BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Sanctuary For Independent Media - ECPv6.17.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Sanctuary For Independent Media REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20260308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20261101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20270314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20271107T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260809T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260809T160000 DTSTAMP:20260731T142517Z CREATED:20260731T021722Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260731T142517Z UID:10002407-1786280400-1786291200@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Ear Seed Training DESCRIPTION:with Albany Community Acupuncture\n\n\n\nLearn how to treat yourself and your community with simple\, effective 5NP for: pain management\, digestive balance\, stress relief\, addiction recovery\, sleep support\, and more. $0-$40 suggested donation. \n\n\n\n\nREGISTER HERE\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSimple. Powerful. Balancing. Help anyone feel better right away. Accessible for everyone to learn and practice. Join us for 3 hours of historical and practical education on ear seeds and how you can heal yourself and others with this tiny seed\, the vacarria plant. It is so powerful at removing stagnation and relieving pain in any body system that in Pinyin  it is called Wang Bu Liu Xing – “even the emperor cannot stop us.”  \n\n\n\nAuricular acupuncture and ear seeds stimulate the vagus nerve – our primary pathway to a parasympathetic “rest and digest” state. It is ideal for use in group settings and has been proven effective internationally for addiction\, withdrawal\, emotional regulation\, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). \n\n\n\nThis simple 5 needle protocol was developed first in the 1970s in Hong Kong\, then adopted in the Bronx by the Black Panthers and the Young Lords to treat addiction. The first hour of hour workshop will be focused on watching and discussing segments of a documentary about their work. In recent decades\, Acupuncturists Without Borders and many other on-the-ground justice medicine initiatives primarily employ this protocol for quick\, powerful and accessible community medicine. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFacilitator\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGina Mauro L.Ac (pictured far left) founded Albany Community Acupuncture after her time doing relief work through Acupuncturists Without Borders in Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Born and raised in the Albany area\, Gina has always felt a strong call to serve the Capital Region community in a meaningful way. URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/ear-seed-training/ CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/0809-Ear-Seed-Training-MS-Sum26-wide-image.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260516T140000 DTSTAMP:20260220T172019Z CREATED:20260205T175842Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260220T172019Z UID:10002374-1778932800-1778940000@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Plant Swap 2026 DESCRIPTION:Join us for our annual Plant Swap at the Collard City Growers garden! This is a free event for the community to get together and exchange plants for the spring season. Stop by to pick up some plants\, drop off any extras that you don’t have room for\, or just come on by to say “Hi!” \n\n\n\nWhere: 3337 6th Ave\, Troy\, NY 12180 \n\n\n\nWhat is a plant swap? An opportunity to share plant abundance!  \n\n\n\nHow to participate? Bring your extra plants and/ or saplings to trade for something new\, including perennials\, annuals\, house plants\, and more! You don’t have to bring a plant to participate. \n\n\n\nWhy participate?  It’s an amazing excuse to explore the garden\, soak up the sun\, and meet some new people and plants! \n\n\n\nAnd remember: All the plants that you give and take are free! URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/plant-swap-2026/ LOCATION:Collard City Growers\, 3337 6th Avenue\, Troy\, New York\, 12180\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260425T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260425T140000 DTSTAMP:20260602T154335Z CREATED:20260228T064013Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T154335Z UID:10002392-1777118400-1777125600@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Everybody Has a Story To Tell Radio Workshop DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Sanctuary for a session of recording community stories in audio form. Our radio program Hudson Mohawk Magazine (HMM) is a volunteer created news program which platforms stories related to our local community. Everybody Has a Story to Tell is a opportunity for HMM producers to support others in the recording of their own stories. \n\n\n\nThis radio format is Inspired