The
Living Well A Center for Social & Economic Vibrancy | 2014-2015 Media Press Kit
Live well. Be more.
Contents LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR PAGE 4
ABOUT US PAGE 6
OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT AT A GLANCE PAGE 8
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ABOUT US PAGE 4
PHOTO CREDITS: Stan Marrow Jason Harris
OUR RECURRING CALENDAR OF EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES PAGE 10
Jennifer White-Johnson Saddi Khali Michael King
OUR CHANGE MAKING ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
Tafari Melisizwe
PAGE 14
Reuben Greene
Dominic Nell Zizwe Alllette
OUR SPACE PAGE 16
Contact Us
The Living Well 2443 N. Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21218 Telephone: 410.212.5953 Email: admin@livewellbemore.com Instagram: livewellbemore Twitter: @TheLivingWell1 Facebook: TheLivingWell Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/thelivingwell
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A Letter From
THE DIRECTOR Friends,
W
hen I hear people talk about The Living Well, they often describe
how they have experienced the space. Some may say it’s a yoga studio, others an exhibit space, and many a banquet hall ideal for baby showers or workshops and retreats. We provide all of these opportunities and more. We are a Center for Social & Economic Vibrancy and have been described as a place where dreams thrive. Our motto is “Live Well. Be More.” Our central location in the Old Goucher neighborhood of Charles Village provides us with a large reach of consumers that represent the business and residential sector. Our programs and services are driven by what the community supports and desires. As the needs of our community members and patrons evolve, so does our role in the community. Our urban oasis houses a network of community practitioners, social change agents, entrepreneurs, artists, and community stakeholders who use our studio for a variety of events and activities. We value diversity and support individuals and organizations in their efforts to turn their ideas into action. In a society where our personal and
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professional relationships hold great value, the leveraging of relationships translates into what we know as social capital. The Living Well provides a platform for building individual and collective social networks. Through a variety of the networks we’ve created, individuals and organizations gain access to skills, services, and customers that may not have been previously within reach. Through us, they can maximize social capital and economic opportunities. At the Living Well, we view creativity and social capital as economies that can be used to build powerful and enriching social and professional connections. Our facility can be used to build individual brands, businesses, and resumes via nonlinear approaches to education and career development. We also welcome applied learning internships.
THE LIVING WELL STAFF MAURISSA STONE BASS Director maurissa@livewellbemore.com JANELLE WILLIAMS Director of Communications janelle@livewellbemore.com UKANA MCPHERSON Facilities Manager ukana@livewellbemore.com JASON HARRIS Director of Creative Services, Sound and Lighting Engineering jason@livewellbemore.com MENES YAHUDA Director of Musicology menes@livewellbemore.com MICHELLE STAFFORD Director of Fitness/Wellness michelle@livewellbemore.com
We hope to share our space and partner with you as you plan your next endeavor. If you have an idea or need space to host an event or activity, please give us a call.
Maurissa Stone Bass Director
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About Us WHAT IS THE LIVING WELL? We are a community development entity that uses art as a vehicle for individual and community change and empowerment. We subscribe to a Vibrant Community model using creative spacemaking tactics and strategies. We focus on building social capital while using business principles to create economic outcomes. We believe that using vibrant approaches to community building creates a distinct culture of engagement.
WHAT IS OUR MISSION? To build diverse communities and develop social capital. To use a creative space approach to bring people together for a variety of events, classes, and initiatives. To remain dedicated to individual and community change by way of conscious expansion, soulful expression, and optimal wellness.
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Vibrant
HAVING OR SHOWING GREAT LIFE, ACTIVITY, AND ENERGY; VERY BRIGHT AND STRONG.
CONSCIOUS EXPANSION Any forum, event or activity that increases knowledge, conscious thought and action towards positive change; a process by which community dialogue circles/sessions,
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT YOU OR YOUR ORGANIZATION?
workshops, and activities are used to impact the human spirit and energy.
Our centrally located and open-space studio design provides the perfect place to host
SOULFUL EXPRESSION
events meetings, workshops, and exhibits.
