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Beginning Screenprinting with Living Proof: Workshop for People of Color
Participants are invited to join members of the Living Proof Print Collective for a two-day workshop covering the fundamentals of screenprinting exclusively for people of color. We will emphasize Do-It-Yourself (DIY) methods so folks can take their screenprinting skills out into their communities! Because of its DIY nature and capacity to efficiently create multiple copies of an image, screenprinting has historically been an art medium used to widely spread messages. We’re hosting this workshop specifically for people of color as a way to create a space to consider our positions as art-makers in our communities.
The first day, Saturday, April 13th 1-4 PM we will focus on designing images to print and exposing screens. The next day, Sunday, April 14th 1-4pm we will be printing and sharing prints! By the end of the workshop, participants will make their image into a one-color print that they can put on paper or fabric to share and post widely and wildly. We will cover print shop basics, introduce materials and alternative inking and printing processes.
We are definitely open to participant input on class structure, though we will be cramming a ton into a short period of time so it would be great to hear from you with any questions or hopes before the actual workshop begins. We will be sending out some prep materials before the workshop and we encourage you to check these out to be more prepared for class when it starts.
IMPORTANT: Due to space limitations, we can only allow 6 participants for this 2-day workshop. Please sign up only if you can attend both days, in addition to self-identifying as a person of color and/or indigenous. We are planning to offer these again in the future so just let us know if you're interested in future workshops and we'll keep you in the loop.
Location
Basic Bicycle Maintenance at SPOKES (April)
Spring is coming! Save money, fix things up, and learn the basics of how to tune up and maintain your bike after a long winter. This is designed as an introduction to the subject, so participants are not expected to have a background in bikes before coming to class. Just bring your self, your bike (if you want), and enthusiasm to take things into your own hands and renew the cycle!
SPOKES Bike Walk Connect is a new, innovative community bike and walking center with a goal of getting more people biking and walking for transportation and exercise. Its mission is to engage low-income and under-represented communities in biking and walking while building community connections in Minneapolis. More information and events can be found at www.spokesconnect.org or facebook.com/spokesconnect.
Class times: Tuesdays in April, 6-8:30pm.
Location
Basic Bicycle Maintenance at SPOKES
Spring is coming! Save money, fix things up, and learn the basics of how to tune up and maintain your bike after a long winter. This is designed as an introduction to the subject, so participants are not expected to have a background in bikes before coming to class. Just bring your self, your bike (if you want), and enthusiasm to renew the cycle and take things into your own hands!
SPOKES Bike Walk Connect is a new, innovative community bike and walking center with a goal of getting more people biking and walking for transportation and exercise. Its mission is to engage low-income and under-represented communities in biking and walking while building community connections in Minneapolis. More information and events can be found at www.spokesconnect.org or facebook.com/spokesconnect.
Class times: Tuesdays in March, 6-8:30pm.
Location
IMMIGRATION REFORM: CHANGING U.S. LAWS
IMMIGRATION REFORM:
CHANGING U.S. LAWS
The United States of America has serious problems related to immigration.
This cyber-seminar will acknowledge all of these problems,
but it will not dwell on what is wrong with the present laws and practices,
since the problems are all well known
to anyone who is paying enough attention to want to join this seminar.
Less well discussed are the various ways to solve the problems of immigration,
without doing serious harm to any of the human beings involved
and without unintentionally creating new problems
by means of the new laws and regulations
that were supposed to solve the original problems.
This cyber-seminar takes place by means of a Facebook Group,
which has the same name: IMMIGRATION REFORM: CHANGING U.S. LAWS.
Each week a new theme is introduced by the facilitator.
Then all of the others in the FB Group are invited to respond
with questions, comments, & further thoughts on the same theme.
The major advantage of having a Facebook Group
over having an e-mailing list is that the participants
can get to know one another better,
since many do use their real faces on Facebook.
Even if they use some other picture or icon,
each member of this seminar has a different visual symbol.
When a member of the Facebook Group writes something,
it is sent to all of the other members by means of e-mail.
And because most comments are in response to a specific discussion-starter,
they appear in the Facebook display
under the posting to which the member is responding.
Group members may also start new lines of discussion if that appeals to them.
And the responses to those new ideas will also appear under the original posting.
Thus, it will be possible for someone
who has been out of touch with the group for a week or so
to catch up with the discussion by posting responses to each of the essays
WHICH GODS DO NOT EXIST? SELECTIVE ATHEISM
WHICH GODS DO NOT EXIST?
SELECTIVE ATHEISM
Atheism has become an important theme of public discussion,
as seen in the publication of several books against religion.
If you question or reject traditional religious beliefs,
this series of discussions might help you to focus the issues.
Were you raised in some form of religious faith
that affirmed the following beliefs?
(1) creation of the universe,
(2) holy scripture,
(3) God-given morality,
(4) omnipotent God,
(5) life after death, &
(6) spiritual growth.
This series of discussions will enable you
to meet with a wide variety of other people
who are questioning their childhood religions.
Perhaps you will discover that you are really a selective atheist:
You can more clearly articulate what you do NOT believe
than what forms of spirituality still remain meaningful for you.
Let's engage in an open-minded spiritual quest.
If we reject each traditional belief about God or gods,
what spiritual possibilities still remain open for us?
We will discuss the following 6 themes, two each week:
Each subject is introduced in an on-line essay:
FIRST WEEK:
No Gods Created the Universe.
No Gods Wrote Holy Books .
SECOND WEEK:
No Gods Are Watching Our Behavior .
No Gods Are All-Powerful.
THIRD WEEK:
No Gods Can Save Us from Death .
