Provocative events happening in August
Summer is coming to a close in August, so take advantage of some opportunities to enjoy yourself. Excellent foreign films from India, France, and China … as well as from the Cold War and from the Beat Generation. Set aside time to hang out on Mass Ave attending performances from IndyFringe. Make sure you catch the splendid exhibition of Chinese painting at the Indianapolis Art Center before it closes. And there’s more!
August 21 — I.O.U.S.A.: LIVE with Warren Buffett, Pete Peterson & Dave Walker. I.O.U.S.A.: Live with Warren Buffett, Pete Peterson & Dave Walker in an exclusive one night event in select movie theatres nationwide on Thursday, August 21st. This event will include the critically-acclaimed documentary, I.O.U.S.A., and a LIVE discussion about America’s economic crisis and what we can do to change course. check it out
August 21 — “Freedom Writers” Film Screening & Censorship Conversation. Written by the students of California teacher Erin Gruwell, the book The Freedom Writer’s Diary turned the students’ direct experience of violence, racial tension and hopelessness into a transformative creative work. Last fall in Indianapolis, the Perry Township School Board suspended teacher Connie Heermann for refusing to remove the book from her syllabus. Watch the Hilary Swank movie about Erin Gruwell, then discuss with Connie Heermann what her suspension means for our schools and our society. check it out
August 22 — Get your Bollywood fix with “Sholay.” “Sholay” is the top grossing movie in the history of Bollywood, and is widely considered the greatest Indian movie ever. Can a billion viewers be wrong? check it out
August 22-31 — IndyFringe 2008! “53 performers. 270 shows. Six stages. And 10 days of splashy spectacle, provocative pageantry and outrageous outbursts of off-beat theatrical fun.” check out Provocate’s recommendations … and some reasons why we should take IndyFringe more seriously than just the light-spirited froth it intends to be
August 23 — Holocaust Shoes for Darfur National Kickoff. CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Terre Haute strives for the elimination of hatred and prejudice from our world. CANDLES pursues this goal through education about the Holocaust and the power of forgiveness. And shoes. CANDLES and Samaritan’s Feet are teaming up to collect 1 million pairs of shoes for kids in Darfur! check it out
August 23 — Artsparkle: China Blossoms. ArtSparkle, the Indianapolis Art Center’s main fundraiser, will conclude the IAC’s excellent “Two Worlds, One Language through Art” exhibitions. It will be an excellent way to learn more about the city’s continuing engagement with Chinese culture in the autumn… and perhaps to kick off larger discussions of the public role of art in Indianapolis. check it out
August 26 — Discuss “Building Better Neighborhoods for Everyone.” Residents and business owners in six developing Indianapolis neighborhoods have recently banded together to improve the quality of life in their areas. This briefing will summarize their neighborhood development plans created with support from the Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiative (GINI). check it out
August 27 & 28 — 2008 Statewide Conference on Housing and Community Economic Development. All the housing news seems to be about middle class families’ homes losing value … but this shouldn’t make us forget that housing crises also involve homeless families perceived as having no value at all. check it out
August 29 — Conference on children and immigration reform. Immigration policy continues to be a firebrand issue at the federal, state and local levels. Throughout the debates regarding guest workers, amnesty, border security, law enforcement and employer needs, once voice has been consistently underrepresented: that of children caught up in immigration policies and politics, and the impact of immigration policy on their ability to achieve their dreams. check it out
August 31 — Hunter the Punter helps raise funds for Horizon House to tackle homelessness. Each night 3,000 people experience homelessness in Indianapolis. Horizon House opens its doors every morning, seven days a week, inviting each of those individuals to a fresh start and a new day. Punter Hunter Smith and his Colts teammates want to help you be part of making that possible. check it out
