Community Newsletter: Workshops, talks, and more
Here we are, in deepest January, watching the most remarkable display of community, solidarity, and mutual aid in Minneapolis. Adam Serwer described the politics as "neighborism," and you know, that sounds like a good description of our space's politics, too. We don't know precisely what's coming down the pike for our area, but we do know that we're laying the infrastructure to be ready.
In recent weeks, we've had (among other things) a zine workshop, the first Utopia Book Club meeting, an incredible poetry night benefitting refugees, a mending session, botanical drawing, a deep dive on the reality of recycling, and a series of events on building out the year you want.
All this stuff is supported by our members. If you are one, thank you! And if you're not, you can become one, too.
Members get first dibs on RSVPs and usually a discount, too, but our events are open to everyone. So, check out what we've got for February and come through.
One fun thing you can participate in on Sunday morning at 10:30am! Jennie Bertone, an LE member, is working on a project for Local Economy, felting local sheep's wool into sound insulating panels to go underneath our tables, and she needs help picking some wool donated by Mimi Luebbermann, owner of Windrush Farms. Bertone says: "These imperfect fleeces require some extra care to free them of burrs, seed heads, and other bits before they can be washed and processed into something. As many hands make light work, I hope folks will come to join this picking process so that we can make something great for everyone that enters the space."
February Events, Open and New
- February 1, Sunday Coffee with Jeff Wright. Sunday Coffee is a low-stakes morning of chatting, coffee, and snacks, and he’s been bringing it to Local Economy on a Sunday morning each month.
- February 4, Solidarity Economics book release with Cynthia Kaufman, Director of the Vasconcellos Institute for Democracy in Action at De Anza College.
- February 6, the next edition of our collaboration with MIPSLIP, the creative workshop. Sign up quick. Space is super limited. Come with work to share!
- February 11, Paint-and-chat with Maggie Tokuda-Hall. If you want to do some lowkey art with friends, this is for you.
- February 12, readings and a literary party. This is gonna be so good! Come and toast the publication of the newest issue of ZYZZYVA, Featuring short readings by contributors Tomas Moniz, Maw Shein Win, and Suzanne Rivecca, emceed by ZYZZYVA Editor Oscar Villalon.
- February 13, "Let's Make Love Letters." In this 90-minute workshop, you’ll write to a beloved of any kind: a partner, friend, family member, lost loved one, or an inner aspect of yourself. Wax seals will happen!
- February 17, Food and Bev Dev. In this brand new series (!!), we'll be talking with local food and beverage people about what it takes to succeed. Up first, Sydney Arkin of Bad Walter's and Miles Palliser of Mama’s Boy Pizza and the Oakland Athletic Club. The whole series is brought to you by Margarita Florez Vasconcelos from Showoff and Marisa Sanchez-Dunning from If Only Creative.
- February 21, Oakland Noticing Club inaugural meeting. Turn on your curiosity radar and join us for the inaugural meeting of the Oakland Noticing Club, an informal meet-up inspired by Rob Walker’s “Savor of the Month” at The Art of Noticing.
