Mindfulness & Meditation

Led by: Doug McDannald

Wednesdays: February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 6, 13, 20, 27

6:00-8:00pm

Studio

Registration Deadline: January 24, 2024 & 2 weeks before each subsequent class

Skill level: Beginner

Registration fee: $10/class OR $70/series

Course Description:

Part education, part experiential, and part discussion - be guided through many different aspects of mindfulness and meditation, while receiving support for whatever comes up for you along the way. Not only can this type of meditation be practiced more formally (such as a dedicated time to sit and meditate), but it can also be practiced while performing any number of daily activities. The only required tools are posture and breath, which are available to anybody, at any time. During class, we will primarily be seated. How it Works: As we attend to our posture and breath, we are able to observe the nature of our mind, body and environment with greater clarity. This clarity offers us the space to respond to everyday situations more thoughtfully and with less stress and reactivity. This effect accumulates over time, leading to more skillful responses with respect to our evolving situation or predicament. When we pause, we can observe our mind as it wanders. A wandering mind tends to automatically react to whatever external stimulus we experience. While some of these learned reactions serve us well, many of them were learned in response to situations that no longer exist, and thus, do not serve our best interest or the best interests of others in the present moment. Mindfulness and meditation offer us the opportunity to pause, interrupt our wandering mind, and create more choice in how we respond in the present moment. The results open up new and beneficial possibilities in our lives and in the lives of all the people we interact with.

About the Instructor:

Doug McDannald brings over 15 years of regular meditation practice, as well as certifications in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). He has 8 years’ experience coaching NCAA D1 Track & Field athletes, and 6 years’ experience in healthcare within various departments at Carle Health and Christie Clinic. He received a master’s degree in Exercise Science & Neuromechanics from Utah State University, and a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Eastern Illinois University. These experiences have contributed to Doug’s passion for helping people experience mental and physical relief through the simple, highly effective practices of mindfulness.

Macrame Wall Hanging

Led by: Macy McCall - TwinFringe

Thursday, March 7, 2024

6:00-8:00pm

Auditorium

Registration Deadline: March 4, 2024

Skill level: All Levels

Registration fee: $75

Course Description:

Join Macy McCall of TwinFringe for an evening of macrame! In this workshop, you will learn beginner macrame knots and create your own wall hanging to take home. A variety of colors will be available to customize your piece. All skills levels are welcome for this workshop and all materials are included. *Participants must be able to stand for the majority of class*

About the Instructor:

Macy McCall is a fiber artist in Champaign IL who started her fiber art journey in 2018 when she first learned about macramé. By 2020 she started her small business, TwinFringe, in which she sells her artwork and teaches a variety of workshops. She has taught in many different locations such as Parkland Community College, Allerton Park, local plant shops, and private events. Besides macramé, Macy is learning how to weave as well, which has been an exciting endeavor as she continues to explore the beautiful world of fiber art.

Barn Quilt Painting

Led by: Jane Cade

Saturday, March 9, 2024

8:00am-12:00pm

Auditorium

Registration Deadline: March 2, 2024

Skill level: Beginner

Registration fee: $60

Course Description:

No barn? No problem! Join the barn quilt movement by creating your own painted quilt block for beautiful decor you can use on the inside or outside of your home. Choose from a cardinal or patch star design upon registration. A wide variety of colors will be available to choose from at the start of class. You'll begin with a pre-primed board with the design of your choice already drafted. You will then tape and paint - with careful attention to detail. Once painting begins, you'll work at your own pace. Instructor Jane Cade will share history of barn quilts, techniques, tips, and discuss how to properly seal your finished piece after the paint has dried for 48 hours. Leave with a 20x20" quilt block to keep for yourself or share your talents and give someone the perfect gift.

About the Instructor:

Jane Cade is a retired teacher from Clinton Junior High School. She has been painting barn quilts for 8 years and sells her work online and at craft festivals. She teaches classes at Parkland Community College and will be teaching classes at her workshop beginning next year.

Figure Drawing

Led by: Vivian Krishnan

Mondays: February 26, March 4, 11, 18, 25

6:00-9:00pm

Library

Registration Deadline: February 19, 2024; 1 week prior to each subsequent class

Skill level: All Levels

Registration fee: $60/class OR $250/series

Course Description:

Draw from a live model through lightly instructed sessions. Open to all levels: beginners, intermediate, and advanced professionals. Participants are invited to join in five sessions that focus on quick gestures, long poses, and both costumed and nude models. Each session will include a demonstration that touches on fundamental techniques of life drawing. Your registration also includes one drink ticket.

About the Instructor:

Vivian Krishnan is a multimedia artist with works that cross the vast stage of storytelling, from designing costumes for theatrical characters to writing and illustrating diverse children’s books. She received her bachelors in Durango, CO focusing on Printmaking and Sculpture as well as earning her MFA at UIUC in Theatrical Design. Vivian is a life-long learner of many mediums and is excited to see how art continues to play a role at Allerton.

Improve Your Improv

Led by: Kyle Tasch

Tuesdays: February 20, 27; March 5, 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9

6:30-8:00pm

TBD

Registration Deadline: February 16 & 3 days prior to each subsequent class

Skill level: All Levels

Registration fee: $25/class OR $120/series

Course Description:

The “Improve Your Improv” class teaches participants of all experience levels the mechanics and tools used to create improvisational theater.   This class will be jam-packed with improvisational fun. The class centers around long-form improv - scene creation, learning the essentials, and team dynamics.  However, short-form improv games will also be used to learn the craft. 

