2011 INTENSIVE WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

Tuesday and Weeklong Workshops

The Alchemy of DJ-ing
DJ Rimarkable
Tues 9am to 12noon
This workshop is an introduction to the disc jockey profession and is designed to give you an opportunity to discover your personal voice and true intention as a DJ, contributing to your growth and development in the disc jockey artform. You will learn theory, basic equipment handling and set-up, and an introduction to techniques and business.

Amazon Archery
Amazon Nation Rise!
Falcon River and Vicki Tree
Tues and Wed 1pm to 4pm
Tap into your Amazon ancestral memory! Shoot like your Amazon fore-mothers! Learn the ancient art of intuitive archery! Learn how to hone your personal will, step to the mark, focus your intention on target and release your energy toward your goal! Due to the nature of this activity, please no drug or alcohol use before or during class. Return for practice sessions Thursday and Friday from 1pm-3pm. Ages 18 and over, girls 12-17 may attend with a parent or guardian who must remain with the child at all times.

Breast Casting for Womyn of Color
Cassandra Buchanan
Tues 1pm to 4pm
Take this time to meet other Womyn of Color as we create and form an experience that is solely our own. Your breasts represent an element that is all you. Bring your creative selves and your enthusiasm. We will each create a unique breast casting that is suitable for display. Please wear comfortable clothing ready for some plaster spills, and please be well-hydrated. No latecomers. Womyn of color only.

Butch Yoga
Richelle Donigan
Tues 9am to 12pm
A place where butches can feel empowered exploring their relationships to their bodies and butch identities. Moving through this powerful form of movement and stillness, Yoga. Become stronger on the inside and more flexible on the outside. Create heath and well-being with every breath. This is an invitation to your whole self. For self-identified butch womyn. No latecomers.

Catalyzing Conscious Relationships
Julia Colwell, PhD
Tues 1pm to 4pm and Wed 1pm to 4pm
Create relationships that thrive and last! Learn clear, powerful tools that will end power struggles and open the flow of passion, co-creativity, and aliveness. Discover how relationships can be a crucible for personal transformation. For couples and singles.

Dragyn Egg Rattles
Beardedragyns
Tues 9am to 12noon
From the moment we first touch the clay until the time our eggs are born of fyre, we will fill our dragyn eggs with intention, visualization, and manifestation. No previous art experience necessary, all materials provided. Requires commitment to workshop conclusion held Saturday morning (time TBA), when we will fire our eggs. Ages 18 and over. Limited to 18. No latecomers.

Drumming for Health and Wellness
Chris Gacsi
Tues 9am to 12 noon
Documented research reveals evidence that drumming reduces stress, depression, chronic pain, strengthens the immune system, aids in treatment and recovery from stroke, Parkinson’s disease, improves mood and burnout, and more! Recreational drumming will follow this discussion. No experience necessary; this is not a technique-focused workshop. Limited loaner drums and hand percussion available on a first-come basis, or bring your own.

Drumsong Orchestra
Ubaka Hill
Series, Tues - Sat 1pm to 4pm
Sunday Performance, 11:30am
Explore the art, rhythm and spirit of drumming. Learn drum songs of varied cultural and rhythmic styles; improve technique, breath, tonal clarity, concentration, dexterity, time, dynamics, improvisation, vocalization and orchestration. Learn drum etiquette and how to acquire a drum. Bring drums, hand instruments (bells, shekeres, rattles) and a cassette recorder if you have one. Some instruments provided. The Drumsong Orchestra performs Sunday morning on the Acoustic Stage; full-week attendance at the daily rehearsal is required to participate in the performance.

The Good Butch
Lauri "Gunner" Wollner
Tues 1pm to 4pm and Wed 9am to 12pm
A safe place for butches to discuss what it's like living as a butch womon, how to become a 'good butch,' and how to help our younger sisters know that butch is still an option. This is not the place for discussing Festival trans politics. Allies welcome.

Introduction to the Enneagram
Sheila Richards
Tues 9am to 12noon and Wed 9am to 12noon
The Enneagram is a powerful and dynamic personality system that describes nine distinct and fundamentally different patterns of thinking, feeling and acting. Discover your personality type, what motivates you, what influences your relationships, your coping strategies and the unconscious energy that runs your life. The enneagram is a profound tool for spiritual and personal growth. No latecomers.

Is the Womyn of Color Tent Still Necessary?
Bobbie DeVoll and Laurie Kendall
Tues 9am to 12noon
Inaugurated in 1986, the WOC tent has provided a safe space for womyn of color. In recent years, more womyn are questioning why womyn of color still need this space. This workshop will discuss why this space is still needed at the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. All womyn welcome.

Latin Dance Series: The Basics
THE BASICS: SALSA ON '2' AND NEW YORK STYLE MERENGUE
Nivea Castro
Tues 9am to 12noon
Nivea will teach salsa's footwork fundamentals, cool 'shines' and combination patterns as well as partner etiquette. Learn the basics in one workshop in a fun, entertaining and easy 'speed salsa' method developed specially for Michfest. Beginning dancers welcome! For more Latin Dance, see Wednesday's workshop below.

