What is a donation-based yoga studio?

Positive energy and karma is what Yogave “Generosity Yoga” is all about. Located on Route One in Falmouth, Maine, this studio operates on an amazing financial construct. Generosity. They keep it simple. Pay what you can, and drop-ins are welcome. Although monthly passes are available, no advanced sign-up is required.

Image Credit: www.yogave.com

How much is expected for donations?

By providing donation-only classes, Yogave strives to offer the yoga experience to everyone, so pay as you can. Their goal is to create a sustainable model through donations. It is required that you donate, but that amount is entirely up to you. For reference, most local yoga classes range from 10-15 dollars each.

Is Yogave a non-profit organization?

Yogave is not a non-profit organization. Their goal is to open up yoga to everyone, of all socioeconomic circumstances and all levels of yoga abilities, without the stress of large fees for a class. The studio wants their certified instructors to be paid well, but they leave it up to the universe to provide and steer that direction. If and when the studio shows abundance, they intend to give it back. For Yogave, it’s about abundance and gratitude.

What is needed to attend the first class?

Wear comfortable and loose-fitting clothes as there will be lots of stretching requiring a wide range of movement.  Be prepared to sweat. Barefoot is ideal. The studio does offer mats, but it is suggested you bring your own. That’s all you need, but you are welcome to bring your own equipment. They have blankets, blocks and straps, and they also provide small towels and complimentary elastics.

It’s hard to come up with a reason NOT to try one of these classes, huh? More information about this wonderful studio can be found at the Yogave Website.

What is Think Tank?

For those of you unfamiliar with project, Think Tank offers shared office space for independent professionals. The co-working space provides stylish offices, open concept work stations, and conference areas, all available 24/7. The appeal is enormous as Think Tank solves the problem of needing affordable outside-of-the-home work space, with the added benefit of getting exposure to a communal and mutually supportive environment.

Maine Creative Economy

Patrick Roche and Eric Poulin, co-owners of Think Tank, believe that similarly creative and independently-minded individuals can flourish in the alchemy of ingenuity. “Whether it’s a law student looking for a place to study, a local arts or political organization looking for a conference area in which to strategize, or a young entrepreneur in need of affordable work-space, Think Tank endeavors to make Maine a better place for everyone.”

Think Tank is destined to become a whirring hub of creative economy in Portland, a dynamic city already poised to pave the way for urban collaboration and push boundaries of excellence in art and culture.

Portland Community & Potential

The Portland Buzz is especially excited about Think Tank because our mission for Portland’s community and economy runs parallel. Much like the Buzz, Think Tank aims to rev the city’s engines for growth, development, and reciprocity. Think Tank stimulates a shared sense of community, and affirms the unique potential of the individual while recognizing the interconnectedness that binds people together.

Think Tank Facebook Page

The Portland Youth Dance Company kicks off another outreach program for kids within the ages of 8 and 14. Availability is limited and based on financial need. This dance session consists of four hip-hop classes beginning on April 7th. The following classes are April 28th, May 5th, and May 12th. Classes culminate in a performance opportunity at Portland Youth Dance’s Spring show at Scarborough High School, May 19th, 2012 at 4pm.

Hip Hop Dance Classes

Classes are held at Casco Bay Movers Dance Studio located at 517 Forest Avenue in Portland. Dancers will need comfortable clothing and sneakers to dance in, and a ride to and from the studio.

Sign Up

Sign up now to reserve your child’s spot!

Contact:
Susan: susan@portlandyouthdance.com or 450-1735
Meg: meg@portlandyouthdance.com

Have you heard about the Portland Theater Collaborative yet? This new collective of theater artists from the greater Portland area is generating some serious buzz! These local artists are working feverishly on their first project: PortFringe 2012 (or PF-12 as they affectionately call it).

UNIQUE THEATER PRODUCTIONS WANTED!

The Fringe Theater festival will take place this summer, from June 28 through July 1. PF-12′s mission is to have 15-20 unique theater productions taking place over those four days. Response has been tremendous from local theater aficionados, but PF-12 is really hoping to spread the love beyond just the current theater community by attracting some other cool, creative types that may not be part of the theater-specific scene. Very cool!

WHAT IS FRINGE THEATRE?

Fringe theatre is traditionally innovative, obscure, new, subversive and edgy. Projects that mix media, push boundaries, and expand the idea of theatre. It is compact and portable. Fringe is theater on the outskirts of normal!

GET INVOLVED WITH PF-12

PortFringe 2012 has a website, www.portfringe.com, and a kickstarter campaign, which is just under a week away from closing. If they can raise the $2012 in that campaign, PTC will be able to provide – AT NO COST TO THE ARTIST!!! – a venue, publicity, and project support to ALL 15+ producing companies and artists in this year’s festival.