The games and practices used will help all levels of improvisers develop a skillset and become familiar with the world of Improv! This will not be a class to sit down, hear lectures, and take notes.  Students will be performing as much as possible! It will be a get up and perform kind of class. The class will emphasize the mechanics needed to act out an entertaining and meaningful scene on the spot with no lines. While improv is often a natural skill, there are many elements of the craft that can be taught to everybody.  These skills are useful on stage but also in everyday life, wherever you might be put on the spot!

Participants who have already completed this class are welcome to join again.  Complete beginners and those experienced in improv are all encouraged to join! 

About the Instructor:

Kyle is an improvisor, improv teacher, filmmaker, writer, actor, comedian and musician from the Chicago suburbs. He started performing improv in 2004 and has been improvising in front of audiences regularly since 2015. He has also taught classes both in-person and remote at Westside Improv in Wheaton, Illinois. He performs live across the state in various comedy and music acts and has produced hundreds of videos and songs.

Mindfulness & Meditation

Led by: Doug McDannald

Wednesdays: February 7, 14, 21, 28; March 6, 13, 20, 27

6:00-8:00pm

Studio

Registration Deadline: January 24, 2024 & 2 weeks before each subsequent class

Skill level: Beginner

Registration fee: $10/class OR $70/series

Course Description:

Part education, part experiential, and part discussion - be guided through many different aspects of mindfulness and meditation, while receiving support for whatever comes up for you along the way. Not only can this type of meditation be practiced more formally (such as a dedicated time to sit and meditate), but it can also be practiced while performing any number of daily activities. The only required tools are posture and breath, which are available to anybody, at any time. During class, we will primarily be seated. How it Works: As we attend to our posture and breath, we are able to observe the nature of our mind, body and environment with greater clarity. This clarity offers us the space to respond to everyday situations more thoughtfully and with less stress and reactivity. This effect accumulates over time, leading to more skillful responses with respect to our evolving situation or predicament. When we pause, we can observe our mind as it wanders. A wandering mind tends to automatically react to whatever external stimulus we experience. While some of these learned reactions serve us well, many of them were learned in response to situations that no longer exist, and thus, do not serve our best interest or the best interests of others in the present moment. Mindfulness and meditation offer us the opportunity to pause, interrupt our wandering mind, and create more choice in how we respond in the present moment. The results open up new and beneficial possibilities in our lives and in the lives of all the people we interact with.

About the Instructor:

Doug McDannald brings over 15 years of regular meditation practice, as well as certifications in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). He has 8 years’ experience coaching NCAA D1 Track & Field athletes, and 6 years’ experience in healthcare within various departments at Carle Health and Christie Clinic. He received a master’s degree in Exercise Science & Neuromechanics from Utah State University, and a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Eastern Illinois University. These experiences have contributed to Doug’s passion for helping people experience mental and physical relief through the simple, highly effective practices of mindfulness.

Traveling Time Machine: Dancing in Illinois from Statehood to the 60s

Led by: Jeanette Watts

Thursdays: March 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11, 18

5:30-7:30pm

Music Barn

Registration Deadline: March 13, 2024; 1 day prior to each subsequent class

Skill level: All Levels

Registration fee: $75/full course OR $25/class

Course Description:

Each week, we will tackle the popular dances of Illinois starting with the fashionable dances of 1818. (Think Jane Austen and Bridgerton.) Each class will teach the basic skills, and some popular variations of the time so that attendees get a real feeling of what it was like to live/dance back then. Each class will be an hour of technique, and a second hour of less intensive play time, when we will apply the learned skills in the context of set dances of the time and have a chance to do at least one dance to review the material of the week before. Registration for the entire series is not required, but highly recommended for maximum comfort. Not every week builds on the skills of the week before, depending upon the era being covered. The final class of this series will be a mid-century dance to showcase all the new steps you learned throughout the course.

About the Instructor:

Jeanette Watts has been teaching historical dances for over 20 years. She is the founder of the Terpsichorean Delights Dance Assembly in Dayton, OH, Queen City Vintage Dance in Charlotte, NC, and spent Covid writing an 8-volume series of instructional dance manuals for historical museums.

Traveling Time Machine: Dancing in Illinois from Statehood to the 60s

Led by: Jeanette Watts

Thursdays: March 14, 21, 28; April 4, 11, 18

5:30-7:30pm

Music Barn

Registration Deadline: March 13, 2024; 1 day prior to each subsequent class

Skill level: All Levels

Registration fee: $75/full course OR $25/class

Course Description:

Each week, we will tackle the popular dances of Illinois starting with the fashionable dances of 1818. (Think Jane Austen and Bridgerton.) Each class will teach the basic skills, and some popular variations of the time so that attendees get a real feeling of what it was like to live/dance back then. Each class will be an hour of technique, and a second hour of less intensive play time, when we will apply the learned skills in the context of set dances of the time and have a chance to do at least one dance to review the material of the week before. Registration for the entire series is not required, but highly recommended for maximum comfort. Not every week builds on the skills of the week before, depending upon the era being covered. The final class of this series will be a mid-century dance to showcase all the new steps you learned throughout the course.

About the Instructor:

Jeanette Watts has been teaching historical dances for over 20 years. She is the founder of the Terpsichorean Delights Dance Assembly in Dayton, OH, Queen City Vintage Dance in Charlotte, NC, and spent Covid writing an 8-volume series of instructional dance manuals for historical museums.