Radical Art History with Aaron
21st St. Coop Commons June @ 3pm
This course will look at art and culture and its ability to influence social change via grassroot initiatives. It will address the intersections between art and activism throughout history by a range of different periods and mediums. Several different tactics will be utilized to discuss the material such as: discussion, going out to community events, powerpoints, selective readings, etc. No materials are required.
Crafting with Found Materials with Amanda
RE-aRT, behind 2608 Rogers Ave. 78722 April 9 & 23, May 7 & 21 @ 1pm
This ongoing 1.5-hr class will get you looking at everyday objects in a whole new way. Whether you are interested in making furniture, shelter, sculpture, or apparel, chances are that it can be done with a minimal number of supplies and tools by using cast-off items and employing some basic skills. In each class Amanda will demo a different recycled craft and students will receive hands-on experience with materials and tools. The course will be shaped by student interests, so the order and content of demos will vary. After the demos, students will be set loose to either follow an inspiration or to tinker with a selected material. Amanda will offer technical advice and guidance on these independent projects.
Basic Painting Techniques with Raegan
Space 12, 3121 E 12th Street April 13 & 20 @ 3pm
All ages are welcome to this 2-hour multimedia introduction to painting. Bring whatever paints you would like to work with, as Raegan will go over basic techniques for a variety of media, including watercolor, acrylics and oil paints. A small amount of paper, brushes and watercolor supplies will be available, so come even if you can't bring anything!
Beer Appreciation, Part I: History and Traditions of Alcoholwith Justin
The Ginger Man, 301 Lavaca April 17 @ 7pm
There are numerous microbreweries popping up all over Austin, eg. 512, Independence, Jester brewing, and Black star co-op. However, the number of people who actually know the history of beer and how it all got started is surprisingly small. Justin will use what he has learned from visits to these breweries along with the guide “Alcoholic Esoteric” to spread some light on the drink that shaped civilization as we know it: beer! ***Due to location restrictions, all students for this class must be 21+.
Fractals & Chaos Theory with Ken
House of Commons, 2610 Rio Grande St. April 19 & 26 @ 8pm
“Natural order” to the wind! This course will provide a brief, math-based introduction to chaos: what it means scientifically and how it manifests in real events. Ken will prep students with an understanding of fractals and dynamical systems before defining chaos in terms of bifurcation and then exploring how all this looks in a phenomenon we deal with every day: the weather. Some knowledge of imaginary numbers is helpful; email Ken at [email protected] to learn more!
Acting Audition Crash-Course with Elena
Space 12, 3121 E 12th Street April 19, 26 & May 3 @ 3pm
A 2-hour intensive training in which attendees will learn the basics of an acting audition: reviewing the essential components of a short but expressive monologue, mastering cold-readings, and practicing improvisation through fun games. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own monologues. Class size limited to 10.
***Interested in helping out? We are always looking for spaces to host our classes. Community centers, businesses or even homes are all useful! Call (409)-233-3171 or email us at [email protected] to offer a space.
Collage Workshop with Elena
Space 12, 3121 E 12th Street April 20, 27 & May 4 @ 4pmA cheap and simple way to express your artistic flair, this hands-on class will unleash your inner “collageophile.” We'll learn some basic techniques to bring out the best in your composition as well as ways to use your new favorite hobby at home. Bring old magazines, art supplies, or whatever you want to supplement your collage experience or to swap with others. Limited amount of paper, scissors, glue, magazines, etc will be provided, so arrive early or bring what you can to help out.
The Natural Philosophy of Chemistry with Elliot
Picnic tables at Eastwoods Park, N. of Dean Keeton at Harris Park Ave. April 21, 28 @ 6pm
An inquiry into the nature of chemical science informed by its written history. The format of this class is conversational, starting with a single question. The inquiry progresses based on the revelation of more detailed observations (in an order roughly following their historical unfolding) and discussion about the meaning of these experiments. Lavoisier through Dalton, Agrovado, Davy and Mendeleev: The first use of "oxygen" and "oxidation" to the periodic classification of all the elements based on their valency, and the horizon of physical chemistry.
Poetry Workshop facilitated by Katlyn
Spiderhouse Cafe, 2907 Fruth St. April 27, May 4 & May 25 @ 7pm
True to the Free Skool mission, all students in this class will be teaching one another. Anyone interested in writing poetry and collaborating with other poets-- amateur or otherwise-- is invited to come share their passion. Students are asked to bring one original work with 5-10 copies for the rest of the class to read and write comments on. This will be a fun, casual way to get feedback from a diverse group of poets as to how your poem is perceived by the reader and how successful it is in communicating your desired message.
