Calendar

May
1
Mon
2017
Global Love Day @ The Love Foundation
May 1 all-day
Global Love Day @ The Love Foundation | Fenton | Michigan | United States

Global Love Day, held annually each May 1st since 2004, is the universal recognition of our innate oneness through love. It is our vision to unite one and all in a celebration of love and compassion. We honor each May 1st as a symbolic day of unconditional love and call upon all people and all nations to gather together in the wisdom of peace and love. Join people around the world in celebrating and expanding LOVE.

The tenets of Global Love Day best summarize our vision:
We are one humanity on this planet.
All life is interconnected and interdependent.
All share in the Universal bond of love.
Love begins with self-acceptance and forgiveness.
With respect and compassion we embrace diversity.
Together we make a difference through love.

When we come from this limitless love, we naturally and easily embrace ourselves and our fellow humanity. Opening our heart, we allow unconditional love to be our guide and compassion to be our gift to life.

We invite you to celebrate with us by consciously focusing on love and what it means to you throughout this day. We hope that by practicing love in all areas of your life, you will find it easy to love unconditionally all year long. Our main theme explains it best…”Love Begins With Me”

Sep
11
Mon
2017
Table Of Silence Project 9/11 (Prosperity and Peace Initiative Event) @ Josie Robertson Plaza
Sep 11 @ 8:15 am – 8:45 am
Table Of Silence Project 9/11 (Prosperity and Peace Initiative Event) @ Josie Robertson Plaza | New York | New York | United States

The time is upon us and on Monday morning we will be performing this artistic ritual with 150 dancers from all over the globe as an example of what can be if we all work together for one peaceful collaborative world. Our human mandala of peace will send up a cry to the heavens, to the universe. and to the world that there is a better way and we are taking proactive steps to create a world of peaceful coexistence for all. Please join us live online and add your vibrations of peace and good will as we meditate and reach out together during this half hour sacred offering. A cry for Peace.

Sep
12
Tue
2017
Love Glasses Revolution Founder Tara Ijai @ Online Interview
Sep 12 @ 2:00 pm
Love Glasses Revolution Founder Tara Ijai @ Online Interview  | Solvang | California | United States

MindfulmediaMom Karen Palmer host of GlobalkindnessTV will interview the founder and hear the back story of how #LoveGlassesRevolution is spreading love and hope all over the world.

Sep
13
Wed
2017
World Day of Prayer @ Unity Village
Sep 13 @ 6:45 pm – Sep 14 @ 8:00 pm
World Day of Prayer @ Unity Village | Unity Village | Missouri | United States

Please join us at Unity Village for the 24th annual Unity World Day of Prayer!

Weds, Sept 13:
* 7-8:30pm Opening Service in the Activities Center with keynote by Rev. Linda Martella-Whitsett. Music by Jana Stanfield. A candlelight walk to the Silent Unity Chapel will follow to open the 24-hour prayer vigil.
* 8:45pm Reception at Unity Banquet and Dining.

Thurs, Sept 14:
* 7:30-9am Interfaith Prayer Breakfast at Unity Banquet and Dining – In Person & Live Online.
* 11am Silent Unity Prayer Service in Activities Center – In Person & Live Online.
* 1:30pm Sacred Circle prayer experience in the central courtyard by flagpole
* 2:30-3:30 Sound Immersion (Gongs) in Activities Center – In Person & Live Online
* 3:30-5pm Art Gallery opening and Poetry Reading behind the bookstore.
* 4-6pm Open House for Unity Worldwide Ministries in Unity Education Building.
* 7-8pm Inspirational Concert by Jana Stanfield and closing celebration – In Person & Live Online.
* 8pm Closing of the 24-hour prayer vigil in the Silent Unity Chapel.

All events are free and open to the public. No registration required.
Donations gratefully accepted.

Sep
21
Thu
2017
Celebrating #InternationalPeaceDay with Satya Kalra @ Online Live Stream
Sep 21 @ 2:30 pm
Celebrating #InternationalPeaceDay with Satya Kalra @ Online Live Stream  | Solvang | California | United States

Celebrating the completion of 21 days of Peace with founder of Path to Ananadam on GlobalkindnessTV with host Karen Palmer.

Global Prosperity and Peace Summit @ West Minister Presbyterian Church
Sep 21 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Global Prosperity and Peace Summit @ West Minister Presbyterian Church | Washington | District of Columbia | United States

Peace Summit everyone is invited to share an evening of peaceful connecting. If you would like to enjoy more peace in your heart, home, and community please join us and invite friends and family.

Global Prosperity and Peace Summit @ Coppin AME Church
Sep 21 @ 6:00 pm
Global Prosperity and Peace Summit @ Coppin AME Church | Chicago | Illinois | United States

All are invited who would like to experience more peace in their heart, home, and community.

Sep
23
Sat
2017
Peace In The Park @ Golden Gate Park Music Concourse
Sep 23 all-day
Peace In The Park @ Golden Gate Park Music Concourse  | San Francisco | California | United States

We are so honored to have been invited to co-produce PEACE IN THE PARK, a free event put on by the Brahma Kumaris in the Music Concourse (bandshell) on 9/23 from 11-6. The event is tied in with U.N. International Day of Peace (which is 9/21, with many events on the same Saturday as ours), and will also participate in the Earthdance Prayer for Peace. I am running the Talk Tent, am curating the speakers, and will emcee throughout the day, and – if I can save myself a time slot – will READ A PASSAGE from my upcoming book The Secret Power of LOVE! And if that weren’t enough, my NEW band S.O.U.L. Twin Messiah will be HEADLINING this event for our DEBUT gig!! We will be playing all new, original songs for YOU! Plus, we will lead a singalong to finish the day, and it will almost-for-sure be Imagine by John Lennon. Our timeslot is 5:30pm in the Bandshell. Wow! What a debut!!
I really hope that YOU can make it to this very special event,

Roanoke International Day of Peace @ Unitarian Universalist Church
Sep 23 @ 3:00 pm
Roanoke International Day of Peace @ Unitarian Universalist Church | Roanoke | Virginia | United States

Grassroots, interfaith and cultural Peacemakers celebrating and catalyzing greater peace in our community and world.  Special 3 pm calling – in Drum Circle
4pm trail of tears intertribal dancers open program. Dances of Universal Peace will be taught. Special performances include: Poem and flute by TJ Anderson, African dance by local youth, Collaborative peace performance by Bernadette Brown & Semelle Ramsey “A Change is gonna Come” by Hadassah Faison, songs by Joy Tru, announcements and community Peace Blessing.

Potluck feast to follow. Bring a food item and friends!

Mar
8
Thu
2018
Paint to Heal HIV/AIDS @ Old Dillard Museum
Mar 8 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Artists and people from the community will be given canvases and paints to create their visions of what can be done to heal people and halt HIV/AIDS. The winner will receive $500 and have her or his work displayed at the Old Dillard Museum.