by Storycorp whose mission is “to help us believe in each other by illuminating the humanity and possibility in us all — one story at a time.” There is no better time than now to come to the Sanctuary with a partner to record your story to be included in a community audio archive. \n\n\n\nBring someone important in your life (family member\, neighbor\, mentor…) to this workshop where you will be guided upon how to conduct an interview\, offered question suggestions\, and then you will be given the opportunity to be paired with volunteer producer to do a radio recording or to record your interview at a later time on your own. \n\n\n\nAlthough we hope to air these stories on our radio program\, that part is not obligatory. We also invite you to join us for a community brunch right before the workshop. URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/everybody-has-a-story-wksp/ LOCATION:The Sanctuary\, 3361 6th Ave\, Troy\, 12180\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/JuliaCavicchi.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260422T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260422T180000 DTSTAMP:20260501T185107Z CREATED:20260324T165643Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T185107Z UID:10002395-1776877200-1776880800@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Be the Media! Workshop: Community Collaboration and Reciprocity DESCRIPTION:Join Sasha Wortzel\, director and producer of River of Grass\, for a hybrid Be The Media! workshop. Wortzel will reference the work For those of us who live at the shoreline which traces the filmmaking process behind feature documentary River of Grass (2025) and will focus on community collaboration and reciprocity. How might cinema help us to grieve\, dream\, and reimagine kinship in the face of ongoing ecological and political collapse? \n\n\n\nStick around after the workshop for a screening of River of Grass at 7pm. Workshop attendees can join our special guests\, staff and volunteers for a shared meal from 6-7pm. \n\n\n\nFor remote participation\, register for this event to receive the zoom link. \n\n\n\nThis event is a collaboration with the RPI’s iEAR Presents series\, supported by the Department of Arts and the School of Humanities\, Arts\, and Social Sciences\, and is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSasha Wortzel is an award-winning filmmaker and interdisciplinary artist using video\, installation\, sculpture\, and sound to explore how past and present are inextricably linked through resonant spaces and their hauntings. Raised in Southwest Florida and based in New York\, Wortzel specifically attends to sites and stories systematically erased or ignored from these regions’ histories. RIVER OF GRASS (2025) is her first feature documentary. The film won the Pare Lorentz Award from IDA\, Hot Docs Joan VanDuzer Special Jury Prize – International Feature Documentary\, and Mead Audience Award\, among others. The film received institutional support from Sundance\, Ford Foundation\, Sandbox Films\, Knight Foundation\, Doc Society\, Field of Vision\, and Chicken & Egg Pictures. URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/be-the-media-sasha-wortzel/ LOCATION:The Sanctuary\, 3361 6th Ave\, Troy\, 12180\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/media-workshop.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260411T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260411T180000 DTSTAMP:20260414T171147Z CREATED:20260324T180116Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260414T171147Z UID:10002396-1775926800-1775930400@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Be the Media! Workshop: Ethical Media from an Indigenous Perspective DESCRIPTION:Join Indigenous filmmakers Katsitsionni Fox and Michelle Schenandoah for a Be The Media! workshop focused on their process and telling the stories from the inside. With a history of dominant groups telling the story of underrepresented groups\, how can a filmmaker work with a community to tell stories vs. telling stories which are not ones own. \n\n\n\nStick around after the workshop for a screening of two short films at 7pm. \n\n\n\nIf you’d like to attend this workshop virtually\, please register to receive the zoom link. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKatsitsionni Fox is a Mohawk filmmaker sharing empowering stories of resilient Indigenous women. Her debut film was the award winning Ohero:kon – Under the Husk a 26-min documentary following the journey of two Mohawk girls as they take part in their traditional passage rites to becoming Mohawk Women. She directed and co-produced a short – doc series for REMATRIATION – a Native American women’s online\, multi-media magazine. It is focused on healing and empowerment of Native women through the sharing of their stories and successes. Her most recent film\, Without a Whisper – Konnon:kwe is untold story of how Indigenous women influenced the early suffragists in their fight for freedom and equality. She is currently in production for Kanenon:we – Original Seeds a documentary on Indigenous women seed keepers protecting and rematriating our seed relatives for future generations. \n\n\n\nKatsitsionni Fox was interviewed by Kahstoserakwathe Paulette Moore for The Aunties Dandelion. Hear the full episode here. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAn inspirational speaker\, writer and thought leader\, Michelle Schenandoah is a traditional member of the Oneida Nation Wolf Clan of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. She is the founder of the non-profit Rematriation. She is focused on leadership development and the reclaiming of Indigenous women’s traditional roles among their nations. The producer for the short documentary\, “An Indigenous Response to #MeToo” and “Rematriation’s Indigenous Women’s Voices” 9-part series. She is the host for an online talk show for Indigenous women called\, “Pine Tree Talks.” She and her husband\, Neal Powless\, also operate Indigenous Concepts Consulting with the goal of incorporating Indigenous perspectives into the mainstream\, and in existing business and media paradigms. She served as a senior strategist for Blue Stone Strategy Group\, providing economic and governance consulting for Indigenous nations across the country. She has an extensive background in law\, business development\, and consulting. Michelle served as President of the Board of Directors for the non-profit\, Seven Dancers Coalition. \n\n\n\nMichelle Schenandoah was interviewed by Kahstoserakwathe Paulette Moore for The Aunties Dandelion. Hear the full episode here. URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/be-the-media-ethical-media/ LOCATION:The Sanctuary\, 3361 6th Ave\, Troy\, 12180\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/media-workshop.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260329T140000 DTSTAMP:20260402T143208Z CREATED:20260124T003943Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T143208Z UID:10002373-1774785600-1774792800@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Pruning & Grafting for Tree Lovers! 2026 DESCRIPTION:Join the tree lovers of the More Trees Arborist Collective for a workshop in the urban forest at Freedom Square! Learn to identify common opportunist species of urban trees\, discuss the different techniques and objectives of pruning\, when to remove trees\, when to plant trees\, and help the crew manage the Sanctuary’s fledgling reforestation projects! We’ll finish with a grafting demo in Collard City Growers! \n\n\n\n*This event is rain or shine! Participants are encouraged to bring their own pruning shears\, as we will have a limited number available. URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/pruning-grafting-2026/ LOCATION:Freedom Square\, 35 5th Ave\, Troy\, NY\, 12180\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/grower-workshop.jpg GEO:42.754030225802;-73.681172076926 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Freedom Square 35 5th Ave Troy NY 12180 United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=35 5th Ave:geo:-73.681172076926,42.754030225802 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260321T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260321T170000 DTSTAMP:20260402T143230Z CREATED:20260208T045444Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T143230Z UID:10002379-1774101600-1774112400@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:"Run\, Hide\, Fight" a Youth Storytelling Workshop DESCRIPTION:Join us for a free storytelling workshop at the Sanctuary\, using a short PBS documentary Run\, Hide\, Fight: Growing up Under the Gun to prompt conversations around storytelling and humanity in a workshop led by storyteller and multi-disciplinary artist\, D. Colin. Young people of all ages are welcome with their families\, the story telling workshop is designed for middle to high school aged youth but there will be age appropriate activities for younger children.This event is made possible through the partnership with WMHT Public Media. \n\n\n\nFollowing the documentary\, Run\, Hide\, Fight: Growing up under the gun\, join D. Colin for a storytelling workshop exploring the power of personal stories in building connection\, sharing our humanity\, and leaving an impact. Using creativity\, our lived experiences and the film\, we’ll share intentional time discussing what safety means and how we can use our voices to inspire change. HEAR D. COLIN’S INTERVIEW ABOUT THE WORKSHOP. \n\n\n\n\nGun violence is the leading cause of death for American children and teens. Run\, Hide\, Fight: Growing Up Under the Gun is a new 30-minute documentary about how gun violence affects young Americans\, from PBS News Student Reporting Labs in collaboration with 14 student journalists from five U.S. cities: Philadelphia\, Oakland\, Washington D.C.