Funemployment 2018 - Week 2 Report

Okay, not going to lie, this post is backdated because Thanksgiving week just got away from me. I think it being a holiday week...it was just a lot, which I'll touch on a bit in the Week 3 report. In the meantime, here's what happened in the week since my Week 1 Report.

Follow-up from last week

I did not win my write-in campaign for ANC. So Congratulations to Nick Cheolas. Looking forward to supporting him and holding him accountable for representing all of us in ANC 5E01. And I especially look forward to running against him ON the ballot in 2020.

My Unemployment is on hold as they take 21 days to do some fact-finding as far as the manner of my termination. But I'm still submitting things as required for if/when they approve it.

Job Hunting

So, there were two jobs I mentioned last week, which I submitted applications for.

The Project Manager position at Wired Impact is particularly appealing because:

1. As a faithful Wired subscriber, finding out they had a nonprofit website product and service was the best of my worlds colliding, and I'm a huge fan
2. The position is a remote one, so I'd be able to stay in DC
3. I would love helping nonprofits all over get great websites up and running

And then there's the Community Programs Manager at Arena Stage. This one was of interest because:

1. Work would be just a couple of blocks away from my parents house, so I'd probably see them a bit more
2. It would be nice being involved in Direct Service again, after years of respresenting teaching artist, giving grants to artists and orgs, and advocating for youth centered and informed funding, legilsations, and policies. 

Two more places I'm looking at are Executive Director at Dance Metro DC and Front Desk Receptionist at Beacon House.

COFFEE Club

During my time at DCAYA, I rebooted a regular gathering of Communication staff members at member ogs. And then started a group for all employees, friends, colleagues, etc. that might manage Communications, whether or not they were at a DCAYA Member org.

This group was called COFFEE Club for:

Communication Officers Forgathered For Enabling Effectiveness

Now I don't know if DCAYA will continue to convene regular meetings for Communication staff, but I'm glad COFFEE Club will go on, through and with the work of the co-chair, as well as other members, in terms of hosting it.

So, if you are interested and manage communications for your org, consider joining us:

• Join our Facebook group
• Follow us on Twitter

Dance Place Board Meeting

Even in unemployment, there is plenty of work to do. And this meeting was no exception. Beyond our regular board business, we were presented with a mostly final draft of a Strategic Alignment project from Compass Consulting.

I won't go into the details of the actual project presentation. I'll just say that it's a pretty phenomenal suite of pro bono services that Compass provides:

• Board Development
• Funding Strategy
• Partnerships and Collaborations
• Strategic Alignment
• Strategic Marketing &
• Strategic Planning

If you're a nonprofit in DC, and you haven't checked them out yet, you should.

Die Hard

So...nothing says the holidays like Die Hard. And since the original one came out 30 years ago, this year, I thought I'd use my favorite crowdsourcing movie screening platform, Tugg, to make it happen.

If you're not familiar with it, you just request to screen a film in their library, pick a date, and they take care of all the administrative stuff, booking it with the venue, making sure the film gets there, setting upt the ticket page.

All you have to do is make sure that a certain threshold of ticket sales (really, reservations because no cards get charged until that threshold is reached), to make the movie actually happen.

And if you're free and in DC on December 19, I hope you can help us make Die Hard happen:

• Get your ticket(s) on Tugg
• Invite your friends on Facebook

Broadway Singalong

This was definitely a highlight of the week. We had at least 50 people show up, even despite the weather that Thursday.

Thrilled to have executed this third event with my singalong partner in crime, Kristin. We were inspired after a couple of magical afternoons at Burning Man, with a camp that did this. And we're really getting the hang of it. It's a true singalong, no karaoke mic, but this time with words on the screen.

It's the second one we've done quarterly, whereas a whole year and a half passed between the first and the second one. And we alternated from Disney to Broadway for the most recent one, so we'll be back to Disney in three months. Now we just need to find a venue with a room for free that is accessible and kid friendly, as requested by some who could not make them so far.

Which I guess I should add to my to-do list this week!

DCAYA Exit Interview

It should have been a red flag that the board chair just wanted to have a conversation and listen, and that I was more prepared in terms of typical exit interview questions and having answers for them.

Regardless, I presented an outline for how I thought the conversation should go, starting with life in general, what I liked about DCAYA, what could've worked better, and what they should look for in hiring a replacement.

Anyway, obviously still processing.

Meeting w/ Arts Management friends and more

I continued to call in the troops and met up with about 10 people over the week.

