Classes and Events
Classes at KCDC are taught by volunteer teachers and all students are invited to attend for free. Locations vary to fit the subject matter of the class. When you find a class that piques your interest, click on the title and register for the class. If you don’t think you’ll make it to a class, kindly un-register so we have a good idea who’s coming. Our class liaison will update students with information about the class as the date grows near.
Future Classes
- Sat., May. 19
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Balloon Mapping: Spring Fling Hangover
Solve you Spring Fling hangover with a hands on balloon mapping workshop
Instructor: Sam Pepple Willie Shubert
- Thu., May. 24
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KCDC Teacher Training
Never taught before? Thinking of teaching a class? Come pick up some tricks from seasoned teachers! (Registration is open.)
Instructor: Knowledge Commons DC
- Fri., Jun. 1
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Event: Happy Birthday KCDC: Volunteer Bash
Serial KCDC class taker? Want to help make the magic happen? Come join us for an evening of KCDC love.
Instructor: Knowledge Commons DC
- Sat., Jun. 2
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Production, Distribution, and Repair: a Bike Tour of DC’s Industrial Past
Join KCDC for a biking tour of DC’s industrial core. From NoMa to Southwest, come see the city’s hidden centers of craft and distribution.
Instructor: Elena Goukassian David Ramos
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Small Talk
Most of us do not enjoy networking because we feel uncomfortable talking to strangers. In a couple of hours you will learn how to walk up to anyone anywhere and start a conversation.
Instructor: Larke Williams
- Sun., Jun. 3
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Shakespeare’s Language
All the world’s a stage, and so is Malcolm X park! Come explore the language and meaning of Shakespeare’s plays. For seasoned fans and skeptics alike.
Instructor: Allison Schaeffer
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From Page to Stage Session 1: The Page
The first in a series of four classes taking you from the beginnings of performance poetry to the stage.
Instructor: Benjamin Batorsky
- Mon., Jun. 4
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Mesh Networks: Building and Maintaining Community Wireless Networks
There are several community wireless network groups in DC, and they’re growing. Be a driver of the community wifi movement by learning the nuts & bolts of wireless device configuration, administration, installation, and troubleshooting.
Instructor: Brian Duggan
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Choir Class
A madrigal group for high schoolers and young adults - Come along for an improve jam! You should be able to match a pitch and know basic techniques, but this class is about creating song together rather than refining technique.
Instructor: Juana Sky
- Tue., Jun. 5
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Crusade 2.0: The Rise of Islamophobia
Back by popular demand! What’s behind the recent surge in anti-Islamic sentiment in the United States and Europe?
Instructor: John Feffer
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Photoshop 101
Learn the basics of Photoshop: working with layers, editing/manipulating images, coloration, and some frequently used tools/effects.
Instructor: Devora Liss
- Wed., Jun. 6
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Seeing without Looking
Sore eyes from staring at a computer screen all day? Stretch your eyes, relax your gaze and learn some new ways to see with Guerrilla Yoga
Instructor: Guerrilla Yoga DC
- Thu., Jun. 7
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Edit Anything (Back by Popular Demand)
Edit absolutely anything with Washington Post Express editor Holly J. Moris
Instructor: Holly J Morris
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Intro to Programming with Python
This introductory class will focus on teaching the basics of programming using the Python programming language over the course of five weeks.
Instructor: Bradford Barr
- Sat., Jun. 9
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Manet, Monet, and More: French Art of the Nineteenth Century
Learn about 19th-century artists, trends, scandals, and, of course, art, while also enjoying a behind-the-scenes discussion of how and why the galleries are installed as they are.
Instructor: Liz Tunick
- Sun., Jun. 10
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3D Print a Bike Light
Design and build your own custom bike light using a 3D printer.
Instructor: Andy Ta Willie Shubert
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From Page to Stage Session 2: Writing
Part of a series. More information and class signup.
Instructor: Benjamin Batorsky
- Mon., Jun. 11
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Mesh Networks: Exploring Wireless Networking
Learn to build community wireless mesh networks with Brian Duggan of the Open Technology Institute.
Instructor: Brian Duggan
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Israeli Culture Through Popular Music
Learn about Israeli culture through listening to popular music from the last few decades.
