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Free Skool Schedule

Spring 2006

Here it is (so far). Click on the link (or scroll down) for a full description of each class, including dates, times and locations. More classes are coming so be sure to visit this page again.

All classes are drop-in friendly unless otherwise marked. Please be on time; instructors may cancel if it looks like no one is going to show up.

We are interested in your comments, ideas, suggestions and/or help. We are still looking for more classes and teachers. Remember: anyone can teach absolutely anything. Contact us at freeskool@barringtoncollective.org.

Course Descriptions

Social Revolution

• DATE: Wednesdays, starting January 25
• TIME: 6-8 PM
• LOCATION: UC Berkeley campus, 110 Wheeler
• NAME: Shane Bauer Social revolution is a process that demands more than the overthrow and replacement of power. It stems from an understanding that issues of capitalism, war, environmental degradation, power, etc. are rooted in deeper social problems and to effectively challenge these issues we must radically transform the foundations of society. This course will present revolution not as something to be carried out by a political vanguard, but as a social movement; something largely created by us in our daily lives and through the power that we hold as members of society. This course will explore what it means to be "radical" and how we can radicalize and transform aspects of our personal lives and society as a part of a revolutionary process. We will touch on topics ranging from gender, race, and class, to education, ecology, relationships, and more. Stressing the need for action and not just theorizing, we will discuss ways to struggle against internalized power and oppression and how to create alternatives to the institutions of wealth and power that currently exist.

Rebel Clowning

• DATE: Sunday, April 23
• TIME: 2:30p
• LOCATION: People's Park, Berkeley
• NAME: The Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army Buffoonery and idiocy at its very finest. The clowns liberated from children's parties and sent into the streets! CIRCA is a direct action group striving against boredom and banality in protest. We're taking advantage of the role of the clown--stuttering and stumbling, forgiven a great deal--to take action against a society that teaches us only to be stupid. We're spreading laughter and love, disarming habit, and enacting a creative critique of the powers that be and the existant paths of relation to them. We are friendly fools.

Food Not Bombs Newbie Day and skillshare

• DATE: every Friday
• TIME: starting at 11AM, serving at 3PM
• LOCATION: 3090 King Street, Berkeley (location for this class may change! Check this site!)
• NAME: Friday Food Not Bombs Crew

• CONTACT: CisforCaitlin@yahoo.com Food Not Bombs prepares and serves meals in the east bay Sunday through Friday (Monday through Friday, we serve in People's Park in Berkeley). We are a decentralized, non-hierarchical organization operating largely outside the capitalist economy because of dedicated volunteers and the donations/surplus of food. We provide free healthy food (usually vegan), to anyone who wants it. Why come Fridays? No reason, really; every day has a different crew and a different kitchen, and another day may suit ya better. However, Friday crew welcomes help and is happy to share what we know.

Beginning Blues Guitar and Bass

• DATE: 2nd, 3rd and 4th Thursdays in April (13, 20, and 27)
• TIME: 6-7 pm
• LOCATION: the Long Haul Infoshop, 3124 Shattuck, Berkeley
• NAME: Patty Pink

• REQUIREMENTS: Pre-registration is required. Class size is limited, first come first served registration, so register early and no later than April 1. Register by e-mailing protactinium@excite.com. Please attend all classes from the beginning as they will be in a linear progression, but you are welcome to drop in after first class if you get permission from instructor by email first.

Learn how to play a basic 12 bar blues pattern and other blues song patterns, using guitar chord patterns and/or a bass guitar patterns. Learn about the history of blues music, and its impact on creating changes in society. Goals are to have fun and play a little music, and maybe write your own original blues or rockin' boogie-woogie style tune.

It is good if you are proficient in major and seventh chords. This class will be aimed at persons who can play chords at least minimally, but beginners are welcome and will not be intimidated. Intermediate or advanced instrument players who want to learn to read blues chord "charts" and practice playing with other players while reading charts may also find something useful in this class. Reading written music or tablature is not required. Writing your own original blues song with words, chords, and/or a bass line will be encouraged. Voluntary donations to Long Haul for use of their meeting space welcomed.

BRING GUITAR or BASS - acoustic steel or plastic string guitar, bass viol, Mexican Acoustic bass, washtub bass, jug bass, or tiny quiet battery operated amp with electric guitar or electric bass. And if possible, bring a pick or two, extra strings, paper and pencil, small tape recorder and tape to record class for later study. You may bring sheet music to your favorite 12 bar blues song, bring a recording of a 12 bar blues song you enjoy and something battery operated and portable to play it for the class.

Instructor has worked as either bass, guitar, vocals, or flute in jazz bands, musical theatre ensembles, blues (Eli's Mile High and other venues), traditional country (Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, etc at various Clearlake Resort clubs), metal and punk (Mabuhay Gardens in the 80s, etc), rock bands (Omnibus on Haight Street in the 70s, and other venues), and studied 20 piece Big Band performance and arranging with the City College of San Francisco Big Band ( with David Hardiman), and has taken classes privately, at the Capp Street Community Music Center SF, at the Blue Bear School of Music, and at the Conservatory of Music in San Francisco.

