Professional Whip Artistry Training & Entertainment

Professional Whip Artistry Training & Entertainment


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  • 2022 American Western Arts Showcase at Annie Oakley Festival

    American Western Arts Showcase at Annie Oakley Festival

    Darke County Fairground, Greenville, Ohio

    Greenville, OH – Entrepreneur and professional whip artist Gery L. Deer and thrown weapons expert, Kirk Bass, of Xenia, will lead a full troupe of Wild West arts experts during the 2022 American Western Arts Showcase at the Annie Oakley Festival, on July 29 and 30 at the Darke County Fairground in Greenville, Ohio. The event is free and open to the public.

    Presented in the spirit of the stage-style Wild West shows of the late 19th Century, each production will include some detailed history of how these arts came to be and who still practices them today. In addition to performing, Gery Deer is also the show’s producer and chief backer.

    “This is a one-of-a-kind show in this region,” Deer says. “We have some of the best Wild West arts entertainment anywhere in the Midwest with real practitioners of each skill,” says Deer, who started the event in Jamestown, Ohio, in 2002. “These are talented performers with genuine ability, no fakery, no tricks. Everything you see in our show is real and all of our shows are in 3-D and high definition!”

    Champion knife thrower Kirk Bass, of Xenia, Ohio, is co-producer of the event. He and his daring wife Melodee are among the performers to take the open-air stage for a series of western arts perform the suspenseful Bass Blades impalement show, and much more.

    Whip marksmanship competitions headline the afternoon show beginning with the Whip Speed and Accuracy Exhibition Competition, the world’s first Bullwhip Fast Draw contest. Plus, there is a brand new contest taken straight from the big screen.

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    In the spirit of Dr. Jones’ proficiency, this year’s Showcase competition will include a special “blind fast draw,” where whip artists must mimic the move used in the film to turn, draw their holstered whip and shoot at a target with speed and accuracy. In 1981, a fedora-wearing, leather-clad archaeologist threw the crack heard round the world when he “whipped” a pistol from the hand of a jungle guide. At the beginning of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” Indiana Jones demonstrated his skills with the holstered fast-draw of a 10-foot bullwhip, all while having to spin around to take aim first.

    “With the popularity of Indiana Jones among western performers, particularly whip artists, it’s odd this hasn’t been done before,” says Deer, who holds multiple, national whip speed and accuracy titles and is the director of The Whip Artistry Studio, the only permanent whip training facility in America.

    The event is sponsored by GLD Enterprises Communications, Ltd.The Whip Artistry Studio and the Annie Oakley Festival Committee. All performances are family-friendly and presented on the grounds of the Annie Oakley Festival. For links to the festival and sneak previews of the performers plus more information go online to ohiowesternarts.org.

    Production video from a few years ago showing some of the events

    Whip cracking, trick roping, knife throwing exhibitions going on throughout the day as well as educational sessions to learn about the Wild West Arts and how these performers are working to keep them alive today.

    FULL SCHEDULE

    Friday:

    • Space opens at 10 AM.
    • Informal workshops, practice, and demonstrations throughout the day.

    1:oo PM American Western Arts Showcase Performance

    • Bass Blades Knife Impalement Show
    • Gery L. Deer – The Whip Artistry Studio Show
    • Special Guests and More!

    4 PM American Western Arts Showcase Performance

    • Bass Blades Knife Impalement Show
    • Gery L. Deer  – The Whip Artistry Studio Show
    • Special Guests and More!

    Saturday:

    • Space opens at 10 AM.
    • Informal workshops, practice, and demonstrations throughout the day.
    • Contest Practice

    12:00 PM American Western Arts Showcase – Whip Marksmanship ContestsWhip Speed & Accuracy Exhibition Contests

    • Speed & Accuracy
    • Speed Switch
    • The World’s FIRST Bullwhip Fast Draw competition – Started in 2000, we’ve been the lead on bullwhip fast draw since!
    • PLUS! The Indiana Jones-styled turning fast draw contest, just like you see in the opening of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Contestants will use an 8-foot or longer bullwhip to face off against each other in an effort to recreate the dramatic first crack by Indiana Jones.

    1:30 PM American Western Arts Showcase Matinee Performance

    • Bass Blades Knife Impalement Show
    • Gery L. Deer  – The Whip Artistry Studio Show
    • Special Guests and More!

    4 PM American Western Arts Showcase Performance

    • Bass Blades Knife Impalement Show
    • Gery L. Deer  – The Whip Artistry Studio Show
    • Special Guests and More!

    Exhibitions and practice sessions are open to public audiences throughout the afternoon.

    Sunday: From 12 Noon until 3:30 PM Gery Deer Indiana Jones-Styled Bullwhip Shows

    Showcase producer Gery Deer will perform solo doing some Indiana Jones-style shows, talking about how the arts practices by Annie Oakley and her contemporaries were so important to the film industry!


  • 2020-2021 Winter Sessions Now Booking

    COVID-19 STATEMENT: Our studio is operating on a “by appointment only” status, with all group sessions suspended until further notice. Private lessons of up to 2 participants are still active with appropriate safety/health precautions – Masks are required. 