These ranged from Arts Management colleagues I hadn't seen in a while, including one that just had their first album release party at the 9:30 Club. Others I got to chat with ranged from Burner friends to Youth Development folx I'd met while at DCAYA whose work I still wanted to be involved with and support, which I discuss a bit more later.

Overall, definitely thankful for the literal social net I've had to catch me. Even if these meetings and coffee dates aren't directly resulting in job prospects, I feel like they're all relationships that have informed my life and will continue to do so. If anything, I feel like it's helped me reset my own personal and professional compass when it comes to what's next.

Aida

Even in unemployment, the show must go on. In this case, it meant having a wonderful date night with my partner, and introducing them to Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, presented by Constellation Theatre.

I forgot how much I loved the soundtrack, and am kinda bummed that none of the soungs from this show made it into the singalong list earlier in the week. But hopefully our next Broadway singalong, that will change.

The love story also reminded me of all the reasons I love Kegan/Compass, my partner. I know, chessy, but whatever, that's part of what makes musicals so great. And it was a good note to remember to see art, especially when it feels like my life is unmoored.

The Community Enrichment Project

This is the organizaiton I mentioned earlier, which I came across and met its founder, Lauren Grimes, during my time at DCAYA. Fun fact, she's also another DC native. And her goal with the organization?

To instill a strong sense of civic awareness and engagement in underserved communities. 

So the work continues, because youth development work in the District is so much more than any one organization. And it being a relatively new and young organization, I just hope to do whatever I can to help her sustain and grow it and its programs.

Coming Up in Funemployment Week 3

That's it for Week 2. I anticipate next week will be a slow week, but I'm sure there will still be plenty to share:

• More Catching Up
• A Thanksgiving Moot

And a reminder that I'm experimenting with email updates specifically targeted to different interests and events.

So please sign-up.

Until next time,

- Nexus aka JR

Funemployment 2018 - Week 1 Report

So I remember trying this the last time I was funemployed 3 years ago, but it didn't last past the first day.

We'll see if a weekly format might work better. As many of you who know me now know, I was terminated from my job a week ago today. It was definitely a shock to me as I'd been there for 3 years, and there'd been no prior incidences, no warnings, no period for corrective action.

But life goes on, and I had no time to wallow. So here's a bit of what I've been up to.

I Called for Backup

When I left the office for the last time, I reached out and my loving partner, who was on their way home to Alexandria, turned around and met me at what was part of my daily route from the bus stop to the office: Buttercreme.

This helped process what was a mostly irrational and surprising morning. From there:

Election Day and my ANC Write-In Campaign

Given that it was Election Day, I went straight home and straight to the polls. There was a bit of a line but not too long of a wait. And while I was in the polling place, my partner was helping my write-in campaign for the ANC 5E01 Commissioner seat by flyering outside. See, our present Commissioner, Ed, was not running for re-election and the ballot was blank.

Greater Greater Washington had a great piece identifying all the empty ANC ballots, encouraging write-in candidates to submit their questionnaire to be considered for endorsement the week before election...and so I did, as well as Nick Cheolas.

And although Nick is one of the write-in candidates who received their endorsement for our race, they still had some pretty nice things to say about me:

Cheolas looks really strong on a lot of our issues. So, too, does Nathaniel Russ, Jr., who also completed our questionnaire and is vying for write-in votes in 5E01. Russ is a strong pedestrian safety advocate, and writes that “roads and vehicles are most valuable when they serve their primary function, that of moving people in between places.” This leads to his support of additional bus and bike infrastructure. 

Russ also discusses a bunch of interesting ideas when it comes to youth empowerment and job creation in his questionnaire. Ultimately, while both candidates here are good, we think Cheolas most clearly will lead the way on urbanist issues, thus he won our endorsement.

So I made sure to tell my friends, including my former neighbors in the Brookland Artspace Lofts. Something that was really interesting about our race, out of the roughly 20 write-in only campaigns, when I checked the DC Board of Elections site for results, our ANC 5E01 race received 299 write-ins. The next closest was 168, and the median was about 103, with some races receiving single digits numbers for write-ins, and one even 0. Which means, that our ANC had the highest participation rate in terms of individual voters. And however the race goes, that's pretty awesome.

Thank You For Being a Friend

So in the past week, I've reached out to about a dozen friends and colleagues. I'm using this Funemployment period to catch up and check in with people whom I've worked with in the past or would like to do some good with in the future. I've already talked to five of them in person or over the phone, and I have about five more on the calendar within the next week.

