Accessible Fun

Welcome to the Access Press Accessible Fun listings. Readers looking for additional opportunities to enjoy the arts have these options:

For information on galleries and theater performances around the state, join the Access to Performing Arts email list at access@vsamn.org or call VSA Minnesota, 612-332-3888 or statewide 800-801-3883 (voice/TTY). To hear a weekly listing of accessible performances, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883. On the web accessible performance listings are found at www.vsamn.org/calendar, or www.mrid.org,www.accesspress.org, or http:// c2net.org (c2: caption coalition, inc.), which does most of the captioned shows in Minnesota and across the country.

Sign up to connect with ASL Interpreted and Captioned Performances Across Minnesota on Facebook (or http://tinyurl.com/ctwnfzc. Sign up to connect with Audio Description Across Minnesota Performances on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/d34dzo2.

Want to attend a show but not finding the accessible services needed? Contact the performing company as far in advance as possible to request the service. Arts organizations can borrow a captioning display unit from VSA Minnesota for free. Call the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-627-3529 with the number of the arts organization box office. With video relay a caller’s video phone number automatically connects to a sign language interpreter when making a call to another caller who does not have a VP.

Arts Accessibility grants available

Access to the arts for people with disabilities has increased in recent years, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Access Improvement Grants for metro arts organizations are available through VSA Minnesota with money from Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Nonprofit arts groups in the seven-county metropolitan area can apply for grants of up to $15,000 to help make their arts programming, activities and facilities more accessible to people with disabilities. Deadline is May 17. Potential projects anything that helps to remove barriers and more effectively serve and attract artists, audience members, board or staff with disabilities. FFI: VSA Minnesota, 612-332-3888, access@vsamn.org or www.vsamn.org/

Artists around town

Upstream Arts, a Mpls-based program for artists with disabilities, offers a number of programs and services for artists. The mission of Upstream Arts is to enhance the lives of adults and youth with disabilities by fostering creative communication and social independence through the power of arts education. The program website has a blog that is always worth checking, to see what activities Upstream Art staff and artists are doing in the community. The blog is updated regularly. Visit www.upstreamarts.org

Changes in Time

20% Theatre Company Twin Cities presents the world premiere of E.B. Boatner’s work at Minneapolis Theatre Garage, 711 W. Franklin Av., Mpls. We are all at the mercy of the social, psychiatric, medical and technological constraints of our times. Rain was born before Christine Jorgensen made headlines with her 1952 sex change operation. The word “transgender” was not in the common vocabulary then, and not for a while. These three short snapshof plays—Wishes, Dresses and Changes—follow the story of Rain/Lorraine/Laurence through his transition from the 1950s to the mid-1990s. This production has adult language/content—and is recommended for ages 15 and up. ASL show is 7:30 p.m. Mon, May 13. Tickets are $5-25 sliding scale (pay what you can/want); cash/check only at the door. Advance tickets recommended. FFI: 612-227-1188; tickets@ tctwentypercent.org or www.tctwentypercent.org

Alice in Wonderland

Lewis Carroll’s children story is presented by Children’s Theatre Company at Children’s Theatre Company, United Health Group Stage, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls. AD and ASL shows are 7 p.m. Fri, May 17. Tickets include a discount so ASL/AD patrons should ask about special price rates (regular $16-40). FFI: 612-874-0400; etickets@childrenstheatre.org, www.childrenstheatre.org

A THOUSAND VOICES IN THE PARK

Minnesota Community Sings presents A Thousand Voices in the Park, 5:30 p.m. Sat, May 18 at Powderhorn Park, 3400 15th Av. S., Minneapolis. $5 per person is requested to help cover event costs.

Singers will gather near the community center at the southeast end of the park. If it rains, the event will move to the Powderhorn Community Center gym just east of Powderhorn Lake.

All songs will be led by Bret Hesla and Mary Preus, with José Antonio Machado. Song sheets will be provided, including sheets in Braille. The park and gym are fully accessible.

All ages and voices are welcomed.

