The Mad Sweet Dancer

Video of the CHOICE Dancers performing at "An AAAWD Evening"!

Prepare to be AAAWD...at Cinema Lounge Duluth!

AAAWD's promo video has been selected for screening at IFP MN's Cinema Lounge Duluth!

Here's the schedule:

Indie Film Night in Duluth

Friday December 5, 2008

6pm - McKnight How-to-Apply Workshop

If you're a filmmaker and live in MN, you might want to catch
this informational session about the McKnight Artist Fellowships
worth $25,000.

7pm - Cinema Lounge!

Intro - Paul/Lu/Zeppa Foundation "Return to Duluth" intro by Mark Ryan

• Paul Creager "Resonance" project description

• Bridget Riversmith, Todd Reed, and Ben Giesen – "Prepare To Be AAAWD..."
• Tim Massett – "Waiting for Akiko," "The Fruit Man," "It Could Be Anything"

• Chani Becker – "Early Adopter" Doc Trailer

• Mike Scholtz - "The Jig Is Up"

• Mark Ryan – "North Shore November", "Harbor Fog", "Day at the Deeps"
• Jason Page – "White Man’s World" trailer

• Lisa Wagner – "Taste of the Gunflint Trail"
• Max Becker – "That Old Feeling"

8:30pm - After Party at the Duluth Sheraton Hotel!

Thanks to the Zeppa Family Foundation, Zeitgeist Arts, VisitDuluth, and the Sheraton Duluth, we'll be toasting the filmmakers' work and getting to know one another at a swinging after-party.

A note about parking: if you’re driving, parking ramp is off of 1st Street: take the green ticket with you, park on the 2nd level, go through the skyway, and they’ll validate the ticket at the party. That means free parking!

Contacts:

IFP Minnesota: 651.644.1912

Duluth Play Ground: 218-733-7555 (11 E. Superior St)

Sheraton Duluth: (218) 733- 5660 (301 E. Superior St)

"Prepare to be AAAWD..."

Watch AAAWD's new PSA for the Nov. 21 & 22 show at The Play Ground!



Todd and Ben filmed our video in blue screen and added cool special effects at PACT studios in Duluth. Bridget did the animation, plus additional editing and special effects. Local band Tangier 57 (www.tangier57.com) did the music. Featured AAAWD artists in the video are: Karl, Dave, Ben, Roald, Bridget, Todd and Ryan.

Finger snappin, toe-tappin... Come see our show! Join our group!

See the post below this one for more information about our upcoming event, "An AAAWD Evening" at The Play Ground in Duluth.

Announcing AAAWD's multi-media debut at the Play Ground!

Friday & Saturday, November 21-22, 2008
"An AAAWD Evening"
The Play Ground
Technology Village (main level)
11 East Superior Street, Duluth, MN
6:30 pm | Artists' Reception featuring Harpist, Christina Cotruvo
7:30 pm | Part I: AAAWD Little Films
8:30 pm | Part II: CHOICE Dancers & BOLD-Choice Theater Company
Tickets $5 (general admission at the door)
Box Office: 218-733-7555

"An AAAWD Evening" will open at 6:30 p.m. with a reception in the lobby gallery where AAAWD’s 2D and 3D artwork will be on display. Complimentary refreshments will be served and artwork will be for sale. The reception will also include live music by harpist, Christina Cotruvo. Performances in the theater begin at 7:30 p.m. with “Part I: AAAWD Little Films” featuring short animation and adventure films by Ben Giesen, Todd Reed and Bridget Riversmith. Members of CHOICE, unlimited’s dance program will open “Part II: AAAWD Twists and Turns,” followed by BOLD-Choice Theater Company performing selected scenes from their latest production, Romeo and Juliet’s Tragic Comedy. Question and answer sessions will close each part, and the ‘Evening will conclude at 9:30 p.m. Tickets for this all-ages event are $5 (general admission at the door). Front row wheelchair-accessible seating and ASL interpreters will be available each night of the event.