Reconnecting this inentionally has been a great way to recruit the emotional support I candidly need during this time, as well as some opportunities to course correct in terms of what to do for work, for good, and/or for fun. One conversation I had, with advice that really stuck with me, was to simply create my ideal job description(s) and work towards that, even pitching it to organizations whose work I care for and mission I am passionate about who may not have a position like it yet.

I was also stoked to wrap up a week of these with a phenomenal conversation about Woolly Mammoth's Ambassador program, finding out more about it and what they expect participants to bring to the table.

Job Hunting

Speaking of Woolly Mammoth, one of the several job openings they currently have is particularly exciting for me: Civic Organizer. The job description practically matches what I'd steered my previous job to allowing me to do more of, and even before I saw this opportunity, I had in mind to do more of it in general. Also, I think it's no secret that Woolly Mammoth is my favorite theatre in DC.

One of the other jobs that I came across and submitted my application for is at the National LGBTQ Task Force. They are looking for a Communications Manager. And this position equally excites me but in completely different ways. As oposed to hyper-local, there is an appeal in expanding my advocacy work to the national level. And as a member of the LGBTQ community, the work would obviously be very personal. So, we'll see.

Two other places I'm looking at and plan on submitting this week are for a Project Manager position at Wired Impact and a Community Programs Manager at Arena Stage. And I know what some of you may be thinking, so before you comment, let me just stop you. Someone once said not to post and share opportunities that I'm applying for, implying that I don't want to mess up my chance and have someone else get it. Here's the thing: it's about the work, not me. I mean, yes, if I can get the work that's great. But if someone is more qualified, then they should get it. And it might be a bit of ego or pride thing, but if I'm not that person, I'd rather have it go to someone I know and am connected to than someone I don't.

Termination Homework

Speaking of work, I've definitely had my work cut out for me, in terms of my termination, and making sure that either my old employer did everything legally or that they be held accountable if not. That's meant, in addition to talking to colleagues and friends, checking:

• How to Start my Unemployment Process through DOES and
• Any possible courses of action through OHR

Mischief DC

If it seems like FUNemployment has me just as busy as employment did, it's because I have even more time to work hard and play hard! In case you didn't know, I'm on the Board of Mischief DC and we have an annual Burner holiday party coming up on December 15.

Naughty Snowball

I'm stoked because this will be the second year, this event will be at the DC Eagle. And we thought we'd keep our theme simple for our tenth year, so it's just Naughty Snowball: Rated X'mas. Get it, the roman numeral for ten is- nevermind. You get it.

Planning Call

We had a planning call. I thought I'd have more to say about this, but I don't.

Conduct and Consent Corps (C3)

I did reach out to recruit people for this C3 Project. It's an effort that we haven't done intentionally before, to put systems and protocols in place for participants at our party to feel safe in a consent-orientated environment, and to feel support by clearly identifiable folx should misconduct occur. But I also know it's a heavy lift for people to make that kind of space for the unpredictable. So, I'll keep you updated with how that's going. If you'ed like to know more and/or be involved, definitely email me at nexus@dcburners.org.

Caturday

In addition to our biggest DC event next month, we also had our bi-monthly party, the same night as the weekend of Catharsis. This was a choice the board made and we knew it would be a gamble. Last year we decided we wouldn't throw it, but this year we took a chance. We even unofficially ran it by some Catharsis organizers who thought it was a good idea, especially if it got cold like it normally does, and some people need a place to warm-up but don't want to go home.

I don't think we anticipated just HOW cold it would be. And although we heard of people who intended to come to Zeba Bar from Catharsis, many of them stopped by home for various reasons and ended up not making it out again for the night. And apparently, it wasn't just us. But I always believe the people who show up are the people who shoe up, and it's about each attendee's quality of experience that make it worthwhile, not just the quantity of attendees. And we had about 20 people.

I won't lie, part of me wanted to know the things I couldn't know, in terms of whether it was because of Catharsis or not. But then at home the next day, a housemate of mine told me how empty Flash was, and that there were only about 20 people on the dance floor there. Not that it made me feel better. But it made me wonder, with Catharsis moving to May, if the cold would still be a factor for next November's attendance.

Burning Man DC Regional Contact Phone Interview

Speaking of Burning Man, so on Thursday another round of the Regional Contact selection process took place. If you're not familiar with the position, Regional Contacts help democratize and organize Burning Man's Regional Network around the globe. It was a great talk with a former RC from another region, someone who could be a bit of an objective party in the selection process.

