'Thank you for the wonderful workshop you gave a few weeks ago in Saskatoon.   It was so inspiring!  I came away full of ideas, firing on all cylinders!   So much of what you had to say was very practical and extremely helpful.  Some of your words replay in my brain every day: e.g. "you can't do this kind of creative work alone, sitting in front of a computer screen" - it all rings so true!   Now, I have much more understanding and respect for the kind of work we're engaged in. Thank you!'
-Liz Quinlan,
Coalition Against Sexual Assault, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon


"Norman's skills at delivering an empowering, creative and inspiring
workshop allowed us to strategize on effective ways to make meaningful social
change happen in our local and global communities. Often when we deal with serious issues of oppression and injustice it is hard to resist in ways that give us hope and the energy to keep fighting. In participating in the workshop, we were given a chanceto harness our creative energy and begin developing skills that encourage change
through collective and creative action. It made me realize that although our passion for social justice is a serious struggle that we fight for every day, our vision of social justice seems more attainable when we focus on building a culture of resistance through creativity, collective action and fun!"

Natasha Goudar,
Saskatchewan Federation of Labour Youth Organizer,
Regina, Saskatchewan
WORK IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
 'CREATIVE RESISTANCE 101'


As a Montréal artist in the Québec government's program, 'Culture in the Schools,' Norman teaches kids (kindergarten to senior high school) how to use pens, pencils, imaginations and their own natural talents for writing, acting, making music, and performing.

Norman's Workshops with Public Schools


From 'The Association of Teachers of English of Quebec' newsletter:

"Norman Nawrocki gave students a glimpse into the type of writing and musical work he does. He challenged students to think outside the box, look into their own experiences for writing material, experiment with the written word and explore other forms of expression, such as music and oral readings to music. His eclectic repertoire and dynamic presentation inspired students.

Though some were shy at first, they easily ventured to write their own stories, and in a matter of minutes each student had the beginnings of a narrative, complete with conflict and suspense.

It was impressive to note that students who are reticent writers during the year, eagerly embraced the process when Norman helped them find their voice and of course, confidence. In discussion, the students discovered that, rather than the writer commanding the events, sometimes stories take on a life of their own and the characters write themselves.

Knowing that they were only the vehicles for their stories was all the motivation some students needed to keep writing. As one youngster exclaimed under breath, "Whew, I'm not making the story up; it has a life of its own". As teachers we hope to read an all-Canadian masterpiece. Yet, the real tour de force occurs when an unmotivated student finds his voice."

- Mary Eva, Heritage Regional High School, St-Hubert, Québec

 

Les Pages Noires Productions

Les Pages Noires Productions offers a series of useful, skill-building workshops for community groups, student organizations, trade unions and rabble rousers. Choose your course. Gather the interested. Email or call us for details.


Workshops available include:

Creative Resistance 101 - an introductory workshop about the theory, ideas & practice of 'subversive' art

Rebel Words 101 - how to compose & use the written & spoken word

Rebel Rhythms 101 - how to create & use music, sounds, beats

Rhythm Activism 101 - how to apply 'creative resistance' on the stage

Radical Community Cabaret 101 - how to produce one

Humour for the Humourless Radical 101 - where to find it; how to use it

The Art of Anarchism 101 - an intro to anarchist visual arts

 

How to use music, song, theatre, comedy and art to bring about radical social change, and have fun, too!

In "Creative Resistance 101", an introductory workshop, Norman shows how activists can put "fun" on the agenda of radical social change and achieve results.


Participants learn how to use music, theatre, posters, clowning, visual art, film 'cultural jamming,' and their own creative imaginations to help address issues,inspire and empower themselves and those around them in their everyday work, and have a good time, too.

The workshop explores how 'art' and 'culture' can be used as effective tools to help mobilize and organize, for public education, to help spread the word about issues and concerns that the media and the uninformed might otherwise ignore. Participants learn how to articulate an alternative vision, critique or protest that will reach a broader public.

The workshop explains how people can approach serious social issues with a sense of humour, without compromising the messages.

Participants learn to appreciate the importance of 'creative resistance' as a new way of thinking, of taking affirmative action to broach the issues, reach out and affect people so that the 'politics' of one's work makes sense to others and is advanced.

Learn how:

• to find & develop your own creative skills

• to communicate ideas for radical change more effectively

• to channel creativity so it can be issue-oriented

• to gain media exposure for issues

• to reclaim your own culture, your voice

• to inject some humour into your politics for radical social change

• to help articulate radical visions to subvert and challenge the existing order

• to use creative tools to invite others to get involved

• to liven up demonstrations, meetings, press conferences & actions

Norman will take local issues that workshop sponsors want to see addressed, and use them as examples to work with. He shows how participants can immediately start applying the techniques and tools of 'creative resistance' to help refresh and re-focus an analysis of the problems, and possible solutions.

 

THIS WORKSHOP REQUIRES:

• a classroom or meeting room large enough for 30 noisy people to exercise in
• access to other spaces nearby (hallways, smaller rooms) for participants to retreat to and work in small groups
• a three-hour block of time
• participants are encouraged to bring their own musical instruments, art, costumes, creative ideas to work with
• a ghetto blaster for playing cds


NORMAN NEEDS:

• a facilitator fee

• economy class transportation to and from the venue, from Montreal, and all ground  transportation

• overnight accommodation and meals for his stay

Please note: this workshop works best with small groups no larger than 30

rhythm@nothingness.org