Instructor: Devora Liss
- Tue., Jun. 12
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Health Insurance: An Overview for Musicians, Artists, Slackers, and Hackers
This class will cover the basic structure of health care in the United States and the basics that everyone should know about buying and using health insurance.
Instructor: Dave Guarino
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HERBS | SALVES | TINCTURES
Herbal Infusions/Decoction 101 create and enjoy an herbal concoction to help soothe spring time allergy symptoms and nourish correlating organ systems.
Instructor: Agbanyim “Aku” Kalu
- Wed., Jun. 13
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Learning and Using the FC2 (Female Condom)
Have you ever wondered what’s up with the Female Condom? Learn, share, and discuss another form of protection and empowerment in the fight against HIV/AIDS and STIs
Instructor: Spencer Olson
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Hem Your Jeans
This class is for anyone whose jeans are too long.
Instructor: Heather Bouley
- Thu., Jun. 14
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Intro to Programming with Python
Part of a series. More information and class signup.
Instructor: Bradford Barr
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Personal Finance
Financial woes, hopes, questions or concerns? Come get some face time with a pro.
Instructor: Jordan Egert
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Office Gardening
Plants reduce stress and increase productivity. Think about how much time you spend at the office, and how much better it would be with a little greenery.
Instructor: Mark Seltzer
- Sun., Jun. 17
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The Ins and Outs of How Security Works on the Web
This class will give an overview of the technology that allows your web browser to send confidential information across the internet securely. We’ll also cover recent vulnerabilities in internet security, including foreign governments’ attempts to spy on e-mail communication. No computer science knowledge is necessary.
Instructor: Benjamin Strahs
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From Page to Stage Session 3: Revising
The third in a series of four classes taking you from the beginnings of performance poetry to the stage itself.
Instructor: Benjamin Batorsky
- Mon., Jun. 18
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Learning to Look: A Primer in the Visual Language of Painting
Do you like art but have no idea how it is made? Come learn some of the nuts and bolts of creation from a local artist and thinker, Gregory Lambert.
Instructor: Gregory Lambert
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Auschwitz in an Age of Infotainment
How present media shifts what we learn, understand, and remember about genocide and crimes against humanity. Includes readings and media assignments.
Instructor: Chris Simpson
- Tue., Jun. 19
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Literary Mixtape: Remix the Classics
You know how DJs do it: take a classic hit, sample it, mix it, and update it for a new audience. Come remix the classics.
Instructor: Willona Sloan
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InDesign 101
Learn the basics of InDesign: importing graphics from Photoshop, laying out colors and text, special effects and basic tools such as shapes, gradients, font effects, and character/paragraph styles.
Instructor: Devora Liss
- Wed., Jun. 20
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Silkscreen Rock Posters (or anything else) in a Phone Booth
Eager to create but have limited space? Join Fire Studio designer-printmaker Anthony Dihle for a primer, and come ready to get inky.
Instructor: Anthony Dihle
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Swimming 2.0
You probably won’t drown…in fact, you’ll most likely get faster: Improve your basic swimming skills by focusing on the stroke mechanics of breast stroke, freestyle, back crawl, butterfly.
Instructor: Julie DeMareo
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Know Thyself
A visual journey into the subtleties of our human behavior for gaining a deeper insight into why our choices may not always make logical sense.
Instructor: Linda Peia
- Thu., Jun. 21
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Cha cha Salsa!
This class if for those who know how to move their feet, but don’t yet have experience with salsa.
Instructor: Salsa Superteam - Rachael Novak, Brian Nelson-Palmer, and Laura Knudsen
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HOLY PINATA!
HOLY PINATA! It’s all you’ll ever need to know for future party planning…
Instructor: Kate Clark
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Edit Anything (Back by Popular Demand)
Edit absolutely anything with Washington Post Express editor Holly J. Morris
Instructor: Holly J Morris
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Intro to Programming with Python
Part of a series. More information and class signup.
Instructor: Bradford Barr
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Business Startup
What you should know before taking on a business venture and once started, how to continue profitable operations.
Instructor: Jordan Egert
- Sun., Jun. 24
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Poetry of Public Art
This class is for anyone who wants to rediscover DC and life itself through the lens of public art and poetry DC carries in its heart!!
