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Drag as a Spiritual Practice: Theology and Performance Art

with Julian Munro / King Julez

What is Drag? This workshop will go over the history of the art form, and very key figures in the development and popularization of the art. Participants will learn the different forms of drag, queer performance, theatre, and music. Through this workshops, participants will be guided through different skills and themes that artists have needed through the ages, and how drag can now fit into religious spheres as an expression of theology.

about the facilitator

Julian/ King Julez (they/them) is the chair of Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble, a national non-profit organization that works for full inclusion and affirmation of 2S-LGBTQ+ folks in religious spaces and in all of society, and a board member for Student Christian Movement. After getting a BA in Diversity and Equity, King Julez is studying their Masters of Divinity with the goal of becoming a drag clown reverend with their own congregation to serve.

the title of the workshop - Drag as a spiritual practice - in a rainbow design with the painted face of the facilitator behind the title but still visible
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Drag Story-Sharing Time and Face-Painting

with Julian Munro / King Julez

This session will be a sharing time of children’s stories, poems, and scriptures with optional face-painting! King Julez will be answering questions about what it means to be a drag clown and how that works in their work as a student and future ordinand in the United Church of Canada. There will be opportunities for participants to draw/colour up different reflections to each piece of reading (on paper and/or their face).

about the facilitator

Julian/ King Julez (they/them) is the chair of Affirm United/S’affirmer Ensemble, a national non-profit organization that works for full inclusion and affirmation of 2S-LGBTQ+ folks in religious spaces and in all of society, and a board member for Student Christian Movement. After getting a BA in Diversity and Equity, King Julez is studying their Masters of Divinity with the goal of becoming a drag clown reverend with their own congregation to serve.

the title of the workshop - Drag Story Sharing time and Face painting - in a rainbow style with the colourful face of the facilitator centered behind the title
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Connecting with Creation

with Eleanor Reed

Research has shown that spending time in nature is good for our mental, physical and spiritual health. We will take a gentle walk through the woods and take time to appreciate the sounds, colours and variety of species. In particular we will notice plants that don’t belong and discuss the implications.

about the facilitator

Eleanor loves nature and experiences God there. She is a forester and steward of a farm/forest in Kawartha Lakes.

a rainbow coloured title of the workshop - Connecting with Creation - against the backdrop of the woman facilitating the workshop
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Art for Everyone: Intro to Stencilling Street Art

(12+, but could include youngers if they come with a helpful 12+ person)

with Jasper Wicke + abi lyon wicke

Come learn about street art that inspires us and how you can add some to your neighbourhood in creative and beautiful ways. Art activism for your front yard – images and messages to spark everyday creativity and joy! We will look at examples then make our own stencils for reproducible make-anywhere art. Come prepared to get messy.

about the facilitator

Jasper began drawing as soon as they could hold a crayon and has rarely been without a drawing tool in hand in the ten years since that time. They particularly love street art in all forms and enjoy designing and making unique costumes that both express their creativity and make good use of our planet’s resources through thrifting, sharing and swapping. Jasper loves being active outdoors, hiking and camping (especially near water), discussing social justice and environmental issues, baking, practicing aerial silks and making art with other people. abi loves making things out of leftovers, remnants, recycling and other random found objects. Sharing this passion with others and creating art together brings her particular joy. abi has participated in artmaking activities for as long as she can remember and has been an instructor and facilitator of others’ creative pursuits in many contexts, from regular pottery and art classes to festival workshops and teaching her children at home. Working with a team to create art installations and experiences in her faith community is an integral part of inspiring and informing her own faith journey.

the title of the workshop - Art is For Everyone - on the backdrop of a stenciled penguin on concrete
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Throwing Hands For Good Discussions

with Peter Haresnape

Do you struggle to be heard in a meeting? Have you noticed that sometimes you can’t remember the outcome of a debate? We need good tools to have good discussions leading to good outcomes – come and develop some skills and tools to express yourself, hear others, and arrive at consensus together! We’ll practice some hand signals that help us communicate in another dimension and use some different methods to make decisions.

about the facilitator

Peter Haresnape is a co-founder of the Cahoots festival. He serves Toronto United Mennonite church as a pastor and is studying theology at Conrad Grebel University College. He learned a lot of group discussion practices in anarchist circles in the UK and is excited to practice them in Turtle Island.

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Engaging Settlers in Solidarity Action with Indigenous Land Defenders

with Layla Staats + Skyler Williams + Erik Lankin + Scott Morton Ninomiya (moderator)

This conversation led by Indigenous Land Defenders involved in the 1492 Landback Lane movement will explore the possibilities for engaging Settlers in this work. We will hear how Settlers can act effectively in solidarity with Indigenous Land Defenders responding to colonial violence from the systems funded with Settler taxes. Includes a moderated Q&A. This session is designed to engage and equip Settlers for action. Participants are welcome to sign up for a subsequent training session on direct action delivered by Christian Peacemaker Teams.

about the facilitators

Layla Staats is a Haudenosaunee Land Defender who has supported a variety of Indigenous sovereignty movements. Skyler Williams is a Haudenosaunee Land Defender who has served as a spokesperson for 1492 Landback Lane. Erik Lankin is a settler ally who has supported the Landback movement and worked to communicate with and recruit other settlers. Scott Morton Ninomiya is a settler working with Mennonite Central Committee on matters of Indigenous solidarity.

