Circus for the Revolution, with Lara Paxton

Circus is an incredible medium for building community, doing outreach, fundraising, and empowering individuals. This participatory workshop will include elements of clowning, aerial, and costuming, along with a discussion of the use of circus as a tool for social progress.

Lara Paxton has spearheaded many circus outreach projects throughout here 20-year career as a performer, teacher, and artistic director. She collaborated with her students to form the
”Aerial Army of Love” which produced “AerLift,” an annual aerial performance that donated all proceeds to grassroots organizations working with populations in extreme poverty.

Power of the Press IOWA, with Printmaker and Activist Julie Russell-Steuart

Learn about the rich history of Protest Posters in movements for justice! Then try your hand at your own letterpress poster! Julie Russell-Steuart was awarded a FY2022 grant from the Iowa Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts for her project Power of the Press IOWA. She will present a brief overview of the history of protest poster printing and teach participants how to use the power of the press to advocate for their own important ideas and causes. Participants will get inky and make their own prints using a portable printing press, acrylic type and if time allows, imagery in the background. 

Exhibiting Artist/Activist Julie Russell-Steuart’s work encompasses multiple mediums with a particular interest in the synthesis of word and image. She publishes artist’s books and prints on a vintage Vandercook printing press under the imprint Caveworks Press. Her artwork often combines printmaking techniques like pressure printing, collograph, drypoint, laser cut plates, metal type and wood engraving. She has shown her work internationally, and her books are collected by several University libraries, including The University of Iowa,Texas State University, and the University of Kentucky Lucille Little Fine Arts Library. She was the recipient of a FY2022 Iowa Arts Council/NEA Artist Resiliency Grant to create new work, hold exhibitions, artist talks, and mobile printing workshops. As an activist and Chair of the Disability Caucus of the Iowa Democratic Party, she also uses her voice to advocate for those with disabilities.

Bellydance, with Samantha Karadsheh

Based out of Iowa, Samantha is a passionate dance choreographer, instructor and performer.  With her Jordanian roots, Samantha learned from her mother while the music and culture was always a big part of her life. She has trained with the top international masters in Egyptian dance like superstar Dina, Tito Seif, Sadie Marquardt, Randa Kamel, Lebanese Simon, Marta Korzun and more! She travels for performing and training from New York, to Miami to Kansas City to Kentucky and more! She now owns RAQStar Dance Studio in Northpark Mall and continues to dazzle the crowd with her energetic and lively performances!

Consent is Mandatory! With Celtic Honey

Consent is Mandatory! Did you know that there are various types of consent? Not just physical! Join us as we talk about boundaries and what consent looks like along with the do's and don'ts of approaching a cosplayer.  This workshop will provide scenarios and interaction to suggest what you should and should not do.  We will also go over how social cues and consent correlate. All attendees will receive a badge ribbon that says "Ask First!" to open conversations with others throughout your con experience!  Spread the word of consent.....it's not only sexy, it's MANDATORY! This panel is Neurodivergent, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ friendly! (Photo by Destiny Studios Boudoir)

Mother Rooster Atelier, with V and Ki and Friends

Make buttons. Generate AI art... an all-around hangout spot for LGBTQ folks and allies to enjoy each other's company while making and talking... there will be free stickers, spoken performances, artwork, surprises and laughter. 

Ki & V are a queer couple living and working in the QCA. They both teach at Augustana College and created Mother Rooster because they enjoy being in community. 

Joy Write: Finding ways to write a meaningful memoir, with Dr. Umme Al-Wazedi

This workshop is based on the reading of a short chapter of the writer's memoir. After the reading, the writer will talk about what called on her to write followed by a small group discussion:  How to preserve the memories and collect them? What shapes can a memoir take?

