Intercultural Events In Madison WI - Diversity and Cultural opportunities

Note: February is Black History Month. Find out more about Black history in Wisconsin and the US:

REGISTRATION:
Fax, Email or Mail to: YWCA of Madison 101 E. Mifflin Street Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 257-1436 Fax: 257-1439 Email: racialjustice@ywcamadison.org

January-June
Racial Justice Series, includes all of the above sessions and 2 additional sessions (one in Jan. and one in June) January and June sessions: YWCA Employment and Training Annex 338 W. Lakeside
Cost is $35.00 per workshop/per participant; $200 for the 6 month series (discount may be available if there is a need. Please contact us if you are interested but cost is prohibitive)

Workshop Series
Join us for a 6 session Racial Justice series to explore how racism affects all of us, regardless of what we look like. While no one attends a workshop and reverses a lifetime of experiences, our workshops open the door for people in attendance to view their community from new perspectives, and they encourage participants to continue their personal journey to eliminate racism. This series will include our 4 cornerstone programs, as well as an introductory workshop to set the context for the series and a final session for closure and action planning. This will provide an in-depth experience as well as the opportunity to forge strong relationships with other series participants working on the same issues. The elimination of racism is an on-going process that requires persistence, commitment, and continuing dialogue between individuals and groups. This series is designed to be part of a continuum of services to meet individuals where they are, and through constructive dialogue and meaningful action, improve race relations and find ways to eliminate racism.

All workshops will be held on the 4th Wed. of the month from 1:00-5:00. The first and last sessions will be held at the YWCA Employment and Training Annex (338 W. Lakeside St.) For detailed information on the four cornerstone programs, please visit the links for Unlearning Racism and Heart to Heart Conversations.

The YWCA supports policies that contribute to the elimination of racism. This includes but is not limited to policies that eliminate racial profiling, increase immigrant rights, retain and strengthen affirmative action, reduce hate crimes and result in increased education on racism and its elimination.

The YWCA supports the maintenance and strengthening of affirmative action laws to protect people from discrimination on the basis of race and gender.

Be Happy Like a Monk
Promenade Hall, Overture Center 201 State St.
Tuesday, February 13, 7-8:30 pm
Free Academy Evenings program with UW psychology Prof. Richard Davidson
Cost: Free, but tickets required Call: 265-2500
http://www.wisconsinacademy.org Email: bsanford@wisconsinacademy.org
Be Happy Like a Monk--Richard Davidson-- Back by popular demand! University of Wisconsin-Madison psychology professor Richard Davidson, recently named one of the world’s 100 most influential thinkers (Time magazine) is searching for the source of happiness--and has used Buddhist monks in his lab as a model group. What has he discovered about the secrets and brain science of happiness?

International Festival
Overture Center for the Arts
201 State St. Madison, WI Phone 608.258.4177
Sunday, February 25, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
http://www.overturecenter.com
The International Festival is a lively celebration of the cultures represented in our community. This day of music, dance and storytelling features free performances throughout the building and an international bazaar where people can browse and shop for unique hand-crafted items from around the world.
Details of the 2007 schedule will be available later in the fall.

RSVP for Madison Committee on Foreign Relations
"The International Politics of Global Warming"
The Madison Club
Tuesday, January 16, 6:00 PM
Cost: Members and first time attendees $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Non members $40. Speaker only: $15 at the door. RSVP via E-mail to dwinters@northstareconomics.com. Mail prepayments to: MCFR, 4941 Black Oak Drive, Madison, WI, 53711.
http://www.madison.com/communities/mcfr

Tim Greeff will present a discussion on "The International Politics of Global Warming"
Tim Greeff is the Campaign Manager for the Climate Center at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) where he focuses on implementing a variety of solutions to combat global warming.

The Madison Committee on Foreign Relations, Inc. is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to the open discussion of issues facing the United States and other nations. For more information, including membership information go to http://www.madison.com/communities/mcfr/.

RSVP for Association for Women in Communications
Lunch program with Journalist Jackie Johnson
Edgewater Hotel (666 Wisconsin Ave.) RSVP by 1/11
Thursday, January 18, Networking & registration 11:30 am; lunch & program 12:00-1:00 pm
http://www.awc-madison.org
Our next meeting will be Thursday, January 18, at The Edgewater Hotel (666 Wisconsin Ave.) in Madison. What do an astronaut, an archbishop, a NATO commander, and Churchill’s wartime interpreter have in common? They’ve all been interviewed by Jackie Johnson—a broadcast journalist who grew up in rural Wisconsin. Hear how Johnson took her eclectic background, carved a niche for herself, and among other things created “MissPronouncer.com,” a website which has received national and international attention. Networking and registration begin at 11:30 a.m. Lunch and program are from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Advance registration required by January 11. Click here for details.

