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January/February Calender - Start your new year with the Free Skool!

Here it is folks! The Ann Arbor Free Skools January/February calender for your sensory pleasure! Click the calender above to download and print your own personal hard copy (Or click here for the PDF Version), and be sure to check out our Google Calender to keep up-to-date on any changes of events, classes, and other hi-jinx!

And for a peek inside of our past classes and events, feel free to check out our Flickr Photo Album, and our Youtube channel for some extra good-ness!

Here's what we have lined up for the next two months:

January

Tai Chi Class with The Stone Tortoise Tai Chi Community
Every Monday, 8:30pm- 10:30pm at ICC Educational Center (1520 Hill behind Luther Cooperative)
Jeff Blu teaches fundamentals of Tai Chi, including stretching, breathing, light calisthenic exercises, moving meditation, and simple self-defense techniques. This is a group for the sharing and exploration of practical skills to reduce stress, enhance health, and to progressively develop ones mental physical capabilities.
Beginners welcome.

Simply Cooking
Every other Sunday, 1pm at Luther Cooperative House (1520 Hill St)
Simply Cooking is a series of free bi-weekly culinary demonstrations open to all who would like to learn. Local chefs Aren Stobby and Connor Otto will teach the fundamentals of cooking as well as more advanced techniques as well as share their knowledge relating to culinary arts, nutrition and sustainable practices. For class specifics visit: http://simplycooking-a2.blogspot.com

Capoeira
Every Saturday, 10am- 11:30am at Concourse Hall (4531 Concourse Drive)
Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines dance, martial arts, and acrobatics. It’s a strategic “game” to throw your partner off balance or render them defenseless by throwing kicks and sweeps using movements and defensive techniques. Through emphasizing persistence and patience, practitioners can develop stronger bodies, quicker reflexes, greater flexibility, increased awareness, strategic thinking, and the self-confidence to express themselves. Come join us. You are guaranteed to grow, be rejuvenated, and most importantly, have fun.

Learn to Swing Dance
Every Friday, 8pm- 9pm at Mind Body and Spirit Academy (1785 West Stadium Blvd)
Beginner lesson at 8:00pm; Open dancing from 9:00pm to 12:00am. Come out and boogie!

Reflexology - Auricology
Every other Thursday, 7pm at ICC Educational Center (1520 Hill behind Luther Cooperative)
Auricology. This type of reflexology focuses on points in the ears that correspond to the rest of the body. It sounds crazy, right? Seriously though it's awesome and Jedi-like. If you have doubts, come to the class and get them massaged away. There will also be some facial massage to integrate the techniques, yay!

One-Day Ham Radio Class
Saturday, January 8, from 9am - 3pm, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum (220 E. Ann Street)
Learn everything you need to get your Technician Class amateur radio license, including the basics of electricity and electronics and amateur radio rules and regulations. The class starts at 9am and runs until 3pm, at which time you'll be given the test. While some students have passed the test without any preparation, we strongly encourage you to download and read through the free study guide, which is available at http://www.kb6nu.com/tech-manual. Online practice tests available there. There is a $15 fee to take the test. For more information, contact: Dan R at cwgeek@kb6nu.com.

Documentary & Discussion Series: Slingshot Hip Hop
Wednesday, January 19th, 8:00pm at Digital Ops (525 Liberty)
Slingshot Hip Hop braids together the stories of young Palestinians living in Gaza, the West Bank and inside Israel as they discover Hip Hop and employ it as a tool to surmount divisions imposed by occupation and poverty. From internal checkpoints and Separation Walls to gender norms and generational differences, this is the story of young people crossing the borders that separate them.

Astrology and Your Child
Saturday, January 29th, 3pm- 5pm at Cafe Ambrosia (326 Maynard)
You're invited to examine the astrological "owner's manual" that came with your child with the help of experienced parents and astrologers, Rodney B Smith and Misti A Delaney. Through your child's birth chart, you can learn the things that are most important to your child, see the potential for stress in her relationship (including with you) and learn some of the characteristic traits that will stay with your child for life, and perhaps how to make the most of those. Please provide your child's birth date, birth time, and birthplace so we can cast a chart before the class.

February

Battle of the Mystery Bands
Saturday, February 5th, Doors open at 8:30pm, 220 Packard
Previously at DIY Fest… 36 strangers were chosen at random and were given 8 weeks to practice and compose 20 minute sets of original music and performance. Join us as these Free Skool Mystery Bands battle with all their might for the glory of playing at the March Free Skool Prom. Costumes and shenanigans encouraged. Hors d’ oeuvres and ambiance for your enjoyment.