Beer Appreciation, Part II: A Deeper Understanding of the Beer We Love with Justin
The Ginger Man, 301 Lavaca April 28 @ 7pm
A continuation of Justin's beer appreciation class, he will delve further into the science and craft of perfecting the unique flavors of dark and light brews.***Due to location restrictions, all students for this class must be 21+.
Italian Conversation facilitated by Katlyn
Spiderhouse Cafe, 2907 Fruth St. May 1, 8 & 22 @ 5pm
Looking for an outlet to satisfy your starved italophile? Dust off those language skills and “passa il tempo” with fellow Italian speakers and at this casual conversation meet-up. Beginners and esperti all welcome! Let's learn with one another. “Class” meets outside at the Spiderhouse Cafe picnic tables.
Surrealist Subversion 101 presented by… the Austin Bureau of Surrealist Research
Capitol Building steps May 22 @ 3pm
Art historians, academics, and others who would ossify the hot magma of the incendiary human spirit -- these figures would have you believe surrealism was about painting pretty things... not psychic liberation and metaphysical revolution. 'Surrealist Subversion 101' is a fiercely anti-revisionist account of the true spirit of a movement that started not with Salvador Dali (the man whose name anagrams AVIDA DOLLARS) but with such hallowed & mysterious countercultural icons as William Blake, the Comte de Lautreamont, Gerard de Nerval, Giorgio di Chirico, Andre Breton, Louis Aragon, Paul Eluard, Benjamin Peret. This class will expose students to the philosophy and politics of the movement as well as dramatic readings from some of the first and foremost Surrealist theorists and authors. We will then actively engage our lovely willing set of participants in workshops on automatic writing, a few games of Exquisite Corpse, and open-ended discussions on the extension of (extensions of) Surrealism into everyday life: from guerrilla theatre to what Hakim Bey calls 'poetic
terrorism.' Bring a pen and a notepad if you have one, and prepare for something as weirdly sublime as "the chance meeting on a dissecting table of a sewing machine and an umbrella" (Lautreamont). Class will only meet if at least 3 students are registered, so give us a call at (409)-233-3171 and make it happen!
21st St. Coop Commons June @ 3pm
This course will look at art and culture and its ability to influence social change via grassroot initiatives. It will address the intersections between art and activism throughout history by a range of different periods and mediums. Several different tactics will be utilized to discuss the material such as: discussion, going out to community events, powerpoints, selective readings, etc. No materials are required.
Crafting with Found Materials with Amanda
RE-aRT, behind 2608 Rogers Ave. 78722 April 9 & 23, May 7 & 21 @ 1pm
This ongoing 1.5-hr class will get you looking at everyday objects in a whole new way. Whether you are interested in making furniture, shelter, sculpture, or apparel, chances are that it can be done with a minimal number of supplies and tools by using cast-off items and employing some basic skills. In each class Amanda will demo a different recycled craft and students will receive hands-on experience with materials and tools. The course will be shaped by student interests, so the order and content of demos will vary. After the demos, students will be set loose to either follow an inspiration or to tinker with a selected material. Amanda will offer technical advice and guidance on these independent projects.
Basic Painting Techniques with Raegan
Space 12, 3121 E 12th Street April 13 & 20 @ 3pm
All ages are welcome to this 2-hour multimedia introduction to painting. Bring whatever paints you would like to work with, as Raegan will go over basic techniques for a variety of media, including watercolor, acrylics and oil paints. A small amount of paper, brushes and watercolor supplies will be available, so come even if you can't bring anything!
Beer Appreciation, Part I: History and Traditions of Alcoholwith Justin
The Ginger Man, 301 Lavaca April 17 @ 7pm
There are numerous microbreweries popping up all over Austin, eg. 512, Independence, Jester brewing, and Black star co-op. However, the number of people who actually know the history of beer and how it all got started is surprisingly small. Justin will use what he has learned from visits to these breweries along with the guide “Alcoholic Esoteric” to spread some light on the drink that shaped civilization as we know it: beer! ***Due to location restrictions, all students for this class must be 21+.
Fractals & Chaos Theory with Ken
House of Commons, 2610 Rio Grande St. April 19 & 26 @ 8pm
“Natural order” to the wind! This course will provide a brief, math-based introduction to chaos: what it means scientifically and how it manifests in real events. Ken will prep students with an understanding of fractals and dynamical systems before defining chaos in terms of bifurcation and then exploring how all this looks in a phenomenon we deal with every day: the weather. Some knowledge of imaginary numbers is helpful; email Ken at [email protected] to learn more!