Latin Dance Series: A Cut Above
BASIC SALSA AND MERENGUE SOLOS, STYLING AND 'SHINES'
Nivea Castro
Wed 1pm to 4pm
Learn solo and styling fundamentals, and cool 'shines,' combination patterns which are also danceable to Pop, Hip-Hop, and other genres. Learn the basics in one workshop in a fun, entertaining and easy 'speed salsa' method developed especially for Michfest. Dance experience would be helpful but not necessary. For more Latin Dance, see Tuesday at 9am, Thursday at 10:30am and Friday at 9am. Also, show off your new dance moves at the Saturday night Salsa/Disco party!

Learning to Fly: Acrobalance
Mekella Broomberg and Indi McCasey
Tues 1pm to 4pm
Run away and join the circus at Michigan! Sweat a little, laugh a lot, and challenge your body in this safe and supportive workshop. Learn how to 'fly' and 'base' to create partner acrobalance moves. No experience necessary. All body types welcome. Check in with instructors if you have any questions about participating.

Lesbian Tent Revival
Carolyn Gage with Tara Ayres
Tues 1pm to 4pm and Wed 1pm to 4pm
Let the Sisterhood of the Sacred Synapse revive your spirits with Sister Carolyn's hilarious, rousing sermons and Sister Tara's riotous songs! Be filled with the deep joy of resistance and get cracklin' all over with radical womon-loving lesbian-feminism! There will be further hour-long tent revivals Thursday through Sunday, beginning at 10am. Teens and adults welcome.

Massage Techniques for Two
Margaret Belton
Tues 9am to 12noon
This is a workshop for friends, family and partners to learn how to give massages through simple and highly effective techniques. Massage is proven to be extremely beneficial to our bodies, minds and spirits. Not only can we achieve a greater sense of wellness but also discover another great form of giving love through the power of touch. Participants should bring yoga mats, large towels, blankets, and/or sleeping bags for ground covering. Singles are welcome. Limited to 26. No latecomers.

Natural Death Care: Bringing Funerals Back Home
Margy Henderson
Tues 9am to 4pm
Birthing midwives were often also death midwives. It's a community and family's legal right to care for our loved ones after death. We'll teach the practical skills needed, the legal requirements, and the circle will hold very respectful space for whatever arrives as we learn to help each other through the death time before burial or cremation. Ages 16 and over.

Nu Traditional African Dance
Queen Hollins
Tues 1pm to 4pm and Wed 9am to 12noon
Dance, sweat, sing, rebirth, plant, harvest, renew, affirm, drum, shift your consciousness, shift your lineage, have fun and fly above any obstacle, go deeper into your beauty, power and purpose! Come create a shift on the planet! Bring comfortable clothing and footwear, water, and most of all your open heart and willingness.

One World Inspirational Choir
Aleah Long
Series, Tues 9am to 12noon and Wed-Sat 1 to 4pm
Sunday Performance, 12:30pm
The One World Inspirational Choir is, first and foremost, a strong circle of womyn who come together once a year to discover, explore, deepen and share the power of their own authentic sound. Through breathing, movement and sound exercises drawn from Kamitic and Dravidic yoga traditions, the circle weaves a powerful web focused on safety, good intentions for ourselves and the world, healing, growth and discovery. Exercises to promote vocal technique and musical interpretation skills are combined with learning songs and chants from a variety of world traditions. The weeklong intensive workshop culminates with a Musical Ritual that is offered to the Festival community as part of the Sunday Acoustic Stage performances. The One World Inspirational Choir experience has proved to be a powerful opportunity for healing and growth that sends the womyn who participate in the circle and those who share the Musical Ritual on Sunday morning back home with more strength, courage, light and love. This workshop is not just for womyn who consider themselves singers, it is for any womon who wishes to explore her own inner landscape and to discover the power of her voice – her own authentic sound. Womyn are encouraged to bring their instruments (guitars, violins, flutes and percussion) if they are proficient and feel confident that they can quickly assimilate a part for performance. Vocal soloists are drawn from the circle, with occasional guest artists from the performance stages. For continuing workshops in this series, see Wednesday through Saturday at 1pm. The Sunday Ritual is at 12:30pm on the Acoustic Stage; full-week attendance at the daily rehearsal is required to participate in the performance.

Queering Your Sex
APPROACHING SEXUAL FLUIDITY IN A GENDER-AWARE WAY
Kristen Tribby and Sarah Tomchesson
Tues 1pm to 4pm
This workshop will explore sexuality as it relates to queer identity, gender (normative and variant), power play, and our evolving relationships with our bodies. Whether participants identify as queer or not, this class will open up dialogue and cover tips and techniques for negotiating with a queer partner, navigating body access, anatomy, strapping it on, role-playing, and more! Ages 18+.

