PANEL: ACLU/ILAP on US Immigration Policy | hosted by Maine College of Art & Design
2018-11-15 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Maine College of Art & Design, 522 Congress Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Panel Title: The “Know-Nothing” Movement Is Back: Examining Current U.S. Immigration Policy Through A Historical Lens
Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine and the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project discuss what current anti-immigrant U.S. policy has in common with the Know Nothing movement from the nineteenth century.
This event will be hosted in the Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D.

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POETRY: Reading & Performance | Kifah Abdullah, Emma Flores, & Devin Colella
2018-11-15 18:30 - 20:00 | Rhines Auditorium, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Way, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Kifah Abdulla is a poet, artist, performer, and teacher. He reads poetry and short stories with music. Kifah published his first book of poetry” Dead Still Dream ” he is working on his memoir book ” Mountains Without Peaks ” and his second book of poetry. Kifah is a visual artist, his works has exhibited in different galleries and places in Maine, and he is involved in many cultural and artistic projects. He is a member of Portland Public Art Committee, founder of the International Arabic Language Festival in Portland ME, co-founder of Arabic conversation group and first Arabic language website. Kifah teaches Arabic calligraphy at MECCA, Arabic instructor at SMCC, and the Language Exchange.
Kifah is working on collaborative artists projects which include: a poet, cellist, soprano singer, and dancer, and is putting together a show for WMPG titled ” Words and Music” it will starts in Sept 30th.
abdulla.kifah@gmail.com|
www.kifahabdulla.com
www.arabiclanguage.me

Emma Flores is a voice student of Scott Wheatley and a senior at Kennebunk High School. She is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and she performed all three years at the District and All State Music Festival in the mixed choir. Emma is a member of Opera Maine’s Opera Teen group and was chosen by Opera America in New York to serve on the national Opera Teen Advisory Board as Manager of Social Media and has recently become Co-Chair of the program. Emma has attended Brevard Music Center’s Summer Institute in North Carolina and Boston University’s Tanglewood.

Devin Colella can be seen in his funk / rock cello and drums duo, QUAD, as well as with improvisational classical crossover piano trio, Aeterna Trio, and singer- songwriter Shanna Underwood. Devin is interested in exploring new ways to play the cello, and works to introduce the cello to new kinds of music. He hopes to contribute to the growing movement of cellists who are experimenting with modern music.
www.quadtheduo.com
Find more information at Portland Public Library.

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BOOKS: Welcoming Immigrants with Children's Literature
2018-11-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Print: A Bookstore, 273 Congress St., Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Print: A Bookstore is honoring the contribution that children’s literature plays in the larger immigration conversation. Author and illustrator Anne Sibley O’Brien will share her new picture book SOMEONE NEW, the companion to her award-winning I’M NEW HERE. In her interconnected books, new arrival students and "long term” students explore belonging and friendship. Anne will be joined by Kirsten Cappy of I’m Your Neighbor Books, who will share other books set in immigrant communities. Additionally they will demonstrate how Maine has taken the lead nationally on using children’s books to welcome immigrants with the creation of the Welcoming Library. Audience members will have the opportunity to purchase immigration titles for the benefit of Greater Portland schools.

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FILM: Through the Repellent Fence | SPACE Gallery
2018-11-19 19:00 - 21:00 | SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland, ME, 04103, United States
THROUGH THE REPELLENT FENCE follows art collective Postcommodity as they strive to construct Repellent Fence, a two-mile long outdoor artwork that straddled the U.S.-Mexico border. Postcommodity consists of three Native American artists who “put land art in a tribal context.” Aided by the communities on both sides of the border in 2015 the artists installed a series 28 huge inflatable spheres emblazoned with an insignia known as the “open eye” that has existed in Indigenous cultures from South America to Canada for thousands of years. The spheres were evenly spaced apart and extended north and south of the border a mile in each direction. “It’s a metaphorical suture stitching together cultures that have inhabited these lands long before borders were drawn.”
The film provides an intimate glimpse into the arduous process behind creating an ambitious artwork that will give voice to the shared history and enduring culture of Indigenous societies that have made the region their home for thousands of years before a border ever divided it. Interwoven with this thread are lush scenes using stunning cinematography to absorb viewers into striking land art environments that have preceded Post Commodity’s work. Scenes with other artists and intellectuals working in the land art realm provide context and insight as well. These include scenes with Chris Taylor of Texas Tech University’s Land Arts of the American West program, writer Lucy Lippard and Matt Coolidge of the Center for Land Use Interpretation.
Through The Repellent Fence is an adventure in the artistic process blended with a road trip of discovery visiting sites and diverse perspectives to explore how land art can generate community interaction and perceptual shifts in how we interpret, engage and draw inspiration from our natural world.
Followed by a live video chat with Postcommodity's Raven Chacon, led by Making Migration Visible: Traces, Tracks & Pathways co-curator Julie Poitras Santos.

