Painting En Plein Air ~ At Dow Gardens
Plein Air painters work on location to quickly capture the fleeting light effects that occur in nature. This technique gives the artwork a quality of truthfulness to nature and can convey a feeling of place unachievable by any other means. Instructor Hannah Manges has taught art students for 6 years.
3 Saturdays; May 31, June 7, 14
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
$70/$65 members. Materials list provided upon registration
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Pecha Kucha Night ~ An Artist Gathering
Pecha Kucha (Japanese for the sound of conversation), devised by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham, was conceived in 2003 as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. Creative Spirit Center fosters this idea with an artists’ networking and sharing evening in our Gallery, where creative work can be easily and informally shown. Each visual artist is allowed to present 20 images, shown for 20 seconds each.  Performing artists hold the stage for 6 minutes, 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. Bring a dish to pass and call ahead to let us know you will be attending.
Monthly summer gatherings, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Monday, June 23
Wednesday, July 23
Thursday, August 21
No fee is charged, thanks to our generous donors
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Youth & Family

Not Just Vanilla: The Original Interrelated Arts Camp 
A week-long dose of creativity and fun featuring Lunch with a Linebacker. Design your own T-shirt, sketch, paint, journal . . . every day is an adventure.  Parents and friends are invited to a sharing on the last day of camp. 
Ages 6 – 14
June 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
9:00 a.m. – Noon Ages 6 – 12
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Ages 12 - 14
$100/$90 members
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Hip Hop Dancing with High School Musical
Learn fun hip hop techniques and creative choreography with the music of this outrageously popular musical. Families and friends are invited to a performance on June 20. Ages 7 and up. Instructor Alejandra Gallegos has received rave reviews from her dance students.
June 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
10:00 a.m. – Noon
$85/$80 members 
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Family Yoga
Families will develop ways to calm and control their bodies, balance stress through breathing and relaxation, and explore fun partner poses to connect with each other!  Parent and child are taught the essentials of a healthy lifestyle together as they learn fun yoga dances to warm-up and tone muscles and learn strengthening poses that develop focus and self-confidence.  Ages 5 – 12 with an adult. Instructor Rachel Leff brings laughter and light to learning.
6 Thursdays; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 June 5
4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
$95/$90 members for parent and one child; $30/$25 for each additional child 
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Humanities

Medicine for the Earth: Restoring Health to Self and the Environment
During this experiential training, a powerful combination of guided meditation and work with nature spirits, spiritual journeying and ceremony transforms physical, emotional and mental toxins affecting our health and the world around us. This work, associated with miraculous healing, is the focus of a University of Michigan medical research study, and was the subject of a lecture presented by facilitator Kate Durda, M.A., by invitation at the United Nations in summer 2006. Visit Kate Durda’s website at www.SpiritWeavers.net.
Registration required by June 5th.
Saturday, June 7
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
$55/$50 members
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The Spirit of Motherhood – Discussion Group
Motherhood is defined as the kinship relation between offspring and mother, whether by blood, marriage or adoption – a simple definition for such an awesome responsibility. So awesome, in fact, that many cultures foster the principle of “matrescence,” the coming together of social support around expectant and new mothers. This discussion group will focus on topics from four books pertaining to different aspects of motherhood. Attend one or all four to learn more about myths, hormones, culture, biology and health and how they all relate to motherhood. If it’s been a while since you read a “grown- up” book, this group is for you. Read the book beforehand and share your perspective.  If you have not read the book, come anyway, to share and have a cup of tea. Babies on the hip are welcome.  Reservation required days in advance of meeting.
Tuesdays from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
$10 each meeting
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Tuesday, May 20. Misconceptions – Truth, Lies, and the Unexpected on the Journey to Motherhood by Naomi Wolf. Presenter :  Julie King, ICCE-CD. Julie is a Certified Childbirth Educator and Doula who has been teaching women about pregnancy and birth for 15 years.
Tuesday, June 17. Mother-Daughter Wisdom – Understanding the Crucial Link between Mothers, Daughters, and Health  by Christiane Northrup, M.D. Presenter: Sue Clark, MS, RD, IBCLC. Sue is a Registered Dietitian and Lactation Consultant who specializes in maternal and infant nutrition. Her private practice is Lactation Management Services.
Tuesday, July 15. Women’s Moods – What Every Woman Must Know about Hormones, the Brain, and Emotional Health by Deborah Sichel, M.D. and Jeanne Watson Driscoll, M.S., R.N., C.S.  Presenter: Cherie Grasman, MSW at CMH.
Tuesday, August 19. Our Babies, Ourselves – How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Parent by Meredith F. Small. Presenter: Jen Rapanos, LMSW. Jen is a Social Worker who facilitates the Prepared Parents Program and serves as Doula Coordinator at Family and Children’s Services.  

