workshop

OCIC Ottawa Regional Forum ~ Strategies for Cohesion in Engaging Civil Society

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on Monday, March 8, 2010

OCIC Ottawa Regional Forum ~ Strategies for Cohesion in Engaging Civil Society
Friday, March 12, 2010 from 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM (ET)

Promoting an understanding of local and global issues and encouraging people in taking action is an important part of international cooperation work. Through a look at relevant case studies of civil society mobilization this Forum will provide opportunities to reflect on root challenges to cohesiveness in social justice organizing for international cooperation. Attention will focus on highlighting practical tools and strategies for building and strengthening movements that walk the talk of working together for positive social change. Panel presentations will highlight successes, challenges and lessons learned related to social justice organizing.

Speakers include:

o Farrah Miranda (No One is Illegal Toronto) on grassroots mobilization and influencing Social Policy

o Graham Saul (Climate Action Network) on lessons from the Climate & Environment sector

o Manu Sharma (Ottawa Centre for Research & Innovation) on the potential of Social Media

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Dusty Owl Reading Series “Open Hoot”

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Katie

on Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Sunday, March 7 @ 2:00: The Dusty Owl “Open Hoot” returns

In the six years we’ve been housed at Swizzles, the open mike has been one of our favorite aspects of the Dusty Owl. Always entertaining, often surprising, our open mike has seen everything from song to storytelling, from poetry to drumming, from interpretive dance (yes, interpretive dance) to improv comedy.

So we’re kicking off our anniversary month with another classic Open Hoot. Bring your songs, your stories, your poems, your rants and raves. Bring your instruments and your voices. Our shiny antique mike and friendly, welcoming stage are waiting for you. And so is our Object of Desire - the strangest on-the-spot poetry competition in the city!

We’re at the corner of Queen and Kent, down the stairs beside the Thai restaurant! See you there!

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Plush Monster Workshop at Canteen

Written

Francois

on Saturday, February 20, 2010

Have you always wanted to create a horrid plush creature? Do you find big teeth and bloodshot eyes just the most adorable thing? Is there some fearsome creature in your imagination that is just screaming to be made into a soft sculpture? Then Canteen has the workshop for you! Make your own plush monster!

Gabe Thirlwall from Fish on Fridays will help your gruesome imaginary beast become a plush reality. We will go through the basic steps of how to make a stuffed monster and take some time
with each step. If you can’t sew that doesn’t matter, she’ll show you. And besides we will be working with very forgiving textiles (felt and/or polar fleece) so results will be just super! All supplies will be provided (textiles, stuffing, needle, thread, etc…) but please come with lots of ideas… and maybe a sketch or two.

When: Sunday February 28th, 3pm to 6pm

Where: Canteen (238 Dalhousie St.)

Cost: $25 + tax, all materials included

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Sexapalooza this weekend at Lansdowne

Written

Katie

on Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Courtesy of margolove on flickr

Want to take your nookie up a level? Curious about the latest in titillating technologies? Need a wholesale supplier of Astroglide? You’re in luck! Sexapalooza, a three day consumer trade show dedicated to all things blue and bawdy, is coming to Lansdowne from Friday, January 15 to Sunday, January 17. For $20 at the door ($15 online) you can spend the day perusing goods like… well, use your imagination.

However, shopping is not the only thing on offer. Featuring on the main stage will be Ottawa’s own Rockalily Burlesque, Kitty Boutique’s Bondage Bed demo and Wear’s and Wear-Latex Fashion Show, at least two pole dancing shows and more. The sensual sideshows include a sex museum, the “Alley of Fantasy” with games and contests, as well as the Dungeon with “all sorts of naughty and nice activities.”

For you eternal students, a number of seminars will also be running, such as Birds and Bees G-Spot Orgasms, You want to Put What Where? in both French and English and Everything You Want to Know About Glass (I thought it was something to put my milk in, but apparently I have much to learn…). More artistic types can also attend the sessions on erotic photography and writing.

Read on for the licentious logistics!

Click to continue reading “Sexapalooza this weekend at Lansdowne”

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Intro to poly and non-monogamous relationships Workshop

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apartment613

on Saturday, October 24, 2009

Photo by Sarah Mercer

By Sarah Mercer, blogger and photographer at www.geekgirly.ca

Feel like there is a missing link in your current relationship? Polyamory might just be the thing for you and your partner! Defining polyamory isn’t as easy as looking up the word in the dictionary (although the dictionary does define polyamory as “the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate sexual relationship at a time with the consent of everyone involved”). Every polyamorous relationship can only be defined by the parties involved.

