photo by Lizzy Szwaya
Monthly Archives for March 2011
Op Shop Open Mic Night: Special guests – The Blue Light Specials
I think this first Open Mic night was a terrific success! We had over 30 people, the absolute cutest being two best friends under two years old who were literally the center of attention and deservedly so as they were absolutely charming performers.
We had a short set by “The Blue Light Specials”, poetry, jokes inspired by 7 year olds, stories, a concertina player, guitar sing-a-longs, a lovely a capella song, accordian music, and more. It was a wonderful evening and as we left, I was sure I heard the sprouts sighing. This can be understood in different ways of course, I didn’t ask.
Special thanks to perfromers: Mehves Konuk and Sam McAllister,
David Nekimen, Stephanie Gebel, Karen Callahan, Miss Clay
David Durstewitz, Jason Pettus, Erik Cameron,
Robert Cruz and Orin Fraser!
Grand Opening Op Shop IV: Spotlight on Urban AgriCULTURE
When we first came in tonight we noticed that the wheat grass had grown at least an inch over night. The one tray we had put under the grow light was thick and dense and, at the tips of the grass, there were drops of dew that had formed. Dew! It was a little moment when dawn stood still for us.
Trays arrived from the Valley of Jordan, a new Middle Eastern grocery store and deli at 1009 E. 53rd Street, beautifully prepared and most generously donated by owner Wael Ghousheh. The food was delicious! Amber and Lia prepared a wonderful noodle dish with lettuce leaf wraps, we had water infused with apples and ginger, cucumbers, and lemons, and a deep thick tray of wheat grass waited for us to drink in its intensity.
Jasper, Sebastian, and Lia worked very hard to produce the tiny shots of pure green in little white porcelain cups to offer to our guests. We mused over wheat grass residue readings. Next time, we decided, as we had no one there who could read wheat grass residue.
The night was warm and beautiful, the smell of the grass was sweet and pungent, and the people were familiar and new.
Thank you for a lovely opening night!
Urban Chicken!
Soil Blocking
“Urban Chicken!” with Stephanie Weaver
Stephanie Weaver will be with us for “Urban Chicken!” on Friday, March 11th at 3:30 pm.
Learn about what you can do to set up a coop in your back yard! Stephanie will bring eggs from her Easter Egg Hens and talk about her experiences raising hens in the city.
Special guest appearance, it’s a surprise…
Cluck!
“Root Vegetables in History” with Keith Peterson
Come and hear Keith Peterson speak on the topic “Root Vegetables in History” at the Op Shop, on Wednesday March 9, at 2:00 pm. Be stunned and amazed at strange facts about our tuberous, bulbous, and taprootish friends underground. Free admission.
Sunday, March 6: Potluck #1
Op Shop IV: Spotlight on Urban Farming
March 1 – April 30
Op Shop and Connect-the-Lots are joining forces to create a space for exploring the intersections between agriculture, art, and life. We provide the AGRI and you provide the CULTURE.
1001 E. 53rd Street
(the corner of 53rd and Ellis)
For information on our workshops, events, and potluck dinners please visit http://www.theopshop.org
To schedule your four hour shift, please see our calendar.
Space generously sponsored by MAC Realty
The Opportunity Shop 