JOY the Zine

08/07/2024

Collecting stories for the next JOY the Zine on the theme of democracy. Looking for your short (250 words max) examples of how you're joyfully protecting democracy. Freedom of speech, fair representation, anti-censorship, bodily autonomy ... What is a cool, fun thing you do to protect and fight back? Send them in by 9/22. You can also elect to be interviewed and I'll write your story for you. https://www.joythezine.org/stories

06/08/2024

The JOYful Resistance Book Club strikes again!! For our third book, we'll hang out with the luminous Rebecca Solnit and her now classic A Paradise Built in Hell.

If reading about disaster sounds, um, off putting, consider these quotes from the Powell's Books, Inc.: “If paradise now arises in hell, it's because in the suspension of the usual order and the failure of most systems, we are free to live and act another way.” AND. "“The positive emotions that arise in those unpromising circumstances demonstrate that social ties and meaningful work are deeply desired, readily improvised, and intensely rewarding. The very structure of our economy and society prevents these goals from being achieved.”

Come to one or both of these ONLINE discussions, Saturday mornings at 10 am CT, July 20 and August 3. REGISTER to get a Zoom link.

https://bit.ly/JOYbookclub

04/23/2024

This evening! If you live near(ish) to Press Coffee Iowa City -- Deweyville, Prairie du Chien, Oaknoll Eastside, Kimball .... -- please come for this event of conversation and getting to know neighbors!

“Our intention is to spark conversations between people who live near each other but don’t know each other, and to make us more curious about the powers of neighborhoods as places ofconnection and resources for creative change.” Jennifer (above) and Kristy (right) - the 36 Questions hosts. This ...

04/15/2024

Tomorrow Night is the next 36 Questions for Civic Love event! This one is for people loosely in the SHIMEK area a.k.a., Press Coffee Iowa City Sign up to let us know you're coming.

April 16, 6:00 to 8:00 pm Location: Press Coffee, 1120 N. Dodge Street Inspired by the famous sociological experiment of questions intended to make people fall in love with each other, the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago devised "36 Questions for Civic Love" as a way to encourage dialogue,...

04/15/2024

My friend David described going to a memorial last week and having the distinct feeling that dancing was intended. Electricity went up his spine as the singer on stage performed the kind of uncategorizable music the person being celebrated had loved and championed. Bravely (public dancing almost always requires bravery, but especially when no one else is doing it), he and his sister stood and danced.

“I think we’re supposed to dance,” feels to me like an echo of one of Francis Weller’s gates of grief. The author of The Wild Edge of Sorrow provides five gates of grief, ways of understanding different kinds of loss. There is the expected, everything we love we’ll lose, but also the less so: what we expected and did not receive.

And other forms of grief.

04/10/2024

On my drive into Chicago on Friday for my annual scrub at King's Spa (a delightful and slightly disgusting event -- so much shedding!) -- I'll be listening to Ross Gay read his essays INCITING JOY in preparation for this Saturday morning's conversation. I'd love to have you in the group if you want to talk Joyful Resistance with lovely. humans from all over the country. We'll talk about the second half of the book on 4/23 --come to one or both sessions.

Join the Community for Joyful Resistance for a two-part online conversation about Ross Gay's book of essays.

04/07/2024

Yesterday's Ice Cream was the soft(serve) launch of the newest issue of JOY the Zine-The Care Issue. It was great to share it with so many sweet humans! Come to its official debut later this. month. We gather on Sunday, April 28, 2-4 pm at PS1 / Close House. Music - a therapy dog - paper making project - readings - belonging. If your heart needs this, please come. Tickets at https://bit.ly/JoyLaunch.

04/03/2024

https://youtu.be/lRHYQMwSaFM

Hi! This is me encouraging YOU to be part of the Spring book club of the Community for JOYful Resistance. We'll be reading Inciting Joy by Ross Gay. I read an excerpt here in which Ross talks about how sorrow and joy are intertwined. Registration link below in the comments.

JENNIFER NEW, Joy Forager, reads a bit from Ross Gay's book INCITING JOY and invites you to join! Register at https://bit.ly/IncitingJoyRead

01/23/2024

Meanwhile, over on my lovely new Substack (which truly feels like a little secret room with nice floor pillows and soft lighting), I consider my toaster, sourdough bread, and Walt Whitman. https://jennifernew.substack.com/p/toast

01/19/2024

Getting ready to facilitate a workshop. Late last night I. had a "brilliant" idea to incorporate modeling clay and toothpicks!! We'll see how t his goes. ... Have I mentioned how much I ADORE facilitation??? Few things make me feel as happy, bold, curious, and tender toward a roomful of people. (An image from my slides.)

12/30/2023

If you're seeking time and some ideas for standing in the threshold between the two years, please join the JOY team on January 1, 2024 - Reflect & Renew

11 am to 12:30 pm CST- (In person or Zoom)

This 90 minute session provides prompts to help you remember moments of beauty and strength from the last year, while feeling into where you want to find joy and show up for the world’s ills in the coming year.

Please Register so we know to expect you! Message here or text “I’ll be there!” to 319.325.1226. All participants are invited to make a donation to the JOY & RESISTANCE micro scholarship fund/

12/21/2023

If you'd like to share space with others, experience some deep relaxation, and give to Shelter House's winter clothing fund, come to PS1 Close / House (use the alley door) tonight at 5:30 pm. Donation based class for a one hour practice. Public Space One