Umme Al-wazedi is a professor of postcolonial literature in the Department of English and the Division Dean of Humanities at Augustana College. Her research and teaching examine the intersectionality of multiple social identities (e.g., race, ethnicity, class, gender, religion, ability, and sexuality) and present counternarratives of marginalized women, communities, and people seen within oppressive locations (e.g., Global North and South) and structures (e.g., colonialism, imperialism, neo-imperialism, neoliberalism, patriarchy, and casteism).

Turning around Incarceration with Education, with Dr. Sharon M. Varallo

America leads the world in how many of our own citizens we lock away. What happens when a rigorous education is offered to those forgotten Americans? Come to share your own transforming education stories and learn about the need for higher education in America's prisons, with a special emphasis on the Augustana Prison Education Program at the East Moline Correctional Center.  

Calling all renters! As the fatal building collapse at 324 Main Street demonstrates, landlord neglect is a public health issue with life and death outcomes. Standing alone, it's hard to see a way out. But together we can protect each other. 

We are literally sickened by landlords who do nothing to improve living conditions while they make unilateral decisions to raise the rent, prioritize profit, neglect repairs, and ignore safety concerns. When we organize with our neighbors, we can democratically set the agenda for addressing conditions within our buildings. We can organize and coordinate mutual aid to take action. We have more power together!

But what are our rights as tenants? What is community organizing? How do we start? 

In this session we'll share tips, tricks, and pitfalls for organizing a tenants’ association. Let’s end the dictatorship of the landlord. Join the Quad Cities Tenant Alliance! Let’s build a safe Quad Cities together. Please visit qctenantalliance.org to learn more!

How To Organize a Tenant Alliance, with the Quad Cities Tenant Alliance

Press Pause: A Mindset and Movement Class, with Rebecca Sebastian

Welcome to reminding yourself that just like Netflix, you can press pause and recharge yourself.  During this yoga-based workshop, we will do some very gentle movements, a touch of meditation, some skillful breathwork, stretch our bodies, and relax like it is our full-time job. 

Wear comfy clothes to move in, no fancy-pants required.  All skill levels and abilities are welcome. 

Rebecca Sebastian is a long-time yoga teacher, 11- year yoga therapist, she owns an accessible and inclusivity-focused yoga studio and apothecary in Davenport, Iowa, called Sunlight Yoga + Apothecary, and is the host of the podcast Working In Yoga.

She is a passionate writer on yoga and self-care and participates in and loves all things yoga and the yoga industry. She believes that through writing and communication, we can all lift each other up and share what lights us up with the world.

If you want to get nerdy about the yoga and wellness industry, chat about the best tea blends, and deconstruct everything we thought we knew…she is your human.

Improv and the Clown, with Brian Weckerly

Get ready to play!  Less like "Whose Line is It Anyway" and more like child's play, Brian will help you to learn to listen and say "yes" more.  This class is great for anyone who works with people, whether performing or not, and is open to all ages and stages.

Brian Weckerly, known professionally as Lil' B, is a clown.  A lifelong performer, Brian toured with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus as a clown and continued to represent the show with promotional appearances until the circus initially closed in 2017.  He worked for almost 10 1/2 years as a comedic improvisational actor under Actors' Equity Association contracts at Walt Disney World.  Aside from clowning, this is where Brian's true passions in performing lie, and he has taught this style of improv for years to students of all ages.  While his day job is working in television news, Brian performs whenever he can through his clowning and character work, and he is especially busy during the holiday season, helping the Big Man in Red.

Sustain, with Viminda Shafer

Advocacy and activism is hard work. Taking care of people is hard work. How do you take care of yourself so that you can continue taking care of others? Come join Viminda in conversation and activity around radical self-love. We'll talk about strategies that are proactive, from simple things to hard, and you'll walk away with some ideas, a plan, and something to help you keep doing the good work!

Viminda Shafer has been connected to the field of education for over 20 years. She spent the bulk of that time working with middle and high school students in special education programs. In her current role as The Project of the Quad Cities’ community relations and development coordinator, Viminda’s passion for education and social justice work comes together allowing her to push for equity and in providing the community access to resources. Viminda is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and resides in a small country village in Illinois with her wife and daughter. 

