Art as Intervention co-sponsored by Independent Arts & Media
Wed. Sept. 10, 7:30pm Free
Creative works that disrupt mundane expectations of daily life as critique or education: guerrilla art, street installations and flash mobs; as well as youth creative empowerment. Featuring: Dr. Milton Rand Kalman (Billboard Liberation Front), Xago Jaurez and Rosa Gonzales (headRush/hip-hop theater), and more TBA. Part of Expo for Independent Arts. More info: www.artsandmedia.net/expo/
40th Anniversary: San Francisco State Strike 1968-69
Wed. Sept. 17, 7:30pm Free
The student/faculty strike at S.F. State College in 1968-69 was a seminal event, ushering in ethnic studies in higher education, contributing energy and activists to dozens of San Francisco political movements and much more. Learn about it from original participants: Roger Alvarado, Margaret Leahy, John Levin.
online:
Global Africa co-sponsored by Global Commons Foundation
Wed. Sept. 24, 7:30pm Free
A discussion of African liberation movements and decolonialization from 1945 to the present, of political problems of the post-independence period—coups, civil wars, struggles against oppressive regimes, economic problems of post-independence, of cultural renaissance, and of links to movements in diaspora. Immanuel Wallerstein, Walter Turner and Will Grant.
online:
Art & Politics! S.F. Print Collective
Wed. Oct. 8, 7:30pm Free
The S.F. Print Collective has been postering striking silk-screened images on the city’s walls for years, speaking to politics, police, immigration, and much more. Slides and discussion from several of the Collectivistas...http://www.sfprintcollective.com/
online:
Precarious, Dead-End Job? The Cooperative Alternative!
Wed. Oct. 22, 7:30pm Free
Members of Bay Area worker cooperatives will share their thoughts on the history and practice of democratic organization, decision making, equitable employment, and the effects that these organizations have had on the local economy (Rainbow, Inkworks, Box Dog Bikes, Design Action, NoBAWC).
online:
Candlestick Point—State Park for the People
co-sponsored by Nature in the City
Wed. Oct. 29, 7:30pm Free
San Francisco California State Park at Candlestick, an urban shoreline park used by bird watchers, picnickers, and fisherman, is being ecologically transformed for the benefit of the Bayview community and local critters. Alan Hopkins, Golden Gate Audubon Society, Patrick Rump, Literacy for Environmental Justice, Claude Everhart, Friends of Candlestick. More Info: www.natureinthecity.org
online:
The Invisible Public Legacy of the Great Depression
Wed. Nov. 12, 7:30pm Free
Government agencies (created to lift the U.S. out of the Depression) built important public works that we all use every day without realizing it. Gray Brechin of California’s Living New Deal Project will focus on San Francisco, 75 years after Roosevelt inaugurated the New Deal.
online:
Green Streets—Redesigning San Francisco 1 Block at a Time
co-sponsored by Nature in the City
Wed. Nov. 19, 7:30pm Free
Nature in the city is buried under roads, emerging when we rip up concrete street by street. Planting for wildlife habitat, stormwater management, and water resource conservation is a critical part of creating a new urban ecological experience. Tom Radulovich (Livable City), Amber Hasselbring (Mission Greenbelt), Jane Martin (Plant SF). More Info: www.natureinthecity.org
Sorry, no podcast; technical failure!
Neighborhood Newspapers, Community Journalism
Wed. Dec. 10, 7:30pm, Free
How do neighborhood newspapers fill niches abandoned by the daily press? What is the changing role of newspapers and publishing vis-à-vis diverse on-line writing, reporting, pontificating and broadcasting? Are print newspapers still essential for an active democracy? Steven Moss, Potrero View, Juan Gonzalez, El Tecolote, Thomas Reynolds, New Fillmore. No Reservations Necessary
Sorry, no podcast; technical failure!