 Audrye S. Arbe is a #1 International Best-Selling Author with RAISING RACE CONSCIOUSNESS Healing Racism Sexism and Other Isms (RRC). Audrye is a Cosmic Being,  The Transformation Catalyst, Diversity Expert, Metaphysician, Life Strategist, Healer, Frequency Shifter, Award-Winning Author and Artist, Speaker, Seminar Leader.

Mar
22
Thu
2018
Global Water Dances – Takoradi – GHANA – In Celebration of 25 Years of World Water Day
Mar 22 all-day

 

  • info@windhouseresources.com

  • Date/Time

    Date(s) – 22/03/2018  in GHANA

    All Day

  • Location

    Chief’s palace

Sankofa: Reclaiming relevant indigenous cultural and ancestral values to make a case for nature-based solutions

The chieftaincy, elders and people of Funko community-located in the Western Region of Ghana- honored World Water Day by creating awareness about the need for circumspection when adopting vices or policies which consequently cause public health problems and are detrimental to the environment. Illegal/unsustainable mining – popularly referred to as “Galamsey”in the country- and fringe activities which indirectly empower the practice are examples of such vices.

The Funko community is close to the Ankobra river and, symbolic of the strong inter-connectivity still existent between most societies and their natural environment. This river is an important source of drinking water for many communities in the Western Region of Ghana- and beyond- but continues to be polluted through illegal mining activities. It flows at least 120 km south to the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic) and is located very close to the western part of Axim, a commercial center of the river basin.

In celebrating this important day, we sought to highlight the important role some historic cultural practices (spoken word, dancing and drumming) and community dialogues can play in influencing the re-adaptation of relevant conservation values which were more commonly applied by the ancestors. Overall, the concept of Sankofa is espoused. Sankofa is a Ghanaian-originated cultural principle which literally means to take back what was lost in order to protect the future. This -arguably- manifests the tenets of sustainability. There are many of such doctrines in many communities across the world.

The principle teaches communities the importance of going back to their roots- and reclaiming worthy values- in order to move forward. For example, the indigenous and unadulterated local anthropological cognition reveres some key natural receptors – such as rivers, wetlands and forests- as deities. By tapping into the novelty of such values, the current mega trend of sustainability would be well anchored and in a way which significantly addresses most of the conservation, food security and sub regional stability challenges existent now. A cultural dance and community dialogue were among the activities undertaken to commemorate the day.

On World Water Day, the funding partner and collaborator for the performances –who is also the founder of Windhouse Resources Systems (WRS)- would reach out to stakeholders to solicit input on case studies concepts intended to be develop in order to make a stronger case for nature-based solutions. WRS is a boutique sustainability consultancy located in Ghana – West Africa.

Contact information
Email Address:

info@windhouseresources.com

Date/Time
Date(s) – 22/03/2018
All Day

Location
Chief’s palace

Mar
24
Sat
2018
Go With the Flow Watershed Awareness/Earth Day Fundraiser @ Standing Rock Gallery
Mar 24 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Hosted by The Annual “Who’s Your Mama?” EARTH DAY & Environmental Film Fest Events.

Apr
14
Sat
2018
Alta, Utah EARTH DAY @ Alta Ski Area
Apr 14 @ 10:00 am – 11:59 pm

Alta Earth Day

Join Alta for its 9th annual community Alta Earth Day on Saturday, April 14, 2018. We aim to encourage environmental stewardship, responsible recreation and awareness of the relationship between climate change and the future of the ski industry in Little Cottonwood Canyon and beyond. The day will feature: Eco-Friendly Vendors, Naturalist Tours, Birding in Alta, Après Earth Day & Film!

Apr
23
Mon
2018
Landfill Harmonic Film Screening in Barangaroo, Australia
Apr 23 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

“The World Sends Us Garbage, We Send Back Music”

– Favio Chávez, The Recycled Orchestra of Cateura

Mon, April 23, 2018                        5:30 PM – 8:30 PM AEST

Lendlease, Tower Three, International Towers Sydney

300 Barangaroo Avenue

Barangaroo, NSW 2000           Australia

In celebration of Earth Day 2018, Somos21 Sydney invites you to a unique film screening of The Landfill Harmonic. The film tells an empowering story of a youth orchestra in Paraguay whose instruments are made from objects found in the landfill where the community live.
The innovative community organisation, The Possibility Project will be joining us for an open Q&A on the circular economy, up-cycling and capacity building following the film.
Instead of ticket sales, Somos21 will be sending all donations to The Recycled Orchestra’s Go Campaign fundraising page.  You can donate when registering or during the event. Seats are limited.
Proudly supported by Lendlease.
Catering kindly provided by Food Rascal.
We look forward to sharing this special evening with you!
Apr
24
Tue
2018
Bayside Arts Festival in Sydney, Australia EARTH DAY ECO-FAIR @ Cook Park, Kyeemagh
Apr 24 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Get creative at our recycled art and sculpture workshop, hear from local environmental groups and see this year’s Sculptures @ Bayside exhibition.

DATE AND TIME

Tue. 24 April 2018

11:00 am – 2:00 pm AE

LOCATION

Cook Park, Kyeemagh

Cnr Bestic St and The Grand Parade

Sydney, New South Wales 2216

Australia

May
8
Tue
2018
Hip Downtown Book Signing Event @ Cha Cha's
May 8 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hip Downtown Book Signing Event @ Cha Cha's

Lily Sanders {Author, Speaker, Radio Personality, Coach} cordially invites you to join us for a discussion and book signing of “Truth To Triumph: A Spiritual Guide to Finding Your Truth”. Get ready to be inspired!

Jun
6
Wed
2018
A BLANKET OF DUST, A Political Thriller Play with a Powerhouse Cast @ The Flea Theater
Jun 6 – Jun 30 all-day
A BLANKET OF DUST, A Political Thriller Play with a Powerhouse Cast @ The Flea Theater

A Blanket of Dust is a political thriller and a new addition to the Theater of Resistance. It is the story of Diana Crane, a modern day Antigone. The daughter of a US Senator whose husband has died in the World Trade Center, her subsequent ordeal in seeking justice for his murder ultimately drives her to the outer fringes of society. Struggling with facts that the government, the media, her family and her countrymen deny, she finally confronts them all with a harrowing act of sacrificial tragedy.

Jul
7
Sat
2018
ROB DUNCAN LIVE with his Funkin Soul Band- Charity Concert. Let’s help re-unite Children who have been separated from their families @ Rockwood Music Hall 3
Jul 7 @ 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm
ROB DUNCAN LIVE with his Funkin Soul Band- Charity Concert. Let's help re-unite Children who have been separated from their families @ Rockwood Music Hall 3

A great soul /funk concert. Come and be uplifted by great music and let’s raise as much money as possible to help re-unite children who have been separated from their families at the U.S. border. Tickets are $10. Please click on the link below to buy tickets, bring friends! You may make an extra donation on the night if you so wish. All proceeds will go to this great cause. Rob Duncan has played music all over the world, is a father of 3 and writes music about his experience of being human, man and father.

