Introductory Needlefelting

Led by: Stephanie Block

Sunday, February 4, 2024

1:00-3:00pm

Studio

Registration Deadline: February 1, 2024

Skill level: Beginner

Registration fee: $65/person

Course Description:

Participants will learn the basics of needlefelting and make a small, felted owl.

About the Instructor:

Stephanie Block co-owns Sundrop Alpacas, where they raise alpacas and use their fiber for products. She has 5+ years of experience in crafting felt animals from alpaca fiber, and her focus is on small felt animals because they can be handled and enjoyed by all ages.

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.

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.

Afro-Brazilian Traditions – Capoeira Angola & Samba de Roda

Led by: Mark Becker

Thursdays: January 18; February 1, 8, 15, 22

6:00-7:30pm

Library

Registration Deadline: 1/11/2024; 1 week before each subsequent class

Skill level: Beginner

Registration fee: $25/class OR $100/series

Course Description:

In this course, participants will be introduced to the richness of Afro-Brazilian movement, music, language, and culture through the traditions of Capoeira Angola and Samba de Roda. This course will be designed with all ages, skill levels, and physical abilities in mind and will have a welcoming environment where community members can learn from an instructor with 19 years of experience in a hands-on, active, and joyful space.

Capoeira Angola is a martial art that combines fluid, low-impact movements with music to encourage self-expression and self-control. Samba de Roda is a musical tradition that combines several percussion and stringed instruments in a call-and-response setting that also welcomes dancing from participants. All these traditions have their roots in the Congo region of Africa but were developed and shared with the world in Brazil.

About the Instructor:

Lead instructor Mark Becker, a student of Capoeira Angola in the tradition of Mestre João Grande who has studied under Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte for 8 years, with 19 years of experience in the art of Capoeira. He is also a student of traditional Samba Chula, an art form from the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil while also serving as the Director of the Bloco Gavião, a community drum ensemble focused on Afro-Brazilian drumming traditions such as samba-reggae, maracatu and afoxé. Mark has a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and enjoys designing learning experiences for all ages to feel belonging in the exploration of Brazilian culture.

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.

Afro-Brazilian Traditions – Capoeira Angola & Samba de Roda

Led by: Mark Becker

Thursdays: January 18; February 1, 8, 15, 22

6:00-7:30pm

Library

Registration Deadline: 1/11/2024; 1 week before each subsequent class

Skill level: Beginner

Registration fee: $25/class OR $100/series

Course Description:

In this course, participants will be introduced to the richness of Afro-Brazilian movement, music, language, and culture through the traditions of Capoeira Angola and Samba de Roda. This course will be designed with all ages, skill levels, and physical abilities in mind and will have a welcoming environment where community members can learn from an instructor with 19 years of experience in a hands-on, active, and joyful space.

Capoeira Angola is a martial art that combines fluid, low-impact movements with music to encourage self-expression and self-control. Samba de Roda is a musical tradition that combines several percussion and stringed instruments in a call-and-response setting that also welcomes dancing from participants. All these traditions have their roots in the Congo region of Africa but were developed and shared with the world in Brazil.

About the Instructor:

Lead instructor Mark Becker, a student of Capoeira Angola in the tradition of Mestre João Grande who has studied under Contramestre Denis Chiaramonte for 8 years, with 19 years of experience in the art of Capoeira. He is also a student of traditional Samba Chula, an art form from the Recôncavo region of Bahia, Brazil while also serving as the Director of the Bloco Gavião, a community drum ensemble focused on Afro-Brazilian drumming traditions such as samba-reggae, maracatu and afoxé. Mark has a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois and enjoys designing learning experiences for all ages to feel belonging in the exploration of Brazilian culture.

Have you ever wandered around Allerton Park and wondered what the inside of the historic mansion looks like?  Would you like to hear more about the unique history of Robert Allerton and the creation of his estate?  Register for one of our Public Mansion Tours held each month!

Mansion tours start at 2pm and begin in the Gallery of the Mansion.  Tours typically last between 45 and 60 minutes.

$10/person, ages 5 and under are free

Space is limited and tours typically sell out.

(NOTE: If tickets are sold out and you need additional children’s tickets, email Sarah Putman at sputman2@illinois.edu.)

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order to participate, please email Sarah Putman at sputman2@illinois.edu.

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.