Rhizome NEWS and updates

 

Become a Friend of Rhizome!

During the last two months of 2011, 135 people became Friends of Rhizome by making monetary donations of whatever amount they are able to give, either on a one-time or monthly basis. The Friends of Rhizome program was created out of a realization that Rhizome needs to develop some new revenue streams in order to thrive as a hub for community-building and social justice work. We're grateful to all who have become Friends, and are touched by the generosity of our community. Friends of Rhizome will be recognized on our amazing new mural, created by the extremely talented Melanie Schambach. Come in to see it soon! More Friends are needed to help Rhizome truly thrive in 2012 and beyond. Click here to find out how you can become a Friend of Rhizome.

 

February EVENTS:

Sentinel Shores Art Opening

Thursday, February 2, 6:00pm

Join us for a celebration of the group art show Sentinel Shores, curated by Redwire Native Youth Media, which explores concepts of what it means to be a defender of the land, through the work of diverse Indigenous youth artists. The show includes visual art by Joi Arcand, Erin Marie Konsmo, Christiana Latham, Chandra Melting Tallow, Marika Swan and Carrielynn Victor. This opening event will feature guest speakers Ta'kaiya Blaney and Art Manuel, and screenings of short films by Vanessa Claxton, Elle Maija Tailfeathers, and Jay Cardinal Villeneuve.

Free

Gathering Strength: A Night of Performance Celebrating the Role of Faith in Resistance

Friday, February 3, 7:00pm

As part of the Women for Peace against Fundamentalisms conference, this event features original performances, talks, and films on the theme of the multiple roles played by faith in social movements. Featuring Cultural Medicine Cabinet Community Choir, Fathima Cadre, Kashif Pasta, Kenan Hafi, Siobhan Barker, Streams of Justice, and Urooba Jamal.

Free

Mas Movement Salsa Party for Queer Folks and Allies

Saturday, February 4, 8:00pm

Whether you've only dreamed of Salsa or are already a pro, you are welcome here! From 8:00 on, we'll hang out, listen to some music, eat, and drink. At 9:00 we'll learn some moves from Michael Gabriel Rosen of Mas Movement. From 10:00 onward, we´ll party to the sweet rhythms of Salsa, Merengue and Reggaeton. No partner necessary.

$5-$10 sliding scale, but no one turned away for lack of funds

Stories from the Frontlines of the Honduran Teachers' Struggle

Sunday, February 5, 5:30pm

CoDev invites you to hear from Dilcia Diaz & Carolina Pineda, members of COPEMH, a Honduran teachers' union that has been at the forefront of the struggle to restore democracy in Honduras. These frontline activists will address the de facto government's "shock therapy" tactics to privatize public education, the role of international financial institutions in dismantling Honduran teachers' organizations and the new teaching practices COPEMH is developing to promote gender equity and democracy in Honduran classrooms.

Free

In our Meeting Room: Love Letters of Insurgents/Prison Solidarity Valentines

Tuesday, February 7, 7:00-9:00pm

Come and learn the do's and don'ts of writing to prisoners, while creating Valentines for political activists who are incarcerated. We'll supply the addresses, envelopes, stamps and some crafts supplies; bring your favorite poems, love song lyrics, and your creativity! Sponsored by Burnaby ABC.

Free

In our Meeting Room: Letter Drive to Stop the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline

Wednesday, February 8, 2:00-8:00pm

The proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project threatens the well-being of BC's forests, salmon runs, First Nations communities and economic integrity. Come join the democratic process and activate your voice. Tell those in power that we, the people, will not stand by and let another oil pipeline cut through the heart of the province. Take part in a day of multimedia activism and letter-writing to make a mark in the on-going review process. This is a family friendly event!

Free

ReachOut Psychosis Community Celebration Party

Thursday, February 9, 7:00pm

Join the ReachOut Psychosis team for a night of music and comedy, celebrating the 100,000th student reached by the program. Get an inside look at what the award-winning program is all about, with live demonstrations, prizes, and musical entertainment by the ReachOut band, Sneakers for Sneaking. Hosted by accordion-wielding emcee, Barbara Adler, the 100,000 Party is a chance for our community to laugh, dance, and celebrate a program that is making a real difference.

Free

Board Games are Sooooo Gay!

Friday, February 10, 7:00pm

It's another queer-friendly evening of board games. Bring your favourite games or use ours. Bring some friends, or come on your own!

Free

In our Meeting Room: A Queer Sunday CRAFTernoon

Sunday, February 12, 5:00-8:00pm

All queer youth and allies (25 and under) are invited to this afternoon of creative self-expression. Crafting supplies and snacks will be provided. Sponsored by CallOut.

Free

Book Launch: Old Growth

Thursday, February 16, 7:00pm

Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas is a renowned Haida artist who, during a thirty-year career as a political activist, began to apply classic Haida visual forms and narratives to contemporary means of communication, including political cartoons and comics. Old Growth chronicles over thirty years of Yahgulanaas' graphic works that document the history of political negotiations and cultural conflict off the Northwest Coast of Canada. The book reflects on such urgent topics as depletion of natural resources, global climate change and the fundamental question of "how to live together."