God-Talk Might Be a Way of Expressing Our Spiritual Dynamics .
The 6 free cyber-sermons above
are also published as Chapters 1-6 of
Spirituality without Gods:
Developing Our Capacities of Spirit.
FACILITATOR:
James Park is the author of these 6 cyber-sermons.
He used to be a Christian but no longer believes
in any of the powers or capacities of the Gods mentioned above.
Nevertheless, he has written 6 books on existential spirituality.
DATE & TIME: (When would be best for you?).
Indigenous Imperative: Native Thought and its Implications in the age of IDLE NO MORE
Location: Macalester College, Old Main, Room 003
The premise of the course is that our future is not only ecological but indigenous. We will be looking at not only the Six Nations Confederacy, but several other cultural and political powers in the western hemisphere including the Hopi, the Ojibway, the Inca, the Maya, Aztecs and many others. One of the goals of this course will be to not only push the envelope but get rid of the envelope. No discussion of our problems or potentials is possible without our indigenous center. Forget casino gambling, fry bread, pow wows, Sherman Alexie's cynical novels, and all of the other caricatures of first nations people. Rather we are going to vigorously look at the loose medicine bundle of values and cultures which evolved on this continent called sacred turtle island. We will advocate for a robust restoration of native teachings while turning inward to examine each of our own indigenous roots.
NOTE: Ray does not use email all that much so calling is preferred.
Also due to some times in the past with people leaving part way through the session Ray is requesting that participants sign up with the full intent to attend every class session. He is willing to write any class participant a letter of recommendation upon completion of the class. Please only sign up if you plan to make it to almost every class.
Location
New* Dance Workshop - Soul Force - April 28th
This Dance Workshop will take place at Honey nightclub at 9pm before our event "Soul Force" in order to demonstrate some dance moves and to get people in the dancing mood!! Come just for the class! Also, You have the option to stay and dance to our DJ Dance party taking place in the same venue at 10pm.
On Sunday, April 28th Soul Force Presents Guest Instructor:
Alissa Paris - HipHop
https://www.facebook.com/alissaparis
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Past Guest Instructor on Sunday, March 24th:
Amirah Sachett - HipHop
http://www.facebook.com/amirah.sackett
You can see a snippet of her work in Brother Ali's video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKHsGh-y8d8
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At each event we will feature a new guest professional dance instructor, teaching one of these dance forms:
*House dance, **trance dance, hip-hop,and/or an international dance such as Belly dance.
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I'm a strong believer in spreading dance, as not many people dance nowadays as they did back-in-the-day. So come learn some moves and free that stagnant energy in yo bod at the same time around other dancing bods (spread the dance)!! :)
~ It's Time to get down!
*Descriptions
House Dance:
The movement is comparable to break dancing, hip-hop or even ancient styles such as afro-carribean dance, yet the movement involves a lot of foot work. We will explore some movements such as, or similar to the loose legs, voguing, and the Charleston.
**Trance Dance:
is a unique blend of body movement, healing sounds, dynamic percussive rhythms and transformational breathing techniques - together stimulating a 'trance' state that promotes spiritual awakenings, mental clarity, physical stamina and emotional well-being.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * :) * * * * * * * * * * :) * * * * * * * * * :) *
Location
Reconciling with our Landbase: The Evolving Concept of Bioregionalism
"What would we be willing to give up... what would we gain in return?"
The purpose of this workshop is to view the documentary film ‘Occupied Cascadia’ to inspire transformative thoughts and discussions in relationship to our bioregion with specific attention to the mining threats to our beloved Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). A discussion with the directors of the film as well as mining and BWCA interest groups will take place immediately after the viewing.
Schedule
5:30 PM - Open discussion
6:30 PM - Screening of 'Occupied Cascadia'
(see the trailer at http://vimeo.com/38078416)
8:30 PM - Panel Discussion until 10:00 PM
***
‘Occupied Cascadia’ is a documentary film exploring the evolving concept of bioregionalism across this land base. Historically, the diverse voices throughout this land have paved the way for many movements. The directors of this film feel that they have captured an essence of this evolving culture. So, what defines the people of this region? Are the people of this region forging a new path?
With resource wars upon us, governments are more oppressive than ever, global economies are destabilizing, corporations and media are continually dividing us and most seem to have some notion of an imminent collapse on the horizon. Are we capable of coming together, and if so, where do our commonalities lie?
The people of Cascadia are diverse in opinions, stories and backgrounds and much like the larger nations we are a part of, we are divided by fundamentalism. What changes must we really make in order to provide for future generations, including the natural world? Explore these concepts and more.
This film was Co-directed and Co-produced by Devin Hess and Mel Sweet, self-taught photographers now transitioning to independent film making.
All music was recorded and produced by Hassan Ali Estakhrian at hassanalimusic.com.
Location
Earth Skills Series
This monthly series would gather people for the intention of teaching Earth based skills. Primitive skills is something we all have in common, all peoples of the world have depended upon throughout history. This would give people a glimpse of how to simply reconnect and fulfull simple needs. Monthly class will offer one skill/demonstration and plenty of discuss on simple living and lower ones impact on the earth.
Dates for this Spring Series:
Feb. 22
March. 22
April 19
May 17
Example of skills offered will be cordage (rope) making, demo on primtive tanning,
primitive containers, eating with the seasons/primitive cooking.
Location
Gleaning and foraging in the city (SORRY. CLASS FULL.)
There is food all around us, but we often don't recognize it. This class is to explore the use of plants not usually grown for food (foraging) and using the food plant products that the owners don't want (gleaning). The class will involve plant ID, likely sites for collecting, processing, storage, book and other resources, as well as equipment possibilities.
Location
