Join us for a series of events & extended hours in the week leading up to the (anti)NATO summit in Chicago
Friends!
It is with great joy that I pass on the information of the coming “Week Without Capitalism” Sunday May 13 – Monday May 21. Let’s do for EACH OTHER what won’t be done by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or the Group of Eight Industrial democracies (G8). Share a gift, a skill, a story, a talent. Heal a division; dissolve a debt.
In response to NATO/G8 meetings in May, we ask: What would the world and our lives and relationships look like without capitalism? It might be hard or even impossible to imagine, but we’re going to have a week devoted to envisioning alternatives to capitalism and living them out in practical ways together. We hope to create a sort of training ground for weaning ourselves off capitalism and increasing our inter-dependence and community! We will be taking a week off of buying, cars and work for wages (as much as possible) and putting in its place…well, the possibilities are endless, and are up to you. Join us as we put forward a huge stepping stone and experiment towards transitioning us from Capitalism towards something more humane. There are many amazing ways to participate….
Sun, May 13, 7pm – 9pm
Borderbend discussion of the occupy movement and regional arts
You are invited to participate in a discussion about Arts & Activism in Illinois and Wisconsin at Mess Hall – co-resented by Mess Hall and Borderbend Arts Collective. This event focuses on examples and problems from neighboring states in creative activism. We’ll discuss and compare the use of art strategies for grassroots political messaging and organizing, from within the Wisconsin Uprising to the work around closing prisons and opposing torture, fighting the mayoral austerity agendas, and organizing against the NATO summit in Illinois. We will look at tactics of visibility, of physical witness, of community coherence and of purposeful play. The focus will be on applicable strategies contextualized within artist and activist practice, and how strategies applicable in one state or city context might or might not be transferable to another. We will also explore the role of imagination, creative practice and the arts in building social movements. The participants include Alice Kim, Lane Hall, Yasmin Nair, Dan S. Wang, and Dan Godston.
Throughout the Week
1.) Spend some time thinking about what it would look like to live without Capitalism. Come up with your own ideas!
Monday 14- Friday 18
Free Market!!!!! 5 Straight Days! Noon-6pm @ Mess Hall 6932 N. Glenwood – near Morse Red Line
Bring what you want to give away, take what you like! You can bring items to give away at any point but earlier in the week is better. Remember – everything is free!!!! More info about free markets at reallyreallyfree.org
We Need Volunteers Each Day!! – see volunteer info below…
Tues May 15
Gift Circle & Potluck - Tues May 15, 6pm-9pm @ WRCW – 2127 W. Devon
Each person shares a need or a wish with the group and then an offer to give or share something. No money, no bartering. You only offer what you feel comfortable offering. You don’t need to bring anything – any gift arrangement will be made b/t you and another for a future time. The gifts offered/asked for can be a VERY wide range of things (i.e. milk crates, a book, lessons in piano playing, conversation about history, help starting a garden, etc.). All are welcome!
More info about gift circles & gift economy can be found on chicagoeconomy.com
Wed May 16
Bike Parade for Peace – From Chicago to the White Rose Catholic Worker farm in Monee
Bike 5, 25, or 50 miles…..Camp and do a little farming……bike/train back…..Leave 7am from Bryn Mawr and the Lakefront Bike Path. Return Thursday. Call the White Rose Worker House for info – 773.856.0315 or email John at john_bambrick@hotmail.com
Skill Shares
Let us know if you have a skill to share. Right now we have the following scheduled:
Thursday May 17
Medicine Cabinet Massage – 6-9pm at Thai Bodywork – 537 Custer Avenue #5, Evanston
Participants will learn massage techniques and acupoints for self-care and to treat family & friends. Bodywork can alleviate many of the everyday complaints one might take over-the-counter medications for. Some issues we’ll address are headache/migraine, digestive imbalances, stress/depression/anxiety, sciatica, nausea and more!
Saturday May 19
Come to an evening with a meal and a creative brainstorm of ideas and info on practical ways to live without capitalism: think food, healthcare, education, transportation, housing, etc. We will have a notetaker who will compile the communal knowledge and share it with folks.
Sunday, May 20
Volunteer Info – Volunteers are still needed to help us run the FREE STORE!
Noon-6pm Free Market
Mess Hall (6932 N. Glenwood Ave – 1/2 Block South of Morse Red Line)1.) Volunteers Shifts: Noon-3pm AND/OR 3pm-6pm (Monday – Friday)
Roles will be assigned when you arrive (greeters, sorters, clothes organizer, general helpers, etc.)2.) Bring A Meal (we’re trying to have food out throughout the events)
During the Free Market: Noon or 4pm Any Day
or
During Skill Shares: Noon or 6pm (Sat), 10am or 6pm (Sun)
Let me know what times you would like to signup for you as far as volunteering. We need help at all the times….so just let me know as many slots as you would like to do and I’ll mark you down. Let me know if you have any questions!
john_bambrick@hotmail.com or 773-856-0315 house 402-203-2173 cell