Do you need to talk with a representative of the local chapter? Do you have a great idea for an AWC program? Are you interested in volunteering? Contact us via Nancy Kern, 5910 Mineral Point Road 5710 1 F 10, Madison, WI 53701-0391, (608) 232-6838, Fax (608) 236-6838, nancy.kern@cunamutual.com or nkern50@hotmail.com.

National Association of Women Business Owners
"Access Abundance," by Teresa Romain January NAWBO-Greater Madison Event
West Side Club 437 Hwy. M , Madison
Tuesday, January 23, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
$25. RSVP by 1/19:
http://www.nawbomadison.org or 442-1924
NAWBO invites registration for their dinner program , founder of Access Abundance! Inc., set for 5-8 pm, 1/23, West Side Club.

Time:
5:00 - 6:00pm Networking
6:00 - 7:00pm Buffet Dinner
7:00 - 8:00pm Presentation

Presenter: Teresa Romain, President & Founder of Access Abundance! Inc.
Event Name/Description: “Access Abundance”

Would you like to experience MORE success in your business? Do you want to have MORE time, MORE energy and MORE freedom in your life? Would you like to have MORE money? If you answered “yes”, know that you’re like nearly every direct seller (and human being) on the plant. Bottom line, we all want to experience greater levels of abundance in every aspect of our lives—including financially. But how do you go about doing so in a world and business environment esconced in a paradigm of scarcity, limitation and lack? What if all of your efforts to make MORE money and become MORE abundant are actually preventing you from experiencing the success, abundance and financial prosperity you desire? What does it take—REALLY—to be abundant and build an abundant business?

Center for Global Health Seminar
Wednesday, February 7 5:00pm-8:00pm
Room 1306 HSLC 750 Highland Ave.
http://www.pophealth.wisc.edu/gh/upcomingevents.htm
February 7 Third Annual Global Health Symposium
Interdisciplinary Approaches to Improving Global Health

Center for Southeast Asian Studies
Friday Forum Lecture Series
207 Ingraham Hall 1155 Observatory Drive Madison, WI 53706-1397 phone: 608.263.1755
http://seasia.wisc.edu/Events/friday%20forum.htm

Friday Forum Lecture Series and Outreach Program The Center organizes a regular weekly lecture forum on Southeast Asia. A wide range of topics are presented by invited guest lecturers from the U.S. and abroad, as well as lectures by Wisconsin faculty, graduate students, and community members. Forums will be held at 12 Noon, 206 Ingraham Hall unless otherwise noted.

January 26, 2007 - "When Enemy Women Speak: New Voices from Vietnam; Evening film showing title: Hidden Warriors: Women on the Ho Chi Minh Trail" (50 minute film to be shown Fri. evening 7:00 pm) by Karen Turner (History, Holy Cross College)
The presentation will center on the memories of women soldiers from North Vietnam, their views of the U.S., their lives during the war, and their post-war experiences. Turner attempts to place Vietnam's women warriors in the context of women soldiers more universally and asks what we can learn from Vietnamese women as femal U.S. soldiers in Iraq cope with war and its aftermath.

Circle of Women 2007
Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center
Tuesday, February 27, Registration begins at 11:30 am and the program begins promptly at noon
http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=lkJZJdO4F&b=132613
Celebrate the power of women's philanthropy at the Circle of Women. Guests hear from women whose lives have been changes by the YWCA of Madison and discover how their gift benefits women and their families in our community. The event was conceived as a way to encourage philanthropy among women and provide an opportunity to network with others from diverse social, ethnic, economic, educational and cultural backgrounds.

Circle of Women is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to learn about the YWCA and Funds raised by guests at the event will support the YWCA Madison's employment and training, counseling, housing and racial justice programs, which enrich the lives of Madison and Dane County women and families. Because of our generous sponsors, each dollar raised goes directly to the YWCA to support local programming.

Volunteer Table Captains
To fill a room with 1500 people, we recruit table captains. Table captains commit to filling a table of ten. Each of the guests agrees to a minimum $100 pledge to the YWCA. Through these individual efforts, combined with sponsorship dollars, we hope to raise more than $130,000 over one lunch hour! If you would like to join the ranks of the Circle of Women table captains, contact Debra Schwabe at 257-1436 or dschwabe@ywcamadison.org.

