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Anthology Coffee/Union Microfinanza

Seed to Cup Coffee

Explore the entire process behind a cup of coffee, from cultivating a coffee plant to brewing methods and science. This class series is co-directed by two Ponyride organizations, Anthology Coffee and Unión MicroFinanza (UMF). UMF is an international non-profit that works with coffee farmers in Honduras and sells their beans direct-trade in the United States and Anthology Coffee is a Detroit-native microroastery and cafe. Through this class, you’ll take a deeper look at all that goes into making coffee – from coffee agriculture, export and trade policies, roasting, brewing techniques, and cafe culture. Target demographic: Anyone with a genuine interest in coffee, preferably high school age and older.

Website: unionmicrofinanza.com Contact: info@unionmicrofinanza.com

Dance Workshop with Miss Stephanie 

Held on the last two Sundays of every month. It will consist of three different classes offered to three different age groups.

Class 1: Yearlings Creative Movement
This class is for children ages 3-5 years old. I will introduce children to movement and dance with use of props, visualizations, and music along with mind and body integration. Skills that will be developed through this class will include social development, communication skills, self-expression, memory development, and rhythm work. Children will be bare foot and should wear athletic clothing.

Class 2: Little Pony Hip Hop
This class is for children ages 6-10 years old. I will introduce children to the basic fundamentals of hip hop dance through use of body isolations, strong aerobic movement, coordination, spontaneity, jumps, and turns. Children will learn to do this movement to the beats and rhythm of music. Skills that will be developed through this class will be self-confidence, coordination, personal style, flexibility, and cardiovascular exercise. Children must wear a clean pair of sneakers and athletic clothing.

Class 3: Stallion Dance
This class is designed for children ages 10 and up. Unlike the other two specified classes, this class will incorporate many genres of dance. I will focus on stretching and moving the body through various forms of dance which include jazz, hip hop, and modern dance. With use of improvisation, children will have the opportunity to explore the different levels of space and work with different qualities of movement. I will also introduce the basic techniques of dance. As with any dance class this will help to build confidence while also focusing on exercise and coordination. Children are advised to wear ballet slippers or jazz shoes and athletic clothing.

Contact: schultstephanie@yahoo.com

Detroit Denim/The Empowerment Plan

Title: Introduction to Sewing Basics & Bag Workshop
Description: Start by learning the basics of sewing and finish the sessions by competing your own bag. We will begin the class by reviewing the materials and steps needed to construct a bag. From there, we will begin to further understand the various sewing techniques and materials that can be used in a bag. Students will also work on designing, simple pattern making and cutting.

8 sessions over 4 months
Class size: maximum of 10
Materials required: approx. 1-2 yards material per student. Thread, scissors,
pattern paper, finishing materials such as rivets & snaps.
Fee: Free
Target Demographic: open to anyone with an interest in sewing and design
Session Topics
1. Basics of sewing. Research and discuss various fabrics and sources
2. Design review. Show stitch examples and working machines for various stitch
types. Begin cutting a standard bag from a basic pattern.
3. Complete cutting bag and begin sewing
4. Complete sewing of bag. Finish bag
5. Sketch and design personal bag.
6. Sew & assemble personal bag.
7. Continued sewing of personal bag
8. Finish personal bag

Title: Denim Revival
Description: Learn how to repair that favorite pair of jeans. understand different repair options and determine the best way to get your jeans out of the closet and back on your body.
2 sessions over 1 month
DETROIT DENIM & THE EMPOWERMENT PLAN
EDUCATION Cost: Free
Target demographic: people with ripped or holes in their jeans
Session review
1. Everyone is welcome to bring in 1-2 pairs of jeans requiring repair. We start by reviewing the various ways to repair jeans. For each jean we have a student write up a ‘work order’ for the repair with the suggested method for repair. Next the students will prep the jeans for repair; this can include trimming frayed edges, cutting patches or disassembling jeans for hard-to-reach repairs.
2. This session will be hands on. Each student will be assisted in the repair of the jeans based on their completed work order.
Examples:
-sewing a denim patch
-sewing an alternate material patch
-darning
-hand sewing torn seams
-adjusting a cuff
-repairing a cuff

Contact: eric@detroitdenim.us or website http://detroitdenim.us/
Check out: http://www.empowermentplan.org/

Stukenborg Letterpress Studio

4 separate six hour workshops. These would be held on Sunday’s between 11am and 5pm. (Fridays would be a fine alternate if the group of youths all happen to be from the same school and can get the day off with a teacher as a working field-trip.)