Harvest Wind Farm Tour
We’re takin’ it on the road!  In collaboration with Chippewa Nature Center, Creative Spirit Center is hosting a tour of the Harvest Wind Farm in the Thumb, at Pigeon, Michigan.  With naturalist Janea Little and global warming educator Peter Sinclair, we will leave Midland at 8.30 a.m. and travel together to Pigeon for a guided tour of the wind farm and, as a bonus, tour the Laker High School biofuel installations. Bring journals, cameras, sketching materials, and other media to capture your impressions of this visionary and beautiful installation. Then we will have lunch together (going Dutch) and share our experiences and impressions, before returning to Midland to arrive home between 4 and 5 p.m. Transportation and water en route provided. Registration required by June 13th.
Friday, June 20
8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.
$49/$45 members
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Wellness

Line Dance
Line dance is a great way to get out, meet new friends, exercise, and forget your worries while you dance to modern music. It's fun, invigorating and gets your blood pumping. We offer two levels of instruction to fit your need. Instructor Norma Landoski
17 Wednesdays; May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25,
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30,
August 6, 13, 20, 27
Beginning Line Dance 5:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
More Experienced Line Dance 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
$5 per class
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Tai Chi for Health and Wellness
Discover this ancient exercise that invites you to open your mind, body and spirit with gentle movements that both energize and calm. Improve flexibility, balance, and muscle strength while transforming stress into relaxation and tranquility. All movement is accompanied by restorative music . . . breathe, smile and join in the dance. Instructor Jan Fromhold
6 Wednesdays; June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 9, 16
5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
$70/$60 members
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Renewal Yoga
This spring, let go of the stresses of your day by exploring the many health benefits of yoga in a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. Renewal yoga recharges body, mind, and spirit with quiet meditation, renewing and stress-reducing poses, uplifting songs that calm and soothe, and focused breathing and relaxation techniques. Instructor Janet Love
6 Thursdays; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
$65/$60 members; drop-in fee $12
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NIA 
NIA is like chocolate for the body! NIA uses physical activity to integrate one’s neurology (including the mind, emotions, and spirit) with one’s outer body, or musculature. To achieve this whole-being integration, NIA addresses the whole person, using a comprehensive, holistic exercise approach designed with a combination of nine classic movement forms from the Martial Arts, Dance Arts and Healing Arts. Everyone is welcome, so join us and experience the workout that doesn’t feel like a workout! Register by April 10th. Instructor Stephanie Cirihal
NIA Rise and Shine
8 Saturdays; April 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 17, 31, June 7
NIA Happy Hour
8 Tuesdays; April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17
9:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m.
$10 per class/ $65 session
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Meditation to Relax, Refresh & Revitalize
Release the day’s stress in just minutes. If you want to enjoy a profound hour of silence in your busy life, come and experience the wonderful energy of silent group meditation. There will be instruction at the beginning of each session as needed and then two or three brief meditations. Meditators leave feeling relaxed and refreshed. Instructor Barbara Prince-Sovereen
Tuesdays
May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24,
July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, August 5, 12, 19, 26
5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
$5/$2 members, each meeting
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Prime of Life Senior Yoga
Get up/Get down—if you’ve lost your ability to easily do this, or if you wish to continue to be able to do it, join us for “Chair Yoga.” This class teaches yoga postures in a safe, non-competitive manner using chairs as props. We will work on increasing lung capacity, improving posture, and establishing a feeling of taking control of our well being. This class is beneficial to men and women for improving overall health. Instructor Wilma Carter
Session I (8 Thursdays); May 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12, 19, 26
Session II (8 Thursdays); July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, August 7, 14, 21
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
$69/$64 members per session; drop-in fee $10
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Improve Your Bone Strength 
Localized Physical Activity (LPA) helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis. LPA can actually add bone, not just slow bone’s degradation. LPA also improves men’s and women’s balance, strength, flexibility, posture, and coordination (which reduce the risk of falling). The right LPA can reduce pain and enable seniors to do daily tasks more easily.  This may be the class you’ve been looking for!  Instructor Silvana Spindler
6 classes per session; Tuesdays 
Session I: May 6, 13, 20, 27. June 3, 10
Session II: June 17, 24. July 1, 8, 15, 22
Session III: July 29. August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. 
$70/$60 members each session
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Introduction to Kripalu Yoga
If you are curious about yoga, here’s an enjoyable and effective way to discover its many benefits. Have fun as you explore basic postures, simple breathing techniques, and your body’s unique needs. Learn how gentle stretching, breathing and relaxation can bring ease and balance into your life. Student feedback affirms that instructor Janet Love brings light and joy to her instruction.
Mornings:
Session I (8 Thursdays); May 8, 15, 22, 29, June 5, 12, 19, 26
Session II (8 Thursdays); July 3, 10, 17, 24, August 7, 14, 21, 28
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. 
$85/$80 members; drop-in fee $12
Evenings:
Session I (8 Tuesdays); May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17, 24
Session II (8 Tuesdays); July 1, 8, 15, 22, August 5, 12, 19, 26
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 
$85/$80 members; drop-in fee $12
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Belly Dance Booty Camp ™ 
The Belly Dance Diva’s professional dance company believes that if it feels like exercise and it's not fun, why bother! Interlude magazine rated this program one of the top 10 fitness classes in the Tri-Cities area. You will learn new belly dance moves each week and incorporate them into your low-impact, high-cardio workout. All ages (14 on up), all sizes and all shapes are welcome. Wear casual workout clothes and bring water!  With certified Belly Dance Divas™  instructors.  To meet the troupe, visit www.thebellydancedivas.com
4 Mondays; May 19, June 2, 9, 16
6:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
$45/$40 members
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Belly Dance Booty Camp™ - Advanced Booty Maneuvers!
You've just completed Belly Dance Booty Camp™ (a pre-requisite) and want to do more!  We'll expand our basic movements, focusing on isolating different parts of your body with various combinations of belly dance movements. You will gain greater strength with continuous belly dance drills that combine shimmies, twists and drops with upper body movements enhanced with vibrations, rotations, and isolations
4 Mondays; May 19, June 2, 9, 16
7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
$45/$40 members
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EVENTS