23rd Annual Urban League Guild Youth Recognition Breakfast
Edgewood High School, 2219 Monroe St.
Sunday, January 14, 7:45 AM
http://www.ulgm.org/Lists/Events/DispForm.htm?ID=69&Source=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eulgm%2eorg%2f
More than 700 individuals are expected to attend this celebration of student achievement. Last year, more than 170 middle and high school students from all across Dane County were recognized. Cost is only $5.00 and includes breakfast. Call 251-8550 for tickets.

8th Annual Youth Service Day
Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison
Monday, January 15, 8:00 AM
http://www.ulgm.org/Lists/Events/DispForm.htm?ID=70&Source=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2eulgm%2eorg%2f
Madison will join dozens of other communities across the county in celebrating the King Holiday as a "Day On, Not A Day Off." Middle and high school students will gather at Monona Terrace in the morning for an educatinal forum featuring youth-led breakout sessions, President’s Student Service Award presentations, and the 1st Annual Youth March on the Capitol Square. Following the March, students will spread across Dane County where they will perform various community volunteer projects,

World Beyond our Borders
Borders Books, 3750 University Ave.
Thursday, February 8, 7:00pm
Contact Phone: (608) 262-5590
http://www.international.wisc.edu/news/newsitems/detail.asp?idEventsNews=1571
Aili Mari Tripp, Dept. of Political Science and Women's Studies, and Myra Marx Ferree, Dept. of Sociology, discuss their new book, "Global Feminism: Transnational Women's Activism, Organizing, and Human Rights." Part of an International Studies series featuring UW-Madison faculty authors.

The Border and Transcultural Studies Research Circle
Yvette Christianse and Rachel Holmes
Thursday, February 15, 4:00 pm
Helen C. White Hall 600 N. Park St
http://www.btcs.wisc.edu/index.htm
The Border and Transcultural Studies Research Circle at the University of Wisconsin-Madison addresses issues of intercultural contact and cultural practices in global and historical perspective. Yvette Christianse (Unconfessed, Other Press, 2006) and Rachel Holmes (African Queen: The Real Life of the Hottentot Venus, Random House, January 2007) will discuss their new books, which dramatize, in fiction and nonfiction, the lives of two nineteenth century South African women who lived through some extraordinary experiences.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks Celebration Event
Monday, January 15, 10:30 am
City Hall in the Rotunda in Milwaukee

African Studies Sandwich Seminar
206 Ingraham Hall, 1155 Observatory Drive
Linda Hunter, Professor, African Languages & Literature, UW-Madison. "Mother of Pleasure, the Magic of Sound", Contact Phone: 262-2380
Wednesday, January 24, 12:00 noon
http://www.international.wisc.edu/news/events/detail.asp?idEventsNews=1568

The Best of the Fests Film Series
Alicia Ashman Library
733 N. High Point Road Madison, WI 53717 (608) 824-1780
http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/calendar/events_jan.html
Join us at the Alicia Ashman branch for award-winning independent and foreign films, selected from the worlds top film festivals. In addition to the featured film, special short films may also be shown. Screening permission and art courtesy of Film Movement, Inc. www.filmmovement.com. Screenings are on Fridays at 7:00 pm.

Refreshments will be served. Screenings are free but seating is limited, please call 824-1780 to reserve seats.

Friday, January 12 2:00 p.m. Alicia Ashman Library
Viva Laldjerie. (Comedy -- French -- 113 minutes)
The heart of Algiers, the Winter of 2003. Three women: a mother, her daughter and a prostitute have been living in a hotel in the centre of town amid creeping fundamentalism. Goucem, the daughter, has chosen a modern, emancipated life for herself by working for a photographer and spending steamy weekends in nightclubs. Fifi, her faithful friend, prostitutes herself under the thumb of a local protector. Papicha, the mother, eats pizzas in front of the television, torn between fear and nostalgia. Director Nadir Nadir Moknèche, known in Europe as the ‘Algerian Almodovar,’ weaves a richly drawn portrait of women exiled in their own country.

Friday, January 26 7:00 p.m. Alicia Ashman Library
Roads to Koktebel (Drama -- Russia -- 105 minutes)
After his wife's death and the loss of his job, an aerodynamics engineer sets off from Moscow with his 11 year old son for his sister's house in Koktebel by the Black Sea. With no money or means of transport, they drift through the expansive and mesmeric landscapes of Russia at the mercy of chance. The father is content to meander as he tries to rebuild his self-respect, piece together his broken life and win back the trust of his son. Meanwhile, the boy impatiently dreams of reaching the mythic coastal resort to start a new life of emancipation and gliders flying in the wind. When the father meets and falls for a beautiful young doctor, the boy sees her as an intrusion on the only loving relationship in his life sets off to complete the journey by himself…