The Freedom to Decide: How to Protect Reproductive Freedom in Iowa, with Becca Eastwood

Reproductive freedom is hanging on by a thread in Iowa. With the overturn of Roe v. Wade and most recently, the passage of a near total abortion ban in Iowa (working its way through the courts), we are facing a future where Iowans are not able to decide what reproductive healthcare decisions are best for them. Join the ACLU of Iowa for a workshop on the status of reproductive freedom in Iowa and how to advocate to protect it! You'll get the latest information, poll-tested messaging, and tools for having effective conversations about abortion. We'll have time to practice these conversations so folks walk away with the tools necessary to make change. 

Becca Eastwood (she/her) is the Advocacy Campaign Manager with the ACLU of Iowa. She works with Iowans across the state to protect and expand civil rights and civil liberties. Through education, outreach, & advocacy Becca works to make sure Iowans know their rights and are empowered to advocate for civil liberties.

Empowering Change: Activism, Canvassing, and Campaigning for Progressive Agendas

Join us for an inspiring and practical workshop  where you will learn the art of political canvassing, honing your ability to connect with voters and effectively communicate the importance of progressive policies. Discover the power of grassroots organizing as we delve into successful campaign strategies used by seasoned activists. 

From crafting persuasive messages to mobilizing

supporters, you will gain vital insights into the inner workings of successful political campaigns and outreach to our community. 

We will delve into the art of writing letters to the editor, a powerful tool for amplifying your message and influencing and motivating voters. 

We will give a tutorial on how to use Vote Builder (Minivan app) in your door to door outreach. A valuable tool that will take your canvassing efforts to expert level quickly. 

In today’s world, we need all the activists, volunteers and progressive candidates we can find! 

Please join us and we trade secrets on how to achieve our collective goals!

Animal Power: Animal Sounds and Paper Mask Making and Geology Intro For All Ages with Sarah Martin

All Ages Welcome. Let’s explore our inner animals together! We can make sounds and masks that show others what animals we connect with. Some mask templates will be provided with materials to create your own mask to wear and take with you.

Come Enjoy A Display of some of Nature’s Gifts! Participants are encouraged to interact with some Gems and Minerals. Some offerings include a 20+ pound natural Magnet (Magnetite from Africa) Come feel the attraction for yourself! A Real Fossilized Dinosaur Bone, Big Black Tourmaline and More! Ask Questions and get some Answers! Bring a Gem or Mineral to show off of your own!

Sarah was born in New Mexico and has been successfully transplanted in the Quad Cities. Sarah has spread her roots here and loves teaching kids and adults about Geology and hands on crafts. She is currently an assistant Preschool Teacher. She also loves to create art in many mediums, such as, Leather works, Jewelry making, Costumes, and custom requests. She does her own form of Taxidermy and makes Animal part talismans to share with the community. She loves to share her gifts and connect with others. She also is part of the Earth Based Traditions Group housed at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Davenport, Iowa. She helps lead rituals and more with her beloved community there. She also loves to sing and share sacred

Disability Caucus of the Iowa Democratic Party: Discussion Panel

Mission:

Advocating fiercely on disability issues for Iowans by raising awareness, activating on policy, and giving a voice and platform to people with disabilities in the Iowa Democratic Party. Open to all Democrats that identify as disabled, and their allies.

Follow the official Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/The-Disability-Caucus-of-the-Iowa-Democratic-Party-109738377485846/

Follow the Discussion Group on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/288824358996979/

Rainbow pages Open Mic Extravaganza!

Created in 2023, what began as a class project for Janey Locander's Queer Theories course at Augustana College, has since grown into a safe space for those in the Greater Quad Cities area to express themselves, in a community full of those who identify on the Queer/LGBTQ+ Spectrum! Headed by Janey and Co- Admin Ava Miller, this open mic is free for all who have words to share in a low key and supportive space!  This is our second public event and we'd love to have you join us!