Next SJAC EVENT

Join us for a day of workshops led by members of Creative Action Unlimited's Social Justice Artists Collective.
This event is PAY-WHAT-YOU-WILL and open to everyone aged 16 and up - you do NOT need to be an artist or an activist to attend.
Here are the workshops we have lined up for you!

Group Loops, inspired by Circle Song (Kristoph DiMaria)
This workshop is intended for all ages. It is inclusive of anyone who desires to express themselves in a collective space using words, bodies, and voices. You don't have to be a performer, or even perform! Group Loops are sets of recursive phrases spoken, sung, or otherwise aloud that let us take in what we put out in order to feel, reflect, process, move, and be moved. It can be done with something as simple as a circle of people and grow to include instruments, loop pedals, dance, visual art, and whatever else comes up. It can be a way to come up with new ideas, share the present, work out creative kinks, and become a call to action and collective memory.

Acting Intensive (Aaron Moore)
In this workshop we will experience what it’s like to use art to challenge oppression by focusing on creating stories dealing with civil rights and political oppression, using the fundamentals of performance exploration - character development, stage presence, and emotional response.

Is Free Speech Really Free? (Linda McKenney and Anna Mayta)
Language contributes significantly to how we and others perceive the world and is a powerful resource to facilitate social justice or undermine it. In this workshop we will use reflection and movement to explore how verbal and non-verbal language impacts personal and community relationships and our efforts regarding social justice. Understanding what different groups of people say and why is a step in determining how we can help bring people together.

Rhythms of Resistance (Chrys Ballerano)
We'll cocreate a polyrhythm using percussion instruments of various cultures and sizes to connect in community, self-express and explore how rhythm powerfully supports direct actions in being focused and unified. Feel free to bring a drum or other
instrument; ample drums/percussion will be provided.

The Art of Direct Action (Kristoph DiMaria and Dio Kaufman)
We will explore brief history and modern application of direct action in the form of art, theater, dance, music, documentary, and more. We will explore how creative tactics help movements and also some of the controversies and considerations when using these tactics.

Hidden Women’s Revolutionary Songs (Terri Roben)
Performance and explanation of songs from the 1970’s to the present which were written, recorded and performed by women, but not publicly broadcasted, probably because of their revolutionary nature.

(The Farmer's Market will be happening on this day on downtown Troy so we encourage you to arrive with plenty of time to park and join us by 9am. Here's some helpful information about parking: https://www.troymarket.org/parking...)

This program is made possible by Arts Thrive and Grow funded by New York State, Kathy Hochul, Governor. We thank Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins for her extraordinary commitment and leadership, and our elected officials who represent our grantmaking region: Senators Jake Ashby and Neil D. Breslin; Assemblymembers Scott H. Bendett, Patricia Fahy, John T. McDonald III, Angelo Santabarbara, Phil Steck, and Mary Beth Walsh