Here’s what he says about his music and this concert:
My music draws from my life experience; spiritually, soulfully, intellectually, and emotionally. All of my songs represent my musical influences like soul music, blues, jazz, and rock. Deeply soulful, funky, melancholy music with ultimately a message of hope. That’s how I write my music. That’s how I sing my music. I lay my heart on the table and reach you in places that you feel.

I have decided to donate the cover charge from my upcoming show at Rockwood Music Hall 3 to RAICES. RAICES primarily provides two very very important things.
It provides lawyers for the children who have been torn from their parents by ICES, and it pays the Immigration Bond which releases the parent from detention allowing their children to rejoin them. This is where your $10 cover charge for my upcoming show will go. If you wish to donate extra you may do so on the night of the show.

ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL PRESENTS
ROB DUNCAN LIVE with his Funkin Soul Band
Date: Saturday, July 7
Time: 7 PM – 8 PM (Arrive by 6:30. Show starts at 7:00! )
Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3
185 Orchard St, New York, NY
Hosted by North Corner Music

$10 Cover Charge
For Tickets, Click Here: https://bit.ly/2LB0QPM

Sep
21
Fri
2018
Share the Peace @ Peace Pledge Project
Sep 21 all-day

Share and support the Peace Pledge on the International Day of Peace.
What you can do:
One action or many from the suggestions below.
1. Print out the Peace Pledge document and give it to someone (download @ www.peacepledgeproject.org) Available in 11 languages.
2. Post the Peace Pledge document on your Facebook Page (download @ www.peacepledgeproject.org)
3. Sign the Peace Pledge on Change.org ( www.change.org/p/the-peace-pledge-to-live-loving-kindness-compassion )
4. Share the Peace Pledge Petition on your Facebook Page ( www.change.org/p/the-peace-pledge-to-live-loving-kindness-compassion )
5. Share the Peace Pledge document with a school, organization, institution, business etc.

Mar
16
Sat
2019
Climate Action – Art Build Workshops @ Two Bridges Neighborhood Council (Community Room)
Mar 16 – May 8 all-day
Climate Action - Art Build Workshops @ Two Bridges Neighborhood Council (Community Room)

MARCH 2-MAY 8, volunteers invited to participate in workshops working with the community to create spectacular visual art, giant puppets, and costumes for the Ecological City procession celebrating climate solutions.

-Costume Workshops: WEDNESDAYS, 6-9:30pm with artist Yelaine Rodriguez
-Puppet Workshops: SATURDAYS, 12-4pm with artist Lucrecia Novoa

Workshops are free of cost and take place every week at Two Bridges Neighborhood Council (Community Room) 82 Rutgers Slip (between FDR and Cherry St. -LES)

Please register here: http://earthcelebrations.com/register-ecological-city-workshops-2/

ECOLOGICAL CITY PAGEANT, on Saturday May 11, 2019 (Rain date- May 12), is a climate action, ecological urban pilgrimage and performance art event featuring a spectacular 7 hour procession of visual art, giant puppets and costumes with 20 site performances of dance, music, theater and poetry celebrating sustainability solutions throughout the community gardens, neighborhood and East River Park waterfront on the Lower East Side of New York City.

May
11
Sat
2019
Ecological City: Procession for Climate Solutions @ Two Bridges Neighborhood Council
May 11 all-day
Ecological City: Procession for Climate Solutions @ Two Bridges Neighborhood Council

ECOLOGICAL CITY PAGEANT, on Saturday May 11, 2019 (Rain date- May 12), is a climate action, ecological urban pilgrimage and performance art event featuring a spectacular 7 hour procession of visual art, giant puppets and costumes with 20 site performances of dance, music, theater and poetry celebrating sustainability solutions throughout the community gardens, neighborhood and East River Park waterfront on the Lower East Side of New York City.

For more information: http://earthcelebrations.com/ecological-city-project/

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – SIGN UP – PARTICIPATE IN THE ECOLOGICAL CITY PAGEANT

PAGEANT DAY: Volunteers are needed to participate for various roles. Sign up today!
-Wear a spectacular ecological costume, direct puppets, marshal parade, direct make-up/body painting, photograph/video document and more…

-Marshals/ Key Performers needed: 8am-6pm / Make-Up artists 8am-12pm

Sign up here: http://earthcelebrations.com/volunteer-ecological-city-sign/

Aug
15
Thu
2019
Sounds True presents THE 30-DAY WAKE UP CHALLENGE WITH ADYASHANTI @ online
Aug 15 @ 12:00 am
Sounds True Presents
THE 30-DAY WAKE UP CHALLENGE
A Direct Way to Spiritual Liberation
Join Adyashanti in this journey beginning Thursday, August 15, 2019
“We’re seeking to wake up in all of the dimensions of being.”
ADYASHANTI
bestselling author and spiritual teacher

 

adyashanti headshot
Meet Your Teacher
Adyashanti is an American-born spiritual teacher devoted to the awakening of all beings. His teachings are invitations to stop, inquire, and recognize what is true and liberating at the core of existence. His books include Emptiness Dancing, Falling into Grace, and The Most Important Thing. Adyashanti offers teachings that are free of any tradition or ideology.

 

When You Enroll in The 30-Day Wake Up Challenge, You’ll Enjoy ALL These Benefits
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Become More Present

Learn to become aware of the pure consciousness underlying all of your experiences. When you perceive this always-available presence, you open to startling new vistas of awareness.
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Delve Deeper

Realize the boundless potential of the fundamental ground of being. From this most basic, universal consciousness, you will experience the natural arising of wisdom, insight, and purpose.
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Evoke Love and Compassion

Discover an awareness connected with your all-accepting compassionate nature as Adyashanti guides you in contacting the silent spaciousness of the Spiritual Heart.
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Embody Awakened Awareness

With practical guidance from Adyashanti, you will learn how to embody the dimensions of awakened awareness with your family, career, and every other aspect of your life.

 

Enroll Today—We Begin Thursday, August 15!

 

Journey Schedule
The 30-Day Wake Up Challenge is divided into four weekly sessions that guide you throughout the different dimensions of awareness. In this eye-opening journey, you will learn:
Awakened Awareness
Week One | Thursday, August 15
Awakened Heart
Week Two | Thursday, August 22
Awakened Ground of Being
Week Three | Thursday, August 29
Enlightened Relativity and the Paradox of Being
Week Four | Thursday, September 5

 

How do I contact customer service?

You may contact us Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm Mountain Time.