According to AAAWD co-founder, Bridget Riversmith, “‘An AAAWD Evening’ is about expanding notions of ability and normality by adding our own definitions and experience to the equation through art. Our acronym sounds like “odd” and “awed” – words that echo what it’s like being an artist with a disability in America. The trajectory of our group is from odd to awed via artwork, humor, friendship and open minds.”

Arrowhead Alliance of Artists With Disabilities (AAAWD):

The underlying inspiration for AAAWD (and their logo) is the stone soup fable wherein a few stones placed in a pot of boiling water become both pretext and catalyst for creating something from nothing, and revealing nothing to be something after all.

AAAWD began in 2006 with a series of VSA arts of Minnesota-sponsored meetings which brought together individual artists and arts organizations from around the state to discuss forming artists with disabilities collectives in Greater Minnesota. In 2007, local artists with disabilities were invited by VSA and the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council to several meetings in Duluth to lay the foundation for a new collective. In early 2008, VSA arts provided grant money to help fund our group projects and outreach activities.

The current core membership includes these visual artists, actors, directors, musicians and filmmakers: Pete B., Christina Cotruvo, Ben Giesen, David Hoffman, Ryan Iallonardo, Julie Jeatran, Cecilia Lieder, Bill Lyth, Roald Molberg (co-founder), Karl Mulligan, Sarah Nord, Justin Powers, Todd Reed, Bridget Riversmith (co-founder) and Annie Roseen.


CHOICE, unlimited’s ARTS (Activities Revealing Talents & Skills) Programs:

CHOICE, unlimited’s dance program, Movement & Dance: Emotion in Motion, challenges participants to explore the potential of their body’s individualized expression of movement. Participants gain greater body awareness and control. They also work to become less inhibited in expressing emotions and movement in front of others. The performance for “An AAAWD Evening” is a culmination of a series of moves explored during a ten-week program. We have put together a dance performance piece to the music of R&B, hip-hop artists N.E.R.D. The song is entitled “Maybe” and it represents a range of emotion and physical movement. Dancers include: Pete B., Ken S., Roxanne N., Rebecca K., Sean K., and Kevin R.

BOLD-Choice Theater Company introduces adults with disabilities to the world of theater and performing arts. BOLD (Battling Obstacles Living with Disabilities) provides a unique style of theater performance, exposing student audiences to the talents of individuals with disabilities, opening new channels for dialogue, and providing a venue to “talk” across barriers. Annie Roseen is Theatre Arts Instructor and Director, as well as Instructor of Dance at CHOICE, unlimited. Actors include: Pete B., Lloyd G., Ken S., Tanya K., Shannon H., and Annie R.

Romeo and Juliet’s Tragic Comedy is an original piece created by the BOLD-choice Theatre Company based on the Shakespearean classic tale of star-cross’d love. In the BOLD version of the story, the characters face the realities of discrimination, stereotyping, alienation and group think. They also experience the joys of young love, friendship, family and unification. As the story unfolds, the actors themselves get a chance to share the challenges they have personally encountered, as well their own hopes and wishes. Romeo and Juliet’s Tragic Comedy allows the audience a chance to experience a new world with an entertaining and honest twist on the age old story of love and hate.

The scene being performed for “An AAAWD Evening” is BOLD’s take on Romeo and Juliet’s iconic balcony scene featuring comedic twists on the traditional characters. This scene features a pair of Juliets and a pair of Romeos trying to connect with the correct partner. Confusion abounds!

Framed!

We'll be having a party to mat and/or frame our artwork for "An AAAWD Evening" on Wednesday NOVEMBER 5, 2008 from 5 pm (til we're done) @ SOFT HANDS. DRCC Soft Hands is located at: 1902 East Superior St. in Duluth (1 block East of HDC's CSP offices). Look for the building resembling a convenience store on the South side of the street. If you have any questions, contact Todd Reed. Soft Hands is located on busline: DTA Route 6 - 7 East Mainline UMD - Lakeside. All matting and framing materials will be provided for those who need it thanks to our grant from VSA arts of Minnesota!