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LECTURE: Ranu Mukherjee | Maine College of Art & Design Visiting Artist
2018-11-29 18:00 - 19:00 | Maine College of Art & Design, 522 Congress Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Making Migration Visible: Traces, Tracks & Pathways featured artist Ranu Mukherjee will talk about her practice and work in the exhibition at MECA&D's ICA. The talk will be hosted in MECA&D’s Osher Hall.

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PANEL: Legacy and Influences of Immigration in Maine
2018-11-29 18:30 - 20:00 | Rhines Auditorium, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Way, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join us for a panel discussion about Legacy and Influences of Immigration in Maine hosted by Portland Press Herald reporter, Megan Doyle. Panelists will talk about advocacy and programs to support Maine immigrants.
Panelists TBA.
Find more information at Portland Public Library.

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FILM: Human Flow by Ai Weiwei
2018-11-29 19:00 - 21:30 | Olin Arts Center, Bates College, 75 Russell St., Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
Human Flow is director and artist Ai Weiwei's detailed and heartbreaking exploration into the global refugee crisis.
More than 65 million people around the world have been forced from their homes to escape famine, climate change and war, the greatest displacement since World War II. Filmmaker Ai Weiwei examines the staggering scale of the refugee crisis and its profoundly personal human impact. Over the course of one year in 23 countries, Weiwei follows a chain of urgent human stories that stretch across the globe, including Afghanistan, France, Greece, Germany and Iraq.
Hosted by the Bates College Museum of Art.

FILM + FOOD: Recipe Film Screening and Community Dinner | hosted by Maine College of Art & Design
2018-11-30 16:30 - 18:30 | Maine College of Art & Design, 522 Congress Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
A short screening of recipe films created by MECA&D students in the Public Engagement class Animation Exchange in collaboration with cooks from In Her Presence, a not-for-profit serving women from various immigrant communities in Maine through English classes, self-advocacy tools, and a variety of workshops. Community dinner featuring recipes from In Her Presence contributors to follow.
Hosted by Maine College of Art & Design: Public Engagement Department
For more information contact Amelia Garretson-Persans at agarretson-persans@meca.edu
This event will take place in the MECA&D Cafe. The film screening will begin at 4:30PM, with a community dinner to follow at 5PM.

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PANEL: Identities in Migration: On Being Somali-Mainers
2018-12-01 17:30 - 19:30 | Talbot Lecture Hall, USM Portland Campus, 85 Bedford St., Portland, ME, 04101, United States
A panel of Somali-Mainers discuss the historical context in which they migrated to the United States, what it means to be Somali in Maine, and how their identities have been shaped by migration.

Hosted by the World Affairs Council of Maine.

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FILM: REASON 4369
2018-12-04 18:00 - 20:00 | L/A Arts, 221 Lisbon St., Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
*** Note date change due to inclement weather***

Reason 4369 is directed by Zamzam Elmoge, produced by the GENZ team. The film focuses on giving a platform for Lewiston kids to tell their stories and break the stereotypes they hear about themselves every day. Click here to watch the trailer.

This is a free event. Refreshments provided. There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers following the screening.

The #GENERATIONZPROJECT is a film-based storytelling initiative that focuses on empowering the adolescents of Generation Z on sharing their stories. They are a group of high school students from Lewiston High School committed to expressing their identities and having their voices be heard by older generations.

Hosted by Museum L-A in partnership with Tree Street Youth, Generation Z Project, and L/A Arts.

WORKSHOP: I_Legal Demonstration and Action | Maria Patricia Tinajero
2018-12-07 11:00 - 20:00 | Institute of Contemporary Art at Maine College of Art & Design, first floor
I_Legal (2018) explores paper “as the first technology” that allowed for global mobilization of ideas, a kind of global immigration that explores the connections between art, history, politics and the environment. I_Legal (2018) devotes attention to the process of fermentation that acts as a source of energy and as a metaphor for free mobilization. The fermented plant fibers become pulp used to cast paper suitcases, tangible symbols of mobility. In this context, the suitcase is viewed as a familiar object that challenges its conventional use by asking the viewers to respond to the emotional burden of unwanted mobilization. These paper-thin “shells” are inadequate containers in their attempt to hold our most intimate articles; yet they are ghostly presences that invite us to reflect upon vulnerability as the foundation for strength. These are transient beings entangled in the tentacles of temporal mobilization and permanent displacement. On December 7, the paper suitcases will be disassembled in a process of cutting, soaking and re-pulping that captures the poetic gesture of tracing imperceptible immigration that takes place all the time. The repurposed paper suitcases, as postcards, serve two purposes:

As the “starter” for action to support immigrants in distress by writing letters to oppose the proposed Public Charge Regulation (http://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USCIS-2010-0012-0001)
As a “thank you” gift to all who participate in this action

Drop-in Workshop: 11:00AM-5:00PM
Demonstration & Letter Writing: 5:00-8:00PM

CELEBRATION: AFRiCAN DUNDADA presents "A Celebration Of Culture"
2018-12-07 17:00 - 21:00 | Rhines Auditorium, Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Way, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
AFRiCAN DUNDADA and the Portland Public Library presents “A Celebration of Culture” an event that celebrates Portland’s culture and diversity.
Come and enjoy free Yoga, Meditation and an Afro Beat Dance class by Veeva and Miss Holmes before we start the night with original poetry by Isaac Kinzambi, stand up comedy by Maine’s own (Mr. Funny Man comedian) James Swaka and dance with the traditional Acholi Dancers. AFRiCAN DUNDADA will perform with his unique style of music – a mix of Afro Beat, reggae, dance-hall and hip-hop and the evening will conclude with a dance party by Maine’s best DJ – DJ Be See of AD.vs.FX.
Find more information at Portland Public Library.

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CONVERSATION + FOOD: The History of Chinese in Maine | hosted by Maine College of Art & Design
2018-12-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Maine College of Art & Design, 522 Congress Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
While there has been a relatively small population of Chinese residents of Maine over the years, those who have settled here have made their mark, dating back to the first Chinese immigrant who came in 1857. Come hear some stories about these early Chinese Mainers, and also enjoy some Chinese tea and snacks, sponsored by the Chinese & American Friendship Association of Maine.

This event will be hosted in the Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D.

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Gallery Talk by MMV Artist Yu-Wen Wu | Maine College of Art & Design
2018-12-13 18:00 - 19:00 | Maine College of Art & Design, 522 Congress Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Making Migration Visible: Traces, Tracks, & Pathways featured artist Yu-Wen Wu will discuss her artwork in the galleries, describing the research processes and community practices that contribute to her work.
This event will be hosted in the Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D.

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LECTURE: Les Sénégalais d”Amérique: The “Push Pull” of Senegalese Emigration, Professor Linda Beck
2018-12-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Colby College, 4000 Mayflower Hill, Waterville, ME, 04901, United States
Professor of Political Science/Director of International and Global Studies has a MA and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin; 1991 MA University of Wisconsin. Her areas of expertise are Political Science: Comparative Politics (Africa, Muslim World), Environmental Politics, Political Philosophy. Since joining the faculty in 2006, Linda Beck has developed several new courses that reflect her research interests, such as Civic Engagement & Social Accountability in which students work on a service-learning project with one of Maine’s many non-profit organizations.
Linda has herself conducted research on social accountability in both Africa and Asia. She has also worked with Maine’s environmental community, serving as president of the Maine Conservation Alliance. Her work on environmental issues in the US and overseas informs her newly developed course, Environmental Politics in Comparative Perspective. Linda has published various articles, chapters in edited volumes and a book on ethno-politics and democratization in Senegal (W. Africa), and has conducted research for various development organizations such as the US Agency for International Development, the World Bank, Freedom House, and the International Budget Project.
Details about lunch and registration will be published at a later date.

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LECTURE: Les Sénégalais d'Amérique: The “Push Pull” of Senegalese Emigration, Prof. Linda Beck
2018-12-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Chace Community Forum, 178 Main St, Waterville, ME, 04901, United States
Les Sénégalais d'Amérique: The “Push Pull” of Senegalese Emigration
Professor of Political Science/Director of International and Global Studies has a MA and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin; 1991 MA University of Wisconsin. Her areas of expertise are Political Science: Comparative Politics (Africa, Muslim World), Environmental Politics, Political Philosophy. Since joining the faculty in 2006, Linda Beck has developed several new courses that reflect her research interests, such as Civic Engagement & Social Accountability in which students work on a service-learning project with one of Maine’s many non-profit organizations.

Linda has herself conducted research on social accountability in both Africa and Asia. She has also worked with Maine’s environmental community, serving as president of the Maine Conservation Alliance. Her work on environmental issues in the US and overseas informs her newly developed course, Environmental Politics in Comparative Perspective. Linda has published various articles, chapters in edited volumes and a book on ethno-politics and democratization in Senegal (W. Africa), and has conducted research for various development organizations such as the US Agency for International Development, the World Bank, Freedom House, and the International Budget Project.
Find out more about this event on the Mid-Maine Global Forum website.

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MUSIC: International Open Mic
2018-12-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo Street, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
A night of community through music and performance, sponsored by the Maine Immigrant Musical Instrument Project, Jenny Van West Music, and Mayo Street Arts. Featuring a diverse and international lineup of local musicians.

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