Phone: US and Canada Customers 1-800-333-9185 #3 | International Customers 1-303-665-3151 #3
Aug
24
Sat
2019
Socially Conscious Leadership From The Inside Out – Michelle Kinder – Awakin Circles @ online
Aug 24 @ 12:00 pm
Socially Conscious Leadership from the Inside Out

Our guest this week has come to believe that “No matter how wonderful a program is, if it is done as a bestowing – a certain group of people making decisions for another group – that is never going to bridge the divide in our city.” Does your work fit within this paradigm of “bestowing,” and how do you plant seeds for a deeper mindset or consciousness shift to address underlying structural issues? Share Your Reflection »

 

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Call with Michelle Kinder

August 24th, 12:00 PM EDT

Awakin Calls are a weekly conference call, where inspiring change makers engage in candid conversations about their journey

Enter email to RSVP:
 

 

Dallas-based therapist, activist, writer, community leader and speaker Michelle Kinder examines and teaches conscious leadership “from the inside out.” She offers practical, achievable steps for parents, teachers and others to support children’s social-emotional health, and for business and other leaders to drive transformation in their lives and organizations. While exploring the lack of mental health resources in southern Dallas, Kinder got to know the work of the Momentous Institute, a 99-year-old Dallas-based nonprofit organization that has been building and repairing social-emotional health through education and mental health programs.  Momentous Institute serves vulnerable children through therapy services, curriculum and teacher training focused on See full.

Five Questions for Michelle
What Makes You Come Alive?

Thank you for asking. Learning makes me come alive. Learning combined with contribution has long been a winning formula for me feeling most alive. Over the years I developed the habit of checking in with myself every six months or so with the questions “Am I learning? Am I contributing?” There have been interesting seasons on how the two balance each other. There are times that striving to contribute crowded out the kind of white space by brain needs for deep learning and I have had to course correct. And there have been other times that I was learning a lot, but didn’t feel like I was being a good steward in terms of making a difference for other people or for causes I care about. I should also say that because I am currently in a season of more white space and more time for discernment, increasingly, simple pleasures are what make me come alive. Listening to birds, watching our dogs, yoga, running, sunshine, good coffee and the sound of my girls laughing together. Things like that.

Pivotal turning point in your life?

When I was in High School I left my family in Guatemala and came to the states to attend boarding school. It was a transformational experience. The wonderful faculty there saw qualities in me that they nurtured into leadership and I really learned who I was and what I was capable of during those four years. Interestingly, in my previous school, there were teachers who experienced the exact same qualities as problematic, annoying or something to control. Having that experience has made me very interested in how adults show up in the lives of children in a way that respects the enormous privilege and responsibility. I always say there are no neutral interactions when it comes to our relationships with children – all interactions are either positive, negative or missed opportunities.

An Act of Kindness You’ll Never Forget?

When I was in college, my 24-year-old sister died suddenly and it was an enormous challenge to go back to school while navigating the grief process. Several weeks into it, when people had stopped checking in, I found a card tucked into one of my books. It was from a classmate I knew somewhat, but not super well. It said something like, “I know time has passed but your hurt hasn’t.” I still tear up thinking about that act of kindness. It meant so much and it has shaped my desire to show up for others in similar ways.

One Thing On Your Bucket List?

Have the kind of flexibility to visit different places for a month at a time and work remotely while folding into the local scene.

One-line Message for the World?

Regardless of the situation, if you ever aren’t sure how to be most helpful, regulate your own nervous system.

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imageAwakin Circles: A hub for local meditation circles that started in the Silicon Valley and have now spread to 80+ cities around the globe. The circle start with an hour of silence, followed by a circle of sharing and dinner in silence. A newsletter with a passage selected from various wisdom traditions and an audio reading is sent out to 87,000 subscribers each week. See also Awakin Calls that hosts weekly conversations with wide-ranging thought leaders.

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ServiceSpace is an organization run entirely by volunteers. We leverage technology to encourage everyday people around the world to do small acts of service. Our aim is to ignite the fundamental generosity in ourselves and others, creating both inner and outer transformation.

ServiceSpace was conceived by volunteers, was built by volunteers, and is run by volunteers — all for the benefit of volunteers. Our projects range from a daily positive news service, to an acts-of-kindness portal, to a gift-economy restaurant. Regardless of the endeavor, we act in concert to create service opportunities for each other and to support each other’s service journeys.

In September of 2011, we formally changed our name from CharityFocus to ServiceSpace. Founded in 1999, ServiceSpace was originally started to help non-profits with technical services. Over the past dozen years, the organization has become an umbrella for many generosity-driven projects. Thus we have expanded our services from focusing just on helping charities, to encouraging everyday people to contribute in meaningful ways to the world around them. As the name suggests, our new expanded ServiceSpace platform allows people to stay connected with others interested in service, participate in service opportunities through any of our dozen projects, organize their own local service event using our tools, and stay connected to inspirational content. Above all, we believe in the inherent generosity of others and aim to ignite that spirit of service. Through our small, collective acts, we hope to transform ourselves and the world.

We hold these three principles steadfast within our organization:

Stay fully volunteer-run.

ServiceSpace was founded by volunteers and is run by volunteers. There is no paid staff, no office, and no central facilities. All ServiceSpace programs are conceived, designed, implemented, and administered by people who selflessly give their time so that others can benefit from those services.

Based on twelve years of our experience with a volunteer-run infrastructure, we’ve developed a streamlined process that structures projects in a distributed and decentralized manner. This allows more volunteers to give small chunks of time and still deliver high quality services to the end-receiver.

Being volunteer-run also allows us to organically self-organize. Instead of hierarchies and prefabricated business plans, our volunteer infrastructure is dynamic, low-cost and open to radical change. Everything is based on relationships and presence, and that creates a powerful context to BE the change.

We continue to be amazed at what inspired and dedicated individuals can do. Margaret Mead eloquently said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever does.” We could not agree more.

Serve with whatever we have.

We have chosen a slightly different path than most organizations, and choose not to focus on fundraising, grants, or other sources of revenue – for example, none of our websites contain any advertisement. All services are distributed are gifted without any fees. Thus, we serve with whatever support and resources that come in organically when people are truly moved to give.

ServiceSpace projects are built within a gift-economy system, an economic system in which goods and services are given freely, rather than traded. In a traditional market economy, one’s wealth is increased by saving. In a gift economy, giving leads to increase: an increase in connections and relationship strength.

Our services are given freely, without asking for anything in return. Instead of scarcity and fear for an uncertain future, our second principle roots us in abundance and trust. We have realized that over time, if you serve with pure intentions, people’s cups of gratitude overflow. They don’t give to fulfill a need, they give as an expression of their own solidarity and joy. These genuine gifts, no matter how small or large, are what sustains us.

Focus on the small.

Our attempt is to do “small acts with great love”. As our tagline says, “Change Yourself, Change the World.” If we started out by having a goal to change the world, we might have been a little disappointed in our abilities; when we start with ourselves, we notice that the ripples around us continue to get bigger and bigger and as more people try to do small acts, we have every potential to change the world.

Just as every tiny bit of a hologram contains information of the whole, we feel that paying attention to the process, to the present moment, gives us plenty of information to become instruments of a larger, systemic change.

This is how ServiceSpace makes things happen. But essentially the engine that drives the organization is inspiration, pure and simple. We learn from each other, spur each other, help each other, and frequently amaze each other. Sure, we are stirred by the words and lives of great men and women like Gandhi and Martin Luther King and Mother Theresa; but the examples set by our ServiceSpace colleagues–everyday heroes–are the real sustaining forces behind our projects.