According to Dr. Charlie Glickman, this is what makes this form of relationship “an adventure.” Dr. Glickman, a sex educator and Education Program Manager at Good Vibrations in San Francisco, is hosting a workshop entitled The Guide to Getting it All—Intro to poly and non-monogamous relationships. The workshop is being held at 6:30pm on October 27 as part of Venus Envy’s ongoing series on sexual education. Tickets are $25.00, or $15.00 for those with limited income.

After talking with Dr. Glickman briefly, I discovered that communication is the most important ingredient to success in both conventional and unconventional relationships and in his sex workshop. He welcomes the opportunity to have people that are currently in polyamorous relationships or interested in pursuing these relationships share their experiences and bring any fears or questions they might have.

Dr. Glickman approaches his workshops as an exploration of different types of relationships outside and within the confines of marriage and emphasizes that in today’s society, “there is nothing for people to help figure out their options. We have marriage then we have cheating. Cheating in one game is playing by the rules in another.”

If you are interested in learning a whole new set of rules to play by, swing by Venus Envy and pick up your tickets asap!

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Indigenous Sovereignty Week

Written

apartment613

on Wednesday, October 21, 2009

In July of this year Defenders of the Land, a network of Indigenous communities and activists involved with land struggles across Canada, put out a call to Indigenous people and their allies to organize events for a first ever Indigenous Sovereignty Week. In response, a number of Ottawa-based organizations and individuals have put together a comprehensive week of public activities starting on Saturday October 24. The intent of the week is to contribute to building a cross-Canada movement for Indigenous rights, self-determination, and justice that is led by Indigenous communities but with a broad base of informed support.

Indigenous Sovereignty Week events in Ottawa will start off on the 24th with a night of food, music and spoken word at the Odawa Native Friendship Centre. There will be something every day through the rest of the week including workshops, talks, films and music. The week will culminate with a walk to Victoria Island from downtown, featuring presentations on current issues along the way and a closing ceremony at the Island. The full schedule and details can be found here.

Indigenous Sovereignty Week, Oct 24-31, Ottawa
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Sat Oct 24
Celebrating Indigenous Cultural Resistance!
3:00pm - Workshop: Circle Stories Rising Strong: Love Your Voice, Share Your Song by Moe Clark, Métis, and Emile Monnet, Algonquin – the Bird Messenger Collective
6:00pm – Dinner, 7:00pm - Kick-Off Concert for Indigenous Sovereignty Week
Featuring: Elder Dumont (Algonquin) Every Women’s Drum Group, Bird Messenger Collective, Mosha Folger (Inuit – Eskimocentricity), Suzanne Keeptwo (Metis of Algonquin/French and Irish) Christopher Herodier (Cree) Rachel Wuttunee (Oji-Cree), Luis Abanto (Peru)
Odawa Friendship Centre, 12 Stirling Avenue (at Scott)

Sun Oct 25, 1:00pm
Remembering Residential Schools
Presenters: Irene Lindsay Thomas Louttit, Gordon Williams, and Viola Thomas, Jackie Miller (Aboriginal Healing Foundation). Moderated by Violet Paul (AFN).
Ottawa Public Library main branch auditorium, 120 Metcalfe St (at Laurier)

Mon Oct 26, 6:30pm
Indigenous Perspectives on the Environment
Presenters: Daryl Sainnawap (Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug), Clayton Thomas Muller (Indigenous Environment Network), Gitz Crazy Boy (Dene and Blackfoot Nations), Marilyn Poucachiche (Barrier Lake Algonquin).
Ottawa Public Library main branch auditorium, 120 Metcalfe St (at Laurier)

Tues Oct 27, 7:00pm
Fighting for Our Rights: Indigenous Women and Youth in an Urban Context
Presenters: Joceyln Forsma, Clayton Thomas Muller, others TBA
St. Joseph’s Church, 151 Laurier Ave E. (at Cumberland) [Hall entrance at 174 Wilbrod St]

Wed Oct 28
5:00pm - Kahnesatake: 270 Years of Resistance (Film)
7:00pm - New Frontiers of Resistance: Exploring Kahnesatake and the Tar Sands
Presenters: Ellen Gabriel (Kahnesatake) and representatives from Beaver Lake First Nation.
St. Joseph’s Church, 151 Laurier Ave E. (at Cumberland) [Hall entrance at 174 Wilbrod St]

