Wake Up Weekend 2009!

An exciting event is coming to Calvin College in just a few days!!
Wake Up Weekend is an annual ::free:: conference of animal advocacy, including well-renowned speakers, potlucks galore, film screenings, and general fellowship with others who are learning to live a compassionate lifestyle. All events are free(except the brunch at Brick Road Pizza), and anyone is welcome! Here's more info:


FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2009

2:30 pm–Animal Advocacy: What, Why, Who, and How?

Commons Annex Lecture Hall, Calvin College

Stay on the cutting edge of the movement by learning from the people who are making it happen. From rights to welfare, from religion to politics, from the laws of the heart to the laws of the land, from grassroots to goliath, our nationally recognized panelists know the score. Join us for this workshop and you will too! 

Harold Brown (President, Farm Kind, Hector, NY)
Ben DeVries (Founder, Not One Sparrow, Kenosha, WI)
Adam Durand (Campaign Director, Animal Rights International, Rochester, NY)
Bee Friedlander (Managing Director, Animals and Society Institute, Ann Arbor, MI)
Nathan Runkle (Executive Director, Mercy for Animals, Columbus, OH and Chicago, IL)

5:30 pm–”Compassionate Comestibles” Vegan Potluck

Commons Annex Lecture Hall, Calvin College

*Hosted by Students for Compassionate Living*

At an event where omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans are coming together in fellowship, a vegan bill of fare insures that everyone can enjoy what’s on the menu! What’s your favorite vegan recipe? Bring a dish to share and find out where others come down on this appetizing question! Need a few ideas? Vegan Yum Yum and Post Punk Kitchen never disappoint.

***Please help us to reduce waste and carbon emissions by bringing your own washable or recyclable dinnerware*** and perhaps an extra setting or two for our out-of-town guests and last-minute participants; a limited number of recyclables will be on hand for those without table service.

7:30 pm–Film Festival

Bytwerk Video Theater, DeVos Communications Center, Calvin College
Eating Mercifully and Fowl Play (A Film By Adam Durand)

Two great films by two great directors, one of whom–Adam Durand–will be on hand to introduce his work and take questions after the screening. Did you know that the idea for “Fowl Play” was hatched at Wake Up Weekend 2007 and that the original first-cut of the film was edited here in Grand Rapids for our sneak preview screening at Wake Up Weekend 2008? Now in 2009, the final version has been nominated for Best Documentary in a national film festival in Hollywood, but YOU get to see it first right here in Grand Rapids. Look for special mention of Wake Up Weekend in the credits!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24, 2009

11:00 am–Vegan Brunch at Brick Road Pizza

Tofu scramble, french toast sticks, vegan fried chikn, and all your favorite specialty pizzas and salads are on the menu at this $10.00 all-you-can-eat vegan juggernaut that Chef Ryan promises will be a day to remember! Whether you’re a Wake-up-Weekender or just a hungry Grand Rapidian, come on out! Everyone is welcome!

1:30–Spotlight Session: Animal Advocacy and Religion

(106), 106 S. Division, Grand Rapids
”
Not One Sparrow is Forgotten: A Simply Christian Animal Advocacy”
Ben DeVries (Founder, Not One Sparrow)

3:00 pm–Panel: Animal Exploitation and Questions of Race and Gender

(106), 106 S. Division, Grand Rapids

“Thinking and Eating at the Same Time: Reflections of a Sista Vegan” 
Michelle Loyd-Paige (Dean for Multicultural Affairs, Calvin College)

“Speciesism, Sexism, and Racism: The Intertwining Oppressions”
Nekeisha Alexis-Baker (Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary; Co-Founder, Jesus Radicals)

7:00 pm–Vegan Chili Cook-Off and Print Sale Benefit

(106), 106 S. Division, Grand Rapids

You know the drill on this one: Best. Vegan. Chili. Ever. (Made by YOU, if you’ve got the guts to compete, anyway.) Add vegan cornbread lovingly prepared by Oven Mitt Bakery, and a print sale that puts the artwork of Wake Up Weekend within everyone’s reach, and you simply can’t say no! Come on out and help us raise a few dollars for our participating animal charities, and we can show the world that compassion is recession-proof!

*If you plan to enter a chili into competition, please send an e-mail to wakeupweekend@gmail.com ASAP to request a registration form. Last year, we were a bit light on chili (and a bit heavy on chili-eaters), so let’s anticipate another big turnout and get as many of you to put your culinary prowess on display as possible!

See you at Wake Up Weekend 2009!