\, Nashville\, and East Lansing\, Michigan. The documentary profiles how the same young people that have survived these traumatic events are leading the fight for a safer future. \n\n\n\nHEAR MARA DROGAN OF WMHT PUBLIC MEDIA SPEAK ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nD. Colin is a multidisciplinary artist of Haitian descent whose creative practice spans poetry\, visual art\, and theater. Originally from Connecticut\, she has called New York’s Capital Region home since 2007. With a background in English and Africana Studies\, she is a teaching artist and curator who creates and facilitates spaces for creativity\, storytelling\, and healing. \n\n\n\nD. Colin has received numerous accolades\, including the 2022 Excellence in Arts & Letters Award from UAlbany and the title of Resourceful Woman in the Arts in 2019. Deeply inspired by Nina Simone’s belief that “an artist’s duty is to reflect the times\,” she often says\, “if the art didn’t move you\, then I didn’t do my job.” \n\n\n\n\n\nThis event is made possible through a partnership with WMHT and PBS. URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/run-hide-fight/ CATEGORIES:Screening,Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Run-Hide-Fight.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260111T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260111T170000 DTSTAMP:20260112T195912Z CREATED:20251209T213952Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260112T195912Z UID:10002237-1768132800-1768150800@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:To Bind Anew: Creative tools for grief\, memory\, and mending DESCRIPTION:In this workshop\, participants will gently explore memories through creative practices as a way to navigate grief and loss with the guidance of Sarah Blesener and Jenny Stratton\, both artists and educators. To bind anew: this is an act of love.  \n\n\n\nLimited spots available. Registration with a $10 refundable deposit is required to hold your place. Donations recommended on a sliding scale of $0 – 30; no one will be turned away for lack of funds.* \n\n\n\n*Deposit refunds/cancellations: If you are unable to attend and notify us at least 48 hours before the event begins\, we will offer your spot to someone on the waiting list and refund your deposit. Notify irons@mediasanctuary to cancel. If you attend the event\, we will offer your $10 deposit back in cash on the day of the event. If the workshop is cancelled\, we will refund your deposit or offer you the opportunity to attend a rescheduled event. \n\n\n\nThis workshop is for anyone navigating grief and loss—whether personally\, or as a caregiver or services provider supporting others. Together\, we’ll gently explore personal and shared memories through creative practices such as storytelling\, collage\, poetry\, and working with meaningful objects: photographs\, heirlooms\, flowers\, and more. \n\n\n\nAs we step into the new year\, we’ll co-create a space to reflect\, mourn\, and honor what we carry. Participants will be invited to contribute to a collective archive of our experience\, holding both what has been lost and what still remains. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNote to participants: Please come prepared with around 3 to 6 printed image reproductions of archival photographs or images meaningful to you to work with. All colors\, shapes\, and sizes are welcome. These may include images of loved ones you are grieving\, family albums\, vacation photos\, or visuals from communal archives or media. Please do not bring originals. \n\n\n\nWe recommend printing your photographs at a nearby drugstore such as Walgreens\, CVS\, etc-orders can be placed online or instore. (prints are typically under 1.00 each for a 4×6)  \n\n\n\nWe also encourage you to bring additional archival materials such as letters\, journals\, notes\, memorabilia\, or scraps—anything that holds meaning for you. Provided materials include paint\, tape\, scissors\, pens\, and extra paper. Feel free to bring your own art supplies if you prefer to use them. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSarah Blesener\n\n\n\nSarah Blesener is an educator\, socially engaged artist\, and visual researcher interested in the complexity of human relationships and their visual representations. \n\n\n\n\n\nJenny Stratton\n\n\n\nJenny Stratton is an interdisciplinary artist\, visual researcher and educator. She engages with photography\, art\, and storytelling as emergent processes for co-creation\, restorative narratives\, and acts of care. Jenny’s creative work and research are rooted in relationships—with ourselves and each other\, with inner/outer landscapes and ecologies. She is also a full-spectrum doula care provider. URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/to-bind-anew-grief/ CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/grief-workshop.