Minnesota Community Sings wants to bring back the large community sings of yesteryear, which are described in this month’s History Note on page 2. Volunteers are needed to help that day and with pre-event

Arts, Schneider Theater, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington. AD show is 7:30 p.m. Fri, May 17. ASL show is 2 p.m. Sat, May 25. Tickets are reduced to $23 for AD/ ASL ($30 regular, $27 senior, $23 age 25 & under); FFI: 952-563-8575; boxoffice@btacmn.org,www.btacmn.org

Free to Be, You and Me

Marlo Thomas’ charming children story about uniqueness is presented by Youth Performance Company at Howard Conn Fine Arts Center, 1900 Nicollet Ave., Mpls. AD and ASL show is 7:30 p.m. Sat, May 18. Tickets are $12, student 18 & under or senior 62+, $10. FFI: 612-623-9080, www.youthperformanceco.com

Primrose Path

Based on the novel Home of the Gentry by Ivan Turgenev, the play is presented by Guthrie Theater Company at the Guthrie Theater, Wurtele Thrust Stage, 818 2nd St. S., Minneapolis. Captioning is 1 p.m. Wed, May 22 and 7:30 p.m. Fri, June 7. ASL show is 7:30 p.m. Fri, May 24 and 7:30 p.m. Thu, May 30. AD show is 1 p.m. Sat, May 25, (with sensory tour) and 7:30 p.m. Fri, May 31. Tickets are reduced to $20 for AD/ASL, $25 for Captioning (regular $24-62). FFI: 612-377-2224, TTY 612-377-6626, www.guthrietheater.org

Man of La Mancha

Rochester Repertory Theatre presents the tale of Don Quixote and his pal Sancho Panza at the Rochester Repertory Theatre, 103 7th Street NE, Rochester. ASL show is 8 p.m. Fri, May 24, sponsored by The Sertoma 700 Club. Tickets are $22; student/senior discount. FFI: 507-289-1737, boxoffice@rochesterrep.org, www.RochesterRep.org

Flint Hills International Children’s Festival

Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and Rice Park, 345 Washington St., St. Paul, host the annual festival for children and families. It features school day events May 28-31 and family weekend activities June 1-2. Outdoor events are free and indoor shows are $5 but tickets are limited. Check the website for a full list of shows and accessibility options, as well as recommendations on age-appropriate activities. There are ASL and AD shows starting June 1. Tickets are $5. FFI: 651-224-4222, www.ordway.org/festival/

Blithe Spirit

Noel Coward’s comedy puts a man between his deceased wife and current spouse. It is performed by Commonweal Theatre Company at Commonweal Theatre, 208 Parkway Ave. N., Lanesboro. AD show is 1:30 p.m. Sun, June 2, with a pre-show at 1:10 p.m. and a tactile tour at 12:30 p.m. by advance reservation.

Photo by Ed Dillon and Sarah Farley and www.mnsings.com

publicity. Check the group’s Facebook page or website at www.mnsings.com or email mnsings@gmail.com ■

Tickets are $30; student $15. FFI: 507-467-2525 or 800-657-7025; info@commonwealtheatre.org, www.commonwealtheatre.org

Tesla

Nimbus Theatre Company presents a new play about the genius Nikola Tesla, at Nimbus Theatre, 1517 Central Avenue, Minneapolis. AD show is 8 p.m. Fri, June 7. Tickets are reduced to $8 (reg. $15 Fri.-Sat., $10 Thurs., Sun.). FFI: 612-548-1380, info@nimbustheatre.com, www.nimbustheatre.com

The Fantasticks

Skylark Opera presents the Broadway musical romantic comedy at E.M. Pearson Theatre at Concordia University, 312 N. Hamline Ave., St. Paul. Captioning is 7:30 p.m. Thu, June 20 Tickets are $20 to $43. Discounts available for child ($10), student ($20), senior 65+ ($38), MPR member, first-time patron ($35), season subscriber, group, front row ($25).FFI: 612-343-3390 or www.ticketworks.com, www.skylarkopera.org/ ■

Access Press welcomes your events

Access Press welcomes news of organization galas, fundraisers, charity walks, art shows, theatrical productions and other special events for our Accessible Fun pages. Items must have a tie to the disability community and be accessible. Deadline is the 25th of the month, with publication on the 10th .

Call 651-644-2133 or email access@accesspress.org with questions.