Any forum, event or activity that uses
Everyone from instructors, facilitators, and
movement, visual esthetics, yoga, dance
coaches/counselors to business owners,
and or music as a vehicle for personal and
organizations, and individuals can rent
community enlightenment, physical and
space on a monthly, hourly and/or daily
emotional wellness and change. A process
basis. We also welcome partnerships with
by which yoga, dance, movement, music
social entrepreneurs and social enterprise
classes and workshops are designed to create
organizations using a cooperative business
opportunities to release stress and achieve
model that promotes opportunities to build
fitness and wellness goals.
social capital, organizational capacity and the development of civic and personal
OPTIMAL WELLNESS
leadership.
Traditional and non-traditional methods of increasing the human spirit, health and energy. Any forum event or activity focused on developing organization and community wellness.
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Our Community Impact
at a Glance
W
e understand that one drop in the bucket can cause a wave of change, and that real change always starts at the community
level. Since joining the Old Goucher neighborhood in 2008, The Living Well has served as an impetus for positive change. We want to continue to increase the number of visitors to this rich community, which has one of the most diverse social, racial and economic demographics in the city of Baltimore.
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“
VIBRANT COMMUNITIES ACTIVELY PROMOTE THE WELL-BEING OF THEIR MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. TAMARACK AN INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Our location on Charles Street is at the center of one of Baltimore’s most-traveled arteries. Our neighbors, including major retail chains and education institutions such as Safeway Food Stores, CVS Pharmacy, PNC Bank, Johns Hopkins University and various social welfare organizations, provide a diverse stream of business and residential traffic by our storefront. We also have had a direct impact on the community by hosting a multitude of events, classes, music forums, exhibits, community
Helped make impactful connections
meetings, etc. Find a snapshot below.
between social entrepreneurs Hosted retreats using interactive and
WE HAVE:
creative methods such as arts, music and
Incubated cultural arts, social enterprise
dance
and wellness entities—3 martial arts, 5
Hosted community milestone events,
yoga instructors, 30 dance instructors, and 1
including retirement parties and baby
vegan chef
showers
Touched youth in Baltimore city
Created an institute for the study of dance
neighborhoods through youth leadership
and music of the African Diaspora
development programs and workshops Hosted financial wellness and professional
AUDIENCE:
development classes using local financial,
Our platform represents diverse gender, ethnic
marketing and business coaches
and racial backgrounds.
Supported emerging artists through
Average age: 28 yr. – 54 yr. old
exhibitions, artisan markets, and pop-up
Average salary: 38k – 72k
shops Featured international and local performers
SOCIAL MEDIA:
through our Living Room Concert series,
6,500 followers across various social media
album release parties, and live music forums
platforms, including Facebook and Twitter.
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Our Recurring Calendar of
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
THE LIVING ROOM CONCERT SERIES
as possible to a Neo-traditional sound.
The Living Well Concert series offers an
Urban Foli provides workshops for men,
intimate, comfortable, affordable, and
women and children on topics including:
convenient setting. It brings top-notch
Dance of the African Diaspora
musical performances to the neighborhood
History of African drum and
and provides an opportunity for authentic
dance
exchange with the audience and the artist.
Drum construction and care
Hand techniques URBAN FOLI
Poly rhythmic assignments
Urban Foli is a musical theater
Rhythms and African ethnic/
performance group that expresses
region origin
traditional African drumming and dance bridged with contemporary sound and
Summer day camp workshops and school
movements.
break sessions are available for individuals and groups. Drum rentals, repairs and sales
The focus is to cultivate a mixture of West
are also available.
African and African American percussion and culture. Under ancient tradition, each
EMERGING ARTISTS EXHIBITS
ethnic group or percussionist develops
The Living Well features photography,
their own sound; Urban Foli encourages
visual art, applied design exhibits and
its members to combine ancient teachings
events throughout the year. We host an
with the evolution of R&B and hip-hop
annual Handmade Holiday event during the
culture.
winter season that allows artisans to sell products as vendors. Our space also serves
The goal is not only to preserve traditional
as a gallery for emerging photographers,
music and history, but to continue the
visual artists, and applied designers. We
legacy of percussion and movement that
regularly feature the work of artists and
has been passed down in the Americas.
designers in an ideally located window
The group’s mission is to expose as many
display on Charles Street.