Surviving the Economic Meltdown One Neighborhood at a Time:
Free Workshop to Explore How Working People Can
Respond to and Survive the Economic Crisis
Wed. Dec. 17, 7:30pm, Free
Economic meltdown? Recession? Depression? What are we to do? With the bailout benefiting Wall Street at the expense of Main Street, many are expect the new Obama administration to champion a New New Deal. But how will working people fare? Will the catalyst for change come from above or below? What lessons can we learn from the past and what are “urban homesteaders” already doing to localize the economy at the neighborhood level? Featuring working class historian Gifford Hartman, who will revisit how working people self-organized survival strategies such as cooperative housing, food production and distribution and other projects providing for basic needs and community self-defense mushroomed up long before the New Deal came into being. K. Ruby, founder of the Oakland Institute for Urban Homesteading, will have practical information and advice on doing-it-yourself when it comes to organic gardening, backyard chickens, beekeeping, greywater, natural building, alternative energy, fermentation, home brewing and food preservation. Caitlin Fitzpatrick of San Francisco Food Not Bombs will discuss how the organization feds communities around the globe vegetarian and vegan food through non-violent direct action. College of Marin instructor Robert Ovetz will guide a brainstorming session about how we can respond to and survive the brewing storm and build and expand projects from the bottom up that already envision the "future in the present". No Reservations Necessary
online:
Hearing the City: Evolution of Radio
Wed. Jan. 14, 7:30pm, Free
From AM radio (the first mass media) before WWII and how it shaped San Francisco, Auto Row AM-radio to the 1960s underground FM radio to the present era of podcasting, we will trace the paths of media, technology, audience and producers. Joe Lerer (KFRC and KSAN), Monkey (PirateCat Radio), George Epileptic (KUSF) and Chris Carlsson (Shaping San Francisco. No Reservations Necessary
online:
Shaping San Francisco History Wiki Workshop
Wed. Jan. 21, 7:30pm, Free
Years in the making! Shaping San Francisco has finally completed its arduous migration to a wiki-format. Explore the new living archive of the city’s history with Chris Carlsson and LisaRuth Elliott. Get a demonstration of how to use it, and suggestions and guidelines on areas needing focus and attention. No Reservations Necessary
sorry, no podcast, mostly a visual evening!
Lake Merced Natural Area
a Nature in the City Co-Production
Wed. Jan. 28, 7:30pm, Free
The largest coastal lagoon between Point Reyes and Pescadero, Lake Merced is an incomparable natural resource for San Francisco. A controversial preserve has been proposed for East Lake and some intact habitats, to protect wildlife and threatened species. Dan Murphy GG Audubon Society, David Behar, SF Public Utilities Commission. TBA. No Reservations Necessary
online:
Lost Landscapes III: Film Fragments of San Francisco
Wed. Feb. 11, 7:30pm, Free
Rick Prelinger presents new material, including family life in the neighborhoods and newly-discovered color footage of the Golden Gate International Exposition, drawing from silent and early sound films, exuberant 1960s views, home movies and industrials. Audience helps identify mysterious rarely-seen views of San Francisco. Bring your partners, children, and parents! No Reservations Necessary
sorry, no podcast, mostly a visual evening!
Art & Politics: Doug Minkler
Wed. Feb. 18, 7:30pm, Free
Doug Minkler was one of the first political artists to embrace the Mac and he’s been making scathing collages and edgy, often hilarious posters for several decades. See his solo show and find out how he’s kept himself going all these years! No Reservations Necessary
online:
Bees in the City
a Nature in the City Co-Production
Wed. Feb. 25, 7:30pm, Free
Learn about the “Colony Collapse Disorder” afflicting commercial beekeepers and the threat to agribusiness, in juxtaposition to the dozens of native bees flourishing in California’s urban environments, which reinforce local biodiversity and provide another important link to growing our own food in cities. K. Ruby, Philip Gerrie, TBA. No Reservations Necessary
online:
Local Remanufacturing Our Way out of the Depression
Wed. March 11, 7:30pm, Free
How Can Making Products Locally From Recyclables Solve Local Economic Challenges?
"We need to make products locally from local recyclables." said Peter Berg. "Remanufacturing provides meaningful work, closes the energy loop, and stimulates creativity. It is a practical response to the economic slump that builds on our physical and human resources." Featuring: Neil Seldman, President of the Washington, D.C.-based Institute For Local Self-Reliance, Peter Berg, Planet Drum Foundation director, and Kevin Drew, Zero Waste Program Coordinator for the San Francisco Department of the Environment,. Alemany Community Garden organizer, Antonio Roman-Alcala, will facilitate the question and answer period.
online:
Art & Politics: Jet Martinez, muralist
Wed. March 18 , 7:30pm, Free
Jet Martinez's murals crisscross San Francisco, from Potrero Hill to Clarion Alley to the Haight, referencing surrealism and an unmistakeably unnatural nature, echoing artists from Africa and Asia to South America. Come and hear him talk about his work while he presents a visual tour.
