The New Year takes off at The Other Side! Winter is a great time to warm yourself at the hearth of face-to-face community. If you've been a scarce participant thus far, take a look at what's coming up and join in! Contact Kim at 735-4825 or kodomenico@verizon.net with questions or if you need more information about groups or events. Events are free unless otherwise indicated.
January Highlights:
Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 7:30 p.m. Imagining America presents: Delight or Instruction? Henry Fielding's Tom Jones, Book and Film. Many of us ((of a certain age) are far more familiar with the 1963 film starring Albert Finney, which more or less defined "bawdy," than with the novel, which was so controversial in its 18th century day (Was it truly instructive for young men, as Fielding insisted was his purpose, warning them to avoid the temptations of vice, or did its explicit nature make vice more enticing?) Whether you've read the book or not is fine, because John H. O'Neill, Professor of English Emeritus at Hamilton College, plans to talk about both, and will look at two lesser known film versions as well. He will discuss the issues of adapting literature to film, and the question, in the case of Tom Jones, as to filmmakers' choices to be faithful or not to the author's moral purpose.
Beginning Monday, January 18, 2010, 7-9 p.m. Shamanic Drumming Circle.
A first at The Other Side! Shamanic drumming circles address the spiritual aspect of drumming rather than the musical. Using drums, rattles, etc., a steady, repetitious beat is used to engage in the ancient practice of the shamanic journey. Health and healing for self, individuals, communities, places, all our relations, and the planet are the focus. Experience is not necessary. Open minds and hearts are. ;>) Please bring a drum and/or a rattle, a blanket, a bandana or other eye covering, and a donation for the space.
Jonathan Barns, who will lead the drumming circle, runs a small CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program at his Full Circle Farm in Westmoreland. He teaches high school Earth Science at Proctor, and also teaches yoga locally. He began his training/practice in shamanism in 1996 with Michael Harner and the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, and is a graduate of their Three Year Program. He is very excited about forming a shamanic drumming circle here in the Mohawk Valley, and hopes to meet on first Mondays after this initial gathering!
Thursday, January 21, 7-9 p.m. Third Thursday Salon. Topic: The Value of Work.
Says salon co-facilitator Celeste Friend, "Human life would not be possible without work. Our simple physical existence depends on work, both our own and that of others, but so too do richer and fuller forms of human life and culture. But what do we mean by 'work' and how do we value it? Is work just a means to an end, or do at least some forms of work have intrinsic meaning and value? Matthew Crawford, in his recently much-acclaimed book, Shop Class as Soul Craft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work, argues against the prevailing modern assumption that manual labor is less rational and therefore less valuable than disembodied cognitive work. What kinds of work, done by ourselves or others, do we value, and what kinds do we value less or not at all? Let's think carefully about how we conceive of this important idea, 'work', in order to think carefully about our values."
The salon is an intentional revival and practice of the old fashioned art of face-to-face conversation. Led by co-facilitators Ken Mazlen and Celeste Friend, a respectful space is offered in which people may gather for topic-focused talk. As a function of The Other Side, we stress that all points of view, honestly spoken, are welcome and we do notshare the mainstream insistence on the rational as the only basis for knowledge. Although a function of The OtherSide, the salon meets in Celeste's living room at 37 Emerson, just up the street from Cafe Domenico and The OtherSide. If you've been thinking this is something you might enjoy, make it your New Year's resolution to check it out! Refreshments are served. No need to bring anything other than a donation for food and for The Other Side. For more information or precise directions, call Celeste at 725-5987.
Saturday, January 23, 7-9 p.m. The Bookstore Theatre and Circus Vaudeville Auction
Starring Rob Lecher and Adam Spiridilozzi
admission $10
Many of you may know Adam, local artist and founder of the Resonance Center, but may not be familiar with his onstage presence. We think you will enjoy this special evening with these two talented men. In Adam's words: "The Bookstore Theatre and Circus Vaudeville Auction: (now in 3D) unashamedly presents: the first show of the new decade (which in no way, exactly resembles the last show of the old decade)
Witness the accidental intentions and intentional accidents of actors engaged in death-defying feats of lipstick thespianism filtered through the class-war Classicism, of you and who-ism, informed by the neologism of nowism
Presented in conjunct with Resonance Center, The Other Side,and TSSDERC of the SPSAFLWRS.(or SPSST). sponsored by 'Step Aside'"
Ongoing: The Climate Crisis Action group will meet on 4th Mondays from January to June to promote action and awareness around the issue of climate change. The gathering on Monday, January 25, 7:00 p.m., is called Promoting Collective Action. For more information, call Ken at 734-9076.
On alternate Tuesdays, two groups meet: the Outside/Inside Reading group, currently reading Jonathan Lethem's Motherless Brooklyn, and a spiritually-focused group still seeking its name, which I am temporarily calling "Elders," due to the members' interest in that role so missed in our society. Currently the group is reading Robert Bly's The Sibling Society, an analysis of our society, child-rearing, and the consequences of our lack of initiation. Information on either group can be obtained by calling 735-4825 or email at kodomenico@verizon.net.
An Important Heads Up: Coming in February, on a Sunday afternoon, date TBA, the first of a year-long monthly series of live jazz at The Other Side will be presented. Thanks to a grant from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the NYS Council on the Arts, Talkin' 'Bout Jazz will feature a guest musician each month, backed by local musicians Rick Montalbano and Rick Montalbano, Jr., on keyboard and drums, respectively, and trumpeter/vocalist John Piazza. John, a Utica native, a music teacher at Remsen Central High School and a seasoned performer, is the series organizer. Each event will include an educational component, so the audience will be both entertained and informed about America's great indigenous classical music. 50 years ago, Utica boasted an exciting, vital jazz scene where many of the great jazz artists of the day could be seen in person. Times have changed, but jazz remains at the vanguard of our culture and as the quintessential expression of urban vitality. Become a part of reviving a jazz scene in our city - make a point not to miss any of these live jazz events and by all means bring the kids. There will be a $10 charge for each concert, $5 students.