PF-12 Kickstarter Campaign:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ptc/portfringe-2012

The kickstarter campaign closes on Friday, March 23rd. This day is also the application deadline for production companies and artists interested in presenting their work.

PortFringe Producer Application

PF-12 hopes to be a great success, and that it will help raise the visibility of the incredible local theater scene.

Portland Theater Collaborative Facebook Page

Maine College of Art (MECA) senior, Thressa Willett, is asking the community to create and submit art for an intermedia installation scheduled to exhibit in May for the Maine College of Art BFA Senior Thesis Exhbition. Thressa believes deeply in the power of community and reciprocity. The art you create will be incorporated into a media/performance art installation.

Exhibition

Merry-Go-Round
Maine College of Art
522 Congress Street, Portland, Maine
May 4th – 25th, 2012

First Friday Opening Reception

May 4th, 2012
5 to 8pm
Maine College of Art

THE ARTWORK

All submissions will be created from 14 x 14 inch stretched cotton canvases. The canvases have been pre-ordered through The Art Mart (next door to MECA) and this local art store is graciously offering a discount on these professional Winsor & Newton canvases at $7.50 plus tax. No framing needed. If you choose to use or purchase a different canvas, try to get a 14″ x 14″ square canvas, preferably 13/16″ thick.

The Materials

Any medium or method is welcome. If you want to paint, go ahead and paint. If you want to glue, weave, or creatively attach any other kind of material, go for it! Keep in mind, however, that the depth of your art will need to stay within 2 inches. Also important, please be sure to cover the entire canvas with your materials.

How Many?

You may contribute however many pieces you want! You will get your artwork back after the exhibit closes. In fact, if enough submissions are received, there may be a post exhibit/show where you can choose to sell this work.

Label

Please label your artwork on the back – with name, chosen theme, phone number, and email. Include title if you have one.

Credit & Mention

You and your artwork will be part of an online gallery exhibit on thePortlandBuzz.com, and you will receive mention in the exhibit printed materials.

CONCEPT

The concept is simple! You will choose from one of the below twelve themes, and use that as your inspiration. You may be as literal or abstract as you like. Let the word be your muse, but feel free to let your inspiration take you where it takes you.

RSVP PLEASE!

If you decide to make art for this project, please RSVP the Portland Buzz with the number of pieces you are submitting, and what theme (per piece) you have chosen. Please don’t let this planning stage cause stress, however. If you forget to RSVP or change your mind about themes, go with it, and still submit. Inspiration is important. Follow it! The curator just needs a general idea of what to expect for the installation planning process.

ELIGIBILITY & DEADLINE

WHO: Anyone is welcome to participate! All submissions will be used.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: April 25th, 2012

DELIVERY & CONTACT

DELIVERY: Artwork may be hand delivered to MECA at 522 Congress Street in Portland. Please drop off the piece(s) at the front desk in the lobby, and be sure to tag your delivery with ATTN: Thressa Willett. You may also ship your work to MECA. Address to:

Maine College of Art
522 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101
ATTN Thressa Willett

CONTACT

Thressa Willett, artist & curator
twillett@meca.edu
www.thressa.com

The Portland Buzz, promoter
thePortlandBuzz@gmail.com
www.theportlandbuzz.com

Woohoo, it’s that time of year already! Get ready to turn your clocks forward on Sunday, March 11th, at 2am. I thought I might quote a little history on the subject, so I perused wikipedia.com, and now my head is spinning. There is a lot said about Daylight Saving Time. First of all, here is a handy dandy table listing the years and dates of the time switches.

www.timetemperature.com

Terminology & History

Tidbit number one, apparently there is no ‘s’ after Saving. It is accurately called Daylight Saving Time. Also, people used to call it Summer Time. I think it’s obvious why that didn’t stick. Implemented during the First World War, all of the history cited about this time shift proposal is a bit convoluted. From what I can gather, it was initially proposed in 1784 by Benjamin Franklin to save on candle usage in the evening. That was a no-go. Over a century later, many more individuals proposed this time shift in order to enjoy daylight in the early evening. However it wasn’t until World War I until the proposal was adopted. Germany and its WWI allies in 1916 agreed to the time change in order to conserve coal during wartime. Shortly thereafter, Britain, most of its allies, Europe, Russia, and finally the United States followed suit.

Let’s Stay on Summer Hours!

Yup, we did this because of a war. Many people advocate for a permanent switch which would entail staying on summer hours all year with no time shifts. In fact, Iceland and Russia have done this. We should too!!!