Sep
14
Sat
2019
RIVERKEEPER is pleased to announce this Fine Art Exhibition by Christie Sheele: Atlas /Forms of Water @ Albert Shahinian Fine Art
Sep 14 @ 5:00 pm – Nov 17 @ 5:00 pm

Art Exhibition – Christie Sheele: Atlas /Forms of Water

WHEN:
September 14, 2019: 5:00PM to November 17, 2019: 5:00PM
WHERE:
Albert Shahinian Fine Art – 22 E Market St, Rhinebeck, NY 12572 map
TO ATTEND:
Learn More

Join Albert Shahinian Fine Art for an exhibition of Christie Scheele’s Atlas/Forms of Water, running from September 14 – November 17, 2019. Scheele’s work in this exhibition focuses on water, and its environmental, political, and personal meanings.

Riverkeeper is pleased to join for the opening reception (9/14) and Benefit Gala for Regional Conservation Organizations (10/12).

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The First People of the River

[image]

The Salomon Collection, The Historical Society of Rockland County

Stewards for A Thousand YearsPeople have lived along the shores of the Hudson River since the last ice age, bathing in its waters, living off its bounty, caring for its future. The Lenape tribe balanced the needs of man and the needs of fish and fowl, plant and animal.

[image]

Photo courtesy Mo Fridlich: mofrid@hotmail.commofrid@hotmail.com

Henry Hudson ‘discovered’ what the Lenape called Muhheakunnuk, The River that Runs Both Ways.

[image]

Photo courtesy of Lenape Lifeways, Inc.

There were six to twelve thousand widely dispersed people — both Lenape and Algonquin — living in small bands on the lower estuary. The river connected them and was a major source of food. Travelling in dug-out canoes that held forty people, they’d visit and trade with each other. In smaller dug-outs, they’d set and pull fishing nets, harpoon the whales and seals that often came upriver, and shoot duck with bow and arrow.

Knowledge of and respect for the river was essential for survival. The Lenape believed in a single creator and a series of gods who looked after both people and animals. While women planted maize along the shore, and men hunted deer, Lenape children were taught to take only what they needed from the environment.

If the thousands of years of Lenape history seems to have been erased from the Hudson Valley, that’s partly due to the disease and intolerance that European settlers brought with them. But it’s also a result of how lightly the Lenape lived on the soil: generations of river dwellers left little more environmental change than some ancient oyster middens, rock drawings, and scattered arrowheads.V

[image]

Collections of The New Jersey Historical Society, Newark, NJ, MG 1363

muhheakantuck: river that flows both waysBefore European contact, whales swam where the Manhattoes tribe lived, the Sinsink band fed off huge oyster beds that grew in the bays, and the upriver shallows provided shad, sturgeon, smelt, and crab for the Iroquois nation.

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Sep
21
Sat
2019
The Ashland Global Peace Conference @ Ashland Hills Hotel
Sep 21 @ 8:00 am – 6:00 pm

Ashland Global Peace Conference

Sat, Sep 21, 2019 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM PDT

David Wick at info@ashlandcpc.org, 541-552-1061

AGPC-5on5.png

The World Peace Flame in Ashland is firing the imaginations of Peace Leaders from Middle School students, Ashland City Leaders to Oregon Legislators. Ashland is catching the attention of the global community. Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations, and Founder of the Global Movement of the Culture of Peace, is coming to Ashland to learn first-hand how Ashland Culture of Peace Commission partners with the city, local non-profits and others to transform the city with the vision of a Culture of Peace. The Ashland Global Peace Conference will give local residents the opportunity to learn more about why Ashland is deserving of the global community’s attention by highlighting how our state and local leaders are inspired to work hard to create a culture of peace for their constituents. The views of creating a culture of Peace from the global, national, state, city, community, interpersonal and personal levels will be explored.

Come to the conference and be inspired by city and state leaders’ personal commitment to cultivating a culture of peace in Oregon and be empowered with your own commitment to peace.

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Early Bird Pricing ends 8/31

while we are together, and beyond.

Peace is not an idea, it is a practice.

Thank you.

A WORLD THAT WORKS FOR ALL

A community-wide movement dedicated to transforming our attitudes, behaviors and institutions into ones that foster harmonious relationships with each other and the natural world.

  • Brings heart and compassion to conversations, decision-making, and systems.

  • Recognizes the inherent value of each person, the diversity within community.

  • Invites everyone’s participation, relying on the natural gifts of each community member.

  • Encourages mutual respect so that all residents and visitors feel safe, heard, and empowered.

  • Establishes trust through holding all persons responsible for their actions.

  • Employs compassionate listening to air feelings, viewpoints, and concerns.

  • Discovers solutions through collaborative exploration.

  • Emphasizes the universal values of kindness, generosity, love and beauty, caring and curiosity.

  • Seeks larger truths and broader perspectives to better comprehend local and world affairs.

  • Values and nurtures all of life, honoring the environment and promoting humanity’s balanced place in the web of existence.

  • Builds upon the foundation of existing groups contributing to the wellness of the world.

  • Creates an emerging, evolving, living model for thriving together as fellow humans.

 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, until recently the Senior Special Advisor to the UN General Assembly President, has devoted many years as an inspirational champion for sustainable peace and development and ardently advancing the cause of the global movement for the culture of peace that has energized civil society all over the world.

As a career diplomat, Permanent Representative to United Nations, President of the UN Security Council, President of UNICEF Board, UN Under-Secretary-General, and recipient of the U Thant Peace Award, UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal for Culture of Peace, Spirit of the UN Award and University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor’s Medal for Global Leadership for Peace, Ambassador Chowdhury has a wealth of experience in the critical issues of our time – peace, sustainable development, and human rights.

Ambassador Chowdhury’s legacy and leadership in advancing the best interest of the global community are boldly imprinted in his pioneering initiatives at the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 for adoption of the landmark Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and in 1998 for the proclamation of the “International Decade for Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World (2001-2010)”.

He served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York from 1996 to 2001 and as the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations, responsible for the most vulnerable countries of the world from 2002 to 2007.

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“I was impressed by their work in developing Ashland as a City of Peace, thereby evolving and inspiring at the same time a practical and workable model that other cities and civil society entities can learn from. I along with GMCoP encourage and support this brilliant endeavor by ACPC. My co-activists at the United Nations who interacted with ACPC leaders have particularly welcomed it.”

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury,

Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations,

Founder of the Global Movement for The Culture of Peace (GMCoP)

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Ashland Global Peace Conference

“You Are The Flame”
Practical Applications of the Culture of Peace
September 21st, 2019 • Ashland Hills Hotel,
Ashland, Oregon

Whereas: Bearing in mind the broader dimension and potential impact of the Culture of Peace, OPGA (President of the United Nations General Assembly) chose this year’s theme to be “The Culture of Peace:  Empowering and Transforming Humanity.” Their concept notes states that: “In the light of the importance of the Culture of Peace and its potential for responding to the global challenges facing mankind, the 20th Observance should be central to the pivotal discussions and commitments expected at the General Assembly in September.”