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251202T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251202T200000 DTSTAMP:20251124T200418Z CREATED:20251120T192959Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251124T200418Z UID:10002236-1764700200-1764705600@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Air Justice Lab: Mask Jewelry Workshop with The Crafty Queer @ Context Collective DESCRIPTION:Air Justice Lab presents Mask Jewelry Workshop with The Crafty Queer! Whether you’re an avid mask wearer or are interested in masking again\, join us for this off campus workshop to bejewel your mask. Masking in public spaces helps make them more accessible and safer for everyone! Make a statement piece with your personal protection equipment (PPE)!! Mask up\, glam on\, and stay safe! \n\n\n\n*This is a mask and COVID test required event. Testing twice before hand makes this workshop significantly more accessible to those who are immunocompromised and/or disabled or at higher risk of both. If needed\, please arrange time to pick up a mask and/or two COVID tests prior to event provided at no cost to you! Thanks for helping to keep one another safe! \n\n\n\nTo register\, set up pick up times for mask/COVID test or more questions\, please email alivija@mediasanctuary.org. \n\n\n\nThis workshop is a collaboration with The Crafty Queer and will take place off campus at Context Collective at 95 4th St\, Troy\, NY 12180. URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/ajl-mask-jewelry-making/ CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/air-justice-lab.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251029T163000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251029T180000 DTSTAMP:20260122T013216Z CREATED:20250826T190828Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T013216Z UID:10002213-1761755400-1761760800@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Decolonial Practices in Film Workshop DESCRIPTION:A Cross-Generational Dialogue with Suneil Sanzgiri and Youth FX’s Bhawin Suchak\n\n\n\nJoin us for a workshop reflecting on the practical work of filmmaking and considering its impact on the histories and communities it engages. Participants are invited into the world of artist Suneil Sanzgiri’s new film “An Impossible Address\,” in parallel to the work of Albany media arts organization Youth FX’s co-founder and co-director Bhawin Suchak. \n\n\n\nThis event is a iEAR Presents! and EMPAC Collaboration \n\n\n\n7pm: Memory\, Diaspora\, & Decoloniality: Films by Suneil Sanzgiri\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Sanctuary for Independent Media presents this Be the Media! workshop as part of our 20th Anniversary Season\, celebrating two decades of commitment to youth media! The workshop opens with a session on film practice\, after which Suneil Sanzgiri and Bhawin Suchak of Youth FX reflect on the practical work of filmmaking and consider its impact on the histories and communities it engages. Sanzgiri’s recent work serves as a departure point with focus on challenges facing emerging filmmakers. The workshop is followed by a dinner for participants\, and a concluding screening of works from Sanzgiri’s series Golden Jubilee. \n\n\n\nEMPAC series: An Impossible Address\, Suneil Sanzgiri\n\n\n\nSuneil Sanzgiri is an artist\, researcher\, and filmmaker. Spanning experimental video and film\,animations\, essays\, and installations\, his work contends with questions of identity\, heritage\,culture\, and diaspora in relation to structural violence and anticolonial struggles across theGlobal South. Sanzgiri’s films offer sonic and visual journeys through family history\, localmythology\, and colonial legacies of extraction in Goa\, India—where his family originates—deftlyutilizing and vividly blending together 3D renderings\, drone videography\, photogrammetry andlidar scanning\, 16 mm film and animation\, archival footage\, and desktop documentary practices. \n\n\n\nBhawin Suchak is an educator\, filmmaker\, and the co-founder and co-executive director of Youth FX\, a nationally renowned media arts organization focused on empowering young people by teaching creative and technical skills in film and digital media.  He is also co-director of NeXt Doc\, a year-round fellowship program of Youth FX that exists to amplify the voices of emerging documentary filmmakers of color.  Bhawin is the director\, cinematographer and editor of Outta The Muck (2022)\, a feature length documentary supported by Sundance Institute\, ITVS\, Just Films\, Black Public Media and Southern Documentary Fund which aired on PBS’ Independent Lens series in 2023.  He also previously directed The Throwaways (2014) and Free To Learn (2004).  Bhawin is a 2019 Just Films Rockwood Fellow\, 2019 Sundance Documentary Film Program Fellow\, and a member of A-Doc: Asian American Documentary Network and the Documentary Accountability Working Group.  URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/decolonial-practices-in-film-workshop/ LOCATION:The Sanctuary\, 3361 6th Ave\, Troy\, 12180\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Golden-Jubilee-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251024T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251024T180000 DTSTAMP:20260602T155212Z CREATED:20250925T192539Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T155212Z UID:10002228-1761325200-1761328800@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Be The Media! workshop: Everybody has a Story to Tell DESCRIPTION:Join Barry Rubinow\, the director of “Tarik Shah: Don’t Play Like Them\,” for a Be The Media! workshop on recording someone’s story for documentary filmmaking. Rubinow emphasizes that everybody has a story\, and this workshop will explore discovering what that story is. \n\n\n\n“Tarik Shah: Don’t Play Like Them” is a documentary film about locally-based jazz musician\, Tarik Shah\, who was incarcerated for almost 15 years on terrorist accusations. This is a collaboration with the Coalition for Civil Freedoms. \n\n\n\n7pm: The Forever War; The War on Terror\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBarry Rubinow Is the director of “Tarik Shah: Don’t Play Like Them.” Rubinow’s career as a producer\, director\, editor\, and indie filmmaker includes an Emmy Award for editing the CBS science show\, Beakman’s World\, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Short Subject for the first documentary he edited\, “Red Grooms: Sunflower in a Hothouse.” He was also a founding member of The Documentary Channel. His latest film\, “Tarik Shah: Don’t Play Like Them\,” won Best Documentary at the 2025 Albany Film Festival. \n\n\n\nPatrick Cone founded his production company\, C1 Entertainment\, to give voice to those who might not otherwise be heard. That guiding principle has led him to explore stories across America and the world. His 2021 short\, South\, garnered an official selection at Slamdance and the Audience Award for Best Documentary Short at the Hot Springs Film Festival. He is currently producing a feature documentary on the life of a civil rights activist. URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/be-the-media-barry-rubinow/ CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/maxresdefault.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251009T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251009T210000 DTSTAMP:20260602T155342Z CREATED:20251001T193043Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T155342Z UID:10002230-1760036400-1760043600@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Know Your Rights DESCRIPTION:What to Do When Interacting with ICE Agents\n\n\n\nJoin members of the Capital Region Sanctuary Coalition to learn about how to assert your legal rights\, be informed of your options\, and feel prepared during an interaction with Immigration Customs and Enforcement. \n\n\n\nAll are welcome.This event is not a replacement for legal advice. URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/know-your-rights/ LOCATION:The Sanctuary\, 3361 6th Ave\, Troy\, 12180\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/F25-11-graphic.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251003T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251003T180000 DTSTAMP:20260602T160322Z CREATED:20250909T224032Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T160322Z UID:10002221-1759510800-1759514400@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:The Rhythm of Rebellion: Be The Media! workshop DESCRIPTION:Taína Asili will share the story of her two-decade journey as a singer and activist creating music for social change. Through songs and personal narrative\, she will reflect on the challenges she has faced and the lessons she’s learned making art in service of love and liberation. Workshop participants will explore how art can be a powerful tool for resistance\, healing\, and liberation\, and reflect on their own creative paths through guided discussion and engagement. This workshop will inform the audience experience of Taína’s performance the next day. \n\n\n\nTaína Asili’s Fever Pitch performance\, 10/4\, 7pm URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/taina-asili-workshop/ LOCATION:The Sanctuary\, 3361 6th Ave\, Troy\, 12180\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/taina-asili-wksp1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250930T183000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250930T200000 DTSTAMP:20260602T160136Z CREATED:20250924T172039Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T160136Z UID:10002227-1759257000-1759262400@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:DIY Air Purifier Workshop at Context Collective DESCRIPTION:Join Air Justice Lab at Context Collective for a workshop on building your own air purification system using a box fan\, air filter\, duct tape\, and cardboard. High quality masks/respirators (such as N95s) are required and provided for all attendees. There will also be air purifiers in the space. If a participant needs to unmask\, please go outside\, and maintain at least 10 feet from any other workshop participants. \n\n\n\nContext Collective is located downtown at 95 4th St\, Troy\, NY 12180 URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/diy-air-purifier-workshop-at-context-collective/ CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/air-filter.