Instructor: Neha Misra
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From Page to Stage Session 4: Performance
The last in a series of four classes taking you from the beginnings of performance poetry to the stage.
Instructor: Benjamin Batorsky
- Mon., Jun. 25
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iPhone & iPad guerilla photo/video techniques
A hands-on crash course in smart phone photography and filmmaking
Instructor: Isabelle Carbonell Pierre Kattar
- Tue., Jun. 26
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Film History and Theory 101, in Brief
Are you that person who loves going to the movies, loves watching movies at home, treasures your Netflix subscription, but doesn’t really, you know, know that much about movies?
Instructor: Max Adam Bentovim
- Wed., Jun. 27
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[ ] Box Collective
A course/presentation describing the process (though the project is works in progress) for developing a project to create semi-permanent community centers in DC through modifying a shipping container. The session will be structured to be an open dialogue.
Instructor: Josef A Fuentes
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All Samples Cleared!
Join the owner of Red Onion Records for an evening of discovering where samples used in your favorite songs actually came from and why.
Instructor: Josh Harkavy
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Time Banking: An Exchange System for Weaving Community
Time is money; come explore a means of exchange based on connection rather than commerce with DC Time Bank founder Allison Basile.
Instructor: Allison Basile
- Thu., Jun. 28
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Fact-checking in a Wikipedia World
Get tips of the trade and brainstorm strategies with a veteran National Geographic researcher.
Instructor: Heidi Schultz
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Intro to Programming with Python
Part of a series. More information and class signup.
Instructor: Bradford Barr
- Sat., Jun. 30
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Tiny Houses
An overview of the tiny house movement and tiny house construction
Instructor: Lee Pera and Brian Levy
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Balloon Mapping Redo
Create your own low-cost satellite for mapping and more.
Instructor: Willie Shubert Sam Pepple
- Thu., Jul. 5
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Intro to Programming with Python
Part of a series. More information and class signup.
Instructor: Bradford Barr
Past Classes
- Fri., May. 18, 2012
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KCDC Spring Fling Fundraiser
Join KCDC for a Fundraiser Friday May 18th at Old City Green. Attractions include balloon mapping, an Ethiopian feast, music, pinatas and more!
- Mon., Apr. 16, 2012
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KCDC Happy Hour
The KCDC organizing team will be hunkered down at the Marx Cafe to answer questions for potential teachers, students, etc from 5-8. Come grab some flaming cheese, and hang with KCDC’s favorite free school.
- Sat., Mar. 31, 2012
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Guerilla Gardening
Let’s transform D.C.’s unused spaces with seed bombs and moss graffiti.
- Fri., Mar. 30, 2012
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Aloha, not goodbye…
Come close out the month KCDC style, with drinks, a pinata and plans for the future!
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Homebrew How-To
For drinkers, lovers and learners of beer
- Thu., Mar. 29, 2012
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Iron Chef: Craft Edition
Craft crazed? Competitive? Grab your scissors and come on down to SCRAP.
- Wed., Mar. 28, 2012
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Basic Object-Oriented Programming with Java
A class for programing newbies who want to learn the very basics of a sophisticated and all-around useful programming language, and how modern programming works.
- Tue., Mar. 27, 2012
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Beginner’s Guide to Wordpress Website Development
Learn to cook up a website from scratch in this finger-tapping into to Wordpress
- Mon., Mar. 26, 2012
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The State of Contemporary Arab Design
Explore new directions in Arab design with the founder of Kalimat, a magazine that challenges assumptions about the Arab world.
- Sun., Mar. 25, 2012
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Making a Rag Rug
Make a raggy, shaggy rag rug by hand with your own rags!
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WMATA Artists in Residence Nanoresidency Program
KCDC gets bus-bound with a mini-residency of field recording, zine manufacturing, and history making.
- Sat., Mar. 24, 2012
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The Breathing Body
Re-connect with your senses through The Breathing Body.
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King on the Mall: Interactive Approaches to Monuments and Cultural Memory
An up close and personal introduction to the debates and discussions surrounding the new MLK memorial.
