March Contra Dance Sunday, March 3, 6:30-9pm

Come dance to the music of Stump Juice Trading Co. with Adriane Mohlenkamp calling No experience needed. No partner needed. Everyone is welcome. All dances will be taught. Sunday, March 3rd 6:30-7:00pm Lesson 7:00-9:00pm Dance Admission by donation. Suggested donation: $10, $3/student Kids 10 and under are free. Info at athenscontradance.moonfruit.com or 740-590-4102 or facebook event at: March Contra Dance

Board Game Night at ARTS/West, a Ratha Con event

Feb 26, 5:30-8:30pm

Come join Ratha Con, Athens, Ohio's One and Only Pop Culture Convention, for a Tabletop game night at ARTS/West!

Bring your favorite games or play one of ours, any and all are welcome.

Admission is free, but if you are able to donate a few dollars to support Ratha Con we would greatly appreciate it!

We will be in the basement of ARTS/West from 5:30pm-8:30pm.

More info at: FB Event

More about Ratha Con at www.facebook.com/RathaCon and www.therathacon.com

Saturday Tunes with Laura Nadeau Saturdays, 12-1pm, Starting March 2nd

Laura Nadeau will lead song and music instruction every Saturday from 12-1pm for parents/caregivers and children ages birth-6 years old The instruction will focus on song, dance and rhythm Laura Nadeau previously led Music Together in Athens at Arts West and has been involved with family music programming for over a decade Drop-ins are welcome! Suggested Donation $5-$10 If you have any questions or need more information please contact Tessa Evanosky at artswesttech@gmail.com or visit the facbook event at: Saturday Tunes: Song & Music Instruction This program is brought to you by the Southeast Ohio Musical Lending Library, Arts West, the Athens County Foundation, and the Ohio Arts Council.

An Evening with Jonathan Richman Wednesday, February 27, 8pm

Jonathan Richman has been writing music, recording and touring for most of his life, gathering the loyalty of fans and fellow artists with his warmth, humor and insightful lyrics. In the early 1970s he formed the Modern Lovers, a major progenitor of punk music. Tommy Larkins was in the groups Naked Prey, Giant Sand and other popular bands in Tucson, Arizona. Jonathan and Tommy continue to record, write music together and  tour across the US. Tommy’s drumming along with Jonathan’s guitar and singing create a live experience that is hard to forget. This event is presented at Arts West by Stuart's Opera House Tickets can be purchased at this link: An Evening with Jonathan Stuart  More information at FB Event and Stuart's Opera House

The Cat's Pajamas Clothing Exchange a benefit for Arts West Friday, March 29,  5:30-8:30pm Saturday, March 30, 10am-6pm Plus Member Night:Thursday, March 28, 5:30-8:30pm

Cat’s Pajamas Clothing Exchange A Benefit for Arts West! For over a decade the Cat’s Pajamas Clothing Exchange has brought countless Athenians the joy of “new” clothes in a fun and community minded way. The spring edition is back in 2019, and we hope that we can break the record of the most clothes ever offered! The mountains of clothes available all are to benefit a good cause: Arts West! Throughout the year Arts West provides space for the Southeast Ohio Musical Lending Library, the  PRISM Youth Art Program, art openings, square dances and contra dances, concerts, plays, classes, workshops, special events and more. If you are on the prowl for a new wardrobe, there simply is no better way to get one than the Cat’s Pajamas Clothing Exchange! Schedule: Members Night - Thursday, March 28th 5:30-8:30pm Exchange Days - Friday, March 29th 5:30-8:30pm & Saturday, March 30th 10am-6pm How it Works: To Get a Golden Ticket (take unlimited items) 1. Now through Thurs., March 28th bring unwanted clothes to Arts West 2. Pay Entry only once either $15 Fri, March 29th, or $10 Sat, March 30th 3. Return to exchange unlimited times with no additional fee To Get a Regular Ticket (take as many items as you brought, additional items $1 each) 1. Bring clothes on exchange days, (March 28th & 29th) 2. Pay Entry only once either $15 Fri, March 28th, or $10 Sat. March 29th 3. Return to exchange unlimited times with no additional fee Members Night: Thursday, March 28th 1. Open to all current or new Arts West members, with NO ENTRY FEE. 2. Sign up for membership will be available on members night. 3. Return to exchange unlimited times with no additional fee Arts West is located at 132 W. State St. Athens, OH 45701 (740) 592-4315 Office hours: 11am-6pm, Mon-Fri (Hours usually are extended during the week for classes and events. Please call to hear our hours for drop offs of clothes beyond our regular office hours!) Volunteer: We Love our volunteers! To volunteer please contact Rachel Couch: rc124310@gmail.com   More info at Facebook Event at:  Cat's Pajamas Clothing Exchange

Musical Workshop Series 1st Installment Sunday, February 24, 2-4pm at Arts West 2nd Installment Sunday, March 31, 2-4pm at Stuart's Opera House with more to follow!