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organizations and communities. Iona Concepts provides the following change management services: Strategic Planning Community Development/
Organizing Non-profit Board Development Career/Life Coaching Retreat Planning/Facilitation Motivational Speaking Organizational Development Training EMPOWERMENT RETREATS
Iona Circles*
We support and host retreats and workshops on
COMMUNITY FORUMS
various topics, and can provide our expertise from
The Living Well has hosted several community
program design to implementation. The Living Well’s Studio Director, Maurissa Stone Bass, is founder of Iona Concepts, Inc., a Training and Change Management Consulting organization and the umbrella for The Living Well studio. Iona Concepts’ mission is to facilitate planned change in systems,
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forums aimed at increasing awareness surrounding community issues, supporting community initiatives, and other topics that impact the community. Our community forums often feature keynote speeches by experts in the field and by representatives from the city
and state government. We have hosted forums
play and instruction surrounding Art and
related to the following topics:
Community. Exercises and discussions regarding
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
communication and self-expression will help
Eliminating Institutional Racism
students to build effective communication and
Social Entrepreneurship
team building skills. Each session addresses
Resilience in the New Economy
a different aspect of citizenship as a student,
Developing Healthy Relationships
community and family member.
Preventing Sexual Harassment Domestic Violence Breast Cancer Awareness THE LIVING VILLAGE The Living Village is a new Conscious Expansion initiative for Baltimore City Public School System (BCPS) middle and elementary students. Workshops are designed to teach and reinforce respect for leadership and authority and are held during scheduled BCPS school closings. Students participate in focused interactive
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Our Change Making
ACTIVITIES and SERVICES
Our studio space can be used to host a variety of events. We’ve provided just a snapshot here.
• Retreats • Yoga • Youth Leadership Development Programs and Workshops • Financial Wellness and Professional Development Classes • Multimedia Art Exhibitions • Artisan Markets and Workshops
• • • • • • • • • •
Pop-up shops Album Release Parties Live Music Forums Djembe Drumming Dance Wellness Events Baby Showers Birthday Parties Retirement Parties Educational Empowerment Forums and Dinners
• • • • •
Community Rallies and Vigils Fashion Shows Comedy Shows Social Entrepreneurship Hour Sewing and Applied Design Workshops • Strategy Sessions • Domestic Violence and Relationship Management Workshops • Artist Exchange Meetings
CREATING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Our business neighbors have been a direct
The Living Well has partnered with the following
beneficiary of our success. Many of our
agencies, institutes and organizations.
customers leave The Living Well and enjoy dining
St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center
at local establishments and our community
University of Maryland Carey School
partners such as:
of Law St. Vincent de Paul
The Terra Café – Our community partner the Terra
Speakerbox Magazine
Café provides food and technical assistance for our
Terra Café
events, meetings and classes. As a result many
Capoeira Luanda
of our customers in turn use the Terra Café as a
MICA
convenient, affordable and great place to dine.
Yelp Grindhouse Juice Bar
Grindhouse Juice Bar –The Grind House Juice bar
Baltimore Rhythm Festival
expanded their Beet Trip series to our location.
Redlines Publishing
Local young music makers had a place to expand
Just Advice Law Clinics
their artistic footprint and created a safe an artistic
University of Baltimore
space to come together around a common cause
Dubscience Photography
and interest.
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St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center – This center
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) – This local
serves as our community liaison for services
college partners with The Living Well to help
such as financial counseling, home buying,
students earn internship credits and to provide
legal services.
workshop resources from local artist.
Reflection Eternal – Reflection Eternal provides facility oversight and management has direct access to facilitate community gatherings and lectures regarding issue that impact the African American male. Sankofa World Bazaar – This retail provider has partnered with us to provide education and artifacts from the African Diaspora. Equity Matters – An organization founded in Baltimore that has created partnerships and
PARTNER WITH US Are you interested in partnering with us? Email us at admin@livewellbemore.com or call us at 410.212.5953 to schedule a time to discuss how we can work together. We would love learn about you and the work you are doing to empower individuals and communities.
currently houses the Dismantling Institutional Rascism potluck meetings.