Friday, February 9 7:00 p.m. Alicia Ashman Library
Who’s Camus Anyway? (Comedy/drama -- Japan -- 115 minutes).
The story is set on the campus of a university in Tokyo. Students from the literature department's "film workshop" are about to start shooting their movie The Bored Murderer, part of their course curriculum. Everyone is in a rush to prepare for the shoot, but the lead actor drops out suddenly, and the team is forced to search for a replacement at the last minute. Matsukawa, the director, and Hisada, the first assistant, and other members of the team have their own personal problems with life and love, and the story unfolds "just like in the movies". Matsukawa's shallow attitude to his girlfriend, Yukari, and the behavior of the mysterious Ikeda, who is to play the lead role of the schoolboy murderer, add to the confusion of the whole situation. As for the one-time director, now lecturer, professor Nakajo, he is also harboring desires for the female student Rei, whilst hiding behind his calm, supportive exterior. Rei, in turn, has a completely different agenda. Everything comes to a head in an unexpected and tumultuous climax.

Friday, February 23 7:00 p.m. Alicia Ashman Library
Men at Work (Comedy -- Farsi -- 77 minutes).
This film tells the hilarious story of four old friends who, driving back from a failed skiing trip, encounter a strange and enormous rock. The men's frivolous attempt to dislodge the rock gradually disintegrates into a tale of betrayal, defeat and renewed hope. The heroes of the film are doctors, engineers and businessmen in the throes of mid-life crises. Their middleclass problems and the absurd phallic rock venture gives rise to great humor.

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother
South Madison Library
2222 South Park Street Madison, WI 53713 (608) 266-6395
Saturday, January 20 1:30 p.m.
http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/calendar/events_jan.html
South Madison Book Discussion of The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride. "The Color of Water tells the remarkable story of Ruth McBride Jordan, the two good men she married, and the 12 good children she raised. Jordan, a Polish Jew, immigrated to America soon after birth; as an adult she moved to New York City, leaving her family and faith behind in Virginia. Jordan met and married a black man, making her isolation even more profound. The book is a success story, a testament to one woman's true heart, solid values, and indomitable will. Ruth Jordan battled not only racism but also poverty to raise her children and, despite being sorely tested, never wavered. In telling her story--along with her son's--The Color of Water addresses racial identity with compassion, insight, and realism." - Amazon.com

2007 Dinner Dance
New Harvest Foundation
Saturday, February 24th
Monona Terrace Madison, WI
http://www.newharvestfoundation.org/events.php
More details will be available at the website listed above. Call (608)256-4204

The African Studies Program
African Studies Program University of Wisconsin-Madison
205 Ingraham Hall 1155 Observatory Drive Madison, WI 53706
http://africa.wisc.edu/events/
The African Studies Program is a unit in the College of Letters and Science and a member of the International Institute. For additional information on any of the events listed below, please contact the African Studies Program main desk by email or at 608.262.2380 or Eileen McNamara, Outreach Coordinator, by email or at 608.262.4461.

Wednesday, January 24 - Sandwich Seminar: 206 Ingraham Hall - 12noon: "Mother of Pleasure, the Magic of Sound" by Linda Hunter, Professor, African Languages & Literature, UW-Madison

Wednesday, January 31 - Sandwich Seminar: 206 Ingraham Hall - 12noon: "Making History Public at Museums in South Africa" by Robyn K. Autry, Ph.D. candidate, Sociology, UW-Madison

Wednesday, February 7 - Sandwich Seminar: 206 Ingraham Hall - 12noon: "Evans-Pritchard at a Nairobi Bible College" by Amy E. Stambach, Associate Professor, Educational Policy Studies, UW-Madison

Wednesday, February 14 - Sandwich Seminar: 206 Ingraham Hall - 12noon: "Child Soldiers, International Humanitarian Law, and the Globalization of Childhood" by David Rosen, Professor, Anthropology, Farleigh Dickinson University

Wednesday, February 21 - Sandwich Seminar: 206 Ingraham Hall - 12noon: "Re-birthing a New Nation: Liberian Women Take Charge" by Jean Feraca, Host and Executive Producer of the international news and global cultural affairs program Ideas "Here on Earth: Radio Without Borders" heard weekdays on the Ideas Network of WPR. Jean was invited to join a delegation to Liberia led by Ambassador Swanee Hunt

Temptation of the East: The Influence of Japanese Color Woodcuts on British Printmaking
Chazen Museum of Art 800 University Ave Madison, WI Phone 608-263-2246
Thursday, February 1, 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM
http://www.chazen.wisc.edu
Lecture by Nancy E. Green, Senior Curator, Prints, Drawings, and Photographs, Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University. With the influx of Japanese "ukiyo-e" woodcuts into Europe in the late 1800s, Western artists became interested in producing similar works of their own, learning the complicated process from start to finish. The results show an innovative adaptation of the technique and the prints, with their delicate beauty, made them instantly popular both with artists and the general populace. Nancy Green will discuss the early experimental years and how later artists transformed the process, establishing their own distinct style.