Whereas: To manifest their own commitment to the culture of peace, various activities have been initiated by civil society organizations in different parts of the world. A unique mind-body spirit Culture of Peace event is planned separately as a contribution by Pathways to Peace to the 20th anniversary observance on Saturday, 14 September – titled On, By and For Youth in New York. The Ashland Culture of Peace Commission is co-planning this incredible day-long event that honors, positions, and empowers youth as peacebuilders. Students from Ashland OR will participate.

Whereas: The Ashland Culture of Peace Commission installed the World Peace Flame in Ashland, Oregon and on September 21, 2018 established the World Peace Flame Monument through an international acclaimed lighting ceremony. Students from the Ashland Middle School have embraced the opportunity to be the World Peace Flame, Flame Keepers.

Whereas: Ashland and Southern Oregon are becoming more known nationally and internationally as a hub embracing a Culture of Peace and developing a model which can benefit other communities. This activity will further raise this profile, brand our region, and attract visitors to experience, learn, and enjoy.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Ashland Culture of Peace Commission initiates:

Ashland Global Peace Conference

“You Are The Flame”

Practical Applications of the Culture of Peace

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Ashland is catching the attention of the global community. 

Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations, and Founder of the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace, is coming to Ashland to learn first-hand how ACPC partners with the city, local nonprofits and others to help transform the city after the March 11, 2019 presentation at the United Nations. The Ashland Global Peace Conference will also allow residents to learn more about why Ashland is deserving of the global community’s attention by highlighting how our state and local leaders are working hard to create a culture of peace for their constituents.

How did this happen?

On March 11, 2019 Irene Kai and David Wick were invited to the United Nations to make a presentation about the progress we have made developing a Culture of Peace in Ashland. We also presented the stunning story about bringing the World Peace Flame from Wales to Ashland which now stands as an iconic monument of peace locally and internationally. We then were invited to a private meeting with Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, the Founder of the Global Movement for The Culture of Peace and Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations. Ambassador Chowdhury was so deeply inspired by what he heard of these activities that he requested to come to Ashland to experience these leading peacebuilding activities himself.  We therefore have planned the Ashland Global Peace Conference around his coming to Ashland where he will be our keynote speaker.

Taking active steps to co-create a Culture of Peace is vital within the United States as well as internationally. You are invited to attend and participate in the Ashland Global Peace Conference, September 21, 2019 in Ashland, Oregon. Ashland is the Home of the World Peace Flame and the conference theme is “You Are The Flame”, Practical Applications of the Culture of Peace. This is an exceptional experience of a city co-creating a Culture of Peace.

The program planned for this special conference highlights the global, national, state, city/community, personal/interpersonal levels of personal commitment and peacebuilding action each person represents.

This conference is one of a kind and will be promoted in southern Oregon, Oregon, nationally, and internationally. The conference will be live streamed internationally.

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“I would like to encourage you to seriously consider the invitation from the city of Ashland’s Culture of Peace Commission to attend their unique Global Peace Conference in Ashland, Oregon, on September 21. 2019.

The Peace Commission has brought the World Peace Flame from Wales to Ashland where it serves as inspiration to stand for peace in the world and do all we can at the local level to promote world peace. I visited the flame this April and was honored to meet members of the Peace Commission and learn about their valuable efforts.”

US Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon

“I extend my whole-hearted encouragement to ACPC in its efforts in creating this local-to-global and global-to-local pathway for advancing the culture of peace.”

            Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury

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The full day program includes lunch.

 

Program

 

Welcome – John Stromberg, Mayor, City of Ashland

Introduction of the World Peace Flame in Ashland – Irene Kai, Ashland Culture of Peace Commission

Keynote Speaker – Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury, Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations. Founder of the Global Movement of the Culture of Peace

Dr. David Yang – Vice President, Center for applied Conflict Transformation. United States Institute of Peace

Flame Keeper of the World Peace Flame in Ashland – Finley Taylor, Flame Keeper from the Ashland Middle School

——-Break——-

Oregon State Panel – 

Jeff Golden – Oregon State Senator

Pam Marsh – Oregon State Representative

Ashland City Panel – 

Rich Rosenthal – Ashland City Councilor

Tighe O’Meara – Ashland Chief of Police

Sandra Slattery – Executive Director, Ashland Chamber of Commerce

Kelly Raymond – Superintendent, Ashland School District

——-​Lunch——-

Creating infrastructures for Peace in all nations – Dr. Saul Arbess, Director, Canadian Peace Initiative and Co-Founder and Director, Global Alliance For Ministries and Infrastructure For Peace

Rogue Valley Community Panel –

Sheila Clough – CEO, Asante Ashland Community Hospital

Steven Saslow – CEO and Publisher, Rosebud Media

Linda Schott – President, Southern Oregon University

Dee Anne Everson – Executive Director, United Way of Jackson County

David Zaslow – Rabbi, Interfaith Community

——-​Break——-

Be The Flame – Thriving Leadership Academy – Will Wilkinson and Chris Harding – A summary of the key points of the conference, followed by an invitation to participants to apply what they’ve learned, and specific action steps to integrate it all.

Light the World Peace Flame Candle and

Read the invocation inspired by the World Peace Flame

——-Concludes and network——-

Accommodations:

Ashland Hills Hotels and Suites at 2525 Ashland Street, Ashland, OR 97520

(Event name: Ashland Global Peace Conference)

Standard King rooms $149

Queen-Queen rooms $159

Premium King rooms $159

Standard King Suites $169

Double-Double Suites $169

To enjoy discounted guest room rates please contact our conference host hotel – Ashland Hills Hotel & Suites at 541-482-8310 and ask for the Ashland Global Peace Conference group rates.

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Find your adventure…

Surrounded by not only the culturally rich Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland also features a variety of natural wonders, including Crater Lake National Park.

——-Theater and Music——-

Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF)
15 South Pioneer St, Ashland, OR 97520
(800) 219-8161
Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm.

Performance times vary.

Group Sales (866) 545-6337 Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 5:00 pm.

Oregon Cabaret Theatre
241 Hargadine St, Ashland, OR, 97520
(541) 488-2902
Monday – Wednesday, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday – Saturday, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, Closed Sunday
Between productions 11:00 am – 5:00 pm


Britt Music and Art Festival
PO Box 1124, Medford, OR 97501
(800) 882-7488

 

——-Family——-

​ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum 
1500 E Main St, Ashland, OR 97520
(541) 482-6767
Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Emigrant Lake Water Slide
5505 Highway 66, Ashland , OR 97520
(541) 774-8183
Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, closed 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

 

——-Outdoor Adventures——-

Rafting

Mountain Biking

Cycling

Hiking

Fly Fishing

Golf

Crater Lake

Want to help make this Global Peace Conference possible? Want to provide people the opportunity to be inspired by this personal/local/global event? Want to illuminate the local community as well as communities and people around the world?

Sponsor today!