TELL US YOUR VISION, AND WE’LL HELP CREATE THE ATMOSPHERE YOU NEED!
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Our Space
Simple | Flexible | Affordable CREATING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
3 – 84 inch round tables
Whether you are hosting a small meeting,
60 assorted chairs (35 black hard back)
milestone celebration or a fitness class, The
1 glass desk
Living Well’s open-space studio is the perfect place to host events under 100 people. The Living
Accommodations for audio visual systems,
Well provides access to our large storefront
public address systems, and flipcharts are also
windows located on the North Charles Street
available, upon request.
artery of Charles Village and is less than 6 minutes from Baltimore’s Penn Station.
Renters also have access to the kitchenette.
Pedestrians from John Hopkins University, motorists traveling North on Charles, and
Alcohol: You can NEVER sell alcohol, however
community residents have daily visual access to
you can serve it. Renters can obtain a temporary
products, classes, and events that are marketed
liquor license by contacting the Baltimore City
and held at The Living Well.
Liquor License Board. Renters must ensure patrons are over the age of 18.
Our customer service standards mandate that all guests are provided the highest quality
RENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND INFORMATION
of services and professionalism. Attendees
We welcome you to host your next special event
should be treated as honored guests at all
at The Living Well! We rent our studio space
times during the registration and learning
on a first- come, first-served basis. We will do
process. We will collaborate with you to
everything in our power to honor your request.
achieve your vision of success. PAYMENT AND DEPOSITS WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Hourly Rate: $95
Our open space design accommodates 80 people
Facility fee: $40
comfortably with room to spare.
Security fee: $50
Tables and chairs are included in rental prices and will be set-up upon arrival with prior set-up
A 50% deposit of your total rental is due to
requirements. Our inventory of tables and chairs
reserve the space. Your total deposit includes
include:
your $40.00 Facility Fee and $50.00 security
1 - 6ft rectangle table
deposit, in addition to your hourly rental
1 - 9ft rectangle table
cost. Your Security Deposit is returned upon
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inspection of the facility and will be returned
logo on marketing materials (un-amended). We
within 7 days after your rental. Trash and food
request a final approval on flyer designs before
debris must be removed and the floor should be
flyers are reproduced and distributed. Flyer
broom swept. Patrons loitering out front with
designs scaled for 11x17 can be produced into a
open containers will forfeit their security deposit.
poster for display in our front window. Flyers
Music must be kept to a level that does not create
should be submitted 30 days prior to event to
a disruption of peace for our neighbors. Music/
admin@livewellbemore.com.
bass volume must be turned down at 12:00 am. *Staff support: $15.00 per hour (by request only)
FOOD We have a kitchenette for limited storage and
LIABILITY
prep. We request that food be ready to go. The
The Living Well does not provide the renters
Living Well strongly encourages renters to
with liability insurance/coverage. All renters
purchase liability insurance and to use caterers
must have liability coverage and provide class
who are licensed and practice sanitary methods
participants with liability waiver forms. The
for food preparation, storage and delivery.
Living Well parent company Iona Concepts must be named as an additional insurer on all liability
CANCELLATIONS
policies.
Cancellations must be requested in writing 10 calendar days prior to the event to receive an
OUR VISIBILITY AND MARKETING REQUIREMENTS
80% refund of the down payment and deposit.
Event hosts are responsible for self-marketing.
Deposits are forfeited if cancellation is made
The Living Well logo must be included on all
less than 10 calendar days before date identified
marketing materials. Rentals that are booked
on the renter’s Space Rental Agreement. NO
for public events must use a jpeg version of our
EXCEPTIONS.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact The Living Well at admin@livewellbemore. com or at 410-212-5953 for more information about long-term rental agreements. Complete a booking application on-line at www.livewellbemore.com.
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