2009 Schedule

Overview | Registration Form | Participant Agreement | Itinerary

Who says a sewing circle needs to sit still? In the spirit of a crafters' meet-up, a mindful tea ceremony, and a city walking tour, this journey explores some intersections of the Bay Area and Japan while barely setting foot in Japantown. In the peaceful setting of Kojin-an Zendo, the day begins with a formal tea ceremony where students of Yoshi Akiba--accompanied by their teacher--will welcome the group. Next, is a demonstration and practicum in furoshiki, the traditional Japanese art of fabric folding where we will learn how to package all kinds of things without resort to paper or plastic. After a slow Japanese meal overlooking the garden, we begin a purse project with the noted Bay Area artist and arts educator, Corinne Okada Takara. Designed especially for our group, this project blends elements of contemporary Japan with the creative thriftiness of Meiji era Japan. For crafters, Japanese otaku, or anyone too broke to go to Japan. Take home a fabric square from www.furoshiki.com, your finished kawaii craft, and a project template.

Overview | Registration Form | Participant Agreement | Itinerary

Who says a sewing circle needs to sit still? At San Francisco's Asian Art Museum, this meet-up remixes elements of old and new to explore some new intersections of the Bay Area and Japan. The trip begins with a practicum and demonstration session in furoshiki, the traditional Japanese art of fabric folding so you can learn how to package all kinds of things without resort to paper or plastic. We will discuss Japanese export culture and complete a functional Japanese craft with the noted Bay Area artist and arts educator, Corinne Okada Takara. Designed especially for our group, this project will blend elements of contemporary Japan with the creative thriftiness of Meiji era Japan. Next, we take a docent-led tour of the Asian Art museum with a special emphasis on textiles. Includes lunch and tea. For crafters, Japanese otaku, or anyone too broke to go to Japan. Take home your finished craft, and a project template. Expect some surprises and other unexpected kawaii delights throughout the day. See Corinne's blog for a little taste of what we did that day.

Overview | Registration Form | Participant Agreement | Itinerary

Who says a sewing circle needs to sit still? At San Francisco's Asian Art Museum, this meet-up remixes elements of old and new to explore some new intersections of the Bay Area and Japan. The trip begins with a practicum and demonstration session in furoshiki, the traditional Japanese art of fabric folding so you can learn how to package all kinds of things without resort to paper or plastic. Think holiday gifts. We will discuss Japanese export culture and complete a functional Japanese craft with the noted Bay Area artist and arts educator, Corinne Okada Takara. Designed especially for our group, this project will blend elements of contemporary Japan with the creative thriftiness of Meiji era Japan. Includes time to tour the Asian Art museum. Tea + snacks included. Lunch on your own. For crafters, Japanese otaku, or anyone too broke to go to Japan. Take home your finished craft, and a project template. Expect some surprises and other unexpected kawaii delights throughout the day.

Overview | Registration Form | Participant Agreement | Itinerary

A weekend exploring many levels of interest in the theater arts, theories of play, and focusing exercises from diverse traditions. Enjoy a matinee performance at the Pasadena Playhouse, the Night is a Child, by Charles Randolph-Wright. This day of metropolitan amusement is followed by an overnight mountain retreat at Mt. Baldy Zen Center. There we will gather for a workshop developed by theater coach, Rob Hughes. We'll explore focusing exercises Hughes first used as a theater coach and performer. The group will also participate in Zen meditation sessions with resident monks at the Center. During this two-day span we will also play ‘Theater Games,’ a type of training developed by the ‘Grandmother of Improv,' Viola Spolin, that have had a great influence on many person-centric fields outside of theater. Combining these diverse traditions—theater training and Zen—we will explore the common areas in these disparate realms. We will also look at these ideas in light of parenting, and their usefulness in helping us be mindful in our daily lives, open to play and to what the present moment brings.

Overview | Registration Form | Participant Agreement | Itinerary

Canning, pickling, and putting food by are gaining new converts. Mason jars are once again well stocked in our local stores as a natural follow-on to all the backyard growing activity sweeping the country. If you've never canned, come put some food by with the Bennetts in Pescadero. Learn a little local history about the town of Pescadero, which was once home to San Mateo County's largest population. In addition to our communal canning day meets locavore picnic meets orchard gathering, we'll make a homestyle fig bar from freshly picked figs. We'll break for a country lunch featuring Harley Farms goat cheese from just up the road and other fresh local produce. Then, we'll top it off with a guided educational nature hike led by Pescadero Conservation Alliance Director, Randy Bennett. Randy will share his knowledge of local species and the natural history of the area and give updates on the PCA's environmental science education efforts. Make a new friend or bring an old one to this nature meets culture event. Maximum number of participants 12; age 18 and up.

Overview | Registration Form | Participant Agreement | Itinerary

Come to an enchanting indoor picnic slash language class designed to supercharge your familiarity with French kid culture. In this series designed to explore different generations of French pop culture, families and fans alike can come learn about the worlds inhabited by French and Belgian born characters such as Bébé Lilly, Bécassine, Tintin, Babar, and Princesse Zélina. To begin this series, we'll start off with one of our favorites: Babar. Come sample picnic fare with Babar and Céleste and learn the who's who of whimsical de Brunhoff characters from this BD and storybook world. If you are one of those people who think that storybook and comic characters aren't just for the playground set then you need not bring your kids. French characters devised for kids have also captured the hearts of many an adult. Working to build vocabulary is our main goal. Becoming familiar with French pop culture is another. And of course enjoying our picnic is also on the menu. Class materials will range from figurines of the characters, storybooks, comic books, song texts, and word lists of French BD and playtime terminology. Whether you are a relentless francophile, a beginning student, or just want a survey of some of the highlights of French kiddie pop culture history, we will help you work the French side of your brain.