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Abandoned Buildings and Street Art Walking Tour II
Back by popular demand and now exploring new locations! Decrepit, crumbling, historical buildings covered in graffiti. Need I say more? (Same tour as the one on the 10th)
- Thu., Mar. 22, 2012
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An Introduction to DC Government
Come learn more about the DC government, from systems to individuals, in this overview introduction to the cogs of District politics
- Wed., Mar. 21, 2012
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Is that a printing press in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
Learn to print with anything, on anything.
- Tue., Mar. 20, 2012
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Reading a Book by its Cover
The old adage can only go so far; come read the cover, not the content of books.
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Investigative Journalism (Back by Popular Demand)
A class for activists, researchers, analysts, aspiring journalists, social science academics, and anyone seriously interested in getting ‘beyond simple google’ for gathering and analyzing information.
- Mon., Mar. 19, 2012
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Light Paint the Night
Light paint the night with the Lincoln Memorial as your giant marble canvas.
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Organic Chemistry for Fun and Profit
For anybody with a body who wants to know how it works on the cellular level.
- Sun., Mar. 18, 2012
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Readers and Riders: Metro Poetry Series with Joe Ross
Graffiti and Poetry on the Red Line.
- Sat., Mar. 17, 2012
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Make Your Own Italian Pasta!
Make your own pasta and share in the creation of an Italian dinner!
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Artist Studio Tour with BK Adams
BK “I AM ART” Adams invites KCDC in for a rare peek at his amazing studio space.
- Thu., Mar. 15, 2012
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Freelancing in the Digital Age (Back by Popular Demand)
Wanting to give journalism a crack? Learn some tricks to the trade with Freelancer Jordan Michael Smith.
- Wed., Mar. 14, 2012
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Yoga 101
What is yoga? Who created yoga? Be uplifted and demystified with Guerrilla Yoga in this introduction to both form and history.
- Tue., Mar. 13, 2012
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Moroccan Cooking: an Introduction to the Tagine
Learn to cook chicken and vegetarian Tagine, a delicious Moroccan stew.
- Mon., Mar. 12, 2012
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Telling Better Stories
A class for people who love to tell stories, people who wish they told better stories, people ready to hear and share stories.
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Crusade 2.0: The Rise of Islamophobia
What’s behind the recent surge in anti-Islamic sentiment in the United States and Europe?
- Sun., Mar. 11, 2012
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Slam the Rails: Metro Poetry Series with Jonathan B. Tucker
KCDC’s Metro Poetry Series is proud to ride the rails with Jonathan B. Tucker– poet, activist and coach of the DC Youth Slam team.
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Balloon Mapping: DIY Aerial Photography
Learn to use a balloon, digital camera, and easily gathered materials to create your own sky-bound photo rig to generate a satellite map
- Sat., Mar. 10, 2012
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Abandoned Buildings and Street Art Walking Tour II
Back by popular demand and now exploring new locations! Decrepit, crumbling, historical buildings covered in graffiti. Need I say more?
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Knit Happens: A Beginner’s Guide
Itching to knit but don’t have the know-how? This class will guide you through the basics.
- Thu., Mar. 8, 2012
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Edit Anything
Edit absolutely ANYTHING under the tutelage of Washington Post Express editor Holly J Morris. With this toolkit, you’ll never be bored again!
- Wed., Mar. 7, 2012
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Yoga Demystified
What is yoga? Who created yoga? Be uplifted and demystified with Guerrilla Yoga in this introduction to both form and history.
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How to Be a Walking Calendar
You’ll never need to consult a calendar again with this handy trick. All you need is simple arithmetic and Ed Mulrenin will show you the tricks of the trade.
- Tue., Mar. 6, 2012
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Public Speaking 101
Looking for a little more polish to your presentation? Public Speaking is about to get a whole lot easier…
- Sun., Mar. 4, 2012
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Slam the Rails: Metro Poetry Series with 2Deep Carter
KCDC’s Metro Poetry Series is back, featuring Busboys and Poets Slam Master 2Deep Carter.
- Sat., Mar. 3, 2012
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The Universe is a Salad: Texturescapes
Introducing varying texture is a prime tool and tactic to enhance your salad potential. Experiment using single and multiple ingredients to craft unique salads.
- Thu., Mar. 1, 2012
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KCDC March Kickoff Extravaganza
Get ready for a month of community class action. School’s a party with KCDC.