online:
Toxic San Francisco: Presidio to Hunter's Point
Wed. March 25, 7:30pm, Free A Nature in the City co-production
Superfund sites in San Francisco? Come find out whether people and nature are being treated appropriately and fairly in these two well known but very different communities and environments. Is the Presidio Trust fulfilling its commitment to protect and restore the natural resources of this great urban National Park? Are the Navy and the City of San Francisco taking the best care of the residents and their environment at Hunter's Point Shipyard? San Francisco is blessed with significant remaining natural areas and biodiversity, and these two places--the Presidio and Bayview-Hunters Point--each harbor an important share. Comparing and contrasting the two areas helps us consider with more focus what our goals should be for taking care of people and our environment. Come learn about ArcEcology's recent report that illustrates brand new and exciting alternatives for the Bayview-Hunter's Point Redevelopment. Are these better than Lennar's? How is Candlestick Point State Recreation Area affected? Also, find out about the Presidio's environmental remediation program, and then make your own decision about whether they're making the right decisions! And given that these two communities are very different socio-economically, is one being "cleaned-up" better than the other? Saul Bloom (ArcEcology), Doug Kern (Urban Watershed Project and Presidio Restoration Advisory Board).
online:
Anti-War Then and Now
Wed. April 8, 7:30pm, Free
We’ll take a look back at military resistance to the Vietnam War, including the mutiny of sailors on the Coral Sea, the anti-nuclear and anti-Central American War movements of the 1980s and hear from Iraq vets about the state of anti-war activities in the current conflict. David Solnit, Paul Cox and Sarah Lazare.
online:
Art & Politics: Russell Howze/Stencil Nation
Wed. April 15, 7:30pm, Free
With dynamically illustrated perspectives across the art form, hundreds of photographs and numerous essays have been curated by StencilArchive.org’s founder, Russell Howze. Stencil Nation builds upon published works to give the most extensive and up-to-date history of stencil art, as well as how-to tips from the artists.
online:
Global Commons/Global Enclosures
Wed. April 22, 7:30pm, Free A Global Commons Foundation Co-Production
A critique of the idea of a global commons, the history and context of the commons under feudalism, demonstrating the boundary between 'commons' and 'commodity'. Also how Via Campesina is using the commons in "food sovereignty" politics —how seed politics offers a model for international decommodification. Iain Boal, Raj Patel.
online:
Transition City: Permacultural Transformation
Wed. April 29, 7:30pm, Free A Nature in the City co-production
Redesigning urban life off the grid. How can urban dwellers begin immediately to move towards self-sufficiency? We’ll have several permaculture practitioners presenting step-by-step recommendations for the next six months, a 1-year and a 3-5 year transition…K. Ruby (Inst. Of Urban Homesteading), Novella Carpenter (Ghost Town Farm), Kevin Bayuk (SF Permaculture Guild), Laura Allen (Greywater Guerrillas)
online:
Are Green Jobs different? Can Capitalism really “Go Green?
Wed. May 13, 7:30pm Free
Amidst a general enthusiasm and push for a “new Green economy” we’ll take a look at both the kinds of work that get labeled green, and how the logic of capitalism impedes a deeper ecological transformation. Jason Mark, editor Earth Island Journal and co-author of Building the Green Economy: Success Stories from the Grassroots, Chris Carlsson, author Nowtopia, and Mary Rick of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE).
online:
Anti-systemic knowledge: learning from the South
Wed. May 20 A Global Commons Foundation Co-Production
The coloniality of power/knowledge, transmodernity, border knowledge, indigenous socialism and socialization of power, solidarity economy, and other contemporary practices, theories and radical political alternatives emerging from the Global South. With UC Berkeley’s Roberto D. Hernández, George Cicarelio Maher, plus Roxanne Dunbar Ortiz (militant historian and author), Andrej Grubacic (Global Commons)
online:
Art & Politics: Susan Greene
Wed. May 27, 7:30pm, Free
Susan Greene is a public artist, activist, educator and clinical psychologist. Her
practice straddles a range of cultural arenas, focusing on borders, migrations, decolonization and memory. Greene is one of four Jewish American women artists who in 1989 founded the ongoing “Break the Silence Mural Project” in solidarity with Palestine.
online:
|