AAAWD featured at Polinsky Medical Rehabilitation Center Event

AAAWD member Bill Lyth has been coordinating our participation at a Polinsky Medical Rehabilitation Center awards event happening this Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 4 - 5:30 pm (at the chapel/spirtual end of the Miller-Dwan Lobby hallway).

We are the only exhibitors invited to be at this event, and people will pass by our tables as they enter and leave the Miller-Dwan Medical Center lobby where we will be located. This is a great opportunity to spread the word about our group, network and attract new membership. Thanks Bill!

Set up time begins at 2 pm Wednesday. Please contact Bill (if you haven't already) if you are interested in helping out for this event. Email him here.

Share your opinion to support vibrant communities in Minnesota

You are invited to take a survey about our community. The Minnesota State Arts Board and our regional arts council want to hear your opinion about needs and resources in our community, and how the arts can help our community flourish.

It is very important that they hear from you so they can develop programs that are valuable to all Minnesotans. Your responses will help to set funding priorities and activities for the next five years.

Click on the link below to take the survey.
http://www.theimprovegroup.com/surveys/mnarts.htm

Complete the survey by Friday, October 3, 2008

After you submit your survey, you will be directed to another webpage where you can enter a prize drawing. Prizes include six $500 cash prizes a number of $100 prizes. Please enter my contact information as the person who referred you to this survey.

This survey is being managed by an independent research firm, the Improve Group, to keep your responses anonymous and confidential. Contact Susan at the Improve Group with any questions: toll-free telephone (877-467-7847) or email (susanm@theimprovegroup.com)

AAAWD Meeting Notice

Calling All Artists With Disabilities and Their Supporters

OUR NEXT MEETING IS...
Wednesday, August 27 at 5 pm at Soft Hands. DRCC Soft Hands is located at: 1902 East Superior St. in Duluth (1 block East of HDC's CSP offices). Look for the building resembling a convenience store on the South side of the street. If you have any questions, contact Todd Reed. Soft Hands is located on busline: DTA Route 6 - 7 East Mainline UMD - Lakeside.

We'll be having a pizza party brainstorming session for the commercials we're going to make to promote "An AAAWD Evening". Pizza will be provided in both carnivore and herbivore formats. Members can help with the cost of the pizza if they're able, but it's not required. Be sure to bring something to drink, though, and turn up your imagination!

ARAC Announces Individual Artist Grant Application Deadlines

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council announces upcoming grant deadlines for funding for individual artists who reside in the following counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis. The grant writing workshop will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Common Area of the Marshall School Annex Building, 1301 Rice Lake Road, Duluth.

The date for the upcoming grant writing workshop and the grant program deadlines are:

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Grant Writing Workshop. Bob DeArmond, Executive Director, will provide technical assistance in preparing and submitting an application, grant writing tips, project eligibility and other topics. Artists interested in applying for career development funding are encouraged to attend this workshop. The workshop is free.

Friday, August 29, 2008 McKnight/ARAC Career Development Grants applications deadline. This program offers non-matching funding to assist visual, literary and performing artists to take part in impending, concrete, short-term career opportunities that will impact or advance their work or careers. Artists may request up to $1,000 per application.

McKnight/ARAC Artist of Color Career Development Grants applications deadline. This program offers non-matching funding to assist visual, literary and performing artists of color from culturally diverse backgrounds considering impending, concrete, short-term career opportunities that will advance their work or careers. Artists may request up to $1,000 per application.

To request guidelines or request additional information,
call or write:

Arrowhead Regional Arts Council

1301 Rice Lake Road, Suite 111

Duluth, MN 55811

1-218-722-0952 or 1-800-569-8134, info@aracouncil.org

Funding for these grant programs is made possible by an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature and The McKnight Foundation.