Summer Solstice Celebration
We can embrace this, the cross-points of the year, as a reminder to seek
harmony and balance within ourselves. From the distant past our ancestors
have celebrated the turning of the seasons with song and dance. Ages 8 +
welcome. Facilitator Dr. Paul Meyer.
Registration required by June 18th.
Friday, June 20
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
$12/$10 members
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An Evening with Mariela Griffor & Judith Kerman
Mariela Griffor, now living in Grosse Pointe, experienced threats upon her life and the killing of her fiancé during the Chilean Pinochet regime’s Reign of Terror in the 80’s. She has been named Honorary Consul of Chile in Michigan.  She is co-founder of The Institute for Creative Writers at Wayne State University and publishes the work of Midwestern writers through Marick Press (www.marielagriffor.com). Judith Kerman is a former Fulbright Senior Scholar in the Dominican Republic, translating the poetry and fiction of contemporary Dominican women. An editor as well as a poet, Judith established Mayapple Press in 1978 (www.mayapplepress.com).  Both women are published poets who will share their stories and poetry on this unforgettable evening. 
Registration required by May 12th.
Tuesday, May 13
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
$10/$8 members and students with ID
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Bollywood Comes to Midland
India, through its Bollywood industry, is the world leader in the number of movies produced each year. Most of these are musicals, reflecting the dance and music that occupy a central role in Indian culture. Some of the lively, rhythmic, and very entertaining dances of Bollywood will be recreated in concert by well-known Indian dancer and teacher Sangeeta Kar and her students. All ages will enjoy this engaging performance. Visit www.sangeetakar.com to learn about the treat in store.
Friday, May 30
7:00 p.m.
$3 person; $12 family of 5
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Robert Driver Mural Celebration
H.H. Dow High School senior Robert Driver has spent part of the past 2 years painting a wall-size mural at Creative Spirit Center. This celebration formally dedicates this exceptional artistic painting and honors Robert upon his graduation. Hosted by Creative Spirit Center Co-Founder and Director Emerita Linda Z. Smith. 
Friday, June 13
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
No charge.  Refreshments will be served
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Summer Solstice Celebration
We can embrace this, the cross-points of the year, as a reminder to seek harmony and balance within ourselves. From the distant past our ancestors have celebrated the turning of the seasons with song and dance. Ages 8+ welcome. Facilitator Dr. Paul Meyer.
Registration required by June 18th.
Friday, June 20
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
$12/$10 members
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Shakespeare in the Park
The Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company brings its lively, interactive Shakespeare performances to Creative Spirit Center with "A Shakespeare Sampler," a program of comic and dramatic scenes from a variety of Shakespearean plays. Based in Grand Haven, Pigeon Creek's style brings performance conditions from Shakespeare's own time to its shows, putting the audience right in the action!  Bring a blanket to sit on, your own chairs, and a picnic to enjoy before the performance, with Creative Spirit Center’s mystical woods as a backdrop.  A limited number of chairs will be provided. Visit the Pigeon Creek site at www.pcshakespeare.com.
Saturday, July 12
2:00 p.m. Matinee $6; family of 5 for $25 – picnic seating at 1 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Includes afterglow. $12;
family of 5 for $35 – picnic seating at 6 p.m.
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Greyhounds in a Tent - Dogs in Costume - Cats in a Corral ~ An Outdoor Extravaganza! 
Join us as we welcome the Greyhound Group of Eastern Michigan (www.gemgreyhounds.org), to meet these sleek, gorgeous retired racers and learn about adoption.  Enjoy a wonderful demonstration of Canine Musical Freestyle as performers from beginning levels to the most accomplished champion dogs in delightful costumes dance to music.  Rescued cats will visit from Few Steps from Home (www.fewstepsfromhome.homestead.com/). The first 50 guests will receive a free doggie treat lovingly made without preservatives or artificial ingredients, thanks to DOG-licious Treats of Saginaw. 
Saturday, July 26
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
$5 per person; $20 family of 5
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Bob Tarte Reads from his Books
Bob is the author of the critically acclaimed books Enslaved by Ducks and Fowl Weather, both published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. With biting humor and the ability to capture the soul of the animal world, Bob’s rousingly successful books show us that “life with animals gives us a way out of our small human perspective to glimpse something larger, more enduring, and more wholly grounded in the simplicities of love - even across species lines.” Bob writes the Technobeat world music column for The Beat magazine. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, The Miami New Times, the Whole Earth Review, and other publications. Register by July 31st.
                            
