|
Pulse of the Twin Cities Login |
|
If you do not have an account yet
Create One.
|
|
|
Twin Town High (vol. 8) |
|
|
|
|
The Snow is General
Wednesday 26 November @ 14:59:19 |
 Holidays Redefined
by Lydia Howell
Profane consumerism tries to hijack this sacred season. Bush’s war and continued terrorism make celebration appear escapist. But, gift-giving can support peace and justice. This convergence of the “holy days” of most major religions encourages the possibility of transcending militarized nationalism for multicultural interconnectedness if one explores the holidays of the “other” and allows these experiences to redefine one’s own holiday time.
Events listed here offer such opportunities for expansion (the events listed are occurring in Minneapolis, unless otherwise noted).
In the words of Paulette Sankofa, co-director of Women Against Military Madness (WAMM), “To create real solidarity, we have to eat together, sing together, pray together, celebrate together.” Keep these words in mind as you read this story and celebrate this holiday season.
THANKSGIVING
The Pilgrims would have starved without the generosity of Indigenous people, yet the tribe that welcomed them suffered genocide within 20 years. But keep this in mind when sitting down to celebrate this Thanksgiving: “harvest celebrations” are a universal expression of gratitude for Creation’s sustenance.
NOV. 28-30: Thanksgiving Give-Away: Keeping Traditions Alive. Performance artist Margo Kane’s (Cree-Saulteaux) humorous, irreverent rant/meditation on what giving means, presented by Pangea. Bring a gift for give-away! $12. Fri./Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave. S. 612-827-4444.
NOV. 28: Talkin’ Roots Crew.
Go to the roots of “the family of humanity” exemplified by reggae music with poet David Daniels’ journey exploring JFK, Alaska, Woody Guthrie and more mystical/political touchstones. 9 p.m., $5. Acadia, 1931 Nicollet Ave.
NOV. 28-30: Ku Klux Kumbia!
Trece Lunas presents a satirical circus theater (in English) and Spanish music by Pachamama Band. An undocumented immigrant’s pact with the Devil and spiritual/revolutionary journey celebrates resistance. $15/sliding scale. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. Center Independent Artists, 4137 Bloomington Ave. S. 612-721-7233 http://www.13Lunas.org.
NOV. 30: Alternative Thanksgiving Special 3p.m. KFAI Radio 90.3FM Mpls, 106.7 FM St. Paul. (For details of holiday programs, “Catalyst” page, http://www.kfai.org).
DEC.2: What I Want My Words To Do To You Many absent from holiday gatherings are in the U.S. prisons (the largest incarcerated population on Earth—with mothers the fastest growing inmates.) This film documents playwright Eve Ensler (“Vagina Monologues”) doing creative writing with these women. Donate PAPERBACK books for the Women’s Prison Book Project. 612-729-5848. wpbp@prisonactivist.org. FREE. 7 p.m. Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave. S.
DEC. 11-13: Talking Suitcases.
Tru Tuts, spoken word, and Carla Vogel co-create stories of immigrants with Hayor Bibiman Dancers. 7:30 p.m. Intermedia Arts. 612-871-4444.
CREATING PEACE ON EARTH
Bush’s “crusade” for U.S. military/economic world domination, suicide bombings by Palestinians and Al-Qaeda, and Israel’s brutality in the Occupied Territories are terrible contradictions to an undeniable fact: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are rooted in the same region of the world, all three “born of Abraham.” Exploring on the Internet by typing in a religion begins critical interfaith understanding. Cultural exchange and war resistance are deep ways to honor the season.
DEC. 4: BENEFIT for film being made about U.S. occupation of Iraq. Luminous spoken word performers Louis Alemayhu (Ancestor Energy), Sha Cage (Mama Mosaic), Ellen Hinchcliffe, Eric Bok Lee, more. $10. 7 p.m.,Babylon Gallery, 1624 East Lake. http://www.thebabylon.org.
DEC. 7: SOS! Women’s Convergence
Share experience challenging diverse oppressions and war from female perspectives.$5-10/No one turned away(childcare included). 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Spirit of the Lakes Church, 13th Ave. S. /East Lake St. 612-722-5998 http://www.speakoutsisters.org.
DEC. 10: Human Rights Day
Protest Occupations by U.S. in Iraq and Israel in Palestine. 4:30 p.m. Federal Building, 4th St./4th Ave. downtown Minneapolis.
DEC.20: Send An Anti-War Message for the Holidays.
Rally by IPAC (Iraq Peace Action Coalition). Alternative caroling after action. 1 p.m. Walker Library Plaza, Hennepin/Lagoon. For info: WAMM 612- 827-5363 or Veterans for Peace 612-821-9141
DEC.21: Merriam Park Neighbors For Peace Candlelight vigil. 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Summit/Snelling, St. Paul. Bring NON-perishable item for food shelf.
RAMADAN
The holiest Islamic month ends on Thanksgiving. Daily fasting aims to unite all in shared experience of “want” that, coupled with intensified contemplation, creates compassionate giving for the less fortunate, one of the Five Pillars (core beliefs) of Islam. Post-9/11, Muslims are almost entirely represented as “terrorists,” making alternative perspectives essential.
DEC.7: Racism Against Arabs/Muslims
Talk by Macalester professor Khaldoun Samman.
DEC. 14: Racism & Works of Mercy
Talk by Father Frank Cordoro. Both talks 7:30 p.m., St. Francis Cabrini Church, 1500 Franklin Ave. SE.
