“The New Pueblo: A Multilingual Celebration of Voice and Culture from Tucson and the Sonoran Desert”
El Presidio Park,
160 W. Alameda St., downtown Tucson
from 3 PM – 7 PM,
on Saturday, September 24th, 2011.

In answer to the global call from 100 THOUSAND POETS FOR CHANGE, “The New Pueblo: A Multilingual Celebration of Voice and Culture from Tucson and the Sonoran Desert” will hold its first annual festival of language and action at Tucson’s El Presidio Park, from 3:00PM-7:00PM, on September 24th, 2011.

As participants at one of more than 600 simultaneously scheduled events in 450 cities and 95 countries—from Egypt to Afghanistan to the Ivory Coast to Columbia—performers and audience members alike will represent Southern Arizona in the world’s largest ever poetry reading. The New Pueblo shares the 100TPFC commitment to make September 24 the first day in a critical mission to “seize and redirect the political and social dialogue of the day and turn the narrative of civilization towards peace and sustainability.”

Here’s the schedule from website: http://www.bigbridge.org/100thousandpoetsforchange/?cat=626

*Capoeira Mandinga Tucson will be conducting all-age capoeira workshops from 3:30-5:00.

*Lisa Levine and friends from the U of A MFA program in creative writing will be painting children’s faces.

*We’ll have two 30 minute open mic sessions—at 4:20 and 5:30—so audience members can add their words to those from the following line-up:

v Ben Quick ¤ Essayist, Poet, Teacher, Activist ¤ Organizer and Host ¤ Hometown: Dixon, IL ¤ ben-quick.com

v Kristen Nelson ¤ Founder and Executive Director of Casa Libre en la Solana ¤ www.kristenenelson.com

v Mike Wilson ¤ Tohono O’odham Human Rights Activist

v Lisa Bowden ¤ Co-founder and Publisher of Kore Press ¤ Kore’s GRRLS Literary Activism Project

v Aisha Sloan ¤ Essayist, Teacher, Activist ¤ Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

v Sewing the Seeds: A Women’s Writing Collective presents: Mari Herreras ¤ Rosi Andrade ¤ Geneva Escobar ¤ Elena Díaz Bjorkquist ¤ Jenny Fiero ¤ Kaitlin Meadows ¤ Wanda Poindexter

v 4:20-4:50 OPEN MIC

v Chet Phillips ¤ Essayist, Poet, Activist ¤ Cascabel Working Group Co-Chair

v Waylon Nakai Begay ¤ Dine Poet, Scholar, Activist ¤ Hometown: Shonto, AZ

v Tucson Youth Poetry Slam and YWCA’s Nuestra Voz present: Sarah Gonzales ¤ Director of Racial Justice Programs, Tucson YWCA ¤ Alexia Vasquez, Sunnyside High Alum ¤ Amy Briseno, Sunnyside High Alum ¤ Enrique Garcia, Junior at Pueblo High

v 5:30-6:00 OPEN MIC

v Lisa O’Neill ¤ Essayist, Teacher, Musician, Activist ¤ Hometown: New Orleans, LA

v Leon De La Rosa ¤ Professor of Art at the Universidad Autónoma de CIudad Juárez ¤ leondelarosa.org

v Ocotillo Poetry Slam, Tucson’s official poetry slam presents: Maya Asher ¤ Shaikh Sammed ¤ Brian Towne ¤ Mickey Randelman ¤ Melissa Della Femina.

*Every artist and performer is Tucson-based and is giving his or her time to help make this historic event a success. We believe in Tucson. Remember:

Everyone is welcome to set up non-staked tents and booths, pass out literature, sign up volunteers, collect petition signatures, grow membership and sponsor rolls, display art of every form, and conduct peaceful campaigns for any inclusive cause.

We encourage–in fact, we need–groups or individuals to provide children’s activities such as face painting, chalk art, and any language-centered expression. Activities that showcase Non-Western cultural or ethnic traditions are especially welcome.

The New Pueblo will be especially grateful to groups willing to donate and distribute bottled water and/or prepackaged food—candy, chips, etc. Buying a few bags of pre-wrapped treats from the 17th St. Market or other grocers carrying international selections of food and passing them out to festival goers is a great way to highlight the gifts of a culture.

If you wish to go further, please contact Pima County Health Department at (866) 939-PIMA (7462) or (520) 243-7770 to ensure health code compliance. If your group possesses a current permit from the PCHD and wishes to distribute unpackaged items, please contact event organizer Ben Quick at bnquick74@gmail.com or bquick@email.arizona.edu, or 520-250-0799. (Ben Quick, Department of English,Modern Languages Building,University of Arizona 85721. Ben’s Personal Webpage and Blog: ben-quick.com).

Be part of this “world’s largest-ever poetry reading”.

Womankraft, 388 S. Stone, is having their annual holiday bazaar sale now till December 22nd.

The Castle at Womankraft

THE HOLIDAY BAZAAR Reception: Saturday, Dec. 4th, 7-10 P.M. (with refreshments).

“It’s a Tucson tradition, filled with great artwork that reflects the diversity of this Holiday Season. You will find an array of fine arts and crafts that retail at $100 and under.” WomanKraft’s phone # is 520-629-9976.