Free

WAM Van Thank You Jam!

Friday, February 17, 8:00pm

Women, Action and the Media invites you to a musical extravaganza featuring the band MataHari. All funds raised will help support the 2nd annual WAM Community Conference.

$10 suggested donation

Naomi Ayot: Canada Africa Partnership on AIDS

Saturday, February 18, 7:00pm

Cap AIDS invites you to hear from Naomi Ayot, Program Director for Cap AIDS Uganda. Naomi will discuss Cap AIDS' work to support grassroots community efforts to resist, survive and overcome the AIDS pandemic in Africa.

Free, donations welcome

Tour of Duty: Film Screening and Discussion

Sunday, February 19, 6:00pm

StopWar hosts this screening of the film Tour of Duty, and a public discussion on the ongoing occupation of Afghanistan, where Canada maintains nearly 1,000 military personnel.

By donation

In our Meeting Room: Radical Arting

Tuesday, February 21, 6:00-9:00pm

Carla and Dana invite you to join them in the Rhizome meeting room to make radical art, zines, buttons, cards, posters, flyers, patches, whatever! Zine-making and arting is a great way to make new friends and to share your creative awesome with others. They will provide art supplies and you can bring your ideas and creativity.

Free, all are welcome

Book Launch: Mounties, Maple Leaves and TV

Thursday, February 23, 7:00pm

Award-winning author, filmmaker and media scholar Marusya Bociurkiw reads from her latest book Feeling Canadian: Television Nationalism and Affect. From state funerals to Olympic ceremonies, she'll track the rise of nationalist content on Canadian television after the 1995 Quebec referendum, looking at how Canadian television works overtime to resolve the messy contradictions of nationhood. She closely examines the coverage of and aftermath to 9/11, when racial profiling became embedded in Canadian news.

Free

thrilLITERATE Reading Series Finale- Night ONE!

Friday, February 24, 7:00pm

The thrilLITERATE Reading Series has showcased some of Vancouver's most acclaimed queer and allied authors to raise funds for the women's literacy program at WISH, a drop-in centre for female survival sex workers in the Downtown Eastside. After nearly five years, organizer and host Amber Dawn is saddened, but ready to retire this community literary event, BUT NOT WITHOUT A FINAL FAREWELL—on two nights, Feb 24 and 25. Readers on Feb 24 include Elizabeth Bachinsky, Afuwa Granger, Shana Myara, Donna Dykeman, Aaron Chan, Cathleen With, Antonette Rea and Tony Correia.

$5-20 sliding scale

thrilLITERATE Reading Series Finale- Night TWO!

Saturday, February 25, 7:00pm

The thrilLITERATE Reading Series has showcased some of Vancouver's most acclaimed queer and allied authors to raise funds for the women's literacy program at WISH, a drop-in centre for female survival sex workers in the Downtown Eastside. After nearly five years, organizer and host Amber Dawn is saddened, but ready to retire this community literary event, BUT NOT WITHOUT A FINAL FAREWELL—on two nights, Feb 24 and 25. Readers on Feb 25 include Tash Wolfe, Larissa Lai, Terra Poirier, Sonnet L'Abbe, Crystal Sikma, Sigal Samuel and Amber Dawn.

$5-20 sliding scale

Rhizome FreeStore

Sunday, February 26, 5:00-8:00pm

Share what you have; get what you need! Rhizome's monthly FreeStore events allow us to share our resources with each other. Bring something you love but are ready to pass on. Come get some new-to-you items. This is not a swap! Don't feel that you need to bring anything to take something, and please don't bring tons of stuff!

Free

Tobacco Wars and Other Words

Thursday, March 1, 8:00pm

As part of the Talking Stick Festival, a citywide celebration of Aboriginal performance and art, Paul Seesequasis (Ontario), Alex Jacobs (New Mexico), and Janet Rogers (BC) read from their newly published works.

By donation 

Dangerous Mammals

Friday, March 2, 8:00pm

Join two fine storytellers, Ivan E. Coyote and S. Bear Bergman, for an evening of stories around the gender campfire.

$10-15 sliding scale, but no one turned away

Soul and Consciousness

Saturday, March 3, 8:00pm

Join local artists Eirene Cloma, Janette King, Mutya Macatumpag, Lexi Marie, and Kristie McCracken for a night of music and spoken word with soul and consciousness. Part of the proceeds will be going towards Vancouver Co-operative Radio's local and international women's music program She-Boom!

$7-10 sliding scale

Seed Passage

Sunday, March 4, 6:00pm

Seed Passage is a night of remembrance and celebration for mentorship movements across the African diaspora. Honoring the recently passed Wangari Maathia (African Greenbelt Movement), this night will bring together community, history and artists to discuss and share how mentoring relations have an impact in our lives. This event is a celebration of continuing Black History beyond one month of the year.

$5-15 sliding scale, but no one turned away for lack of funds

 

The rest of our March calendar will be added at the end of February. We update this calendar at the end of each month, and occasionally at other times when we have late additions to make. Check in regularly for updates. Thank you!