- Sun., Feb. 26, 2012
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KCDC Teacher Training
Never taught before? Thinking of teaching a class? Come pick up some tricks from seasoned teachers!
- Wed., Feb. 15, 2012
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Sneak Peak Tour of the Dupont Underground
URBAN SPELUNKING. REGISTRATION CLOSED.
- Tue., Dec. 6, 2011
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Snack Shack: Food For Thought
Join us for ‘Snack Shack: Food for Thought,’ a KCDC snack-powered brainstorm session and social hour
- Tue., Nov. 8, 2011
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Freelance Writing and Publishing in the Digital Age
Freelance writing before the internet was a completely different art than writing in the digital era. Payments are plummeting, as print journalism experiences an unprecedented crisis and web publications cannot replicate their advertising rates. Yet the proliferation of blogs and online publications offer many opportunities for the freelance writer. This course will help you take advantage of them.
- Sun., Oct. 30, 2011
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Horn it Up: New York Horn Ensemble Masterclass
An exciting opportunity for French Horn players to play for and with the visiting New York Horn Ensemble in a gorgeous Mt. Pleasant Gallery space. A masterclass, open rehearsal and concert fill this Sunday afternoon with music from Fats Domino to Handel’s Water Music.
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Abandoned Buildings and Street Art in DC: A Walking Tour
Decrepit, crumbling, historical buildings covered in graffiti. Need I say more?
- Sat., Oct. 29, 2011
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Horn it Up: New York Horn Ensemble Lectures and Concert
Join the New York Horn Ensemble for a multifaceted exploration of the French Horn, in all its brassy glory. For novice music enthusiast to veteran performer, the New York Horn Ensemble shocks and delights with student participation, alp horns, and more!
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Imaginative Exercise: City As A Playground
Graham King leads a workout that focuses on the city as playground and training-ground. Prepare to play in the park as you’ve never played before…
- Thu., Oct. 27, 2011
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KCDC All Corners Internet Conversation series: Limbic Resonance with Fiona Hallinan
Participate in conversations, publications and performances facilitated by international artists, teachers, curators, and scholars. This is a great opportunity to play with blurring the geographical boundaries of learning, as teachers and students will be joining in from all corners of the globe. Join Fiona Hallinan for a discussion of “limbic resonance”
- Wed., Oct. 26, 2011
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An Introduction to the Pickle
Pickling is an easy way to get turn the fall harvest into something that you can enjoy throughout the winter and spring. We will learn how to pickle a few items in this 2-2.5 hour class that helps students overcome their fear of poisoning themselves and others and fosters an understanding of the joys of pickling. The student will leave with pickles and a good feeling about learning something new!
- Tue., Oct. 25, 2011
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Democracy, Rights and Governance Assessment of the United States: Principled or Hypocritical?
This two night course (first night 10/18) examines the implications of USAID, as this development agency implements US foreign policy.
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KCDC All Corners Internet Conversation series: Ideal Museums & Maverick as Method
Ideal Museums & Maverick as Method: A conversation between museum studies scholar Pablo v. Frankenburg and Stephanie Sherman and Chris Kennedy of Elsewhere Living Museum.
- Mon., Oct. 24, 2011
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Breathe Deep: Increasing your Lung Capacity for Higher Clarity and Energy
Its Monday, but luckily, here is an opportunity to shake off the cares of the coming week and regain some of that weekend bliss. “Breathe Deep” is a chance to learn techniques for expanding the ribcage and getting the most out of every breath.
- Sun., Oct. 23, 2011
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Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Explorations Into Honoring Your Food Values
Recession got you tightening your belt? You may look svelt, but there is a fine line between recession chic and emaciated. Come join in a discussion about dragging out that dollar a little farther, and share tips, experiences, and adventures in food.
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Open Eyes Open Voices
Open eyes allow visual art to inspire character narratives. Open voices bring those characters to life in performance. The Hirshhorn Museum becomes a playground of the imagination for this interdisciplinary class taught by American University Theater Professor Caleen Jennings.
- Sat., Oct. 22, 2011
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Abandoned Buildings and Street Art in DC: A Walking Tour
Decrepit, crumbling, historical buildings covered in graffiti. Need I say more?