Acting Audition Crash-Course with Elena
Space 12, 3121 E 12th Street April 19, 26 & May 3 @ 3pm
A 2-hour intensive training in which attendees will learn the basics of an acting audition: reviewing the essential components of a short but expressive monologue, mastering cold-readings, and practicing improvisation through fun games. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own monologues. Class size limited to 10.
***Interested in helping out? We are always looking for spaces to host our classes. Community centers, businesses or even homes are all useful! Call (409)-233-3171 or email us at [email protected] to offer a space.
Collage Workshop with Elena
Space 12, 3121 E 12th Street April 20, 27 & May 4 @ 4pmA cheap and simple way to express your artistic flair, this hands-on class will unleash your inner “collageophile.” We'll learn some basic techniques to bring out the best in your composition as well as ways to use your new favorite hobby at home. Bring old magazines, art supplies, or whatever you want to supplement your collage experience or to swap with others. Limited amount of paper, scissors, glue, magazines, etc will be provided, so arrive early or bring what you can to help out.
The Natural Philosophy of Chemistry with Elliot
Picnic tables at Eastwoods Park, N. of Dean Keeton at Harris Park Ave. April 21, 28 @ 6pm
An inquiry into the nature of chemical science informed by its written history. The format of this class is conversational, starting with a single question. The inquiry progresses based on the revelation of more detailed observations (in an order roughly following their historical unfolding) and discussion about the meaning of these experiments. Lavoisier through Dalton, Agrovado, Davy and Mendeleev: The first use of "oxygen" and "oxidation" to the periodic classification of all the elements based on their valency, and the horizon of physical chemistry.
Poetry Workshop facilitated by Katlyn
Spiderhouse Cafe, 2907 Fruth St. April 27, May 4 & May 25 @ 7pm
True to the Free Skool mission, all students in this class will be teaching one another. Anyone interested in writing poetry and collaborating with other poets-- amateur or otherwise-- is invited to come share their passion. Students are asked to bring one original work with 5-10 copies for the rest of the class to read and write comments on. This will be a fun, casual way to get feedback from a diverse group of poets as to how your poem is perceived by the reader and how successful it is in communicating your desired message.
Beer Appreciation, Part II: A Deeper Understanding of the Beer We Love with Justin
The Ginger Man, 301 Lavaca April 28 @ 7pm
A continuation of Justin's beer appreciation class, he will delve further into the science and craft of perfecting the unique flavors of dark and light brews.***Due to location restrictions, all students for this class must be 21+.
Italian Conversation facilitated by Katlyn
Spiderhouse Cafe, 2907 Fruth St. May 1, 8 & 22 @ 5pm
Looking for an outlet to satisfy your starved italophile? Dust off those language skills and “passa il tempo” with fellow Italian speakers and at this casual conversation meet-up. Beginners and esperti all welcome! Let's learn with one another. “Class” meets outside at the Spiderhouse Cafe picnic tables.
Surrealist Subversion 101 presented by… the Austin Bureau of Surrealist Research
Capitol Building steps May 22 @ 3pm
Art historians, academics, and others who would ossify the hot magma of the incendiary human spirit -- these figures would have you believe surrealism was about painting pretty things... not psychic liberation and metaphysical revolution. 'Surrealist Subversion 101' is a fiercely anti-revisionist account of the true spirit of a movement that started not with Salvador Dali (the man whose name anagrams AVIDA DOLLARS) but with such hallowed & mysterious countercultural icons as William Blake, the Comte de Lautreamont, Gerard de Nerval, Giorgio di Chirico, Andre Breton, Louis Aragon, Paul Eluard, Benjamin Peret. This class will expose students to the philosophy and politics of the movement as well as dramatic readings from some of the first and foremost Surrealist theorists and authors. We will then actively engage our lovely willing set of participants in workshops on automatic writing, a few games of Exquisite Corpse, and open-ended discussions on the extension of (extensions of) Surrealism into everyday life: from guerrilla theatre to what Hakim Bey calls 'poetic
terrorism.' Bring a pen and a notepad if you have one, and prepare for something as weirdly sublime as "the chance meeting on a dissecting table of a sewing machine and an umbrella" (Lautreamont). Class will only meet if at least 3 students are registered, so give us a call at (409)-233-3171 and make it happen!
