Interactive

Workshops

1. Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction

Session Title:
Making Hamilton the Best Place to Raise a Child: A Poverty Reduction Initiative

Organization:
Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction

Abstract:
The participants will experience role playing as members of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction and gain information about the issue of poverty and the challenges facing the community in addressing this issue. Delegates will be assigned roles and will be taken through a facilitated exercise where they discuss their experiences with poverty and the decision making roles of the Roundtable.

Presenter:
Liz Weaver

Liz is the Director of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction, a cross-sectoral community collaboration focusing on addressing the root causes of Poverty in Hamilton. Liz brings to this position a wealth of experience in the voluntary sector i ncluding positions as the CEO of YWCA Hamilton and the Executive Director of Volunteer Hamilton.

2. SpreadLove: Expressions Through Art

Session Title:
How to Express Ideas You Didn't Know You Had

Organization:
ICAA / Surrealism Now

Abstract:
First, I will talk a little bit about my style and my way of creating art, which is a way of making art that is unique to me. I will continue by showing some images of my drawings and paintings. I will answer questions, and then everyone will proceed to work on a drawing the way I do - starting somewhere and expanding into larger images, without using logic, drawing whatever comes to mind while keeping the image harmonious visually. I will check on everyone's progress. Then people can pair up and discuss what they see and feel from each other's drawings.

Presenter:
Andrew Osta

Andrew Osta is a surrealist automatic painter from Kiev, Ukraine. He is interested in exploring the deeper levels of the human psyche through automatic drawing and painting. Andrew's art is concerned with global issues and with the future, in a symbolic way. Andrew is interested in all kinds of artistic expression and enjoys collaborating with other artists. Visit his website at www.SpreadLove.ca.

You are the world.

~ J Krishnamurti

Love and serve, this is our mission.

~ Amma

3. The World Is Sound: Music For Mass Movement

Session Title:
The World is Sound - Music for Mass Movement

Organization:
CIUT 89.5 FM
Smallworld Music Society

Abstract:
Music is no stranger to the political process. In North America, the spoken-word jazz of the beatnik movement, the protest folk of the late-60s and the conscious rap of modern hip hop, have opened our ears to an alternative engagement with concepts of human rights, social justice and environmental accountability. Each of us has a relationship with music through direct and indirect perception.

Music is an elevated artform, a catalyst for change and a powerful expression of culture. For millennia, it has been an integral feature of all cultures as a tool for bridging the mystical and divine with daily experience and communal ritual. Perhaps most importantly, music is a profoundly spiritual endeavour.

As we contemplate our responsibilities as citizens and our obligations toward local, national and global communities within a rapidly changing landscape, it is incumbent upon us to reconsider our spiritual path. World Music offers us a rich tradition of diversity and a solid foundation for thinking about citizenship as a spiritual practice.

Presenter:
Richard Martin (DJ medicineman)

Richard is a graduate student at the University of Toronto. For the past 7 years he has worked as a producer and programmer at CIUT 89.5 FM. As a talk radio host, he has interviewed many of the world's most progressive thinkers. His World Fusion show is consistently rated as one of the top programs at the station. In the clubs, DJ medicineman is renowned for his healing dose of Global Groove and Ethno Funk.
http://profile.myspace.com/medicinemanradio

The World is Sound.

~ Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati

4. 'Zine Making and DIY Publishing

Session Title:
'Zines and DIY publishing

Abstract:
This workshop seeks to help individuals and groups express their thoughts and ideas to a larger group through the art of Do-It- Yourself Publishing. This is a how-to workshop, the history of the underground culture of zine-ing will be discussed, and participants will have the opportunity to browse through a huge library of zines.

Presenter:
Erin Warner

Erin has been a zinester since high school - 11 years later she's still handing out ideas on paper. She has been collecting zines since she first saw them, and now she has a collections of them that burst out of her basket. Erin wishes to share the underground culture of zines with as many folks as possible and show how easy it is to express your self with the printed and photocopied word.

5. RevWear

Session Title:
Artists Make Great Revolutionaries: Create Change & Reuse Everything

Organization:
Revolution Wear

Abstract:
In this session presenters hope to demonstrate that although fashion as a concept is rife with problems, it can also provide people with an opportunity to express themselves in a way which is not only fun buta lso promotes living locally, reducing waste through creativity and leading by example. Pieces of clothing made by RevWear designers for the show will be exhibited in order to provide session participants with examples of how they might create their own clothing.

As well, sewing materials, paint and stenciling tools, old clothing and material will be provided although workshop participants are welcome to bring any of their own used materials to transform.

Presenters:
Chelsea Cox, Marya Folinsbee, Robin Ocean, Claire Askew

Revolution Wear is a local business owned by fashion artist and revolution Wear fashion show co-creator Sapphire Singh. The Revolution Wear Fashion and Art Show is an event that has for the past three years been turning the conventional fashion show on its head for the sake of inspiring people to "create change and Reuse everything". While Redefining the meaning of art, Revolution Wear also seeks to challenge the problematic nature of the mainstream fashion industry by embodying alternatives which promote global equality, sustainability and self-esteem.

Wear the change you wish to see in the world.

6. Literacy Through Hip- Hop

Session Title:
Literacy Through Hip Hop

Organization:
Literacy Through Hip Hop

Abstract:
Literacy through Hip Hop is an innovative literacy program for children between the ages of nine and twelve years of age. This expansive program has and is being implemented in a variety of locations centered in the Greater Toronto Area. Presently, we are venturing into new territory with the opening of two primary Hamilton centers. The program utilizes, as its primary tools, the popular youth culture of hip hop, particularly hip hop music as a means to engage children about their reading and writing skills. Our aim is to improve the literacy skills of children in this crucial stage of development by associating these learning practices with something many youth are interested in and enthusiastic about. The curriculum utilized was developed with the spirit of hip hop in mind, while maintaining a safe environment for students to explore language. Moreover, LTHH seeks to empower these children by incorporating its' four elements, focused on areas of reading, reading comprehension, the art of rhyming, as well as a myriad of activities to increase the student's self-esteem and confidence.

Presenter:
Osei Whyte

My name is Osei Whyte and I am currently in my fourth year at McMaster University. I am an Honours Psychology major with a specialization in the Behavioural Neurosciences. Hip hop has been a major influence on my life from the day I migrated to Canada. By using Hip hop as my fundamental basis, I was able to better interact with my peers while maintaining a creative essence that aided me in much of my school work. With the advent of my progression through the university ranks, I felt my participation in this program would provide me a unique opportunity to have an impact on the development of our urban city youth.

Through literacy you can begin to see the universe. Through music you can reach anybody. Between the two there is you, unstoppable.

~ Grace Slick quotes (American Singer, b.1939)