August 2008 AAAWD Meeting Notice

Calling All Artists With Disabilities in the Twin Ports and the Arrowhead region of Minnesota! You are cordially invited to attend the next meeting of AAAWD:

When: Wednesday, August 13 at 5 pm

Where: DRCC - Soft Hands is located at: 1902 East Superior St. in Duluth (1 block East of HDC's CSP offices). Look for the building resembling a convenience store on the South side of the street. If you have any questions, email Todd Reed. Soft Hands is located on busline: DTA Route 6 - 7 East Mainline UMD - Lakeside.

We will begin planning and prioritizing for our fall event, "An AAAWD Evening". We will also be setting the agenda, date, and time for our next meeting.

Feel free to invite a friend! Bring some refreshments to share!

See you there!

Vote YES Minnesota Film Contest!

Yo! Guys from Soft Hands! Calling ALL Minnesota Filmmakers...

According to their website, The Vote YES Minnesota campaign is "calling for film makers of all skill levels to tell us why Minnesota is such a special place to live. We want you to tell us why Minnesotans should Vote Yes on the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment on November 4th. Submission is free, and we want citizens from all parts of the state to take part."

Find more information, and download the rules, submission form and guidelines by going to their website: http://www.yesformn.org/film.php

Deadline for film submissions is September 1, 2008

July 2008 AAAWD Meeting Notice

OUR NEXT MEETING IS...
Wednesday, July 23 at 5 pm at Soft Hands.
DRCC Soft Hands is located at: 1902 East Superior St. in Duluth (1 block East of HDC's CSP offices). Look for the building resembling a convenience store on the South side of the street.

We will be wrapping up our discussion about using the remainder of our grant money, as well as talking about upcoming outreach and exhibition opportunities for our group. We will also be setting the agenda, date, and time for our August meeting.

Feel free to invite a friend! Bring some refreshments to share!

Hope to see you there!

Getting your work out there!

Here's a good starter list of links for finding opportunities and resources for artists of all kind:

VSA arts of Minnesota

Minnesota State Arts Board

Springboard for the Arts

NYFA Interactive

FIND ART information bank

Good hunting...

AAAWD invited to exhibit at 2008 Age & Disability Odyssey

Our group has been invited to participate in the 2008 Age & Disability Odyssey, an annual event convened by the Minnesota Department of Human Services Aging and Adult Services and Disability Services Divisions and the Minnesota Board on Aging. This year's event is being held in Duluth at the DECC.

We will have the opportunity to showcase our work on Monday, August 18 and Tuesday, August 19. According to the organizers, the most traffic will be during the following times:

Monday: 8 - 11:30 am
Tuesday: 11:45 am - 1:45 pm and 5 - 7 pm

We are welcome to stay all day both days, if we choose. We have the option of selling our work at the event if we'd like to. Also, they've requested that one or more of us be available to demonstrate or perform our art form during high traffic hours. They expect to have roughly 1,000 attendees at this year's event!

For more information on this event, visit the official website: http://www.mnaging.org/odyssey/index.html

AAAWD at Art Works!

It's official. AAAWD is registered for the upcoming Art Works! Conference happening at Lake Superior College on March 14, 2008 from 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Co-leaders, Roald Molberg and myself have enlisted to staff our exhibitor table in the "Creative Economy Showcase" room. AAAWD members, Julie Jeatran, Bill Lyth, and Justin Powers will be attending the conference (and helping to staff the table), while Cele Lieder will help us set up to display our artwork. Cele will also be representing her own business, Northern Prints Gallery, at a separate exhibitor table.

We welcome all artists with disabilities from the Arrowhead region to join AAAWD at this event. You can register for the conference online here. Please email us at AAAWDmail@gmail.com if you are interested in showcasing your artwork (visual, writing, video, music...) and/or promotional materials at our exhibitor table.

Here's to our first official project as a group!

Bill

It is with excitement that I see this group taking off. We have some really neat stuff in the horizon so I think that will attract new people to the group.

What's in a name

I like the name! Am sorry I was unable to join you at your last meeting. Have missed the creative soulforce of our group. Thanks for keeping me in the loop. Julie