles, CA)LAjedi is part of a world-wide community of people (known as SaberWars) who share practical Martial Arts based and Stage Combat oriented Light Saber techniques. But with the exciting option of creating your own character, not only based in any franchise, you can be the Hero or Baddie you've always wanted to be!
If you asked me, I'd say this club is inactive.
However, the last time I checked (late 2010), I was told they still meet up. They're primarily no longer in Los Angeles, though - and they organize meetups by email list/texting - in other words, no active web presence at this time.
Current research (2012) indicates the "Endor Crew" is meeting again in Pasadena as of May 2012.
(NEW) Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/72438662505/StarWarsSpace:
http://www.starwarsspace.net/profile/LaJediOld Forums:
http://rougejedi.proboards.com/Official Forums:
http://www.saberwars.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=30LED Saber Combat Guild (Hollister, CA)Based in Hollister, CA, this is the home of the first ever martial arts based LED Saber Combat and Forms Curriculum. The goal is to spread the word on both martial arts training and LED Sabers!
Mission: To teach everyone how to properly use the most widely recognized weapon in science fiction the safe and proper way.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/LED-Saber-Combat-Guild/107668502598567Orange County Saber Alliance (Orange County, CA)A Light saber based sword training club. One of the most popular aspects of our fan club is the Orange County Saber Aliance, formerly known as the Orange County Saber Academy. Members share a great deal of past experience in the activities of saber fighting and choreography. We have a specially designed choreography routine set that we use at various club functions and events. The Saber Alliance is currently updating it's routines and costuming standards to greater service the standards of our various costuming club legions.
Website:
http://www.ocsws.com/ocsa.htmlFacebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/208123710827/Saber Guild (Anaheim, CA)We are The Saber Guild. We're a voluntary not-for-profit costumed performance group of Star Wars enthusiasts. We perform Star Wars Light Saber choreography shows for special events as a way of helping other not-for-profit organizations and spread the joy of Star Wars to others.
Website:
http://www.saberguild.comFacebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saber-Guild/244009805609555Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/saberguildSanta Cruz Jedi Academy (Santa Cruz, CA)Located in Santa Cruz County, California, we are a community of local Lightsaber enthusiasts who share practical Martial Arts-based and Stage Combat oriented knowledge of techniques in order to create illuminating Lightsaber duels! We offer training for Lightsaber Stage Combat. This means, we show you practical knowledge of how to use a Lightsaber safely in a duel, as well as how to impress a watching crowd. We also allow costumed combat as well, as long as it’s comfortable, of course. We give you the exciting option of creating your own character, from whatever piece of Science Fiction that inspires you! Dress up, or don’t. Want to show up as a Dark side, Staff-saber wielding Orc, or a regular member of today’s society? It’s up to you!
Website:
http://www.santacruzjediacademy.webs.com/Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-Cruz-Jedi-Academy/167460699970775YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/alucard41383/videosColorado--------Colorado Jedi Order (Denver, CO)We are:
A Not for profit martial arts Organization
A club for Costume and Combat Enthusiasts
Supporting the community through good deeds and charity events.
we also offer: Birthday Parties, Choreographed Performances, "Fun"draisers, Corporate/Private Events, and Parties of all kinds. *The CJO works for Donations that support the CJO Scholarship fund for youth "At Risk".
The CJO is the premier Lightsaber and Jedi training Order of Colorado and governs the safety and applied training of smaller organizations in Colorado such as The Denver Saber Sensei's™ Lightsaber Academy. CJO is a Martial Order dedicated to the The way of the Jedi and Lightsaber Combat.
We are now forming:
A Council of Jedi Enthusiast
A National Lightsaber Association
Lightsaber, Jedi Combat, and Instructorship Classes
** Suspected inactive **
Website:
http://www.coloradojediorder.orgFacebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colorado-Jedi-Order/115852388426566Metro Stage Combat of Denver, CO (Denver, CO)This is a stage combat class held at a university. These guys do a lightsaber class for their members once a year or so, but they're just a stage combat class. However, they did review Uilos718's paper on the 7 forms.
Website:
http://bonzuko.com/?p=3209YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MSCDstagecombatConnecticut-----------CT Jedi (Connecticut)CT Jedi is a fairly new chapter of Saber Wars, an online community of people who share practical Martial Arts-based and Stage Combat oriented lightsaber techniques in order to create illuminated stage combat! WOW, that is a lot of big words! Let's break it down: We are group of geeks who share a passion for artistically swinging around rather LARGE glow sticks! But we always maintain safety... "Control before speed!" We are not character or cannon specific to any story franchise, so you have the exciting option of creating your own hero, from whatever source inspires you! Just add a lightsaber and you fit right in! And, yes, we offer classes locally in Lightsaber Stage Combat. This means, we show you practical knowledge of how to use a lightsaber, as well as how to "Wow the crowd." Yeah, that's what we do... but most importantly, it's about our community. Like-minded people sharing their "Geekdom" and having a good time together showing it off!
Website:
http://ctjedi.bravehost.com/index.htmlFacebook (Page):
https://www.facebook.com/CtJediFacebook (Group):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/439584296054620/YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/CTJediGroup/Official Forum:
http://www.saberwars.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=79District of Columbia--------------------Defenders of the Force (Washington, DC)Officially LFL-sanctioned canon costuming AND choreo/combat group - supposedly.
The concept and design was born to create a group that would cause a change in the community on the outlook of how a Star Wars fan club could help various charity organizations and truly make a difference.
Website:
http://www.defendersoftheforce.org/Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Defenders-of-the-Force/164414506911780Georgia-------The Living Force of Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)The Living Force of Atlanta is a community of lightsaber enthusiasts that teaches and performs choreographed stage combat in Georgia. Come join us!