If you are interested in sponsoring any aspect of the Ashland Global Peace Conference, please contact David Wick at info@ashlandcpc.org, 541-552-1061

Peace Lanterns Festival 2019 @ Gantry Plaza State Park
Sep 21 @ 2:00 pm – 8:30 pm

 

Peace Lanterns Festival 2019

September 21, 2019

2:00-8:30pm

Gantry Plaza State Park

Long Island City 11011

Our next peace event that Heiwa Peace & Reconciliation Foundation is co-sponsoring will be annual Peace Lanterns Festival on Saturday, September 21 (UN International Day of Peace!!!) from 2pm – 8:30pm. It will be held at Gantry Plaza State Park in LIC, NY (along with East River, across the River from the United Nations) – Center Blvd & 49th Ave., LIC.

Schedule of Peace Lanterns Festival:
-Free Public Event. Donations are welcome. –

2:00 – 6:00pm Lantern Decorating, Origami, Face Painting, Henna Tattoos, Seedball Making, and African Dance.

2:30 – 5:30pm “Meditate NYC” – Public Meditation Day
Practice mindfulness and calming under the guidance of revered teachers from Buddhist and other traditions from across the globe.

3:00 – 6:00pm Public Paddling, organized by HarborLAB

6:15pm – 7:30pm Speakers and Interfaith Prayers for Peace
Music by Heiwa Peace Band

7:30 – 8:30pm Floating Peace Lanterns
108 lanterns with your words and images of peace and set them afloat with the setting sun.

Peace Lanterns Festival is co-sponsored by the HaborLAB, the Heiwa Peace Reconciliation Foundation of New York and the Buddhist Council of New York, in partnership with the Global Movement for the Culture of Peace, the Interfaith Center of New York, the Interfaith Center of USA, the Newtown Creek Group, the NY de Volunteers, the Origami Therapy Association, the Sikh Cultural Society, the TF Cornerstone, and the World Yoga Community.

Call (646) 797-7982
heiwafoundationny@gmail.com
http://heiwafoundation.org/Home/Donation

 

Sep
26
Thu
2019
Celebrating Ambassadors of Peace – 2019 – Ziggy Marley
Sep 26 all-day

PRESS RELEASE:  ‘CELEBRATING AMBASSADORS OF PEACE’ (AOP) EVENT SET FOR SEPTEMBER 26 IN LOS ANGELES

By  September 11, 2019 Blog Post

“Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), an organization made up of  prominent members of the entertainment industry that’s dedicated to promoting the arts as a means to peace, will honor several music business executives at its second annual Celebrating Ambassadors of Peace  gala. More than 200 top entertainment industry leaders are expected to attend the event, which will be held Sep. 26 at the Holmby Hills home of CCFP board advisor and noted entertainment attorney Gary Stiffelman, whose clientele has included Justin Timberlake, Eminem and Yo-Yo Ma.”

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A limited number of tickets for this exclusive event are available for purchase at the following site, along with sponsorship opportunities: https://www.creativecommunityforpeace.com/gala/honorees/

Web: http://CreativeCommunityForPeace.com

Contact: Alexandra Greenberg

Direct: 213-216-1755

Email: agreenberg@falconpublicity.com

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On Thursday, September 26Creative Community For Peace (CCFP) will hold its second annual “Celebrating Ambassadors Of Peace” (AOP) event at the Holmby Hills home of noted entertainment attorney and CCFP Advisory Board member, Gary Stiffelman, Esq. (whose clients have included Justin Timberlake, Eminem, Yo-Yo Ma, Trent Reznor, Maroon 5).

In 2018, CCFP honored Scooter Braun, Geffen Records President Neil Jacobson and Warner Music Group executive Aton Ben-Horin. This year’s honorees are: Aaron Bay-Schuck (CEO/Co-Chairman Warner Records); Jacqueline Saturn (President, Caroline Music/CMG); Troy Carter (Founder of Q&A and Atom Factory); Walter Kolm (former President of Universal Music Latino and now manages Maluma, Carlos Vives, and Wisin amongst others); and special artist honoree, Ziggy Marley (GRAMMY Award-winning artist).

The honorees were chosen for their commitment to championing artistic freedom and advancing the idea that music and the arts are a powerful force for building cultural bridges. Through their work and influence, they have advanced coexistence to create a better future for all.

As stated by CCFP Co-Founder David Renzer, and Director Ari Ingel, “Creative Community for Peace was founded by entertainment industry executives on the principal that music and the arts can be a unifying force to bring people of different backgrounds together. We also believe that a cultural boycott of Israel does not further the prospects for peace.”

The honorees shared their excitement to be recognized as Ambassadors of Peace and the importance of CCFP’s work, stating the following:

Aaron Bay-Schuck: “I am honored to be recognized as an ‘Ambassador of Peace’ by Creative Community for Peace and humbled to be receiving it alongside such accomplished industry executives and friends. The cultural boycott movement is detrimental to prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, as well as to artistic freedom around the world, and I will continue to stand with my friends and colleagues who are dedicated to using music and the arts to bring people together.”

Jacqueline Saturn: “I’m honored to receive the Ambassadors of Peace award from Creative Community for Peace. Music and all creative art forms have the unique ability to pierce through cultural barriers, reshape perspectives, and create common ground. CCFP bridges divergent communities, enabling them to find a common voice. Now more than ever, the creative community must take a courageous stance against those that seek to divide rather than unite. I am proud to be in a position to empower artists from many different backgrounds to help us get to “higher ground.”

Walter Kolm: “It’s an honor for me to receive an Ambassadors of Peace award this year.  I’ve always been a firm believer in the power of music to bring people together, which is why I support CCFP and their mission. The fact that so many incredible Latin artists I’ve worked with over the years, like Maluma, Carlos Vives and Wisin, have performed in Israel is a testament to this. Our artists are always embraced with enthusiasm and love in such a way that truly shows that music crosses all cultural and national boundaries to unite us.”

Troy Carter: “There is no better way to bring people of different backgrounds together than through the arts. This is why I share the vision of Creative Community for Peace and am proud to receive their Ambassador of Peace award.”

Ziggy Marley: “It is an honor to be one of CCFP’s 2019 Ambassadors of Peace. We all should use our voices, music, and art in the struggle for justice, love, and peace for all human beings of all races, religions, and ethnicities. I am thankful to be a part of this year’s ceremony. One Love”

More than two-hundred top entertainment industry leaders are expected to attend the event, which will feature special musical performances.  Sponsors include Sony/ATV, EA Music, BMI, Epic Records, Atlantic Records and Warner Records among many others. Variety, which recently included CCFP honoree Jacqueline Saturn on their “Women’s Impact Report,” is the event’s official media sponsor.

A limited number of tickets for this exclusive event are available for purchase at the following site, along with sponsorship opportunities: https://www.creativecommunityforpeace.com/gala/honorees/

 

Web: http://CreativeCommunityForPeace.com

Video: https://vimeo.com/332545709

 

Contact: Alexandra Greenberg

Direct: 213-216-1755

Email: agreenberg@falconpublicity.com

Creative Community for Peace to Honor Ziggy Marley, Aaron Bay-Schuck, Troy Carter, Jacqueline Saturn & Walter Kolm at Annual Gala

 

 

Sep
29
Sun
2019
Sip and Paint Freedom Event with Happiness.The Artist @ Gureje Village.
Sep 29 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Sip and Paint Freedom Event with Happiness.The Artist
Saturday, 29th from 3 – 6 PM
at Gureje Village.
886 Pacific St, Brooklyn, NY 11238

A $30 donation per guest is highly appreciated.