How to Manage Your Own Band: The Follow-up Session
Monday, February 7th, 7pm at Cafe Ambrosia (326 Maynard)
Back by popular demand… Join Matthew Altruda, music management guru from the Macpodz for our 2nd journey through the world of Independent Music Management—Promotion, Booking, General Management and much more.

I’m Doing My Own Taxes! - Tax Class
Wednesday, February 9th, 7:32pm at Cafe Ambrosia (326 Maynard)
TAX time is coming soon! Brooke Ratliff, managerial accountant, will take you through the basics of filling out a 1040, as well as address questions like: Do I need to file? What is a dependent? What if I'm starting my own business? What is a 1099? Bring your W2s for a rockin’ evening of tax-awesome. Tax forms provided.

Balancing Your Hormones: Balancing Your Life
Thursday, February 17th, 6:30pm at Aprill Wellness Center (107 Aprill Drive, Suite 4)
This workshop will explore how to safely balance hormones using holistic, sustainable and natural methods. Learn about bio-identical hormones, “ good and bad estrogen”, the effects of estrogen dominance, birth control, soy and other plant based estrogens as well as environmental factors that affect proper hormones balance. Come and learn about various strategies to help resolve issues of menopause, hot flashes, PCOS, uterine fibroids, low thyroid function and adrenal fatigue.

Thneeds: How you can opt out of toxic chemicals for personal care
Saturday, February 19th, 3pm at Café Ambrosia (326 Maynard)
We've all been sold on the "need" for a multitude of products to be well groomed. But do you know what you're putting on your skin? Commercial personal care items contains toxic petroleum based chemicals and toxins known to be associated with cancer and other devastating illnesses. Learn how you can stay clean and healthy without poisoning yourself and your family— and save some money, too!

Documentary & Discussion Series: Don’t need you: A Herstory of Riot Grrrl
Wednesday, February 23rd, 8:00pm at Digital Ops (525 Liberty)
“Don’t need you” tells the story of the origins of Riot Grrrl in the American independent music scene of the 1990s, and how this feminist movement evolved into a revolutionary underground network of education and self-awareness through music, writing, activism, and women-friendly community.

Critical Mass Bike Ride
Friday, February 25th, 5:15pm- 6:30pm. Meets at N. University & State
Join us as we assert our rights as bicyclists to the roads and create awareness of biking and bike rights! The pace of the group will be set wherever applicable to ensure that everyone can keep up. Dress warm and keep on eye out for action/event info. So come flex those hot bike muscles and take back the streets!


Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Want to teach? Have a space for classes?
Drop us an email - a2freeskool@gmail.com

See you all soon!

December Calendar- Keep warm with the Free Skool

December may be cold, but there are lots of classes and events planned to keep things warms. Click the calendar above to print your own December Calendar and make sure to always check the Google Calendar for the most up-to-date information on all classes, events, and shenanigans.

Wondering what the Free Skool experience is like? Check out photos of past classes, events, and DIY Fests at our flickr photo albums. And, Yes! We have video too! You can watch us on YouTube. Just type in "Ann Arbor Free Skool" in the search.

Check out what is cookin' this December:

DIY Fest

Saturday, December 4th at 2pm- ? at Luther Cooperative (1520 Hill)

A full day of workshops, classes, live music, fabulous free store, all-day

potluck, and closing bonfire. Bike Winterizing, Soap Making, Capoeira,

Lucid Dreaming, Massage, and many many more! Live Performances by

Scissors Now, Honey, The Rainbow Vomit Family Band and puppet show

by Patrick Elkins!

Recycled Card Making

Saturday, December 11th at 1pm, Basement of Cafe Ambrosia (326 Maynard)

Do you love the ritual of Holiday Greeting cards for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or Solstice,

but hate the idea of adding to the landfill? How about using recycled materials to create the holiday greetings? Don't know how? Come for an afternoon of fun turning recycled materials into fun greeting cards. You can use these ideas for birthday cards, thank you cards, and whatever else you want a card for.

How to Manage Your Own Band

Monday, December 13th at 7pm at Cafe Ambrosia (326 Maynard)

Join Matthew Altruda, music management guru from the Macpodz for

a journey through the world of Indepenent Music Management-

Promotion, Booking, General Management and much more.