Sadira - Raks Sharki, Middle Eastern solo women's dance
Shish Cafe 5510 University Ave.
Saturday, February 3, 6:30 & 7:30 pm
following a short program of Arabian takht music. Free. 236-9006
Sadira performs raks sharki, the women's solo dance from the Middle East, 6:30 & 7:30 PM. Shish Cafe, 5510 University Ave. A short program of Arab takht music precedes the dance performance.

Mona N'wal Middle Eastern Dance
6:00PM & 7:30PM 2nd Tuesday of the Month
Bunky's Cafe 2827 Atwood Ave Phone: 608-204-7004 Call: 204-7004
Performing Middle Eastern Dance

RSVP for Nonviolent Communication Workshop
Meriter Retirement Community, 333 W. Main St.
Friday and Saturday, January 26 and 27, from 9:00 am to5:00 pm
$175 includes lunch, refreshments, parking. RSVP by 1/10: 233-4118
www.bpf.org
Two days of training in Nonviolent Communication with Lucy Leu, certified NVC trainer. Sponsored by the Madison Buddhist Peace Fellowship. This workshop will help participants learn to express themselves honestly and clearly, witb respect for others, listen with empathy to create understanding and connection, and resolve conflicts peacefully and mutually satisfying ways. The cost, which includes lunches, refreshments and parking, is $175 for the two days. Registration deadline is Jan. 10. Contact Kathy Derene at 608-233-4118.

Italian Language & Culture Classes
Italian Workmen's Club 914 Regent St. RSVP: 238-1991
Italian Workmen's Club invites registration for classes for elementary school kids, (9-10:30 am Saturdays starting 1/27; $90); and adults of various levels (Monday & Thursday evenings starting 1/22; $105. Seniors $80). Scholarships available. RSVP: Italink@charter.net or 238-1991
Email: Italink@charter.net
Winter-Spring 2007 ITALIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE CLASSES at the Italian Workmen's Club. Adults classes: beginning & continuing level on Thursday Evenings; Intermediate and Advanced levels on Monday evenings; Children classes (elementary), Saturday mornings For information and registration call Giovanna @ 238-1991; e-mail: Italink@charter.net

Adult classes start week of January 22 to April 12 - $105.00; senior citizen $80.00; IWC members $65.00

Children classes ( elementary and middle levels) Schedule & Cost:
January 27- April 28 -$90.00* - Saturdays 9:00-10:30
*scholarships available on request

Location: Classes are held at the Italian Workmen’s Club (IWC), 914 Regent (corner of Park St.)
All special lectures will be held at the IWC on Mondays @ 7:00.

RSVP for National Association of Women Business Owners
Progressive Dinner & Silent Auction
West Side Club 437 Hwy. M , Madison
February 27, 5:00pm, Guests & Members: $25
http://www.nawbomadison.org or 608-442-1924
Join NAWBO - Greater Madison for a progressive dinner. You will have an opportunity to hear the stories of the Coalition Against Domestic Violence, as well as, share your own business story with many women. NAWBO - Greater Madison has teamed up with the Coalition Against Domestic Violence. A generous portion of all proceeds will be donated to the Coalition.

Time:
5:00pm Auction Begins
6:00pm Progressive Dinner Begins
8:00pm Auction Closes

NAWBO is collecting donations for the silent auction. Door prices can include products, artwork, jewelry, trips, etc. Door prices are being collected of the following values:

$20, $50 or $100. To donate an item, please contact Kathy Raab via phone at 608-222-0670 or via e-mail at kraab@charter.net. NAWBO - Greater Madison will also accept cash donations to the Coalition.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Assembly
Prairie View Middle School, 400 N. Thompson Rd., Sun Prairie
Friday, January 12, 8:00am Call: 834-7801
"Overcoming Obstacles," program celebrating diversity, 8-9 am, 1/12, Prairie View Middle School, Sun Prairie, with spoken word by Youth Speaks, music by the band, orchestra & choir and guest Milele Chikasa Anana of UMOJA Magazine in a closing ceremony with students "Throwing Away Words of Hate." Public invited to attend. 834-7801

Prairie View Middle School in Sun Prairie, WI, celebrates Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday in January with a special assembly in celebration of diversity. The assembly will feature a live spoken word poetry performance from Youth Speaks Wisconsin as well as student performances from band, orchestra and choir. As part of the closing ceremony, which will feature Milele Chikasa Anana of UMOJA Magazine, all Prairie View students will be “Throwing Away Words of Hate”.

