More events information
VSA Minnesota is at http://vsamn.org The website has a large calendar at in the upper right hand corner of its home page. For information on galleries and theater performances around the state join the Access to Performing Arts email list at access@vsamn.org or call VSA Minnesota, 612-332-3888 or statewide 800-801-3883 (voice/TTY). To hear a weekly listing of accessible performances, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883.
Another web events listing is http://c2net.org (c2: caption coalition, inc.), which does most of the captioned shows across the country. Facebook is another way to connect with performances. Sign up to connect with Audio Description Across Minnesota. Connect with ASL Interpreted and Captioned Performances across Minnesota on Facebook.
Interactive puppet workshops
Children’s Theatre Company and the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) host a series of four interactive family workshops modeling art-based strategies. Early Childhood and Autism: Expression Through Storytelling, Puppetry, Movement and Music are designed for parents and/or caregivers with a child or children ages 3-5 with autism spectrum disorder and their siblings. Each workshop will explore theater activities that facilitate self-expression, creativity and imagination-play.
Workshops will include a unique lesson to support the social and imaginative development of each child and his or her family. As sessions will focus on different methods of expression, families have the option to register for single sessions or to sign up for all four. Each registered family will receive one complimentary child’s ticket to an upcoming sensory-friendly performance at Children’s Theatre Company. Workshops are at CTC, 2400 3rd Ave. S., Mpls. per-workshop cost $25 AuSM member/CTC season ticker holders or $50 for nonmembers. Storytelling is 2-4 p.m. Sun, April19, puppetry is 2-4 p.m. Sun, July 19, creative movement is Sun, Sept. 20 and music and sound is 2-4 p.m. Sun, Nov. 8. Workshops are made possible by a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Preregistration required. FFI: www.ausm.org
Pups and circumstance
This spring more than 20 teams from Minnesota and throughout the upper Midwest will receive diplomas in recognition of graduating from Can Do Canines assistance dog program The graduation ceremony represents the culmination of a long journey for the assistance dogs and their partners. Beginning with puppy raisers, either in the homes of volunteers or at one of four Minnesota prisons, the dogs are reared and taught basic obedience and early assistance dog skills. After 18 months, they are returned to Can Do Canines for final training and to begin their new life with a person in need, free of charge. The graduation ceremony is 1 p.m. Sat, April 25 at Can Do Canines facility. The ceremony is free and open to the public, at 9440 Science Center Dr., New Hope. FFI: 763-331-3000, www.can-do-canines.org
Paralympics track and field to St. Paul
St. Paul’s Hamline University is the host site for the 2015 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships, June 19-21. This is the first time the event will be held in Minnesota. It is the selection event for athletes competing at the 2015 Parapan American Games this summer and 2015 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships in the fall. International classification will take place from June 17-18.
Hamline University and Meet Minneapolis will cooperatively host the championships with approximately 200 top U.S. athletes expected to compete. Tatyana McFadden (Clarksville, Maryland), who became the first woman to win an unprecedented six events at the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships, is anticipated to highlight a talented roster at this year’s trials. McFadden, an 11-time Paralympic medalist, set new world records in the 1,500m and 5,000m T54 races and won her second-straight marathon grand slam in 2014. Potentially joining McFadden at the meet is Raymond Martin (Jersey City, New Jersey), the first man to win five individual titles in the 2013 world championships. Martin bested his own 200m T52 world record at the 2014 Desert Challenge Games in Mesa, Arizona and took gold in the 100m, 800m and 1500m events at the same meet. Other reigning world champions anticipated to compete at nationals include Richard Browne (Jackson, Mississippi), men’s 100m and 200m T44; Jarryd Wallace (Athens, Georgia), men’s 200m T44; Joshua George (Herndon, Virginia), men’s 800m T53; Jeremy Campbell (Perryton, Texas), men’s discus F44; Lex Gillette (Raleigh, North Carolina), men’s long jump T11; Cassie Mitchell (Atlanta, Georgia), women’s shot put F52/53; Browne, Jerome Singleton (Irmo, South Carolina.), Blake Leeper (Kingsport, Tennessee) and Wallace also won the men’s 4x100m relay T42-46 title. For more information about the event, including tickets, visit www.paralympic.org
Autism conference marks 20 years
The 20th Annual Minnesota Autism Conference, presented by the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM), is April 29 – May 2 at the DoubleTree Hilton by Mpls Park Place Hotel, 1500 Park Place Blvd., Mpls. The four day conference includes guest speakers, workshops and breakout sessions. Visit exhibits and a book store. The final day of the conference will focus on autism transition, employment and life skills. AuSM will host a gala 6-10 p.m. Fri, May 1 with food, entertainment and live and silent auctions. Gala tickets start at $75; conference fees start at $105 per day. The full schedule is online. FFI: 651-647-1083; www.ausm.org
Get excited about EX.I.T.E. Camp
EXploring Interests in Technology and Engineering or EXCITE Camp is a five-day camp for middle school girls with disabilities. The day camp is free and is held in August at PACER Center in Bloomington. All participants need is transportation and a box lunch each day. Do amazing experiments, make friends that will last a lifetime, discover how science, technology, engineering and math can be cool and exciting. Apply now as space fills quickly. FFI: Meghan Kunz, 952-838-9000, stc@pacer.org
Vision loss group offers activities
Vision Loss Resources offers free and low-cost activities in the Twin Cities for people who are blind or visually impaired. Life skills classes for those with low vision; card games, craft classes, book clubs, walking groups, dinners out, special outings and technology classes are among the offerings. Participants need to RVSP to participate. FFI: RSVP hotline 612-843-3439; activity phone 612-253-5155, www.visionlossresources.org
Healthy Relationship Project offered
The Healthy Relationship Project invites west metro families of children who have or are suspected of having Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) to have fun, connect and learn about safe social connections at a three-part event for the entire family. This free event will be at the Northwest YMCA, 7601 42nd Ave. N., New Hope. It will be offered Saturday afternoons, April 18, May 30 and June 27. Children ages 2 – 7 will participate in structured play through the Special Olympics Young Athletes program. Youth ages 8 – 15 will engage in activities while learning about friendships, safety and bullying. While kids are at play, parents will connect with an experienced parent to share resources, tools and tips for keeping their child safe in the community.
Each session will cover different topics. Families are encouraged to attend all three sessions, but it is not required. Pre-registration required. The Healthy Relationship Project is a collaboration of The Arc Greater Twin Cities, the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS), the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC), Special Olympics Minnesota and the YMCA. FFI: www.arcgreatertwincities.org, debreisner@arcgreatertwincities.org
MCIL offers classes and activities
The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) offers many life skills classes as well as fun outings and activities for people with disabilities. MCIL’s new location is at 530 N. Robert Street, St Paul and most activities
are there or start there. Classes and events are listed on the website, www.mcil-mn.org Click on “Classes Groups and Sessions” for updated information or to print this calendar. Please give two weeks’ notice if alternative format or other accommodations are needed. Events are free, accessible and mostly scent-free. FFI: 651-603-2030
Adult support groups offered
Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) offers free support groups for adults with autism spectrum disorder. Groups include those for adult family members, women with autism spectrum disorders and independent adults with autism. Check the web site for upcoming groups. Groups meet at the AuSM offices at 2380 Wycliff St. FFI: 651-647-1083 ext. 10, www.ausm.org