    Virtual sessions are available at a reduced cost (Zoom required). See our VIRTUAL LESSONS page.

    2020-2021 REGISTRATION FOR WINTER SESSIONS NOW OPEN!

    Book your session now through November 15 and save 10%!

    Booking pre-scheduled, personalized and group sessions for the period November 30, 2020, through February 28, 2021.

    From beginner hobbyist to pro performer – we have customizable sessions ranging from Whip Basics and Targeting 101 to Show Development and Business sessions.

    PLUS! The whip and fitness! 

    17630055_10154825785999342_7407558958855939666_nDo you want to learn how the whip can benefit your fitness routine?

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    Our “Performance Whip” sessions will help you identify how the whip can help your workout and blend into your fitness routine.

    For more information or to book your session now and save 10%, call 937-902-4857 or email gdeer@gldenterprises.net


  • Mark your calendars – 2016 Annie Oakley Western Arts Showcase!

    GREENVILLE, OH –  The Annie Oakley Western Arts Showcase events will be two days this year, Friday July 29 and Saturday, July 30, 2016. All events begin at noon on Friday with open workshops and impromptu demonstrations and a full performance tentatively set for 6PM! On Saturday, everything starts at 1 p.m. with the Whip Contest Exhibition, which will include speed and accuracy, bullwhip fast draw and a style contest.

    Contests will be followed by a matinee performance featuring whip artist Gery L. Deer, the knife throwing skills of Bass Blades and more. The Grand Wild West Showcase will be hosted by The Brothers & Co. Entertainers music and variety show.

    And the best part? This year’s Annie Oakley Event is FREE admission!

    Check out WDTN-TV2’s Katie Kenney with Gery Deer on “Living Dayton” …

    For full details visit http://www.ohiowesternarts.org
    Two great videos highlighting the event – provided by Rich Hoffman …

    “Last year breathed new life into this long-running event,” Deer says. “Our goal is to provide a featured event for Saturday that will help draw more people on what is typically the busiest day of the festival.” For more information or to participate in the whip contests, contact the production office of GLD Enterprises at (937) 902-4857 or email, gdeer@gldenterprises.net.

    For more information on the festival, visit www.annieoakleyfestival.org.


  • Unique Valentine’s gift: bullwhip lessons for couples

    No Fifty Shades of Grey here! Just a fun, family-oriented activity!

    IMG_0289Jamestown, Ohio – Men and women have always struggled to find the perfect Valentine’s Day gift and often settle for traditional flowers and candy. Shared activities, however, can be enjoyed by both and are remembered far longer than expensive flowers that will wilt or an annoying singing greeting card.

    From picnics in the park to fine dining, there are activities for every budget. One Ohio-based performing arts studio urges couples to forget ballroom dancing and horse-drawn carriage rides this Valentine’s Day and try something new – bullwhip lessons for couples!

    For the 9th year, The Whip Artistry Studio in Jamestown, Ohio, is offering special bullwhip artistry lessons designed as a fun activity just for couples.

    Opened in 1998, The Whip Artistry Studio is a certified training center and founding base of the Society of American Whip Artistry and the only permanent facility in the United States dedicated to the study of whip arts.

    “Whip artistry” is a precision concept for an ancient skill. It refers to the use of a bullwhip or stock whip for sport and performance art. The Whip Artistry Studio works like a creative arts center providing certified individual or group lessons and stage performances. Many couples and entire families have come to The Whip Artistry Studio to learn the whip for fun and sport.

    Most are hobbyists who are just interested in learning a unique skill. Others are professional performers and stage entertainers who want to add the whip to their repertoire.

    "Guys dig chicks with mad whip skills!" According to studio director, Gery Deer, women tend to have more aptitude toward the whip than their male counterparts.

    “Guys dig chicks with mad whip skills!” According to studio director, Gery Deer, women tend to have more aptitude toward the whip than their male counterparts.

    Writer, entrepreneur Gery L. Deer, is a nationally-known whip artistry performer and instructor, and the studio’s founding director.

    “Whips have been around in some form for thousands of years,” said Deer. “This is not ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ we’re talking about. Bullwhips are a fun, precision tool for family-oriented sport and entertainment and a great activity in which anyone can participate.”

    Similar to ballroom dancing, whip artistry is learned in steps with basic techniques branching into precision movement.

    Perfect for all ages and interests, the special one-hour couple’s whip artistry session starts with a quick safety overview and covers the basics of whip artistry.

    Contrary to what one might think, the couple does not crack the whip at each other nor is it used in any type of crude or dangerous manner. Instead the couple shares a unique experience and learns a new skill together.

    A seasoned whip performer and trainer, Deer has appeared on stage around the country including national television programs like The Bonnie Hunt Show and NBC’s America’s Got Talent. He also develops whip-holstering equipment and specialty training for movie studios and theatrical companies.

    Couple’s whip lessons start at $60.00 and reservations are required and must be made no less than 72 hours in advance. Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday before the end of February. For more information, or to make a reservation, go online to The Whip Artistry Studio website www.thewhipstudio.com or call (937) 902-4857.

     

     




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