Feb
14
Fri
2020
My Queer Valentine Reception hosted by Torpedo Art Factory and Target Gallery @ Torpedo Factory Art Center
Feb 14 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

My Queer Valentine Reception

Hosted by Torpedo Factory Art Center and Target Gallery

Friday, February 14, 2020 at 7 PM – 10 PM
Next Week18–32°F Sunny

Torpedo Factory Art Center

105 N. Union St, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Call (703) 746-4570
https://www.facebook.com/torpedofactory/

Art in Person and in Progress. Located in Old Town Alexandria, the Torpedo Factory Art Center is home to 165 working artists, seven galleries, The Art League, and the Alexandria Archaeology Museum. Free admission.

Tickets by Eventbrite
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My Queer Valentine Shows the Richness of LGBTQ Life

The warmth of recognition is strong inside the exhibition.

 FEB 6, 2020 11 AM

Gould Acrylic High Res“Acrylic” by Aurele Gould, 2017

I took my girlfriend to see My Queer Valentine on a Monday morning; it was a date, I told her. We took the Metro down to King Street and walked to the Alexandria waterfront. Once we got there, we strolled into The Torpedo Factory Art Center’s Target Gallery, hands interlocked.

For My Queer Valentine, the contemporary gallery’s spring show, the small space is filled with large-scale photographic prints, paintings on both large and small canvases, and sculpture. Visually, the pieces cover a broad range of styles, including a digitally influenced take on Abstract Expressionism, geometric interpretations of fire, Basquiat-esque mark-making and writing over photographs, sculpture with few references to recognizable forms, canvases made three-dimensional by the attachment of glittery found objects, and small silkscreen prints. Thematically, they may at first seem to not cohere, but that’s only because My Queer Valentine’s juried works cover a diverse and rich swath of queer life.

As for taking my girlfriend, I had another motive that I didn’t say aloud, though she may have picked up on it. I wanted to enter that exhibition as a visibly gay person, and I wanted to see how that affected my experience of the art. It was the right choice. My Queer Valentine does more than curate work that examines what it means to be LGBTQ in the 21st century: It creates a queer space warm with the joy of recognition.

Some works speak directly to that joy, like artist Cat Gunn’s abstract canvases. Their dramatic patterns represent the harmony of being in a relationship where their partner sees them as their authentic, nonbinary self, they write in the wall text. There are glittering squares and wobbling lines moving back and forth across the plane, but things seem to be coming together the longer you look—parts that once made no sense have an internal logic that reveals itself with sustained attention and open mindedness. Recognition can be dangerous, and the closet offers safety, but it also means hiding behind a mask. The relief of dropping the charade and being seen is transcendent.

My Queer Valentine isn’t camp, not as a whole, but it’s full of artworks made by people who understand the humor and the wondrous pompousness of queer glamor. (That glamor and its high drama are knowingly self-important because there are still so many people who wish we didn’t have it.) The first pieces the viewer encounters play with the feminine trappings of artificial jewelry, glitter, plastic, and resin, all in bright, loud colors; one piece dripping with sequins invites viewers to “lick me until ice cream.” That kind of playful sexuality thrives in many of the works, even the more subdued ones. A beige canvas on the opposing wall asks the onlooker to “come (cum on my) back.” The half-joking, half-serious attitude toward sex is one of My Queer Valentine’s greatest strengths, highlighting the laughter and joy inherent in queer life and queer sex.

Linda Hesh’s “Kissing Booth” is another joyful artwork. It’s not a stunning feat of technique and construction; it’s just a wood and steel booth, like one you might see at a county fair in the ’50s. It advertises itself as, unsurprisingly, “KISSING BOOTH.” It’s not anchored to a wall. Instead, it stands out from a corner and beckons viewers to come in, where they might notice that its gingham pattern is made up of pictures of kissing same-sex couples. I’ll admit my biases here: I’ve always had a love for participatory art. But the booth’s standing invitation to come inside, to take a picture kissing underneath it, and to share that picture with the world is a brave act, even in 2020 in Alexandria—brave for the artist and the piece inviting those kisses, brave for the people who choose to do so. Even though queer desire is hypervisible in contemporary life, it’s not always recognized as a loving, human affect. By asking people to kiss, Hesh affirms the romance of the gesture and the genuine safety of the space around it.

The most striking pieces were by D.C.-based photographer Matt Storm, a transgender man. His work is challenging, cheeky, and hard to look away from. The two images on display come from his Act of Looking series, where he returns to the same studio in Provincetown, Massachusetts, the famous gay vacation spot, to photograph his body “to create an expanded lexicon of ways to see a body, inclusive of ways to see my body,” he writes in his artist’s statement. In the first image, we see him standing naked, in a pose that looks relaxed but requires him to hold himself in place with his own strength. His muscles are tense but not flexed. His face isn’t overly expressive, but there’s a spark of playfulness in his eyes and a hint of a smile on his mouth. And his arm drapes behind his back, coming to rest between his legs, where he holds his fingers playfully—an obvious commentary on how, as he says, “my body is incongruous with how we are taught to see bodies.” In another, he clasps his hands in front of his crotch, fingers crossed. We can’t see his face, but we can feel the humor. The piece is titled “Crossing my Fingers, Getting Away with Something.”

But a different series of works stopped me in my tracks. Aurele Gould’s photographs pulled my gaze from the moment I entered the gallery. When I saw her triptych of an athlete putting pre-wrap around another girl’s thigh, I felt a lump in my throat. “A moment of transference is constructed, a care and an intimacy among women,” she writes in the wall text. Immediately I thought of Barbara Kruger’s 1981 piece “Untitled (You Construct Intricate Rituals),” which famously says “You construct intricate rituals that allow you to touch the skin of other men” over an image of men roughhousing. But I thought of it less because of its artistic impact and more because, for years, queer kids on Tumblr have been using it as a memetic reference point for jokes about the forbidden, magnetic pull of another person’s skin. In the three images of the piece, we see hands grab the inner thigh, let go to wrap the tape around, and return to place both hands on the partner’s leg.

Likewise, I’d been primed to see Gould’s piece “Acrylic” before I walked in—it represents My Queer Valentine online—but I stopped myself from making a beeline to it. When I did make my way over and allowed myself to look, I noticed for the first time the two models’ sharp, long, matching acrylic nails gently cradling each other’s faces. That striking image is made more striking by those glittery nails. Gould knows this: “I like how thought processes can fold unto each other, like thinking about when stereotypes can be used and who they can be used by,” she wrote in the wall text. I felt a pang of recognition. I smiled. The two lovers in the photograph stared at me, nails shining, and I took my girlfriend’s manicured hand and stared back.

105 N. Union St., Alexandria. (703) 746-4587. torpedofactory.org.