More events information
VSA Minnesota is here. 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.
Plan for training conference
As part of the ongoing commemoration of the 25th anniversary of passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Minnesota State Council on Disability hosts an ADA Celebration/Training Conference Wed, Oct. 28 at Mpls Convention Center. The conference focuses on employment, technology, advocacy and community living and includes a career fair for people with disabilities, in partnership with the Minnesota Business Leadership Network. It will also feature speakers and informative breakout sessions. The noon hour keynote program will be broadcast live statewide on tpt with participation from communities across Minnesota. The council is examining how employment has been impacted by the ADA as part of an overall effort to describe its role in Minnesota. Take a short survey on employment here: FFI: 651-361-7803, www.disability.state.mn.us/ada/
Learn about history
Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities launched a new free webinar, The Fight for Civil Rights for People with Disabilities. A compilation of the Moments in Disability History, the one-hour presentation is an accounting of the key events and influential leaders who pursued the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Here also are the many personal stories of discrimination, and reflections on the lives of individuals with disabilities who experienced only isolation and segregation but who also envisioned an inclusive society that would recognize them as fully capable and productive first class citizens. FFI: http://tinyurl.com/DDHistory
Youth skills camp offered
Islands of Brilliance and the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) offer a unique social skills camp to Minnesota youth with autism, ages 10-18. The Islands of Brilliance program pairs students with professional design volunteers to help launch youth with autism into the world of technology and design. Students do creative projects and develop conversation, friendship, and confidence-building skills. Sessions are Aug. 3-7. Cost is $325 per session and the camp is held in Mpls. It is one of many camps and activities this summer. FFI: www.ausm.org
Healthy Relationship Project
The Healthy Relationship Project invites west metro families of children who have or are suspected of having Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder 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 Sat, 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 sessions, but it is not required. Preregistration required. The Healthy Relationship Project is a collaboration of The Arc Greater Twin Cities, the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, the North American Council on Adoptable Children, Special Olympics Minnesota and the YMCA. FFI: www.arcgreatertwincities.org, debreisner@arcgreatertwincities.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
MCIL offers classes/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 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 their 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
Save the date for ADA party
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark in civil rights legislation, turns 25 years old Sun, July 26. The Minnesota State Council on Disability (MSCOD) and other groups host a free 25th Anniversary of the ADA Celebration and Family Day noon-4 p.m. Sun, July 26 at the Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. A portion of Twin Cities Public Television’s (tpt) upcoming documentary, The ADA at 25: Disability Rights in MN, will be premiered. Sam Jasmine of KFAI radio host Sam Jasmine, of Disabled and Proud – It’s Not an Oxymoron, will emcee the proclamation/presentation portion between 2-2:30 p.m. Live entertainment includes the bands Treading North and Workin’ Dogs, vocalists Paul Mabon and Ted Brown, a dance and vocal ensemble from BOLD Choice Theatre in Duluth, Leslye Orr and Jeff Smith – the world’s only blind magician, interactive arts activities, painting with Zot Artz, refreshments, food for purchase and a free parking and shuttle service are planned, reasonable accommodations will be provided. There is still time to become a partner organization. FFI: Andrew Mosca, 651-361-7803, andrew.mosca@state.mn.us, www.disability.state.mn.us/ada/our-partners
Opportunities for artists
VSA Minnesota offers two opportunities for artists, in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Chautauqua at the Cowles Center for Dance and Performing Arts in Minneapolis will be a two-day gathering for Minnesota arts, disability, and public administrators and artists/arts attendees. VSA Minnesota will host an exhibition as well as live performances Sept. 25-26. Performing artists of all types are urged to apply. The event also offers exhibition opportunities for artists who create two-dimensional, artwork that is of high artistic quality, demonstrating originality, imagination, skillful use of materials, and quality of craft.
Artists of all abilities thrive thanks in large part due to opportunities through the ADA.
Chautauqua is an Iroquois word, meaning, ‘two moccasins tied together.’ The term originated in 1874 in Chautauqua, New York, which lends its name to the format. It refers to an adult education movement featuring lectures, play, and musical performances; the word is also used for any single organization pursuing this activity.
For artists, please make submissions in jpegs and email to exhibitions@vsamn.org
Alternative formats and accommodations, Braille and large print formats are available upon request. For direct assistance, please contact Halle O’Falvey, Exhibition Coordinator, 612-332-3888 or email exhibitions@vsamn.org She is also the contact for performing artists. Deadline is 11:59 p.m. Fri, July 31
Spectrum Artworks: Impossible Things: Artists Exploring Imagination
Artists from Spectrum ArtWorks, a program of local non-profit RESOURCE, present an exhibition inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass. Participating artists are Cecile Bellamy, cynTHIA, Julia C. Spencer, Peter F. Hinze, James E. Sjolin, Dunji Diego, Wallace R. White, Ruth Lais, Ashley Adams, Faye Buffington-Howell, Kandace Krause, Samuel L., Audrey Bernard, Jude Mostek and Christi Furnas. At the Nicollet Café, 1931 Nicollet Ave. (at Franklin Ave.), Mpls. through July 13. Free. FFI: 612-752-8282, www.artworksatspectrum.org/
Interactive puppet workshops
Children’s Theatre Company and the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) host a series of 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 ticket-holders or $50 for nonmembers. 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. Preregistration required. FFI: www.ausm.org
ReelAbilities
ReelAbilities is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different abilities. The Mpls-St. Paul festival presents 11 award-winning films and 5 film shorts, includes an acting workshop and receptions.
The Mpls-St. Paul film festival is June 11-14 at locations in Mpls, St. Paul, New Hope and St. Louis Park. All venues are wheelchair accessible, with assistive listening devices available. All films are captioned or subtitled. All films will have a pre-film ASL introduction and a post-film “talk back.” Select films are audio-described. Tickets for a single movie are $10; packages available include all-access movie pass $25, VIP super ticket (full festival package) $150, Taste of Art closing night fundraiser $80, Opening Night event $45. FFI: 952-925-1404, danreed@partnershipresources.org, www.Minneapolis.ReelAbilities.org