Description: The Living Force of Atlanta is a community of lightsaber enthusiasts that teaches and performs choreographed stage combat in Georgia. We are always looking for people who are interested in lightsabers and stage combat.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Living-Force-Of-Atlanta/127522300676097Official Forum:
http://www.saberwars.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=129Iowa----Dubuque Lightsaber Guild (Dubuque, Iowa)This is a group for anyone who duels with lightsabers, wants to duel with lightsabers, or people who want to watch people duel with lightsabers. I hope this group will inspire people in the area to come out and support the saber dueling community.
I think it's just a loose meetup of sparring teenagers and such. May be inactive.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/351718753623/Kentucky--------Ashland Lightsaber League (Ashland, KY)According to Google, this is a group of kids who meet in the local park for unchoreographed battles/sparring.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/159586400746274/I found mention of another, true choreo club in Ashland on Google+ but no other mentions.
Louisiana---------Proclamation of the Force (Lafayette, LA)College/University club - University of Lousiana at Lafayette (Mu Epsilon Kappa - Omega Psi)
At MEK's Omega Psi Chapter, we've added a brand new Special Interest Group called the Proclamation of the Force. This is a Guild of Light Saber enthusiasts interested in learning to duel with light sabers and performing the martial art on stage at conventions.
May be inactive.
YouTube: hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ln4uSg10c2I
Maryland--------Maryland Jidai (Columbia, MD)If you love the saber, we'd love for you to join us.
CosKumite / Combattitude Fighting Fitness Alliance
C.L.A.N.S. of the Revolution / MD Jidai Light Saber Combat!
CosKumite - The Art of Cosplay Combat
Created by Chuck Jeffreys, a Professional Stuntman, Fight Choreographer, & Martial Artist/Instructor, CosKumite teaches safe and creative mock/staged combat (open hand & weapons) to people who participate in various Costume and Cosplay events & conventions (Anime, Star Wars, Star Trek, Pirate, LARP, Fantasy, etc). It's also an excellent workout & great for those who just want to do it for the FUN of it! No Convention Experience Necessary
The techniques taught as the foundation of CosKumite are from various styles of traditional and eclectic martial arts. Those techniques are then tailored into creative fight choreography to fit the various individuals, characters, and weapons.
C.L.A.N.S. (Clans, Legions, Aliens, Nobles, & Soldiers) of the Revolution / Maryland Jidai, an off-shoot of CosKumite
When we first started CosKumite classes we had so many people show up with light sabers that we decided to start a separate group to accommodate. C.L.A.N.S. of the Revolution was born. The areas first lightsaber dueling/choreo group. And although it's mainly about that glowing blade of cinematic fame it's not confined to any specific characters or mythos within it.
That's all your choice.
Website:
http://www.marylandjedi.comMeetup:
http://www.meetup.com/coskumite-cotr-cosplay-combat/Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/CosKumiteUnofficial Forum:
http://www.saberwars.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=66YouTube (Old):
http://www.youtube.com/user/combattitudeYouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/COTR32Massachusetts-------------College/University club - MIT, Massachusetts (for like a weekend or two)A5623: Introduction to Lightsaber Dueling and Stage Combat
This class will cover proper stance and grip when holding a lightsaber, basic spins, how to strike, and how to defend. Once everyone is comfortable wielding their lightsaber we will expand on these skills, using them to teach students how to construct their own choreographed duel, which they will have time to practice. We will be available to critique and assist in creating and learning your own choreography. We tried this class out at Splash 2011 and it was a huge success. Every team made an extremely impressive ~1 minute long duel which blew me away. Due to the class’ success we are teaching the class multiple times during Spark.
Taught by whiz-kid college students, for high schoolers in grades 9-12. (!!)
Website:
http://esp.mit.edu/learn/Spark/2012/catalogWebsite:
http://esp.mit.edu/teach/teachers/tj004/bio.htmlImage:
http://imgur.com/gallery/eFymDYouTube:
hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igLkDExk5MQYouTube:
hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV-i5qmv_84YouTube:
hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXzhkD0pB18YouTube:
hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6cuTWmXEg0YouTube:
hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykvZigZ4rWQYouTube:
hxxp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2my6gpjPd2MMichigan--------Terra Prime Lightsaber Academy (Ann Arbor, Michigan)We do everything from fight choreography to real sparring. We are primarily online right now but hoping to find saber wielders in the mitten or thereabouts. ... We are quite new and looking for people!
Email:
[email protected]Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TerraPrimeLightsaberAcademyYouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TerraPrimeLightsaberNew Jersey----------NJ Jedi (Northern NJ)The New Jersey Jedi are a proud chapter of SaberWars, a community of people and teachers who share practical Martial Arts-based and Stage Combat oriented Light Saber techniques... but we are non-canon specific to any story franchise. We give you the exciting option of creating your own character! You can be the Hero or Villain you've always wanted to be, we just focus on the whole light saber thing! The Light Saber Phenomenon is all over the world! Created by The New Jersey Jedi chapter of light saber stage combat maniacs, the new newjerseyjedi.com web site, along with several others around the country, bring creative and athletic warrior-dreamers out of their living rooms and into the public eye! The custom created saber classes and tutorials will have you knowing how to wield a plasma-energy type sword in NO TIME! We offer classes in Light Saber Stage Combat. This means, we show you practical operational knowledge of how to use a light saber, as well as how to "Wow the crowd." Yeah, that's what we do....
Not terribly active right now.
Website:
http://newjerseyjedi.comFacebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Jersey-Jedi/110415302346788Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/121494457926335/Official Forum:
http://www.saberwars.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=50