OPEN GATES: a day of learning and unlearning

Saturday, April 14
$30 ($25 for members)
morning workshops 10am-noon
lunch 12:30pm
afternoon workshops 1:30-3:30pm

• Looking, Seeing, Drawing:
  we will let go of fear and expectations and will cultivate careful looking through a series of drawing exercises inspired by the writings of Frederick Franck, author of The Zen of Seeing. Truly seeing is the secret to drawing. Drawing as meditation is art without judgments. Come have fun remembering how to see and draw!
  Manora Katy Fischer has a Master of Fine Arts and currently teaches at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her drawings have been exhibited in Chicago and nationally.
• Jazz Meditation:

Jazz is based on both improvisation and planned structures. We will explore some of the landmark recordings in jazz and the meditative concepts demonstrated by the musicians...and by the listener. After listening to the recordings, we’ll become meditative musicians ourselves! Open to musicians and non-musicians alike of all levels and abilities, we’ll learn by teaching and teach by learning. Musicians should bring their instruments. If you don’t play an instrument, we’ll have several easy-to-play instruments available (hand percussion, kazoo, melodica, glockenspiel and others).
Bob Kessler plays jazz clarinet and harmonica and is a member of the ensemble Bakelite 78. He is also the writer/editor for The Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis, a weekend syndicated traditional jazz program broadcast internationally.
• Bitter Chocolate, Sweet Bites:

Release your inner chocolatier. Learn how to make a variety of chocolate petit fours through this fun, hands-on workshop. Participants will receive recipes and a sampling of their creations to take home.
Mahyang Andrew Cheng spent seven years working as a pastry chef. His meditation practice invariably consists of trying not to think about how to perfect his chocolate cake recipe.
• Spontaneity Through Improv :

Get out of your head and express yourself by directly experiencing others and your environment in a fun and free way! Learn how to create “group mind” and work as a unified whole, enabling us to laugh with each other without fear.
Tana Thom Vacca is an improviser and comedian. He graduated with a B.A. in Theater Arts and has studied with The San Francisco Mime Troupe, The Annoyance Theater and the iO Theater (formerly ImprovOlympic). He currently performs every weekend with “The Washington Generals” at the iO Theater.
• What Goes Around Comes Around:

Through this introduction to organic gardening, we will learn about soil vitality, composting, starting the spring garden, and commercial organic produce. The workshop will include practicum in the temple’s garden.
Achala Jeff LeGro can’t seem to keep his hands out of the dirt for long. He has been serious about gardening since he moved to the big city over 15 years ago. He’s written about gardening for Spring Wind and Heartland Journal.
• Thrift Store Clothes Into Art :

Look within to discover your own sense of beauty and use your hands to transform what has been discarded into what is pleasing to your eyes, keeps your body warm, and decorates your home.
Rev. Sanha learned to sew while making meditation mats and cushions. She hand-stitches patches from thrift store clothes to make quilts, wall hangings, curtains, blankets, and more.