The Southeast Ohio Musical Lending Library, Stuart's Opera House & Athens County Foundation present to you a musical workshop series! Starting with Fiddling with the Shaws: Liz & Lynn Sunday, February 24, 2-4pm, at Arts West What’s the difference between a violin and a fiddle? Besides a few adjustments to the bridge and perhaps string choice, the answer is, “Who is holding it and what are they doing with it?” Join champion fiddlers and experienced folk music teachers Liz and Lynn Shaw as they explore various fiddle styles and techniques that give the instrument its signature sounds. Hear the differences between French Canadian and Cajun, Old Time and Bluegrass, Scottish and Irish, and other styles. The “informance” part of the workshop will be followed by a lecture on the “care and feeding or your fiddle.” As time allows, Lynn, a luthier with 35 years experience repairing and restoring violins, will inspect fiddles and identify problems that are repairable. (Also, the mystery of bow bugs will be revealed!) We will wind up the afternoon with a slow jam for those who already play and brought their instruments. Those without instruments wanting to join the jam may borrow one from the Musical Lending Library which will be open during and after the workshop. Join this entertaining approach to all things fiddle, and become inspired to drag Grandma’s Stradivarius out of the attic and start fiddling around! ule!   Tickets available at this link: Fiddling with The Shaws-Workshop Tickets Please note: Tickets are offered at varying prices to make this series accessible to all - please pay what you can to help support the series. More info please contact artswesttech@gmail.com, 740-592-4315 or visit the FB Event at Fiddling with the Shaws   The 2nd workshop will be  West African Drumming with Lawrence Greene Sunday, March 31, 2-4pm at Stuart's Opera House Ugata or Underground African Themed Arts was created in Southern Ohio and the Mid Ohio Valley to continue the legacy of the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movements by using music to spread cultural understanding. We will be playing djembes and djun djun bass drums. Lawrence will bring the djun djun bass drums and a few extra hand drums for students to use during class. Lawrence has been teaching drumming for 15 years.  He started playing at drum circles almost 20 years ago. As an AmeriCorp member at Inner Harbour in Georgia, Lawrence was able to study West African drumming and to play drums with his drumming teacher for about 18 hours a week for 10 months. While in Georgia, he studied with Tam Tam Mandinque, an international drumming school, every other week, and he learned from the drum master Mamady Keita, of Winston-Salem, NC. When his program ended, Lawrence returned to Ohio and started to share what he had learned, while also working as a naturalist at Highland Nature Sanctuary and the Wilds. Lawrence hosts drumming groups at retirement homes, schools, for people in recovery and for people with developmental differences. Current classes are in Athens, Logan, McConnelsville, Granville and now Marietta. Tickets available at thiis link: West African Drumming Workshop Tickets Please note: Tickets are offered at varying prices to make this series accessible to all. Please pay what you can to help support the series.  For more info contact artswesttech@gmail.com, 740-592-4315, or visit the FB Event at: West African Drumming Workshop

Choose Your Own Yarn Adventure Knit & Crochet Class Tuesdays, Feb. 26 - April 30, 5:30-7pm

This will be a knit & crochet class and the projects are going to be up to you! Nadine and Nancy will provide ideas for items that you can knit or crochet and then you bring the patterns and materials to complete your project. As always you will have the support of Nadine, Nancy and your classmates! All levels are welcome and project outlines will be added soon. $6 a class or $50 for 10 weeks Lets get classy and have adventures!!!! For More Info visit the FB Event at: Choose Your Own Yarn Adventure NOTE: Series goes through April 30.

