Summary: In the first part of Chivalry Today’s Summer of Chivalry bonus podcast, host Scott Farrell speaks with Jared Kirby, president and organizer of the First Annual CombatCon – a gathering of Medieval and Renaissance martial arts enthusiasts which kicks off a variety of great summertime events. Plus: A conversation with Devon Kurtz, director of education at the Higgins Armory Museum, about their new exhibit called Castle Quest; and we invite you to tell us what you’re up to during this Summer of Chivalry on the Chivalry Today Facebook page!<br> Quicklinks — Use the links below to learn more about the events and activities featured in this podcast episode<br> <br> * Make arrangements to attend the first annual <a title="CombatCon Homepage" href="http://thecombatcon.com/" target="_blank">CombatCon, June 24-26 in Las Vegas, Nevada</a>;<br> * Visit the <a title="Higgins Armory Museum" href="http://www.higgins.org/" target="_blank">Higgins Armory Museum</a> to experience their <a title="Higgins Castle Quest" href="http://www.higgins.org/castle-quest" target="_blank">Castle Quest</a>;<br> * Share your plans, photos, and videos of your <a title="Chivalry Today Facebook Page" href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/ChivalryToday" target="_blank">Summer of Chivalry on our Facebook page</a>.<br> <br> Segment 1: An Interview with Jared Kirby — Chivalry at CombatCon<br> <a href="http://chivalrytoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/JaredKirby.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-6913"></a>Scott interviews Jared Kirby, accomplished actor (he appeared in a recent production of Macbeth with the York Shakespeare Company), fight choreographer, and president and organizer of the first annual CombatCon to talk about historical European martial arts, Victorian stick fighting, Jedi knights, zombies, and steampunk fiction. What do all of these things have in common? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is: The code of chivalry. The spirit of romance, honor, and heroism is the underlying foundation of nearly all the events, presentations, and workshops that attendees will be enjoying at CombatCon.<br> You can learn more about Jared Kirby’s impressive background in acting, fight arrangement, and directing at his website, <a title="Art Of Combat" href="http://www.artofcombat.org/kirby.html" target="_blank">The Art Of Combat</a>.<br> It’s not too late to make plans to <a title="CombatCon Registration" href="http://thecombatcon.com/register" target="_blank">attend CombatCon in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 24-26</a>. The Tuscany Hotel is offering special weekend rates to CombatCon attendees.<br> Segment 2: Castle Quest At The Higgins Armory Museum<br> Scott is joined by Devon Kurtz, director of education and public programs at the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, Mass., to talk about the museum’s new exhibit <a title="Castle Quest" href="http://www.higgins.org/castle-quest" target="_blank">Castle Quest</a>, which opened just in time for Summer 2011 vacationers. The display gives visitors an opportunity to see life inside a medieval castle through the eyes of the people who call it home – from the knight and the lady to the stable hands, grooms, and archers.<br> Castle Quest is just one of the engaging, interactive exhibits you’ll find when you visit the Higgins Armory Museum. You can find a full listing of the events and activities going on in the museum on the <a title="Exhibits at the Higgins" href="http://www.higgins.org/exhibits" target="_blank">exhibits page of the Higgins website</a>.<br> The Higgins Armory Museum also offers courses and workshops in historical fencing and sword combat as part of their <a title="Academy of the Sword" href="http://www.higgins.org/academy-sword" target="_blank">Academy of the Sword</a> program. Sword-fighting enthusiasts and re-enactors who live on the West Coast (which is a bit far for commuting to the Higgins for lessons) might wish to join<a title="C..."></a>