Singing in Sacred Circle
Linda Smith Koehler and Rissa Moore
Tues-Sat 9am to 12noon
Sunday Healing Circle, 2pm
A daily singing circle for womyn of all ages and abilities who want to learn songs, chants, rounds and dances that help each womon find new power in her voice and affirm her divine essence. This workshop was started by Kay Gardner and members of Women With Wings in 1996 and has been offered almost every year since. This group gathers as a family, rejoicing in the reunion of familiar faces and celebrating the arrival of new members. Our circle is open and fluid; you may attend any part or all of it. Come and go as you need. Latecomers and children are welcome.

Stilt Walking with Womyn Walking Tall
Janette Sperber assisted by Rebecca Hunter
Tues 1pm to 4pm and Wed 1pm to 4pm
Learn the ancient art of walking on stilts – it's fun and empowering! Wear sturdy shoes or boots and long pants. Girls aged 12 to 16 must bring an able-bodied adult for the duration. Participants may attend either or both intensive days. For more stilt walking, we'll meet for the (optional) parade at 6pm Saturday, discussing costuming and choreography on-site. You are welcome to join the parade if you have been on stilts before. No workshop latecomers after first 30 minutes.

When I Doubt Myself and Other Womyn
CONFRONTING INTERNALIZED MISOGYNY
Jona Olsson
Tues 1am to 4pm
This workshop encourages womyn to examine the harmful impact of a lifetime of sexist, misogynist messages on their own self-image and their attitudes toward other womyn – either can be hurtful to us and the womyn and girls around us. Exercises are offered to affirm womyn, womyn's skills and to confront internalized sexism/misogyny.

Women with Tools
Mida Ballard
Tues 1pm to 4pm and Wed 9am to 12noon
Mida will talk tools, safety, and self-reliance while leading participants through two common home renovations. Learn how to install and change door locks on Tuesday. Wednesday, learn how to repair broken single-pane windows by replacing and reglazing the glass. Bring your general construction and repair questions.

Wednesday Workshops

Allies in Understanding: Womyn-Only Space, the Shifting Concepts of Gender, and Trans Inclusion
Amber and Jona
Wed 9am-12noon
This gathering is intended to foster open-hearted, respectful communication, rooted in feminist principals. Womyn only space, gender expression and trans identities continue to be part of our Festival community discussion. Our focus will be to step back from the divisive rhetoric that can consume this discussion, moving to a place where we hear one another, heal, and live together as our most authentic selves. In order to create a safe space for this dialogue, we commit to honor each individual experience and voice as worthy of attention and respect.

The Astrology of Change
Jenny Yates
Wed 9am to 4pm
What's the astrological perspective on 2012? What does it mean for you personally? What tools will help you move through these times effectively and resolve conflicts? Sign up in advance with your birth data at the One World Tent.

Full-Figured DIVA Experience
C.C. Carter
Wed 9am to 12 noon
Designed for womyn who want to improve their own perception of positive body image – full-figured womyn and womyn with body scars due to surgery or physical ailments. We will write, dance, sing, sign, deconstruct and then reconstruct our bodies beautiful.

High Heels and Hot Wheels: Smokin' Hot Sex and Disability
AndreA Neuman-Mascis and Jacq Jones
Wed 1pm to 4pm
Join AndreA and Jacq as they discuss spectacular sex in and with gorgeous and complicated bodies. Explore the physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural impacts of sex and disability. Discuss what techniques, toys, tools and DIY options are available to augment multiple expressions of sexuality. Warning: This workshop will be fun. Ages 18+.

Lez Rez
Shirley Jons
Wed 9am to 12noon
This workshop provides an opportunity for indigenous womyn to come together and share our stories, where we come from, our struggles. Bring your experiences and ideas on how we can continue to be visible at this Festival. This workshop is for womyn who walk with Native, Indigenous, First Nations blood.

Protect the Artist Within
Pat Schmatz
Wed 1pm to 4pm
In a culture driven by quest for success and immediate results, how can we best create and maintain a protected inner space where our art can spark and fan into flame? Discuss tips from an award-winning novelist on how to ferociously hold that space and still be self-supporting in the real world. All artists welcome, teens included!

Sisters of the Fern: Silver Leaf Casting
Beardedragyns
Wed 1pm to 4pm
Ferns are among the oldest plants, playing an important role in medicine and folklore. Many people consider ferns to be powerful protective plants, carrying their leaves for good luck. Join us for the unique experience of casting a fern leaf in pure silver to create a one-of-a-kind personal charm. All materials provided. Requires commitment to workshop conclusion held Saturday morning (time TBA), when we will fire our ferns. Ages 18 and over. Limit 16 participants. Workshop spots will be drawn from a hat just before 1pm, prior to the workshop. No latecomers.

Stepping Into Our Power as Young Womyn (Ages 13-17)
RISING FIERCE WOMYN
Ariel Vegosen
Wed 1pm to 4pm
Let's defy patriarchy and decide for ourselves what womynhood is all about. Using theatre, art, dance, group building, spoken word, and movement we will decide what it means to come of age in 2011. This is a sacred space for teens, where you can be exactly who you want to be. Ages 13-17. Limit 12 participants.

return to top