Open Flow Forum

The Artists with Disabilities Alliance meets via Zoom 7-9 p.m. the first Thu of the month. Upcoming dates Thu, July 1, Aug. 5 and Sept. 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 as funding is available for those needs. FFI: 651-294-0907, [email protected]. FFI: 651-294-0907, [email protected]

Retirement celebration set

Can Do Canines hosts an open house for Al Peter, founder and recently retired executive director. save the date of 5:30-8 p.m. Wed, Aug. 4 for the event at can Do Canines’ headquarters at 9440 Science Center Dr, New Hope. A 6:30 p.m. program will include brief messages from a client, a volunteer, a board member, a staff member and Al, a video made for Al and other fun surprises. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served. Please RSVP by July 26 at can-do.link/rsvp.

Also, save the date of sat, Sept. 18 for the can Do Woofaroo event. FFI: Kathy Broten, 763-331-3000, ext. 152, [email protected]

Self-advocacy classes

Upstream Arts offers virtual self-advocacy classes, July 7 through Sept. 20. Artists aged 18 and older are welcome to attend one of three weekly times at 10-11 a.m. Mon, 1-2 p.m. Wed, or 4-5 p.m. Thu. Classes are online and pay-what-one-can. All classes have ASL interpretation and close captioning. In-person classes are coming in the fall. FFI: 612-331-4584, upstreamarts.org

Zoomtopia

Interact Theater presents Zoomtopia, when life as we know it has been kicked to the curb, COVID has us locked down, and virtual reality is our new neighborhood. Plucked straight from the imagination of Interact artist Michael Engebretson and more than 65 visual and performing artists, Zoomtopia’s alternate universe hurls us past the storms of isolation, uncertainty, and technical aggravation, and into a world of miracles and wonders. Kevin Kling is narrator. Virtual performances through July 11. Tickets on sale now. FFI: www.interactcenter.org/zoomtopia

Ready for the Challenge?

Autism Society of Minnesota invites everyone to the second annual AuSM Community Unity Challenge July 17-18. Connect with friends and family. Get creative. Share kindness. All while having some quirky, scavenger-hunt-type of fun. The photo and video scavenger hunt is a chance for teams to complete a list of challenges ranging from random acts of kindness to the absolutely bizarre. The list will be released July 17, giving teams two days to complete their tasks. Tasks might include sharing favorite stims, spelling out a word with team members’ bodies or finding something hidden in a website.$15 per team of up to seven people. Preregister. FFI: www.ausm.org

Guthrie Theater announces 2021-2022 season

The Guthrie Theatre has announced a 2021-2022 season. The national tour of the critically acclaimed What the Constitution Means to Me by famed writer Heidi Schreck; a world-premiere adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Lavina Jadhwani, featuring all-new creative design; Lorraine Hansberry’s heralded A Raisin in the Sun; William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, directed by former Artistic Director Joe Dowling in his first return to the Guthrie; Kate Hamill’s world-premiere adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, commissioned by the Guthrie; Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Sweat; and a seventh title to be announced. The Guthrie is to open its doors July 8. Up-to-date information about the season, ticketing, disability accommodations and health and safety plans is available online. FFI: guthrietheater.org

Susan Hensel Gallery shows online

Minneapolis’ Susan Hensel Gallery offers shows online. The focus of Susan Hensel Gallery is on compelling objects, meaningful use of materials, and engaging sculpture. It is a gallery where experimental ideas and works of the hand join to create unique sensory experiences. The current show, through Aug. 15, is dimensional paintings by Linda Kind Ferguson. The paintings and other past shows can be seen online. FFI: https://susanhenselgallery.com/current-exhibition/

Children’s Theater Company 2021-2022 season

Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) celebrates the excitement, power, and joy of live theatre with its 2021 – 2022 Season, which includes five inspiring productions that will enthrall and delight audiences of all ages. These include two world premieres by celebrated playwrights Lloyd Suh and Cheryl L. West well as the American premiere by Ethiopia’s internationally acclaimed Circus Abyssinia of their new show. This season marks Peter C. Brosius’ 25th anniversary as CTC’s Artistic Director. Ticket prices and disability accommodations information is online. FFI: childrenstheatre.org

To make the patron experience as clean, safe, and enjoyable as possible, CTC has added MERV-13 air filters and ionization systems to all HVAC units. HVAC ionization kills the coronavirus and other types of viruses, such as the flu and other air pollutants. CTC has installed touchless fixtures to all public restrooms. CTC will have hand sanitizing stations, increased cleaning of surfaces, and electronic ticketing available. CTC will continue to monitor CDC and Minnesota Department of Health guidelines and adjust protocols as recommended. CTC keeps updated information on the website at childrenstheatre.org/covid19.

Less to Enjoy!

Restrictions have eased in the entertainment world, so look for changes. Some of the museums, arts and theater groups that typically have listings in the Access Press Enjoy! calendar have moved to online services or are offering in-person services with social distancing and safety measures. Others are offering their art in-person. Please check with a venue or organization before making plans. Check to see what classes and performances are offered online. See what is available through the Minnesota Access Alliance and its calendar, at https://mnaccess.org/