Dec. 5-7: Iranian Animation Festival (various times) and Dec. 19-24: “Forget Baghdad.” Reflects on a century of cinema’s representations of “the Jew” and “the Arab” in Iraq and Israel. 7:15 p.m. (plus 5:15 p.m. weekends). $6. U. Film Society, Bell Auditorium, 17th/University Avenues SE. 612-331-3134. http://www.ufilm.org.
CHANUKAH
Based on a victory over Greeks, the eight day holiday celebrates Jewish survival and the triumph of light over darkness. Jewish scripture does NOT emphasize the battle, but rather centers on the miracle of one day’s worth of holy oil burning for eight days.
DEC. 5-19: Minnesota Jewish Theatre presents “The Magic Dreidels,” based on Eric Kimmel’s children’s book. Performances in both Minneapolis/St. Paul. $12 adults/$9 children 651-647-4315.
DEC.7: Israeli folk singer/songwriter David Broza, presented by Jewish Students Ctr., Coffman Union Theatre, U. of M. $20/$10 students 612-379-4026. Interfaith Families: http://www.jewishminnesota.org.
(Also see “Servant’s Christmas”)
CHRISTMAS
A star leads both the mighty and the humble to a newborn Jewish baby, who became the Prince of Peace. Our common experiences of new life inspire hope for humanity’s reconciliation, despite the fundamentalist Christian drive towards war.
NOV. 29: The Gift
T. Mycheal Rambo and Debbie Duncan, R & B/gospel concert. $18-28. 8 p.m., Fitzgerald Theatre, St. Paul. 651-290-1221. Visit http://www.mpr.org for other holiday concerts.
THROUGH DEC.28: A Servant’s Christmas: The Musical.
Local playwright John Fenn’s holiday classic, set in early 1900s St. Paul’s Summit Avenue, centers on Monica, a Jewish servant girl (hiding her faith), working for a wealthy Christian family. Local composer, Drew Jansen (Gangster Musical, How To Talk Minnesotan) gives a familiar favorite sparkling new music. $27-29. Wed./Thurs. 7:30 p.m. Fri./Sat. 8 p.m., Great American History Theatre, St. Paul 651-292-4323
DEC. 17: Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers Party
Singing, sandwiches, write a collective peace-letter to elected representatives, and make “Shalom” buttons. FREE. 6:30 p.m., Macalester Plymouth Church, 1658 Lincoln Ave. St. Paul.
DEC. 18-21: Nutcracker
Ethnic Dance Theatre takes the toe shoes out, creating a fantasia of folk traditions from Ukraine, Belgium, Sweden, Appalachia, others. $10-25. Thurs.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m., Concordia University Theatre, 312 North Hamline, St. Paul. 612-343-3390.
WINTER SOLSTICE
The Longest night and the shortest day of the year: rituals for the sun’s return. Recognizing the co-existence of dark and light in nature and ourselves.
DEC. 5-30: Heart of the Beast Puppet/Mask Theatre’s “Wild Swans.”
Fairy tale by Grimm Brothers, Hans Christian Anderson and feminist/pagan Starhawk: a girl’s journey to find her lost brothers bewitched into swans. Fri.-Sun. 7:30 p.m. Weekends 2 p.m. matinees. $18 adult/$15 children. 1500 East Lake (612)721-2535.
DEC. 14: Boiled in Lead
TC Irish punk-folk. $12 advance/$14 door. 8 p.m. DEC.20: TC acoustic singer/songwriter Kari Tauring’s annual Solstice Concert. $10 advance/$12 door. 8 p.m. BOTH @ Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave. S. For complete schedule: http://www.thecedar.com. 612-338-2674.
DEC. 21: Solstice @ Coldwater Springs
Sacred to Native Americans, battled over by MDOT and environmentalists. Hear 15-women chorus Earthtones, participate in ritual. 2 p.m., Minnehaha Park, 54th St. East, right on frontage road (parking near site).
KWANZA
Meaning “first fruits” it was created in 1966 as a cultural aspect of the Black Liberation Movement. Kwanza is a seven-day celebration affirming the African-American community. Honoring these values uplifts anyone: unity, self-determination, collective work/responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, faith.
DEC. 19: WAMM hosts KWANZA:
Multicultural poets/ musicians, African dancers, food. $3/No one turned away. 6 p.m., DeSalle High School, 1 DeSalle Drive.
DATE NOT SET at press: Oak Park Community Center traditionally hosts KWANZA celebration. 612-377-7000.
DEC. 3/4: Spike Lee Films:
“Malcolm X” brilliantly portrayed by Denzel Washington.
DEC.10/11: Do The Right Thing,
African-American and Italian-American cultures collide one August day. Lee’s breakthrough film still raises relevant questions for all our communities and is visually marvelous. 7:20 p.m., & 9:45 p.m. U. Film Society, Bell Auditorium.
HOLIDAY COMIC RELIEF
NOV.27-JAN. 1: Minnesota: It’s Not Just For Lutherans Anymore
Ice fishing to hot dish, Brave New Workshop’s send-up of all things Minnesota. Includes classic “church potluck” meal with show(3 hour event) PG/family friendly, kids age 5+. Palace Theatre, 17 West 17th Place, St. Paul. Call for time 612-332-6620.
   
|
|
 |
|
|
Comments -
Post Comment |
|
The comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for its content.
NO comments yet! Be the first!
|
|
|
