The Firefly gathering 2022

 What an honor to be teaching at The Firefly Gathering 2022, in Western North Carolina, where "folks come together to share skills and ancestral knowledge with the common goal of expanding their capacity to live well with Earth and one another. Days are filled with classes of all kinds, each offering skills to connect us with Earth, our human heritage, and the great wonders of life. Evenings are filled with live music, dancing under the moon and stars, and, of course, the fireflies themselves!"

I'm am honored to be teaching alongside amazing instructors in all fields of back to the Earth honoring and community connection, some of which I have learned from and admired for decades!

I'll be teaching Theater of the Oppressed as well as Games for Connection and Community.

Hope to see some of you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/624173275523807

Theater of Liberation in Motueka - in Pictures

Such a powerful crew was gathered!  Powerful in how each of you separately, walk in this world and the gifts you carry and share, and powerful in the way we have begun to weave them together.

But how to capture a mood in photos?
I wish the small comments, the insights, the gestures could be met with lighting and photography skills worthy of their import.
In the meantime, I'll snap shots on my camera, just to give you all a glimpse, a reminder, of some of the touching moments we had together.

Thank you for coming together with us.

Enjoy these moments.
Stay in touch.
<3

Theatre of Liberation in Motueka!

Kia ora Whanau

Come along to play and share!

What is Theatre of Liberation (ToL)?

Auguusto Boal, a Brazilian theater practitioner, created Theater of the Oppressed to support people to explore at how power operates in their lives, and how to work towards solidarity.  Based on his work, we practice ToL, using theatre games and exercises to explore how we can more fully engage in our lives, co-creating possible tomorrows.

Come join us!

in 

Motueka

on 

Day of Self Soverigenty 

(Queen's Birthday)

Monday JUNE 3rd 2019

3pm-6pm

Community House, Decks Reserve, Motueka

Cost;

Koha

Please bring;

Friends and Allies!!

Empowered Activism with Earthcare Education Aotearoa

Wow!
Blown away.
Earthcare Education Aotearoa put together an incredible line-up of facilitators into a week long event to inspire people to step into their power to create positive change in the world.
They did that and more.

In their own words,
"This week-long embodied experience seeks to reframe activism as an essential, positive contributor to the transformation of social and ecological systems. The course will offer a range of tools and tactics for effective change-making –  facilitated through dynamic group exercises, deep connection, adventure and play. This immersive learning experience will equip change makers with the skills to navigate the complexity of the modern world."

Andy and I were invited to teach a 3 hour workshop of Theater of Liberation focusing on Power, Privilege, and Allieship, and then I added, in the morning leading up to it, a short intro to NVC and another overview on Idealism vs. Marxism aka "How to view the world through a capitalist and a Marxist lens."  Phew.  Sounds full on and possibly tedious but it was anything but!

Everyone was joyously engaged, the community was strong and supported, people were vulnerable and willing to admit their blindspots and past hurts, and courageously step forward into the direction where they want to sail their ship!!  The true joyous journey of activism!!

No pics to share as it was an intimate and personal affair, but huge gratitude to Robina McCurdy, Dave Hursthouse, Emma Morris, all of the other fabulous facilitators, and the amazing crew of students!! Thanks for including us along on the ride!!

Motueka Arts Council's Winter Arts Workshops

Lots of change has been in the air these last few months and the dust is finally beginning to settle.  And with that, we are emerging with more goodness in store!

We will both be facilitating workshops through the Motueka Arts Council's Winter Workshop program.  The Arts Council strives to find innovative artists to lead workshops that are affordable to the wider community and we are honored to be a part of it!

Jen will be leading a Stencil Making workshop (check out the monkey below!) in the tradition of cheap art and street art, and Andy and Jen will be co-facilitationg a Labour Day Theater of Liberation workshop.  There are lots more awesome artistic opportunities happening through the workshop including Mask Making (Commedia d'el Arte style), Maori Sacred Stance (with Matiu te Huki), Steampunk jewelry, Oamaru Stone Carving, plus a concert involving local violin virtuosos!  Come join in!!

Birthday Celebrations, Autumn Travels, and a Hui filled with Play and Community

What a beautiful way to step into Autumn!
A few days ago we were wrapped in wool and blankets, and now the sun is shining bright and hot, like summer is finally ready to arrive!

And with Autumn's arrival, we have some offerings, both in our new home town, and as we head north to visit friends and family.

FIRST, This Saturday (April 1st!) is Andy's birthday.

To celebrate the immortal fool in us all, we will be having a workshop of THEATRE of LIBERATION; using drama games to see oppression in society & co-creating possible solutions to it.... fun eh!

Based on the work of Augusto BOAL, Jen & Andy will facilitate this play/workshop. Please bring your friends & family of all ages.

PLACE; Music room, GOLDEN BAY HIGH SCHOOL, Takaka

(carpark on Rototai St, near the jungle gym)

TIME; Saturday 1st April, 2pm - 4.30pm (we will start at 2pm so please come ready to start!)

COST; free! (yummy organic snacks appreciated to share!)

If you want to make a day of it, local farmers and artisans gather Saturday morning near the library starting at 9, and there is a 12:30 acro-yoga jam at BAY YOGA to warm up if you want!!!

THEN, during the second half of April, we will be offering two more playshops, one on Paekakariki and one in Whanganui.  Dates and times coming soon.

And FINALLY a big SHOUT OUT to Conscious Roots, an incredible gathering of playful, curious, heart-centered community.  To the organizers, the volunteers, the dancers and musicians, cooks and clean-up crew, all of the co-creaters, especially those that joined us for Theater of Liberation, AcroYoga, and Contact Improv, you filled our heart sails.  Here's just a few pics of the weekend:

Conscious Roots Festival!

Jen here, with some exciting news.  I'm heading back to Aotearoa! This time to join Andy in Golden Bay! We're celebrating my arrival at the Conscious Roots Festival at Hongoeka Marae Plimmerton on the 18-19th March.  Check it out at https://consciousrootsfestival.com.  Andy will be teaching Theater of Liberation, and will be joined by other superstars including permaculture and community-building advocates Robina McCurdy and Gary and Emily Williams and the incredible Matiu Te Huki who lifts spirits with his righteous songs of love and revolution.  There may even be a special someone (hint, hint) teaching beginners Acro-Yoga for those looking for more embodied connection to themselves and others.  

Jen and Andy reunited in Aotearoa means there's sure to be more celebrations of community and play happening soon.