It was a pretty dense conversation, so I'll just highlight the part where we discussed what I'd like to do more of and bring to the table. One big one was the idea of term limits, which really is at the crux of recruitment and transition. Our city iterates itself every year; surely we can use that as an inspiration to iterate not just the systems and structures of leadership but those in leadership positions themselves. Another was being thoughtful about community beyond the party, from civic engagement to simply all ages activities for our Burner families. And then there's the inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility peace.

Anyway, looking forward to whatever next or final steps are for this selection process.

Catharsis on the Mall

It was the senior year for this very singular and unique Burner event in the District. And the theme for Catharsis on the Mall 2018 was "Waking from the American Dream. There was so much going on, and I had committed myself to three different events.

Welcome Home

So even though I was no longer with my former employer, the work to end Youth Homelessness here in the District is more than the work of the organization. And I was happy to plug people into the plan to end youth homelessness by 2022, as I discussed various elements and strategies of the plan, Solid Foundations DC.

Center Camp at Burning MAn

STORY workshop

Although I've done storytelling workshops before, this was the first time I had done it with the new title: Sharing Truth, Openly Revealing You. I had a couple of participants, and we actually turned it into a walking workshop, as many of the structures that had been set up for Catharsis had been blown down and over Saturday morning.

Burners Without Borders (BWB) Meetup and Info Session

And I was thrilled to co-facilitate a Burners Without Borders session with Christopher Breedlove, introducing people to the group, its history, and its mission, as well as the discussion to start a BWB Chapter, here in the District. In fact, if you're interested and are on Facebook, there is a BWB DC Working Group just for this purpose.

Coming Up in Funemployment Week 2

That's it for now. Here's a preview of what's coming up next:

• More catching up with friends and colleagues
• A Dance Place Board Meeting
• A Broadway Singalong at Local 16, literally a Burner adjacent event on Thursday
• Seeing the closing performance of Constellation Theatre's Aida

So that's that. Oh yeah, actually, one final thing.

In an effort to more effectively and intentionally keep folx informed of what I'm up to, not just during Funenmployment, I thought I'd start my own personal Mailchimp Email List. Select the things you're interested in, and know that even if there might be a variety of content, you will ONLY receive emails that have at least one thing related to a topic you selected, if not more.

So please sign-up

And keep an eye out for my Week 2 Report next week!

- JR aka Nexus

JR's List - This weekend in DC

Hey there,

Just thought I'd provide a list of things that are on my Facebook radar, which either friends are involved with or I'm generally interested in, and happening in the District (and surrounding area) this weekend!

On/beginning Friday for the weekend:

Fire Festival, Peculiarity Productions at Old City Farm & Guild

"To celebrate our last weekend of the 8 Bit Circus S*it performance series at Old City Farm [see below] we will have several local vendors at Old City Farm. Come by to meet local artisans and get yourself some amazing products before enjoying the show! Enjoy goods from Eat 170 Catering, natural products, jewelry, clothing, and more! The festival is free."

Fri 7/21 @ 6:30 PM

RSVP here: eventbrite.com/e/fire-festival-tickets-35977936978

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/1879455952303210

The Kind of Thing That Would Happen, Agora Dance at Gallaudet's Elstad Auditorium, presented as part of Capital Fringe

In a post-truth world, what makes a good story? Does it matter whether it’s true? Monologue, dance and an original score weave a narrative exploring elusive memory, love and how truth and untruth affects how we perceive the world.

Fri 7/21 @ 5:45 PM

Tickets here: capitalfringe.org/events/1073-the-kind-of-thing-that-would-happen

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/1889031831418254

Exit Carolyn, Nu Sass at Caos on F, presented as part of Capital Fringe

After the loss of their mutual best friend, Lorna and Julie are forced to find a new roommate to fill the space Carolyn left behind. Amidst a tangle of forbidden love, a bizarre new friend, and a sea of grief, can Lorna and Julie's friendship survive?

Fri 7/21 @ 7 PM, Sat 7/22 @ 3 PM & 7 PM, Sun 7/23 @ 3 PM & 7 PM

Tickets here: capitalfringe.org/events/1096-exit-carolyn

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/398522523880915

Lady Day, at Emerson's Bar and Grill

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, a play with music by Lanie Robertson, takes place in South Philadelphia in March 1959. Billie Holiday is performing in a run-down bar, during one of her last performances four months before her death in July 1959. She sings, accompanied by Jimmy Powers on the piano, and tells stories about her life.