Thurs Oct 29, 7:00pm
Defenders of the Land: National Speakers Tour
Presenters: Art Manuel (Neskonlith / Indigenous Network on Economy and Trade), Russel Diabo (Kahnawake), Mireille Lapointe (Ardoch Algonquin)
St. Joseph’s Church, 151 Laurier Ave E. (at Cumberland) [Hall entrance at 174 Wilbrod St]

Fri Oct 30, 7:00pm
Pachakut’i (Cosmic Upheaval): the Emergence of Indigenous Peoples
Presenters: Ben Powless (Six Nations), Marcelo Saavedra-Vargas (Quechua-Aymara Nation and UofO), Georges E. Sioui (Huron-Wendatt Nation and UofO), Louise Cassleman (PSAC)
Alumni Auditorium, Jock Turcot University Centre, University of Ottawa

Sat Oct 31, 11:00am
Workshop: Indigenous Solidarity for Settlers
Presented by Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement - Ottawa
room 205, Jock Turcot University Centre, University of Ottawa

Sat Oct 31, 1:00pm
Celebrating Indigenous Sovereignty march and rally
Starting at the corner of Rideau and Sussex, ending on Victoria Island, informational stops along the way.
Followed by closing ceremony with elder Albert Dumont (Algonquin)

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Thrill The World 2009 - Zombies Take over Ottawa!

Written

Katie

on Monday, October 19, 2009

Courtesy of lechampiondumonde on flicker

Courtesy of lechampiondumonde on flickr.

Although whether or not fast zombies are scarier then their slower brethren is a matter of debate, no one questions which breed of zombie is the coolest: the Michael Jackson Dancing Thriller Zombie. And while this species of ghoul may be more dangerous to your dancing shoes then anything else, it is still worth warning the good citizens of Ottawa that an infestation of frolicking undead will be hitting the streets next Saturday, October 24th.

Thrill the World started in 2007 as an attempt to create the mother of all zombie walks. The first TTW included 1,722 people in 80 cities from 17 different countries. Of course, with the untimely demise of the Zombie in Chief himself, the 2009 event will likely have a bigger draw: participants from 34 nations and more than 250 cities from all around the world are already registered.

Because there is only one thing worse then a zombie with two left feet (a zombie with your left foot!), the Ottawa Thrill the World Committee is holding a dance workshop in preparation for the big day at Agora Square at the uOttawa Uni Centre on October 22 (does anyone know what time? the site doesn’t say). Everyone is welcome, whether old, young, living impaired or not. Participation is free. For more information on how to participate in the big day itself, please check out the Ottawa Thrill the World site or their Facebook group.

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The Guide to Getting it All—Intro to poly and non-monogamous

Written

Katie

on Sunday, October 18, 2009

The Guide to Getting it All—Intro to poly and non-monogamous relationships.

Polyamory, open relationships and non-monogamy have a lot to offer, but navigating through the pitfalls can be tricky. Fortunately, there are as many ways to create open relationships as there are people doing it, so you can create the structure that works for you. In this workshop with Charlie Glickman, you’ll learn about some of the more common structures people build for their relationships, explore some of the reasons to try open relationships, talk about your relationship hopes and desires, and discuss steps you can take to overcome some of the difficulties that people in open relationships face. Whether you’re new to polyamory, you’re thinking about it, or you’re just curious, come find out more > about how it might work for you.

Charlie Glickman PhD is the Education Program Manager at Good Vibrations. He loves talking about sex and relationships and has offered workshops on sex-positivity, queer issues, sexual diversity, sexual authenticity, and lots of different sexuality practices & techniques.

2 hours

Oct 27, 2009 @ 6:30pm
for everyone
$25.00 (limited income $15.00)
Venus Envy
320 Lisgar Street
Ottawa
613 789 4646

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The ORGANIZING FOR JUSTICE conference

Written

Francois

on Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The conference aims to bring people together towards social, economic and environmental justice and healthy communities. We aim to facilitate the development of strategy and vision, skills and tools, and relationships and networks.

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Grassroots Responses to the Economic and Environmental Crises’.

There will be panels and workshops (both in English and French) as well as a music/theatre/spoken word social event, a book/info-fair, and a community dinner.

Please see our website for more:

www.OrganizingForJustice.ca

Contact:

English – 613-656-5498 / org4justice@gmail.com

French – 613-230-3076 / organisons.justice@gmail.com

* ACCESSIBILITY:

- All venues are wheelchair accessible.

- We plan to provide childcare. Please contact us if you require childcare.

- Please contact us for any further accessibility needs/requests.

* SCHEDULE:

Thurs Oct 15, 6:30-9:00pm

> PANEL DISCUSSION