CreativeMornings/Athens: Symmetry Breakfast Lecture Series Friday, February 22, 9-11am

Hello, Athens! Welcome to the February CreativeMornings event! CreativeMornings is a breakfast lecture series for the local creative community with a focus on networking and inspiration. Speaker: Nina Adanin Presentation: Extreme & Creative - Mind without Borders When & Where: Feb 22nd, 9:00-11:00am, at Arts West The event is FREE, but RSVP is required FREE tickets for the breakfast lecture are available at: https://creativemornings.com/talks/nina-adanin There are only 50 free tickets available! Please make your reservation as soon as possible. ABOUT THE SPEAKER Nina Adanin is a doctoral student for Instructional Technology at Patton College of Education, Ohio University. She has conquered the world’s most challenging peaks: Mont Blanc, Grand Paradiso, the Grossglockner, Manaslu, Denali, Nanga Parbat, Aconcagua, Mt. Everest, and more. From Alaska to the Himalayas, she has not only climbed, but she has saved lives in the process. Nina was awarded a medal of honor in Alaska for rescuing a mountaineer. She has ridden a motorcycle across Thailand and traversed the Atlantic in a sailboat. Nina is interested in “Distance Learning in Extreme Environments”. Currently, she is working on the project of integration technology for collecting data regarding climate change in the polar regions. ABOUT THE THEME- "Symmetry" What do a planet, an attractive face, and a snowflake have in a common? Symmetry. Symmetry is prevalent throughout life. You can fold a sunflower in half, stories have an arc, and the human body can bend and create mesmerizing shapes. There are also irregularities that enhance life; they add beauty and complexity. If there’s symmetry in nature, then there must be a kind of symmetry in the way we lead our lives.  Symmetry cannot be possible without asymmetry, the same way sadness magnifies joy. Alan Lightman wrote in The Accidental Universe, “I would claim that symmetry represents order, and we crave order in this strange universe we find ourselves in.” But chaos will happen whether we like it or not, it’s how we respond to it that either creates order or more chaos. When in chaos, create your symmetry. The Saint Petersburg chapter chose this month’s exploration of Symmetry, Anna Fadeeva illustrated the theme, and Mailchimp is the presenting partner. ABOUT THE VENUE Arts West is a part of the City of Athens' Arts, Parks & Recreation Department. Our mission is to make facilities, resources, and opportunities available to art organizations, individual artists, and community residents. Arts West harnesses community focus for all individuals engaged in the creation, performance, and exhibition of the arts while promoting activities preserving the beauty, heritage, and culture of our town.  ABOUT THE PARTNERS The Global Leadership Center strives to develop internationally minded, locally engaged leaders in all walks if life. Due to limited seating (and breakfast food planning) all CreativeMornings events require RSVP for the FREE tickets at https://creativemornings.com/talks/nina-adanin . Click here to subscribe to the newsletter: https://creativemornings.com/cities/ath

Book Launch for The Community Table: Effective Fundraising through Events by Susan Urano Executive Director, Athens County Foundation Friday, February 22, 5 to 7:30pm, @Arts West

Athens County Foundation's Executive Director, Susan Urano, wrote a book on her experience organizing the annual Bounty on the Bricks fundraiser, and Ohio University Press has just published the book, entitled The Community Table: Effective Fundraising through Events In the book, Urano lays out concrete steps for organizations looking to put together a fundraising event akin to the Bounty on the Bricks fundraiser, which is now facilitated and organized by OhioHealth. Each year the Bounty on the Bricks fundraiser raises funds for food pantries in the region by organizing a locally sourced meal for members of the Athens community on Court Street, which is closed down to facilitate the event. The event raises close to one hundred thousand dollars annually. The book launch event is Friday, Feb. 22 at Arts West from 5 to 7:30pm WOUB Interview available at this link: Athens County Foundation Director Pens ‘The Community Table’

Musical Workshop Series

1st Installment

Sunday, February 24, 2-4pm at Arts West

The Southeast Ohio Musical Lending Library, Stuart's Opera House

& Athens County Foundation present to you a musical workshop series! 

Starting with Fiddling with the Shaws: Liz & Lynn

Sunday, February 24, 2-4pm, at Arts West

What’s the difference between a violin and a fiddle? Besides a few adjustments to the bridge and perhaps string choice, the answer is, “Who is holding it and what are they doing with it?”

Join champion fiddlers and experienced folk music teachers Liz and Lynn Shaw as they explore various fiddle styles and techniques that give the instrument its signature sounds. Hear the differences between French Canadian and Cajun, Old Time and Bluegrass, Scottish and Irish, and other styles.

