Sabrage - the art of opening a bottle of champagne with a sword

Looking for a fun and unique way to ring in the new year?  Why not learn the art of sabrage and give your friends and family a thrill when you "uncork" 2014 in a most unconventional and fun way!  Please join us for this engaging and intoxicating fundraiser by Way of the Sword.  Please help herald this festive event to others...the more the merrier! 

Location: Union Hall Fencing Studio at 2 Keeler Lane North Salem, NY 10560

Date: Sunday, Dec. 22nd 

Time: 3 pm to 5 pm 

Way of the Sword, is a privately owned and operated USFA club that promotes the art of fencing in our local communities.  Our aim is to foster a love of fencing as a sport and art form as well as to ultimately create programs at the middle and high school levels. All proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to purchase and maintain equipment needed for Way of the Sword youth programs. 

Fencing Coach Mike Martin will lead the formal sabrage instruction and demonstration. Students of "The Way" will enjoy open fencing and provide demonstrations for aspiring newcomers.  Please

Pre-register today to allow for better planning.  Contact us to learn more.  

To participate in sabrage you must be 21+ and bring:

• a real sword (not competition), or a heavy butcher's knife will do just fine. Note, we do NOT use the sharp end of the blade to open the bottle but instead the blunted back-end (see picture above).


• a minimum of one bottle of champagne (sparkling wine) but I recommend at least two or three to get it right.


• a dish towel to hold the bottle securely in your hand or glove


• champagne flutes (or use the cheesy plastic tumblers I will supply) 

Appetizers provided by Diane Balch of Simple Living and Eating 

Savory:  Salmon dilled gravlax with mustard sauce, gougeres, tartine saint-germain (roast beef squares)    Sweet: cocoa sables, speculoos, nutella tartine cheese, fruit, and crackers.  Sparkling cider will be available for the kids to enjoy.