ADA 31st Anniversary: Celebrating Resilience!
The 2021 Minnesota Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebration is noon-1:30 p.m. Mon July 26. Commemorate 31 years of the ADA at the free, online celebration, with the theme of resilience.
Registration deadline is Sun, July 25. Register at http://bit.ly/ada-31.
The 90-minute virtual event will feature informative, engaging and entertaining speakers and performances from across Minnesota. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson will share ways the Zenith City is working to ensure greater accessibility for all its residents and visitors.
Much focus will be on the COVID-19 pandemic. NAMI Minnesota Executive Director Sue Abderholden will reflect on ways the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people with disabilities and the resilience shown by so many. Great Lakes ADA Center Project Manager Peter Berg will discuss the transformation to teleworking as a vital accessibility accommodation during the pandemic. Disability lead for the COVID-19 Community Coordinators Initiative Mai Thor will share the state’s efforts to reach people with disabilities during the pandemic. Event attendees will be treated to performances by acclaimed jazz guitarist and recording artist Sam Miltich and Duluth-based BOLD-choice Theatre Company.
ARC Northland’s Adult and Family Services Manager Meredith Kujala will serve as event emcee.
ASL and CART services will be provided. Portions will be audio described. To request additional accommodations, contact Cindy Tarshish at 651-603-2015, 1-888-630-9793, MN Relay 711, or cindyt@mcil-mn.org. Deadline for accommodation requests is July 12. FFI: CelebrateADAMN.com and on Facebook at Celebrate ADAMN.
Tapemark golfing fun
The annual Tapemark Minnesota PGA Pro-Am Charity Golf Tournament is Fri, June 11 – Sun, June 13. Funds raised by the tournament benefit Minnesota children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, by supporting the work of Arc Minnesota, Living Well Disability Services, Pro-Act and PGA Reach. The event has provided more than $7.6 million dollars to these organizations in its 48-year history. Volunteers are needed to help at the tournament. Volunteers can work in a safe and socially distant way. FFI: https://arcminnesota.org
Guthrie hosts benefit
Guthrie Theater presents announced a virtual benefit performance at 7 p.m. Fri, June 25, featuring a concert by Tony and Grammy winner Leslie Odom, Jr. with local actor Regina Marie Williams as emcee. The one-hour, livestreamed program will include three concert sets by Odom of Hamilton fame: a 15th anniversary celebration of the Guthrie’s home on the Mississippi River, and special giving opportunities. Proceeds will help support the Guthrie as it prepares to reopen and resume performances onstage this fall. Attending the virtual benefit is free, but registration is required. ASL interpretation, audio description and closed captioning available. FFI: www.guthrietheater.org/benefit
Open Flow Forum
The Artists with Disabilities Alliance meets via Zoom 7-9 p.m. the first Thu of the month. Upcoming dates Thu, June 3, July 1 and Aug. 5. 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, resources@springboardforthearts.org. FFI: 651-294-0907, resources@springboardforthearts.org
Less to Enjoy!
Restrictions have eased in the entertainment world, so look for changes. Many 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. 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
Full Circle Theater wraps up its 2021 Spring Virtual Series with Sharing Stories on Issues of Disability and Theater, 7 p.m. Fri, June 25 and 7 p.m. Sat, June 26. Disabled artists will perform and discussing issues of intersectionality of communities of color and disabilities, equitable casting, accessible/inclusive rehearsal/performance spaces. English closed captioning and ASL Interpretation by Rosalinda Estrada-Alvarez. The event features Nathan R. Stenberg, Quinci Bachman, Fern Naomi Renville and Houa Moua; moderated by Shelia Bland. FFI: www.fullcircletheatermn.org