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2021

Cahoots in Quarantine 2021!

With no safe way to gather together in large numbers, our Core Organizing Group decided to build on last year’s experience of online sessions. Cahoots! Take Action was an online activism series designed to get us moving and learning at the same time – just as we intend at the in-person festival.

Cahoots Take Action Series
Cahoots Take Action: Online 2021

With many of us disempowered by the loss of established ways of meeting together and building power for positive change, we knew it was important to reaffirm our call to take thoughtful, intentional, collective action, and we asked our facilitators to guide us.

These sessions were intentionally not recorded, because they were focused on immediate responses to the needs and opportunities of the moment. We are grateful for the facilitators and the ongoing work of many in the wide Cahoots commmunity!

Migrant Rights during the Pandemic – with Jesson Reyes

When you’re hopeful, where do you put it? Kids and youth session – with Jonathon Reed

Landback and Residential Schools: Settler Solidarity Actions – with Peter Haresnape

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Radical Generosity – Giving and the Church

(12+)

Elliot Gunn

We need to talk about how our money and our faith interact – because when we don’t, we risk inheriting oppressive attitudes towards both! We’ll begin with a whirlwind tour through the history of tithing as a part of Christian discipleship. We’ll look at creative ways to talk about money and build church communities around biblical principles like jubilee and koinonia. You’ll be asked to consider the role that your personal finances play in forming communities of radical generosity and embodied grace.

about the facilitator

Elliot (he/him) runs Faith & Big Ideas, a Bible study group through the Student Christian Movement Canada & First Lutheran Toronto, that provides intensive peer-led conversations that focus on existentially overwhelming questions in our spiritual journeys. He loves engaging with big questions and messy ideas through conversation grounded in Christ. He works in tech and enjoys nerding out about all things money…

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2022 Covid Safety – we are all pivot experts – final

Our Covid Safety plan is based on our best knowledge. Please be gracious with one another as we work together for the safety and comfort of all.

Rapid Tests – Everyone attending the festival will take a rapid test. In the unfortunate event of a positive test you will not be able to participate. Therefore, you may wish to take a test before you leave for the festival – take a picture of the test so that we can confirm it upon your arrival.

If people need to leave the site, they will re-test before returning – you can get a spare test by asking at registration.

Masking – when you are sharing an inside space as part of a group – for example, in a workshop or morning gathering, we ask people aged 12+ to wear a mask. This will allow for comfortable sharing of the space. Children 5+ years old in those spaces are also recommended to wear masks.
Exceptions – you do not need to wear a mask in your own sleeping space and the dining room. People using microphones to lead a gathering or time of worship may choose not to wear a mask.

If you’re unable to wear a mask, please email us before the festival

Please be attentive to the needs and comfort levels of others – practice good consent and communication when taking off your mask! Please listen to the directions of workshop facilitators around additional precautions they may wish to take.

Vaccinations – We encourage everyone who is able and eligible to get vaccinated. Following provincial guidelines, we (and our host camp) are not asking for proof of vaccination. You may voluntarily disclose your status upon registration.

Arrivals – tell us when you plan to arrive, and how you are getting here, to help us know who is on site. As soon as you arrive you must register and complete a rapid test (or show proof of a negative test)

Sanitization – Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer will be made available in various spaces throughout the camp. Speakers can use disinfectant wipes in the worship and gathering space to clean the equipment between microphone usage.

This information is listed in the Welcome Package emailed to all participants, and on the cahootsfest.ca website.

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Take a SACRED Pause

(All ages. Younger children may need an older accompanier.)

with Shannon Neufeldt

Cahoots is all about taking a pause from our everyday lives to rejuvenate and retool, rest and relate. This workshop invites you to deepen that focus by reconnecting with the Earth. We’ll begin in a collected fashion to learn from Indigenous wisdom together. We’ll then disperse across the camp to engage in a personal (or family/partnered) SACRED Pause. This simple practice uses the words Sense, Appreciate, Connect, Respect, Express, Delight (SACRED) to guide us in remembering or discovering how to be in relationship with creation – a relationship of love and respect. Some guiding questions will be provided to assist you in connecting with Mother Earth. A closing circle will be offered for those who wish. If you like to write or draw as you reflect, bring a journal and pen but this is not necessary. Everyone should be prepared to be outside. Suitable for all ages and abilities. This workshop is based on a resource by the same name put out by For the Love of Creation.

about the facilitator

Shannon loves creation and is simply offering the type of workshop she wants to participate in. Shannon is on staff at KAIROS Canada, a social justice organization with roots in eight Christian denominations, and is privileged to convene the Local Engagement group of For the Love of Creation which seeks to engage people of faith across the country in coming together to make a meaningful contribution to climate sustainability. Shannon and her family have attend Cahoots a number of times and always appreciate the people, the energy, the good ideas and the fun.

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