Telling Stories: Kids books and more

• DATE: Wednesdays
• TIME: 7 - 9 pm
• LOCATION: Fort Awesome (3090 King St, Berkeley, near the Ashby BART)
• NAME: Seth

Sit on the floor in good company, reading stories, telling stories and indulging in your inner kid. Bring your favorite stories and most fascinating friends.

Conversational Spanish

• DATE: Thursdays, except April 20
• TIME: 6:30- 7:30(or longer if we feel like it)
• LOCATION: Muddy Waters Cafe 262 Church St. SF(right off Market St. J line and a few blocks west from 16th St. BART)
• NAME: Joshua

• CONTACT: kidblank13@yahoo.com

Come and practice your Spanish! All levels welcome.

Rad Mental Health Classes

• DATE: Wednesdays, March 29, April 5, April 12
• TIME: 6:30 - 8:30
• LOCATION: Longhaul Infoshop, Berkeley
• CONTACT:

We are a bay-area based radical mental health group that works on projects focused on exploring radical strategies for encouraging mental health and dealing with the emotional extremes conventionally labeled as "mental illness." We are a group of people who have all struggled with mental health problems either in our own lives or as allies to friends and family. We are trying to open discussion about alternatives, provide resources, and get dialogue going about mental health in our community. Class topics: 4/26-Suicide prevention; 5/3-involuntary treatment; 5/10-gender; 5/17-nutrition

Writing Group

No details yet. E-mail contact@barringtoncollective.org

Radical Improvisational Theater

• DATE: Mondays
• TIME: 7-9p
• LOCATION: TBA

• CONTACT: radical_improv@riseup.net

Be radical! Have fun! Come get silly! We'll start with a bunch of sound and movement games to loosen up and hopefully get us laughing a bunch. than a quick review of the fundamentals of improv tehater and we'll get into some games for the rest of the time. A performance/community presentation/guerrilla street tehater would be wonderful and is a possibility depending on the interests of the group. Drop-in friendly! Yeeehaww! Questions? email radical_improv@riseup.net.

Self Defense For Everyone

• DATE: Wednesday, May 3
• TIME: 6-7:30p
• LOCATION: Station 40, 3030b 16 and Mission, SF

• CONTACT: cows.might.fly@gmail.com

Come learn some basics in self-defense through a martial arts style called Shaolin Kempo. This class will leave you with some basic punches, kicks, simple defenses, and knowledge of how to utilize your own strengths in a self defense situation. We will also discuss assertiveness and the role it plays in self defense. All experience levels encouraged to attend.

Women's Self Defense

• DATE: Sundays
• TIME: 12-1:30p
• LOCATION: 2185 Acton Street, near Allston, Berkeley

• CONTACT: contact@barringtoncollective.org

Open to all levels.

Capoeira

• DATE: Sundays
• TIME: 3-4:30 pm
• LOCATION: 2185 Acton Street, near Allston, Berkeley

• CONTACT: contact@barringtoncollective.org

Open to all levels.

Boxing

• DATE: Saturdays
• TIME: 1p
• LOCATION: 2185 Acton Street, near Allston, Berkeley

• CONTACT: contact@barringtoncollective.org

Open to all levels.

Poetry and book binding

• DATE: Sundays
• TIME: 1-3p
• LOCATION: Oakland Public Library, main branch, 14 and Oak

• CONTACT: contact@barringtoncollective.org

Book binding, zine making, and poetry.

Guerrilla Art

• DATE: Mondays
• TIME: 6-8p
• LOCATION: 1120 Center Street, Oakland (near West Oakland BART)

• CONTACT: CisforCaitlin@yahoo.com

We'll talk about the use of unauthorized public art to reclaim space, and learn about the use and process of techniques including wheatpaste, stenciling, mosaic, graffiti, and others. If you want to help facilitate a class or contribute otherwise or got questions, e-mail CisforCaitlin at yahoo.com.

Hide Tanning

• DATE: Monday, May 8
• TIME: 12p
• LOCATION: 604 56th street near Shattuck in Oakland

• CONTACT: elizabethmalaska@yahoo.com

Learn natural and traditional methods for tanning animal hides while helping to tan actual skins. All aspects of preparation and hide use will be discussed.

Jujitsu

• DATE: Sundays and Tuesdays
• TIME: 1:30-3p Sun, 8a Tues
• LOCATION: 2185 Acton at Allston, Berkeley

• CONTACT: contact@barringtoncollective.org

Open to all levels.

Want to see a class that is not listed here?

• Send your class ideas/requests via email to freeskool@barringtoncollective.org!

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