Cowchella is coming
The second annual Cowchella, a disability literary and music festival, is 4:30- 8 p.m. Thu, Aug. 4 at Springboard for the Arts | 262 University Ave. W, St. Paul. the Cow Tipping Press event features four new neurodiverse Cow Tipping books, live readings by more than 20 authors with intellectual/developmental disabilities, music by DJ Sci Fi and a secret headliner band, a disability arts organization fair, and more. The free event is indoors and outdoors,. It is wheelchair accessible, with ASL interpretation, quiet areas and water provided.
More book readings are planned this summer, through the neurodiverse author reading and event series. FFI: https://cowtippingpress.org/
Minnesota Fringe Festival
Almost 1,000 artists will participate in the annual Minnesota Fringe Festival, Aug. 4-14. Ticket prices vary. Enjoy one show or a multi-show pass. The 29th Annual Minnesota Fringe Festival will host 595 live performances in 11 days, and is anticipated to fill more than 35,000 seats at 11 locations around Mpls. It is the first fringe after a three-year hiatus. Fringe-managed theaters are conveniently grouped in two hubs and easily accessed through public transportation, including free Metro Transit rides Friday-Sunday using a download from the Fringe website venue pages. FFI: https://www.minnesotafringe.org/
Open Flow Forum
The Artists with Disabilities Alliance meets via Zoom 7-9 p.m. the first Thu of the month. Upcoming dates Thu Aug 4 and Sept, 1. 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
Improv Night
Want to get onstage and share a sense of humor? A free improv night for people with disabilities is offered at Gutty’s Comedy Club at Southdale Center, Edina. Just show up and give it a try. The next event is 7-8:30 p.m. Tue, Aug. 9. FFI: trincarl07@gmail.com
Woofaroo is coming
Save the date for the Can Do Canines Woofaroo 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat, Sept. 24. A fundraising walk starts at 10 a.m. Music, dog-centric vendors and much more are planned for well-behaved dogs and their people. Money raised allows the nonprofit train and place more assistance dogs with people who need them. Registration for the walk is underway. The event is held at the Can Do Canines campus, 9440 Science Center Drive, New Hope. FFI: https://candowoofaroo2022.causevox.com/
The next Can Do Canines open house is 6-8 p.m. Thu, Aug. 4 at the new hope campus. Potential clients, volunteers, or anyone who might be interested in supporting the organization is invited to attend to learn how an assistance dog changes the life of a person with a disability. Assistance dog demonstrations and puppy raiser talks are planned. FFI: www.candocanines.org
Less to Enjoy!
The Enjoy listings are for arts events as well as banquets and fundraisers for disability services organizations. Schedules may be subject to change. Some venues still may have mask and vaccine requirements. Please FFI: check with a venue or organization before making plans. See what is available through the Minnesota Access Alliance and its calendar, at https://mnaccess.org/