Fri 7/21 @ 8 PM, Sat 7/22 @ 3 PM & 8 PM, Sun 7/23 @ 3 PM

Tickets here: anacostiaplayhouse.com/calendar

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/118838902061053

To tell my story: a hamlet fanfic, The Welders at Silver Spring Black Box

“to tell my story” takes the story of Hamlet into the one place even more dangerous than medieval Denmark: the mind of a teenage girl. In a world where political backstabbing plays out on Facebook and Teen Vogue is helping lead the progressive resistance, this is the reimagining of Shakespeare’s Danish detective story that we need.

Fri 7/21 @ 8 PM, Sat 7/22 @ 3 PM & 8 PM, Sun 7/23 @ 2 PM & 7:30 PM

Tickets here: brownpapertickets.com

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/308494469592897

Things You Shouldn't Say, The Kinsey Sicks at Theater J

The ladies of The Kinsey Sicks are throwing down their sequined gloves and itching for a fight in Things You Shouldn’t Say, their most personal--and political--show ever. Full of their signature panache, hilarity and perfect harmonies, this all new show takes a searing journey into Trumpism, racism, AIDS, giraffes, Bette Midler, oblong vegetables, and much, much more. The Kinsey Sicks are the Dragapella Beautyshop Quartet that The San Francisco Chronicle has deemed “high-camp, unafraid, subversive and astonishing.”

Fri 7/21 @ 8 PM, Sat 7/22 @ 2 PM & 8 PM, Sun 7/23 @ 2 PM & 7:30 PM

Tickets here: edcjcc.org/center-for-arts/theater-j

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/1905836789657522

8 Bit Circus Sh*t, Peculiarity Productions at Old  City Farm & Guild, presented as part of Capital Fringe

This is a live stage performance designed to bring video games to life through fire and circus arts. Through two acts, the audience will be immersed in an alternate reality of two video games: Alessa's Nightmare and Pyro fighters.

Fri 7/21 @ 8:30 PM, Sat 7/22 @ 8:30 PM

Tickets here: peculiarityproductions.tix.com

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/127955381117663

DJ Dan with Proxxy & Lantern, at U Street Music Hall

The legendary DJ Dan has become a master of his craft throughout his career of over two decades. His music has been repeatedly praised by some of the all-time biggest house artists like Carl Cox and DJ Sneak for its funky, boundary-breaking sound known as "West Coast House." Catch this celebrated artist when he returns to U Street Music Hall this summer!

Fri 7/21 @ 10:30 PM

Tickets here: ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1494208

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/1499153886781519

The Changeling Child, The Coil Project at Atlas Performing Arts Center, presented as part of Capital Fringe

Thirty years after a fateful midsummer’s night, discord brews once more. The changeling child at the center of that infamous custody battle lives caught between two worlds, while the heir to Athens' dukedom would rather read poetry than lead armies.

Fri 7/21 @ 11 PM & Sat 7/21 @ 1:45 PM

Tickets here: capitalfringe.org/events/1069-the-changeling-child

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/1849558405364152

On/beginning Saturday for the weekend:

River Otters Pirate Booze Cruise, Otter Den DC leaving from Georgetown Waterfront Park

A 2-hour booze cruise on the Potomac with otter pal DJ Jeff Prior (CTRL, Trade). Departing from Georgetown. Tickets only $20. A full bar is available on board and it accepts cash and credit caaaaaaarrrr-ds (you knew that was coming).

Sat 7/22, 4:30 PM -6:30 PM

Tickets here: eventbrite.com

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/460125044346813

Arden Now, Rude Mechanicals at Gallaudet's Eastman Studio Theatre, presented as part of Capital Fringe

Using William Shakespeare's As You Like It as a framework, this play celebrates the diversity of love using modern concepts of romance, relationships, gender, and sexuality.

Sat 7/22 @ 2:30 PM

Tickets here: capitalfringe.org/events/1075-arden-now

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/1086271564838767

A Glorious Evening with Octo Octa, The NeedlExchange

Spend a glorious evening with us on the district's most flagrant patio as we welcome Octo Octa for her Washington, DC debut!