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Childhood Hunger: The Problem, The Causes and The Solutions
People interested in social issues, childhood hunger, poverty and ways that communities can come together to solve problems are invited to come learn about the causes and possible solutions to childhood hunger.
- Thu., Oct. 20, 2011
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Dance History to Go at the Dance Exchange
A panel of local dancers, choreographers, historians and teachers share stories and thoughts on the roots of contemporary dance.
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Fandom Face-off!
Trekies and Jedis come together in an exploration of fandom from two serious fans. There will fandom, there will be fanfare, there will be fans.
- Wed., Oct. 19, 2011
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The Universe is a Salad: Advanced Redux
For salad fiends, for salad friends– come live the salad days again with Willie Schubert. The man who brought you “The Universe is a Salad” is back with more tantalizing flavors and philosophy.
- Tue., Oct. 18, 2011
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Democracy, Rights and Governance Assessment of the United States: Principled or Hypocritical?
This two night course (second night 10/25) examines the implications of USAID, as this development agency implements US foreign policy.
- Mon., Oct. 17, 2011
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What is Bookness?
What is Bookness? Come find out through a private collection of Artist Books.
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Investigative Reporting Techniques for Activists, Researchers, & Analysts
A class for activists, researchers, analysts, aspiring journalists, social science academics, and anyone seriously interested in getting ‘beyond simple google’ for gathering and analyzing information.
- Sun., Oct. 16, 2011
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Readers and Riders: Metro Poetry Series with Carmen Calatayud
Join us for our third Readers and Riders as Carmen Calatayud reads from works written in response to Arizona racial profiling law, SB 1070.
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How to Catch “Mahleria”
“Mahleria” is sweeping the Capital! In a calloused, commercialized world, Gustav Mahler’s music carries the potential to restore both our shared humanity and our capacity to experience beauty. Join Mahler fanatic Jason McCool for an afternoon lecture that will send your spirits soaring, followed by Mahler’s 1st Symphony preformed by the Capital City Symphony.
- Sat., Oct. 15, 2011
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Beat Making 101
Ever wanted to make beats? Do you feel the desire to become the next Kanye West? Participate in a music production workshop!
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The Narrative Book
Your story unfolds on the pages of your own illustrated accordion book. This class is for anyone who wants an fun intro to simple bookmaking and narrative art. Some previous experience in drawing is helpful but not necessary.
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The Rise of Chimerica: Closing the China-USA Gap
Pan Hu leads a lecture and discussion about Chinese-American relations as he explores both history and current political realities. His experience as the son of a Chinese disident
- Wed., Oct. 12, 2011
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The Secret World of Hackers
Explore the mythology and history of computer hackers at HacDC Hackerspace.
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Iron Chef: Craft Edition
This is crafter heaven; a well stocked studio, tools, and a hearty dose of competition. Battle for creative supremacy through the generosity of SCRAP
- Sun., Oct. 9, 2011
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Readers and Riders: Metro Poetry Series with Joe Ross
Joe Ross explores graffiti as memorial through the tags of “Cool Disco Dan.”
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ORCHIDS with TOM MIRENDA
Tom Mirenda, Orchid Collection Specialist at the Smithsonian Institution, will take students on a walk-through of the National Capital Orchid show and explain orchid basics, categories, illustrate how the orchids are judged, show you all the award winners and illuminate their merits. Tom will point out many interesting varieties including orchids that are best for beginner growers.
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Imaginative Exercise: The Park WOD
Graham King leads a workout that focuses on the city as playground and training-ground. Prepare to play in the park as you’ve never played before…
- Sat., Oct. 8, 2011
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Beat Making 101
Ever wanted to make beats? Do you feel the desire to become the next Kanye West? Participate in a music production workshop!
- Thu., Oct. 6, 2011
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Quilting at the Dance Exchange
Come get your quilt on with the Dance Exchange for this exciting mini-quilting bee!
Instructor: Shula Strassfeld
- Tue., Oct. 4, 2011
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Solving Daily Problems with the Scientific Method
Apply the scientific method to problems in daily life. Paula Moran offers a class on how to get, observe and assess results.