The “informance” part of the workshop will be followed by a lecture on the “care and feeding or your fiddle.” As time allows, Lynn, a luthier with 35 years experience repairing and restoring violins, 

will inspect fiddles and identify problems that are repairable.

 (Also, the mystery of bow bugs will be revealed!)

We will wind up the afternoon with a slow jam for those who already play and brought their instruments. Those without instruments wanting to join the jam may borrow one from the Musical Lending Library which will be open during and after the workshop.

Join this entertaining approach to all things fiddle, and become inspired to drag Grandma’s Stradivarius out of the attic and start fiddling around! ule!  

Tickets available at this link: Fiddling with The Shaws-Workshop Tickets

Please note: Tickets are offered at varying prices to make this series accessible to all - please pay what you can to help support the series. 

More info please contact artswesttech@gmail.com, 740-592-4315

or visit the FB Event at Fiddling with the Shaws

3rd Thursday Square Dance Social Thursday, February 21, 7-10pm

Athens Old Time Music presents caller Joe Burdock, & musicians Tessa Dillion & Friends! They will bring us an evening of lively old time music. $6 suggested donation. Dancing starts at 7pm. No experience or partner needed. Bring friends, a good attitude, & an adult beverage of your choice (with valid 21+ ID). Featuring: A Cake Walk Desserts provided by Twisted Sister Novelty Baked Goods More info on Facebook at: Square Dance Social

Drum Circle @ Arts West Friday, February 15, 8-11pm

Come join us for a night of drumming and dancing. The space is open to all levels and ages. The circle is not limited to drums, any and all acoustic instruments are welcome. Parking is free on the street and in the lot. Food and alcoholic beverages allowed. B.Y.O.B. (with valid 21+ I.D.) Friday, Feb. 15, 8-11pm Suggested donation of 5-10$ would be appreciated to help support the space MORE ABOUT THIS DRUM CIRCLE... This is a safe space where you can come to be your truest self. This is an environment where you can put the worry of your days away and become one with the rhythm. Whether you drum, dance, play another insturment, or just listen and take it in, there is a place here for everyone. There are no rules to participating in the sound. Even if you have never played an instrument, pick one up! There are plenty to borrow. This group meets on the 3rd Friday of the month at Arts West, 8-11pm More info on Facebook at: Drum Circle @ Arts/West

Self Care, Healing & Protection Practice

Mondays 6-7:15pm

February through May

CALL FOR cat ART for cat show opening march 7th submission deadline feb 28th

The Cat Art Show will be an annual exhibition featuring cat art, a silent auction, cat videos and cat themed live music. Half the show will feature cat artwork by Integrated Services, under the leadership of Kim Jackson, and the other half will feature artworks created by the public. Artwork can be donated to benefit the Meowterspace Cat Rescue & Arts West programming, and then placed in a silent auction for the month of March; or artwork may be submitted by the public to show and sell! Submission guidelines can be found in the "Discussion" section of our Facebook event at this link for either "donation" or "show and sell" (there are two different forms). The deadline to submit work is February 28th, so bring your work to Arts West soon!  Feel free to email artswestmarketing@gmail.com or call 740-592-4315 for more info

February Family Dance!

Sunday, Feb 10, 3-5pm

Bring the whole family for an afternoon of dancing and music. Liz & Lynn Shaw and the Thrashers will play hot tunes to get kids and adults dancing together. No experience needed. All dances will be taught. Drop in any time. Admission by donation. Suggested donation $3/dancer. More information at http://athenscontradance.moonfruit.com, 740-590-4102, or FB Event

For the Love of Athens 2019

Art Opening

Thursday, Feb 7, 5:30-8:30pm 

For the Love of Athens is a photo exhibit and contest focusing on people, places or things in

Athens County featuring 30 photographs by 17 different photographers.

Some photographers will have prints available for purchase along with the work shown.

The top three photographs will be announced at the show, and those in attendance get to vote on an audience choice award for their favorite photograph

Ed Kruse will provide live classical piano music for your entertainment

The event is free, and snacks and beverages will be available for consumption

Parking is available in our lot behind the building.

The show will take place in the upstairs gallery, and cash or check will be accepted for purchases of photographs or prints.

The work will remain on display through March 1st

More info at FB Event