Sat 7/22 at 6 PM to 3 AM

Tickets here: residentadvisor.net

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/1259735457486912

DJ Rap, 3D and Fun & Bass! at Zeba Bar

Charissa Saverio, a.k.a. DJ RAP, has been the undisputed queen of the turntables and voted the number one female DJ in the world for the last 10 years! DJ Rap has infiltrated the music industry with her arsenal of talent. She has established herself as the CEO of her labels: Propa and Impropa Talent, developed her creative direction as a full-fledged producer, and remains to be the recording artist and DJ that everyone has come to love and love dance to!

Sat 7/22 at 10 PM to 3 AM

Tickets here: ticketfly.com

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/1556181787734556

On Sunday:

Storytellers' Brunch, Story District

[Disclaimer, I'm a current Story District board member]

Spend Sunday morning with Story District at this morning mixer for storytellers. Eat, drink, shmooze, and swap stories with fellow storytellers. Also, Artistic Executive Director, Amy Saidman, will share a brief presentation and Q&A about the vision for Story District for the next few years based on our strategic planning process and community input. Plus, bring your story ideas and Amy will give feedback to as many people as possible on making a strong pitch.

Sun 7/23 at 11 AM to 1 PM

Tickets here: storydistrict.secure.force.com

On Facebook here: fb.com/events/299592020512906

That's it!

Hope you're able to make at least one of these awesome shows or parties. If you do, make sure to check in, share on Facebook or Twitter, and even let me know about it in the comments here!

- JR

My November agenda, so far

Hey there,

While I'm trying to wrap my head around what's going on this month, I thought it might be a good opportunity to share. So here it goes:

Thursday, November 5

Kleen City: Sunrise Yoga, Wellness, Art & Dance Party at Penn Social

Join Us Thursday, November 5th, 6am to 10am. We are beyond excited for our new location at the cavernous Penn Social in Chinatown/Penn Quarter. This is going to be an event of epic proportions so don't miss out on the coolest event in DC!

Get your tickets on Eventbrite.

Naughty Snowball tickets go on sale at 7pm!!

It is a time of holiday Mischief. Striking from Santa's secret North Pole Base, Rebel Toys have descended upon Washington, DC on a mission of mayhem and merrrymaking. Set blasters to full and celebrate with us at the Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington DC.

More information on Facebook.

Kostume Karaoke: Fall Back for What, begins around 8pm

Come out and celebrate the end of tyranny from over the weekend, aka Daylight Savings Time, with your KJ for the night, me!! Sing and rejoice with all your heart, and forget about that dreaded day we have to Spring forward. Fire up that mic, another round of songs, Fall back for what!!

More information on Facebook.

Tuesday, November 10

If I Were You: Stories about giving and taking advice

Story District's Our monthly storytelling series -- their first program -- has been taking place on the 2nd Tuesday of every month in Washington, DC since 1997. Over the years, they've added tons of other shows and events, but their monthly show remains Story District's backbone. Tonight's show, like all of their shows, will feature a mix of eight to ten first-timer storytellers and regulars, who will take the stage to share their twist on the night's theme.

Disclaimer: I am a Story District Board Member. More infromation on Facebook.

Thursday, November 12

Avenue Q with Constellation Theatre Company

Avenue Q is a laugh-out loud musical that tells the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who arrives in New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He moves into a shabby apartment all the way out on Avenue Q, a neighborhood full of mischievous and raunchy puppets, as well as other colorful characters.

More information on their website.

Monday, November 16

TedxMidAtalantic Salaon: Everyone Values Equity

Imagine a future free of gender roles and stereotypes, where anatomy doesn’t influence one’s destiny and women can make career, family and personal decisions without societal pressure, stigma or discrimination. In this future, we understand that equality is not about bolstering a gender or group into a position of privilege, but instead about liberating both women and men, by eliminating gender norms, fixed roles and the judgment that comes with living outside these societal constructs.

More information on their website.

Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22

Catharsis on the Mall: A Vigil for Healing the Drug War

On Friday, November 20, 2015 at 6pm on the NW-side of the Washington Monument, a vigil for healing the chasms and scars of the drug war will begin. We invite you to join us for a multi-day Vigil on the National Mall. This Vigil will offer space for community building, information sharing, art, music, healing, and celebration. An art installation, The Temple of Essence, will stand as a monument to honor the victims of the drug war. It is a peace-building structure focused on the communities impacted by this conflict and the mass incarceration of our citizens. This Temple will bring people together and create a space for reflection and healing.

More information on Facebook.

That's it for now. But it's just the beginning of the month. Who knows, I might do a mid-month update, as other things pop-up and/or are confirmed.

Hope to see folks out at any of these happenings!!

JR