Art shanties to return
Art Shanty Projects return to the ice of Bdé Umá /Lake Harriet in South Minneapolis with a diverse and accessible outdoor program. The program offerings this year include 18 shanties (15 of them new) and more than 20 rotating performance groups. Many projects are movement-based, which helps keep both audiences and artists warm outside. The opening weekend features a new contemporary skating performance from American Ice Theatre. Wear a snowsuit for weekly yoga, also known as fro-gahhh: yoga for the planet and the people, or the weekly dance parties on Sundays (Pollinator Frenzy). The festival closes out with community games from Twin Cities Native Lacrosse (Thakápsičapi).
The Art Shanty Projects On-Ice program will take place on Bdé Umáŋ / Lake Harriet from Jan. 21 through Feb. 12. Public hours are 10 a.m. – 4pm every Sat and Sun. Kicksleds are available as mobility aids. There will be ASL interpreters and audio describers available daily from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. More specific accessibility information can be found online. There will be a suggested donation of $10-20 at the gate again this season. FFI: http://www.artshantyprojects.org/
Save the date for gala
Can Do Canines hosts its annual Fetching Ball Gala on Sat, Feb. 25. This year’s event will be held at the Radisson Blu Mall of America, with KARE 11 Reporter/Anchor Rena Sarigianopoulos serving as emcee. Enjoy an evening that celebrates the amazing human-assistance dog teams of Can Do Canines. Enjoy dinner, inspiring stories, games, and silent and live auctions–all benefitting the organization. Tickets now available. FFI: candocanines.org/fetchingball
Open Flow Forum
The Artists with Disabilities Alliance meets via Zoom 7-9 p.m. the first Thu of the month. Upcoming dates are Jan. 5 and Feb. 2. Virtually join artists with disabilities and supporters to share visual art, writing, music, theater and artistic efforts or disability concerns. Facilitators are Tara Innmon, Kip Shane and Springboard for the Arts. The gatherings are fully accessible. Anyone needing special accommodations should contact Andy Sturdevant at host organization Springboard for the Arts. Funding is available for access needs. FFI: 651-294-0907, resources@springboardforthearts.org
Resources to Enjoy!
The Enjoy listings are for arts events as well as banquets, fundraisers and fun events by and for disability services organizations. Schedules may be subject to change. Some venues still may have mask and vaccine requirements. Please check with a venue or organization before making plans.
The Minnesota Access Alliance (MNAA) provides an Accessible Arts & Culture Calendar for arts patrons who use accessibility accommodations such as audio description, captioning, ASL interpreting and sensory-friendly accommodations. Link to more details at https://calendar.mnaccess.org. Be sure to check the listing or venue to find out its COVID-19 protocol and if an advance reservation is needed for the accessibility service.
Accessible events can be submitted to the MNAA Calendar (and MinnesotaPlaylist.com). A list of other venues follows the event listings.
To receive a free monthly events calendar: email mactfactor@icloud.com and/or info@mnaccess.org. Ask for the entire events list or specific lists for ASL interpreting, captioning, audio description, sensory-friendly accommodations or disability-related topics.
For other accessibility resources or upcoming webinars presented by MNAA, sign up for emails at https://mnaccess.org