Help the YMCA kids’ art classes by donating art supplies. Anything that you can donate would be a great help. New and gently used supplies are welcome! The donation bin is located in the lobby of Maine College of Art at 522 Congress Street in Portland. Open to the public!

Alannah Fights for her Life

Alannah is an incredible, strong, and brave 9 year old little girl who has overcome more adversity in her nine years of life than most of us endure in a lifetime. Four years ago, Alannah was diagnosed with terminal cancer and has been fighting for her life ever since. At the age of five, Alannah was diagnosed with a massive inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, a rare tumor that does not respond to traditional chemotherapy.

Grandparents Sacrificed Everything

In December, 2007, the first attempt to remove her tumor was made, resulting in the loss of some of her liver and all of her stomach. Alannah has been fed through tubes and pumps ever since. Two years later, at the age of seven her grandparents sacrificed everything in order to raise her and take over the fight for her life. During their time fighting her cancer, it was discovered that her tumor had wrapped around her esophagus. It was predicted that in time, Alannah would not be able to swallow her own saliva. Alannah was even involved in a drug trial for lung cancer that showed promise, but due to health issues she was removed.

Waiting for Transplants

One month after being removed from the trial, her tumor began to grow back. Alannah’s name was added to the transplant list for multiple organs and was put back on the trial drug under a compassionate use application. Over these last two years, Alannah’s grandparents have spent countless days in and out of the hospital, endless hours on the phone battling with insurance companies, and have had to learn and utilize the skills of a veteran nurse. At the same time, they provided Alannah with unforgettable memories of summer-long camping adventures in the backyard, playing dress-up, watching plays in the park, and even learning how to ride Razor Scooters. They have given Alannah laughter, love, and most importantly, life!

First Ever Esophageal Transplant

On October 28th after waiting fifteen months on the transplant list, a brave family gave Alannah the opportunity to survive by providing her with the six organs she needed. On October 29, Alannah and her grandparents finally began to win their fight against cancer. After seventeen long hours of surgery, the incredible surgical team was able to salvage her kidneys, perform the first ever esophageal transplant, and successfully transplant her stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, small intestines, and her entire abdominal vascular system. Alannah was not anticipated to wake up from her surgery for two days, but beating the odds as she has been known to do, she was awake and talking just hours after her surgery.

The Medical Bills

Alannah continues to recover at the home of her grandparents in Hollis, Maine. All proceeds from this benefit will go to help with Alannahs’ medical bills.

Support Alannah and her grandparents by attending the Zumbathon Event on Sunday, March 11th.

Do you think you might be interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister of Southern Maine? This is a quick rundown on how that works and how you can join! The “Bigs” are adult friends and role models for children who are in need of additional support and guidance, a meaningful connection that could make all of the difference in his or her life and in the community.

The program matches you to a child based on common interests between the volunteer and child, and also takes into consideration the child’s needs and preferences. You must be at least 18 years of age and serious about making a consistent commitment to meet with the child.

Image Credit: www.somebigs.org/

BECOME A BIG BROTHER OR BIG SISTER

The specifics of the commitment are this:

- you are able to make a one-year minimum commitment
- you are able to commit at least 3–5 hours of time every other week

You can apply online to the Southern Maine program or call them at 207.773.5437.

If this commitment is too time-intensive for you, there are still other ways to help! If you have just one hour a week (after work, after school, lunch break), you can join the School-Based Mentoring Program. The program can always use volunteers to help out with fundraising activities and other special events.

BECOME A LITTLE BROTHER OR LITTLE SISTER

If you or someone you know wants to be a Little Brother or Little Sister of Southern Maine, apply online or give them a call at 207.773.KIDS. Littles must be between the ages of 7 and 14, and residents of either Cumberland County or York County, Maine.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK

Oak Street Lofts at 72 Oak Street in Portland is officially open! This newest addition to the arts district features 37 units of affordable, artist-friendly efficiency apartments developed by Avesta Housing. Nine of the units are occupied and Avesta is continuing to accept applications for the remaining units.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK OPENING

The public is invited to participate in an Open House on Friday, February 3rd from 5-7pm during the First Friday Art Walk. Apartment tours will be available and refreshments will be served. Art will be showcased in the first floor gallery crafted by Woodworking & Furniture Design students from Maine College of Art.

The press is welcome to attend and the project design team will be available for comment. This is a pretty exciting addition to the Arts District. Not to be missed!

If you think you might be interested in living in one of these units, attend this Friday’s open house or call Avesta at 207-553-7780, ext. 253.