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mended_arrow

@mended_arrow

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Designer/illustrator/comic artist Richmond, VA

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⚔️ Warriors in Bloom: The Combat Guild

We’re thrilled to welcome a full day of live combat demonstrations featuring talented martial artists and historical combat clubs from across the region! From Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) and historical fencing to kenjutsu, Shaolin staff, and international weapons traditions, these demonstrations celebrate the skill, discipline, and rich history behind martial arts from around the world.

The Combat Guild brings together martial artists who view combat as a disciplined art form rather than an act of war. Each demonstration reflects years of practice, precision, and respect, inspiring the brave, engaging the curious, and showing that true strength is forged through patience, dedication, and care.

Combat Demonstration Schedule

11:00 AM – Mixed Weapons Open Sparring
12:00 PM – Kenjutsu: The Combat Art Behind the Katana
12:30 PM – Shaolin Staff Demonstration & Workshop
1:00 PM – Historical Fencing
2:00 PM – Barony of Caer Mear Fencing
2:30 PM – International Weapons Demonstration
3:30 PM – Historical Fencing Tournament
4:00 PM – Mixed Weapons Open Sparring

Whether you’re a seasoned martial artist, a history enthusiast, or simply curious to see these traditions come to life, join us in The Alley for an unforgettable day celebrating the artistry, discipline, and community of the Combat Guild.

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Today we’re celebrating an incredible collaborator, a Richmond treasure, a Warriors in Bloom sponsor, featured performer, and vendor: Haunts of Richmond!

Our Virago Alley crew recently joined owners Chris and Beth for a haunted walking tour of Church Hill, beginning at the historic Patrick Henry Pub. It was a hot Richmond evening (our fans were working overtime!), but every minute was worth it. Their passion, storytelling, and deep knowledge made for an unforgettable dive into Richmond’s spooky history.

We’re so grateful to Chris and Beth for their ongoing love and support of our organization and nonprofit. We can’t wait to welcome them to the Tavern Storytellers Stage during Warriors in Bloom, August 1 & 2, where they’ll be sharing some chilling tales with festival guests!

Be sure to give Haunts of Richmond a follow on social media and book one of their tours. Whether you’re visiting Richmond or have lived here your whole life, you’re guaranteed to discover something new, uncover hidden history, and experience a side of the city you may never have seen before.

Support local. Support spooky. 🖤👻

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Post photoshoot hang out!

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Special thanks to @richmondhaunts for an unforgettable Church Hill Haunted Tour with some of our Virago Alley and Ren Faire crew! Haunts of Richmond is a local favorite, and we’re thrilled to have them featured as a performer, vendor, and sponsor at Warriors in Bloom.

It was such a delightful (and very hot!) evening filled with incredible entertainment, captivating stories of Richmond’s history, and a beautiful stroll through one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods. We can’t recommend this experience enough!

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We have a winner!!! Don’t miss the new collaborative mead release with @blackheathmeadery next week! Tuesday, July 21st 5pm-9pm!!!

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Moving moving moving.

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IT’S TIME. Join Roll 4 to celebrate TEN YEARS of wild improvised role playing game adventures at the Coalition Theater!

Tickets now available at rvacomedy.com.

Since 2016, our seasoned crew of eccentric adventurers has embarked on over a hundred wild quests shaped by audience suggestions. For their 10th Anniversary celebration, Roll 4 presents an epic weekend with two fully improvised one-shots campaigns: one on Friday, and a second on Saturday... with a few special birthday surprises in store. It’s time to assemble your adventuring party for our celebratory party, where the fate of our players rests in the rolls of the dice and your unpredictable suggestions!

Art by the amazing @mended_arrow

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We’re putting the finishing touches on the official 2026 Warriors in Bloom map, and it goes live next week!

Get ready for an epic weekend! Be sure to grab your tickets soon for one or both days. Tickets will be available online only.

We sold out last year, so this year we expanded to two days to give more of our incredible community the chance to join the celebration.

Expect amazing vendors, captivating performers, hands-on activities, inspiring demonstrations, and exciting new features you won’t want to miss!

Purchase your ticket today, support local artists, celebrate on one of RVA’s coolest properties, and show up as the badass Virago, warrior, hero, or version of yourself you’re meant to be!!!

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Don’t miss the fun! Tonight 5pm-9pm at @bluebeecider Come celebrate the collaborative Warriors in Bloom cider with @viragoalley @agecrofthallgardens @rvarenfaire

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Thank you @ashmeanythingg for the pretty birthday sunflowers! Now, get y’all’s butts over to Blue Bee Cider tonight from 5-9pm to celebrate the launch of a collaborative Warriors in Bloom cider, and to celebrate my big 44!

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Thank you to @styleweekly for your love, encouragement, and support over the past two decades. Your belief in my work has meant more than you know, and I am deeply grateful to have shared so much of this journey with you.

It is incredibly meaningful to reclaim this space and to come back home, both literally and metaphorically. There is something really special about returning to the place where so much of my story began, while also stepping into an exciting new chapter.

The full story is now live on Style’s website, and I would love for you to check it out.

A heartfelt thank you to Brent for capturing this moment with such thoughtfulness and care. And thank you to Scott for always being there with a camera in hand, documenting so many of my adventures over the years. I am lucky to have had both of you help tell this story.

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So many exciting changes are in motion. We’ve moved into a new warehouse, a space where we can grow our organization, create together, and bring even more to the Ren Faire as we look ahead to 2027.

Big things are in store, and I’m incredibly grateful for this amazing community. Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, lend a hand, and help bring this mission to life while carrying our vision forward. Here’s to what comes next.

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