This celebration has a theme of “Overcoming Obstacles”. In an effort to embrace difference and diversity and to overcome the obstacles of life, students will complete a pledge form in which they will pledge to eliminate a hateful word of their choosing from their vocabulary. The students keep a copy for themselves and as part of the closing ceremony of the assembly each student will be given the opportunity to literally throw away a copy of his or her pledge form containing the hateful word. This ceremony was simulated after a program done in Beloit, Wisconsin, in October called “Death to the N Word”.

In addition to the special assembly students will participate in several activities during the week to celebrate diversity. Activities include a Door Decorating Contest, two spoken word poetry workshops, a literal obstacle course in Physical Education class, and a potluck during the evening of January 12th.

All members of the surrounding community are strongly encouraged to attend this special assembly and take part in all of the planned activities. The assembly will take place on January 12, from 8:00-9:00am at Prairie View Middle School located at 400 N. Thompson Road in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

RSVP for Dane Dinners
Warner Park Community Recreation Center (1625 Northport Drive)
Thursday, January 18, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Cost: Free; adults only please Call: RSVP by 1/11: www.danedances.org or 695-5770
http://www.danedances.org Email: danedances@yahoogroups.com
Bringing our diverse community together over food to engage in conversation, share experiences, and get to know one another. Seating is assigned, therefore you may not sit with friends or partner unless a special requests is made. This event is free, but reservations are necessary. For registration call 608-695-5770 or go online at www.danedances.org. This is for adults only. The venue is handicap accessible.

Mexico's Coming Oil Crisis
Rainbow Bookstore 426 W. Gilman St.
Tuesday, January 23, 7pm, Cost: Free Call: 251-3241
http://www.calamadison.org
Community Action on Latin America (CALA) program on how a shortage could affect Mexico & the U.S.

Quarterly Report: Venezuela After the Elections
Hands off Venezuela-Madison discussion series
Escape Java Joint & Gallery 916 Williamson St. , Madison
Saturday, January 6, 4:00pm Call: 217-370-7640
http://www.ushov.org Email: hovmadison@gmail.com
Hands Off Venezuela-Madison Kicks off 2007 Venezuela Discussion Series With a Last Election Analysis.

After the elections in Venezuela December 3, Hugo Chavez has declared major changes at the state level as his intentions to create a new party: Socialist United Party. Hands off Venezuela (HOV) will discuss in depth the new balance in Venezuela after the elections. The event will take place on January 6 at the Escape Java Joint from 4PM. The event under the title of "Quarterly Report: Venezuela after the Elections" is part of a series of discussions about Venezuela in 2007 every first Saturday at the Escape.

The first quarterly report will address what the election means for the future of the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela, for the budding revolutionary movements in Latin America, and will distill the lessons that Venezuela offers U.S. activists in building a strong movement for social change here at home. Every first Saturday HOV will discuss different topics on Venezuela like the role of the media, co-managed factories, and quarterly reports.

About Hands off Venezuela
HOV is a world wide campaign that operates in over 30 countries. HOV supports and defends the Bolivarian Revolution, rejects the interventionist policies of the U.S. government, and supports the right of self determination for the Venezuelan people. The local charter was formed in January of 2006, and has coordinated activities with local labor, immigrant, and student groups. HOV – Madison meets on the first and third Saturday of every month at Escape Java Joint.

Middle East Forum
Discussing the controversial book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" by Jimmy Carter
Escape Java Joint & Gallery 916 Williamson St.
Sunday January 14th, 6:30-8:30pm, Cost: Free; donations encouraged Call: 442-8399
"Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid", a response to Jimmy Carter's controversial new book, by Palestinian-American peace activist George Shalabi at Escape Java Joint & Gallery, 916 Williamson St., free (donations accepted), sponsored by the Madison Middle East Forum, more info 442-8399.

Interracial Families Network
"Helping Your School Celebrate Black History Month"
Family Enhancement 2120 Fordem Ave., Suite 210 (new location), Madison
Sunday, January 21, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Email: bhornik@familyenhancement.org Call: 241-5150

Cantajuego Spanish Language Playgroup
Madison Children's Museum 100 State St , Madison
Ages 0-5, 10:30 am Thursdays (12/28-1/11)
Cost: Free Call: 256-6445
Thursdays, December 28-January 11, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Join the museum's new bilingual family playgroup for children ages birth to 5. All interested families welcome! (Second semester schedule to be determined in early January)

Art By & For People Who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired 754 Williamson St. , Madison 255-1166
Exhibit closes January 15

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired will host an exhibit of art made by and for people who are blind or visually impaired. The opening is set to coincide with the Council’s Community Open House from 4-7pm on Friday, December 1, 2006 at their offices at 754 Williamson St.