WomanKraft is a Non-Profit Arts Organization in the art district of Tucson Arizona. It was founded in 1974 to claim, validate, and empower women artists and other under represented groups.

And here’s the schedule of their upcoming DECEMBER CLASSES:

LANTERNS AND LUMINARIAS
You’ll learn several simple and fun ways, using everyday and recycled materials to make glowing beauties.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2ND, 10:00-12:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: JESSICA SHUMAN
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

IT’S KNOT EMBROIDERY
You’ll learn a variety of knots, wraps, and stitches, while creating a small wall hanging. These easy techniques are applicable to many other craft projects.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3RD, 1:30-3:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: ANA YANEZ
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

LEARN PERSPECTIVE
In this workshop we’ll explore the techniques that’ll help you to create perfect one and two point perspective in your art work.
MONDAY. DECEMBER 6TH, 6:00-9:00P.M.
FACILITATOR: GAYLE SWANBECK
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

LANDSCAPES WITH PASTELS AND CONTE CRAYONS
Using pastels and conte crayons, you’ll learn about tools, techniques, and papers for creating lovely landscapes.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7TH, 1:30-4:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: GAYLE SWANBECK
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

BEAD STRINGING JEWELRY
You can make your own beautiful jewelry in this workshop. Learn how to use tools and techniques to create long lasting and unique pieces. Hey, it’s fun too!
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7TH, 6:00-9:00P.M.
FACILITATOR: TERRI McGUIRE
FEE: $20 PLUS A $10 SUPPLY FEE PAYABLE TO INSTRUCTOR.

HANDMADE PAPER
Learn to make 100% post consumer recycled paper. 100% fun…..100% successful!
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH ,1:30-3:30 P.M.
FACILITATOR: GAYLE SWANBECK
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

DIVINE EYES THE HOLIDAY VERSION
In this workshop you’re going to create small Dream catchers to help you decorate for the Holiday season however you celebrate it.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8TH, 6:30-8:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: PATRICIA BOWNE
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

END OF THE YEAR “SACRED ME” COLLAGE
Year’s end is a good time to reflect on where we have been, and where we want to go. Whether emotionally, spiritually, financially or physically, come gather collage images to which you are drawn. After gathering, words come, and sacred poetry and images come together to tell you something you need to know.
FACILITATOR: QUYNN ELIZABETH
FRIDAY DECEMBER 10th 1:30-4:30
FEE $25 SUPPLIES INCLUDED

CREATING HOME MOSAICS 2 PARTS
This is the final push to complete the classroom’s bathroom mosaic. Be a part of this great project while you learn the tools and techniques of interior mosaicing.
PART I: SATURDAY DECEMBER 11TH 9:30-12:30 P.M.
PART II: SATURDAY DECEMBER 18TH 10;;00-12:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: TRACI KELLY
FEE: $10 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS
How to prepare and what to do with your art once you take it out of the studio. This covers manners, dress, appointments, portfolio contents, images, curatorial labeling, pricing, and supplemental materials; photo reproduction options, preparing your work for exhibition, artist statement, bio, and resume template; research footwork, approaching a venue, how to find a match for your art, contracts, communication, and more! It’s all about taking your art to the next level. A CD is available from the instructor for $15 each. Bring a notebook and one piece of your art you’d like to exhibit.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, 1:30-4:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: JAY KYLE PETERSEN
FEE: $20

DOORS,WINDOWS, AND GATES
Using a variety of drawing mediums, we’ll explore the art of drawing these structural portals. Learn perspective, shading, line, and texture.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 13TH, 6:00-9:00P.M.
FACILITATOR: GAYLE SWANBECK
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

OILSTICKS AND MONOPRINTS
You’ll design, using oil sticks on glass plate, a print and pull up to 3 prints. A final application of paint will “clean up” your image, and you’ll walk away with a reverse glass painting as well.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14TH, 6:30-8:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: MARY THERESA DIETZ
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

WISE WOMEN’S WRITING WORKSHOP
It’s still a hit and growing. Learn to tap your infinite wisdom and playfully connect with your inner writer. We’ll journal with some writing exercises, topics, and creative surprises.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17th, 1:30-3:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: INGRID ASPROMATIS
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

THE BUCKET LIST
What have you always dreamed of doing/being/seeing ? We’ll use guided imagery and collage to build a little accordion book ”bucket list” of all the things you want to do/be before you die.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18TH , 1:30-3:30P.M.
FACILITATOR: KAITLIN MEADOWS
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

ART WITH WATER SOLUABLE PENCILS
Choosing a few simple subject matters, we’ll explore techniques with watercolor, graphitints, inktense, and graphite pencils.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 20TH, 6:00-9:00P.M.
FACILITATOR: GAYLE SWANBECK
FEE: $20 SUPPLIES INCLUDED.

What great classes of art, writing, dreaming, etc. I think “The Bucket List” class on December 18 (likely modeled after that Morgan Freeman/Jack Nicholson movie) will be lots of fun in creating an actual accordion book of your goals before you pass on.

Support these local artisans. Shop local.