Dates: Last Sunday of Each Month.
Class size: 6 youths 14-18yrs – High School Age – If the kids are coming from particular group/organization “one” of their mentors/leaders/chaperons will be welcome and encouraged to work hands-on during the class as well.
Topic & Outcome: Each of the four classes offered in the Letterpress Studio this semester will be focusing on traditional typesetting techniques. The students will learn about the history of printing and typography, while they are taught the basics of how to compose and print with movable type. Each workshop will have a different theme for the group to rally around. Each full day workshop will result in the production of a hand-printed edition that will be divided amongst the participants; so that everybody leaves with an example of each other’s piece. Additionally there will be a specimen retained for the Ponyride Archive.

Here are the 4 Basic Letterpress Printing Classes:
Motto City: Words to guide your life, from the young minds of Detroit Motor City.
Micro Fiction: An exploration of concise language and cunning punctuation; with just six words stories will unfold.
Rhyme Schemes: Brief poetry about plans gone awry.
Here & There: A surreal collaborative writing experience where simple notions become complex players, as ideas collide and unify.
Contact: bryanchristopherbaker@gmail.com

Smith Shop Detroit

Beginning Metalsmithing for Vets
Smith Shop is currently working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to offer free weekly metalsmithing classes to veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The VA will help us to identify participants who they feel would excel in our course. If you are a veteran who would like to participate in our class or you know a veteran who would like to participate please contact us or have your VA contact us.

Course Description
Beginning Metalsmithing for Vets, is a sixteen-week course that will meet once a week for three hours. Participants will learn the basic techniques of metalsmithing and make technical samples throughout the course as they work towards the completion of two major projects. Skills covered in the course include: sawing, filing, sanding, soldering, riveting, forging, chasing, salt-water etching, hollow form construction and various finishing techniques. Limit 8 participants.

Course Impact and Rationale
Beginning Metalsmithing for Vets seeks to offer a creative outlet for service men and women transitioning back into civilian life. The course seeks to fulfill the need of Veterans to get together to share their experiences, providing mutual support as they transition from being in theater. The course provides a structured opportunity for Veterans to come together and share their experiences while engaging in creative skill-building. Further, craft courses have been widely offered as technical training in addition to those reasons listed above and veterans have consistently been cited as some of the most importance practitioners of American Craft dating back to Paul Revere. Many veterans find that they have the predisposition for intense focus as a result of their training, which is of great benefit in metalsmithing. The structured order of operations and the self-empowerment of building a physical object further contributes to the historic success of craft classes for veterans. Smith Shop seeks to continue in this legacy, recognizing that government sponsored craft classes since the end of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan have not been widely available.

Smith Shop is currently soliciting donations which will be used to purchase tools and materials so we may offer this course to veterans free of charge.
Contact: SmithShopDetroit@gmail.com

Erin Kelly

Living Walls I: Design Workshop
This eight week design workshop will prepare participants to conceptually design and technically construct an up to one meter by one meter living wall. The workshop is intended for designers, artists and craftspeople; for those that love plants and those that are intrigued by making small, beautiful things. Prior technical skills or expertise with living walls is not required. Our weekly sessions, starting the first week of February, will include a lecture component or skill building workshop AND studio style discussions / reviews of the working process and techniques of each participant. The design workshop will meet weekly for 2.5 hours, with expected work outside of class. Each participant will be responsible for subsidizing the cost of their own, final living wall, with an anticipated budget of from $50-$500 dollars. Cost and materials will vary based upon individual projects.
Interested participants can submit a brief statement of interest to lambetrotherstien@gmail.com by Wednesday January 30.

Yoga Inside //
This 85 minute Anusara themed class is open to all levels of practitioners. Students will connect through this heart centered practice to the rhythms of breath and body. Participation in Yoga Inside is intended to support increased strength and flexibility of body, mind, and spirit. Students are encouraged to bring their own mats. Prior experience with yoga is not required.
Goals of Class:
• My students will be diamonds on the outside, butter on the inside.
• This 85 minute Anusara- themed class is open to all levels of practitioners.
• Students will connect through this heart centered practice to the rhythms of breath and body.
• Participation is intended to support increased strength and flexibility of body, mind, and spirit.
• At this time, students are encouraged to bring their own mats.
• Please wear comfortable clothes that enable movement.

Contact: lambetrotherstien@gmail.com

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