The exhibit is free and open to the public from 8am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday from Dec. 1, 2006 to Jan. 15, 2007. Paintings are for sale with 20% of the purchase price going to the Council to help fund programs and services for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Artists Albert Schmeige and Jamie Landolt will be featured. Schmeige is a Mauston artist who has been legally blind since 1992 due to macular degeneration. Despite a lack of central vision, poor depth perception and color blindness, he has been able to capture on canvas his interpretation of the world. Schmeige uses a combination of technique, brush stroke and color to create the illusion of detail and depth. Schmeige’s paintings prove that the art of sight and seeing is not necessarily defined by those of us with 20/20 vision. He believes that blindness does not limit but rather enhances the creative process.

Landolt is a Milwaukee artist who creates “touchable” paintings. She challenges the conventional notion that painted art is only to be visually experienced. Landolt encourages people to touch her work, to feel each brushstroke and encounter the dimensional shapes that the canvas encompasses so that it might heighten the experience as they interact with the piece. In addition, she has incorporated Braille in a few of her pieces.

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind & Visually Impaired is a private, not-for-profit agency. Our mission is to promote the dignity and independence of people who are blind and visually impaired by providing services, advocating legislation and educating the general public.

Shore to Shore ASL Classes
American Sign Language Classes Levels 1, 2, and 3
Family Enhancement 2120 Fordem Ave., Suite 210, Madison, WI 53704
January 23rd through March 27th, Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
http://www.accesstoind.org/pages/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=205&Itemid=78
Classes are taught by Deaf adults. Childcare with an emphasis on learning sign language is available. Registration is required. The cost is $75.00 per individual or $130.00 per family. If childcare is needed, please add $5. Please contact Connie Stevens at 241-5150 ext. 16 or cstevens@familyenhancement.org with questions.

January 1, 2007
January 15, 2007

On Monday nights this summer from 9:00 pm to midnight, the Casbah has been filled with Arabic, Turkish, Rom (gypsy), and Indian music, dance, and cheering during "Bellydancing Mondays," the free weekly Middle Eastern dance and music event that the Casbah hosts in collaboration with Ayperi Bellydance, a Middle Eastern dance organization headed by Monica Muraski. The event, which started May 2006, will be continuing to fill the Casbah with crowds of dancers, musicians, fans, and interested Madisonians into the fall, but rather than weekly, the event will be held on the first and third Mondays of each month. The change will take place in September; the event will be held during that month on Monday, September 4th, and Monday, September 18th.

During the event, two Middle Eastern dancers perform formal dance shows at 9:30 and 10:30 pm. After each of the shows the dancers dance with and teach the audience about and how to Bellydance while Middle Eastern drummers play along with recordings of classical and fusion Middle Eastern music. A henna artist also attends the event and offers attendees the chance to get a free henna tattoo.

The collaboration for the event was born out of America's increasing interest and curiosity about Bellydancing. Bellydancing, growing in popularity as the newest alternative fitness craze, is also growing in acceptance as a legitimate dance form in America. Says Monica Muraski of Ayperi Bellydance, "The purpose of ‘Bellydancing Mondays' is not only to have fun, see some of the incredibly talented dancers that live in this area, and enjoy some great music, but also to educate the public about Bellydancing and what a great dance form it is, and the event has been successfully fulfilling these purposes all summer long."

"During the fall and winter in a town that is ruled by the educational calendar, everyone (audience members and dancers) is much busier. We want to ensure that our Monday night event remains one of the hottest things to do on Mondays, and we feel that the best way to do that is to ensure that we continue to provide the same high quality, family friendly, multicultural entertainment and education in the same fun, busy atmosphere that we did all summer. Since Madison is so affected by the school-year calendar, taking a little extra time between the events will help us do that," says Monica Muraski.
ayperi@ayperibellydance.com www.ayperibellydance.com

Diversity Courses - UW Continuing Education
313 Lowell Center, 610 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53703
608-263-4431 or 800-442-4617, Fax 608-265-2329
Contact: Kristine Bruns, kbruns@dcs.wisc.edu
http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/classes/diversity.htm

ONLINE Cultural Competency for Human Service Professionals: An Introductory Self-Study Course
Today health and human service care must be culture specific, reflecting the clients' expectations about world view, values, and experience of care. In this self-study course you develop the awareness, knowledge, and skills that allow you and your agency to provide effective cross-cultural care. Enhance your knowledge of and respect for people's history, traditions, values, and social organization including family, community, and political structures.