Documentary & Discussion- Food Inc.

Wednesday, December 15th at 8pm- Digital Ops (525 Liberty)

Filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry,

exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from

the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory

agencies, USDA and FDA. Featuring interviews with experts as Eric

Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma,

In Defense of Food) and other forward thinking social entrepreneurs,

Food, Inc. reveals the truths about what we eat, how it's produced, who we

have become as a nation and where we are going from here.

Reflexology 1.1- Hands

Every other Thursday at 7pm at

ICC Educational Center (1520 Hill behind Luther Cooperative)

Basics of Reflexology and Hand massage. Work at a computer? Text way too much?

Sometimes feel like hitting inanimate objects? This class could be for you.

Come down and learn some basic hand routines and often used reflexology points.

Email us beforehand to receive class info to get practicing. Bring a friend and turn

your hands into hands again.

Simply Cooking

Every other Sunday at 1pm at Luther House Cooperative (1520 Hill)

Simply Cooking is a series of free bi-weekly culinary demonstrations.

Local chefs Aren Stobby and Connor Otto will teach the fundamentals of cooking

and share their knowledge about culinary arts, nutrition and sustainable practices.

Check out the blog: http://simplycooking-a2.blogspot.com

December 5th- Hearty Soups

December 19th- Dips and Condiments

Stone Tortoise Tai Chi Community

Every Monday at 8:30pm at

ICC Educational Center (1520 Hill behind Luther Cooperative)

Jeff Blu teaches fundamentals of tai chi, including stretching, breathing, light

calisthenic exercises, moving meditation, and simple self-defense techniques.

This is a group for the sharing and exploration of practical skills to reduce stress,

enhance health, and to progressively develop ones mental/physical capabilities.

Beginners welcome.

Food Not Bombs

Every Sunday: Preparation at 1:30pm- Far House (2606 Packard)

Dinner served at 4pm- 6pm in Liberty Plaza

Food Not Bombs believes that food is a right, not a privilege, and that poverty

is a form of violence. We provide free meals as a way to protest poverty, war and

violence while advocating for peace, love and freedom; come lend a hand to prepare

and serve these meals. Contact Joe at: jvarilon@gmail.com

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Want to teach? Have a space for classes?
Drop us an email- a2freeskool@gmail.com

See you soon- Ann Arbor Free Skool

December DIY Fest- This Saturday!

Special Reminder!
THIS SATURDAY is DIY Fest!
December 4th, 2010: 2pm-? at Luther Cooperative House (1520 Hill)

Here is a peek at what you can look forward to:

A day full of skill shares and workshops!

• Over 18 workshops and skill shares such as Bike Winterizing, Soap Making, Capoeira, Lucid Dreaming, Massage, Knitting, Spontaneity, Simply Cooking will be doing Hearty Soups, Tai Chi, Book Making and many more...

Live Music and Performances All Day Long!

• We have never had so many live performances! The Appleseed Collective, Honey, The Rainbow Vomit Family Band, Scissors Now! and a LIVE Shadow Puppet Show by the Infamous, Amazing, Handsome Patrick Elkins!
  

The Free Store!

• Give your old bronzed walnut-shaped walnut cracker a new place to call home at the Free Store.
  Bring whatever you have that you think someone else would like (clothes, knick-knacks, food, art, tools, books - anything) and pick up some jazzy "new" treats for yourself. You'll be amazed at what you'll take home.
  

Live Silk Screen Printing!

• Change your boring old t-shirt, pants, socks, g-string into a work of art! Modati Studios will be doing live silk screen printing with original Ann Arbor Free Skool designs! Donations appreciated. Check them out at: http://www.modati.com/

Community Potluck, Bonfire, and Surprises!

• Don't forget to whip up your favorite dish to pass for The Shared All Day Potluck. We need your help to make this happen. No food = No potluck.
• Yeah. There will be fun surprises. Nope we won't spill the beans. You have to come and see.
  

Come play out of the Cold.

• This is an all indoor event with enough space to fit most of Ann Arbor. Hot beverage and food will be served all day long.
  

As always, there is no cost.
Just bring yourself, friends, a dish to pass (if you can), and a thirst for knowledge.

Wondering what the Free Skool experience is like? Check out photos of past classes, events, and DIY Fests at our flickr photo albums. And, Yes! We have video too! You can watch us on YouTube. Just type in "Ann Arbor Free Skool" in the search.