- Mon., Oct. 3, 2011
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Breathe Deep: Increasing your Lung Capacity for Higher Clarity and Energy
Its Monday, but luckily, here is an opportunity to shake off the cares of the coming week and regain some of that weekend bliss. “Breathe Deep” is a chance to learn techniques for expanding the ribcage and getting the most out of every breath.
- Sun., Oct. 2, 2011
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KCDC Fall Fiesta
EMERGENCY CHANGE OF VENUE TO The Warehouse Theater for rockabilly dancing with JP McDermott and Western Bop!
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Readers and Riders: Metro Poetry Series with Yael Flusberg
Yael Flusberg explores stories of history and place through poetry, grounding richly chronicled self-history in keen observations of the present.
- Thu., Jun. 30, 2011
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Experimental Drawing in the Zoo and other free spaces
Led by muralist, ink painter and veteran sketch book user Kate Clark, participants will meet at a different public space in Washington DC with sketchbooks in hand.
- Wed., Jun. 29, 2011
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Ghost Hunting and Storytelling
Students will enjoy not only hearing about ghost lore, but also partaking in actually paranormal investigation. This course promises to be a chilling experience for warm summer’s night.
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Resourceful Mapping (Part II)
We will spend the remaining daylight collecting digital data in the park, then we will move inside for sometime as we bring those data into a useful opensource GIS framework.
- Tue., Jun. 28, 2011
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What is Bookness?
Artists’ books have an esteemed history dating back to at least medieval manuscripts and even papyrus scrolls, but the concept seemed to really take flight, ironically, at the beginning of the end of the printed word, specifically in the 1970′s and 1980′s. Join me for an evening browsing through my extensive collection of artists’ books, book objects, and various artists’ artifacts: perhaps we can discover what it means to exude “bookness.”
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Moving Meditation
This workshop is an introduction to the Moving Meditation class, a course based on Contemplative Dance Practice, a combination of sitting meditation, personal warm-up and group improvisation developed by Barbara Dilley. In this workshop, we will set aside life’s obligations and transition into being fully present together. Experience both an internal/personal focus and an external awareness of others. This practice is open to anyone interested in expanding your meditation practice to movement or being more mindful in your dancing. All levels welcome. No experience necessary.
- Sat., Jun. 25, 2011
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Introduction to Documentary Sound Recording
This course investigates field recording as an environmental research practice. Over the course of two intensive days, we will explore the relationship of documentary practice to performance, equipment use, and body awareness.
- Thu., Jun. 23, 2011
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Tour Guiding Training with Abraham Lincoln: The Future to the Past
Laura and Amy have recently ran into Abraham Lincoln teetering at Harris Teeter. He expressed a desire to see the DC Monuments. This is an ideal opportunity for tour guide training, to guide our 16th president through modern society. Upon completion of the course, students will receive a certificate in Presidential Historic Tour-guiding (PHT). Students will interact with and interview the public to facilitate Lincoln’s education. After the class, Lincoln is going to need a stiff drink at a local bar to grapple with 146 years of change.
- Wed., Jun. 22, 2011
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From Page to Stage
Producing your own play shouldn’t take rocket science, right? But, when you factor in costs, time and effort, it becomes overwhelming at best and downright hopeless at worst. Talk to some local playwrights to learn how to self-produce your masterpiece and get some breathing time in the meantime.
- Tue., Jun. 21, 2011
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Sticky Fingers: A Primer in Wheatpasting
Led by Pleasant Plains Workshop resident artist, Anthony Dihle, this session will cover paste mixing and application techniques using off-the-shelf dry mixes. We will also discuss best practices for where (and when) to paste. Lastly, students will be able to participate in a paste demo near the workshop.
- Mon., Jun. 20, 2011
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The Mighty Tree has Fallen: The Funeral and Election of a Ghanan King Teacher
A slide/talk on the funeral of, and selection for a new king in the West African country of Ghana. From his personal account and documentation as a cultural anthropologist, Allen Bassing will discuss the Ashante chiefs and royalty’s procedures to decide who should be their king.
- Sun., Jun. 19, 2011
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Growing Food; Treasure Hunting in Our Urban World
We will troll the Shaw neighborhood on bike or foot and will harvest unnoticed herbs, fruit, and greens, and prepare these foods for a family-style meal at the community center and kitchen Bread for the City. Students can attend either one or both parts of the course.