I Have a Dream Banquet & Ball
Monona Terrace 1 John Nolen Dr.
Cost: $65 Call: RSVP: 277-9141
http://www.womeninfocus.net
Women in Focus invite reservations through 12/29 for their black tie scholarship fund-raiser, set for 1/13/07, Monona Terrace, with 6 pm cocktails, 7 pm dinner, 8:30 pm dance with the Davis Family Band. $65. RSVP: 277-9141

Established in 1986 to raise funds for scholarships, the AI Have A Dream Scholarship Ball provides monetary awards to college bound students and honors the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is the organization’s primary source of income, with all net proceeds awarded as scholarships to high school seniors and college students in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. Since the inception of the program, we have awarded more than 147 scholarships.

Recipients of scholarships have chosen diverse career paths, including business, medicine, technical and professional careers, music and art. Although the scholarships represent a small portion of total tuition, students report that they highly value the monetary contribution as well as the community recognition of their abilities to succeed. 2006 will represent two decades of supporting education for the youth of this community.

Salsa Lessons
Palace Latin Club 1401 University Ave.
Saturdays, 8:00pm Free. 239-8686
Email: info@dandomambo.com
For more information, please contact Dando Mambo Dance Company at (608) 239-8686 or info@dandomambo.com

Madison Scottish Country Dancers - Beginner Instruction
UW Memorial Union 800 Langdon St. , Madison
Sundays 7:00 pm; intermediate 8:00 pm; request dancing 9:00 pm Sundays
Free. 233-2956

Argentine Tango Practica (Dance Practice)
Madison Center for Creative & Cultural Arts 306 W. Dayton St. , Madison
Tuesdays 6:30pm - 8:30pm Free. 236-0198
http://www.madisontango.org Email: info@madisontango.org

Israeli Folk Dancing
Beth Israel Center 1406 Mound St.
Wednesdays 7:30-9:30 pm
Lessons & requests, Beth Israel Center (enter through back door). $2.
cmsoref@charter.net or 848-1992
Israeli Folk Dancing at Beth Israel Center, teaching and requests, Wednesday evenings 7:30 to 9:30 pm. $2 per person. Contact Cheryl 608-848-1992 or cmsoref@charter.net for information.

International Folk Dancing
The Crossing 1127 University Ave.
Wednesdays & Sundays 7:30pm-10:30pm 241-3655
International Folk Dancing: Focusing on dances from southeast Europe and western Asia, 7:30-10:30 p.m. (teaching the first hour) Sundays and Wednesdays at The Crossing, 1127 University Ave. at the corner of Charter and University. Beginners welcome, no partners needed, 241-3655.

Nueva Cancion
Free instrument playing & singing in Spanish
Holy Redeemer Catholic Church 120 W. Johnson St.
Musical instrument playing and singing in Spanish. Free. 5:30-7pm, Wednesdays, 1/10 - 1/31/07. Holy Redeemer Learning Center, 120 W. Johnson.

Spanish Conversation Group
La Hacienda 515 S. Park St. 255-8227 [MAP]
Free speaking practice, 6 pm Wednesdays, La Hacienda. 438-6791
http://www.prontospanish.com
We will meet there every Wednesday night from 6 - 7:30 pm.

Italian Conversation
Ground Zero 744 Williamson St. 294-8668 [MAP]
Free practice speaking Italian, noon Saturdays, Ground Zero. 692-7251
Practice your conversational Italian! Practice your conversational Italian!

Cafe et Conversation
Michelangelo's Coffee House
114 State Street 256-1113 [MAP]
Free practice speaking French, 7 pm Thursdays
Weekly French conversation hour in a relaxing, informal setting. All levels welcome.

47th Annual Travel Adventure Film Series

Diversity Courses - UW Continuing Education 313 Lowell Center, 610 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53703 608-263-4431 or 800-442-4617, Fax 608-265-2329 Contact: Kristine Bruns, kbruns@dcs.wisc.edu http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/classes/diversity.htm

Diversity Courses - UW Continuing Education
313 Lowell Center, 610 Langdon St, Madison, WI 53703
608-263-4431 or 800-442-4617, Fax 608-265-2329
Contact: Kristine Bruns, kbruns@dcs.wisc.edu
http://www.dcs.wisc.edu/classes/diversity.htm