   "Hilarious . . . delightfully punchy."
                            – Entertainment Weekly
                                                             
Saturday, August 2
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
$10/$8 members and students with ID
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Pet Photo Shoot
Bring your best friend, be it a bunny, hound, or parrot, to Creative Spirit Center for a special photo session with award-winning photographer Clara J. del Valle. Prices are for 3 subjects, which includes any combination of adults, children and pets. Call 989-837-1885 by August 21st for an appointment.  Most animals welcome.
Saturday, August 23
10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. 
$20.00 package: 2 - 5x7s and 2 - 4x6s
$40.00 package: 1 - 8x10, 2 - 5x7, & 4 - 4x6s
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Hilarious Pet and Human Tricks
What unique trick can your pet do?  What trick always brings down the house when you perform it at a party?  Share your special talents at our SOS Animal Rescue Fundraiser – it’s our own version of the long-time feature on The David Letterman Show. Come sit on the lawn, share your talent, and take in the fun.  Bring your own food, chairs, and blankets.  SOS Animal Rescue will be present with information about adopting a pet of your own.  Best trick of the evening wins a $25 cash prize.
Saturday, August 23
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Entry fee $5 for trick performers.  Register at 989-837-1885 by July 31st.
No charge for audience, but donations requested to benefit SOS Animal Rescue.
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