- Sat., Jun. 18, 2011
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Resourceful Mapping (Part I)
Learn tips and tools for collecting spatial, visual, and audio material to develop your map-based narrative. Find inspiration for observant exploration, as we chart the details that have gone unmapped. Collaborate with a public art project focused on creating a counter-narrative cartography of Rock Creek park.
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Introduction to the Laogai: China’s Forced labor Prisons
After hearing a personal testimony of Harry Wu, a former Chinese political prisoner, students will get a guided tour through the Laogai Musuem. This is an opportunity to learn about the Laogai – China’s system of forced labor prisons. Not only will you gain an understanding of the history of labor camps in China, but we plan to wrap up the course with an open-ended discussion about Chinese human rights issues today. We will break to enjoy a complimentary family style Chinese meal.
- Wed., Jun. 15, 2011
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Structural Violence & Information Warfare
Description: Readings, discussion, and potlucks on present day symbiosis of media, ideology, and permanent warfare, as well as on challenging that nexus. Guest speakers. 2 sessions /apx. 90 minutes each. Space limited.
- Tue., Jun. 14, 2011
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Why Bosnia?
Our collective knowledge of the Balkans is hopelessly sketchy, and that’s because it’s one of the most complicated of regions in the west. Waves of conquest and contestation mixing Orthodox Christianity with forced Muslim conversion, Austro-Hungarian domination with Communist dictatorship and plan old ancient hatred of one’s neighbors is layered over with shock capitalism and vague neo-liberal desires to join the European Union. We won’t understand any of these topics, but hope to fill in some of the missing knowledge nuggets needed for paying attention to this fascinating region
- Sun., Jun. 12, 2011
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Present Day Panopticons
Readings, discussion, and potlucks concerning how to identify and confront net-based and GPS-enhanced social surveillance. Includes an introduction to the legal aspects of behavioral targeting, social network analysis, deep packet inspection, etc
- Sat., Jun. 11, 2011
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Bookmaking Workshop
This workshop is for people who have always wanted to learn how to bind books, but don’t know where to start.Learn how to bind soft bound books. Ideal for sketchbooks, zines, and journals/notebooks. Students will build their own soft bound book and learn the basics of hard cover binding.
- Fri., Jun. 10, 2011
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Contempo by the Lake: House-as-Museum Tour
Clarke Bedford will be guiding us through a reinterpretation of his own house as a museum: approaching themes of misinterpreted insider art history and non-historical moment.
- Thu., Jun. 9, 2011
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Home Studio Recording/Production
An introduction to home recording techniques. This course will give students the basic information needed to produce industry quality music without a professional recording studio. Protools, Logic, Ableton Live, Native Instruments, and Reason will be discussed. Students will get a chance to record a demo track during the course.
- Mon., Jun. 6, 2011
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Building with Found Materials
From DIY/home repair to creating contemporary artwork, creative reuse and resourcing of otherwise disused materials is a practical skill. Class will begin investigation by collaborative construction of a sculpture-piece from found materials (provided by participants), in order to learn the basics of cutting and fastening various materials– wood, plastics, metal, glass, cardboard, concrete, etc. We will cover basic safety, hand tool and power tool use.
- Sun., Jun. 5, 2011
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Readers and Riders: Metro Poetry Series
Experience the spoken word in a context often defined by silence. Experience a twofold transportation as we explore the tunnels of the city and the words of local poets. Readings by local poets will take place in the last car of a Metro at 4 pm on Sundays in June.
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Open Eyes/Open Voices: Performative work in the Hirshhorn Museum
The Hirshhorn becomes a playground of the imagination for this interdisciplinary class. Start with a meet, greet and enjoy at the fountain, then adjourn to the museum basement to warm up with two interactive installations.
- Fri., Jun. 3, 2011
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Anacostia Time Capsule
A three part time capsule construction class exploring the past, present and future of life in Anacostia for Students at the Frederick Douglass Community Center. Students will receive a cigar box/time capsule to house memories, predictions, treasures, news clippings, and trinkets as Kate and Lucy help explore the timeline of Anacostia as it pertains to students. Ages 7-15.