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250921T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250921T153000 DTSTAMP:20250924T173421Z CREATED:20250829T224540Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T173421Z UID:10002219-1758463200-1758468600@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Herbal Lung Health Workshop DESCRIPTION:with Brooke Bridges\, sponsored by Air Justice Lab\n\n\n\nJoin the PHS Community Apothecary and Air Justice Lab for a workshop where participants will learn how to use herbs to promote lung health and leave with a blend of herbs to take home. To protect all participants\, registration and masking are required for this workshop. Please find full details below. \n\n\n\nLimited spots available. Registration with a $10 refundable deposit is required to hold your place. Donations recommended on a sliding scale of $0 – 30; no one will be turned away for lack of funds.* \n\n\n\n*Deposit refunds/cancellations: If you are unable to attend and notify us at least 48 hours before the event begins\, we will offer your spot to someone on the waiting list and refund your deposit. Notify irons@mediasanctuary to cancel. If you attend the event\, we will offer your $10 deposit back in cash on the day of the event. If the workshop is cancelled\, we will refund your deposit or offer you the opportunity to attend a rescheduled event. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis workshop is dedicated to enhancing respiratory health using herbal steam inhalation\, aromatherapy\, and internal medicine. We will explore how specific herbs can alleviate inflammation\, dryness\, and excess mucus while promoting overall lung function. Learn about the properties and applications of various herbs\, and discover practical techniques to incorporate them into your daily routine for better breathing and well-being. You’ll leave with a list of preparations\, herbs\, and your own handcrafted steam blend.  \n\n\n\nWe will work with and talk about herbs like: thyme\, oregano\, mullein\, lavender\, eucalyptus\, licorice\, ginger\, and stinging nettles.  \n\n\n\nAccess Information: \n\n\n\nThe workshop series is held on the second floor of the NATURE Lab building\, which is currently only accessible by a flight of stairs. If stairs will present a barrier to attending the workshop please get in touch (info@mediasanctuary.org) in case we can accommodate your participation in another way. \n\n\n\nRegistration is REQUIRED for this limited capacity event\, with priority to the immediate neighborhood. \n\n\n\nHigh quality masks/respirators (such as N95s) are required and provided for all attendees. There will also be air purifiers in the space. If a participant needs to unmask\, please go outside\, and maintain at least 10 feet from any other workshop participants. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrooke Marie Bridges is an herbalist\, CBT and Somatic therapy specialist\, wellness coach\, and all natural botanical product alchemist dedicated to blending the healing modalities of herbs with essential cognitive\, mental\, and emotional health practices. She aims to combine science\, spirituality\, and nature to help clients\, friends\, and community find healing that is balanced\, holistic\, and sustainable. www.brookembridges.cominstagram.com/brookembridges \n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nThis series is facilitated by herbalists affiliated with the People’s Health Sanctuary Community Apothecary who are volunteering their time and sharing information for educational purposes. None of the remedies shared in these workshops are intended to diagnose or treat any disease.  URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/herbal-lung-health-workshop/ LOCATION:People’s Health Sanctuary\, 3319 6th Avenue\, 2nd Fl\, Troy\, New York\, 12180\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Mullein-lung-health-photo-Ellie-Irons_9264.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250920T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250920T180000 DTSTAMP:20250925T175358Z CREATED:20250826T182634Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250925T175358Z UID:10002210-1758376800-1758391200@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Image Processing with Plants Workshop DESCRIPTION:Join us for a workshop focused on alternative ways to develop images. Participants will use plant-based materials to develop photograms with Le Ratoire\, a French group of artists. This workshop will span a few hours and is co-sponsored by iEar Presents! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIn this workshop\, Le Ratoire artist collective will work with participants to learn how to make a black & white film/photo developer using just local plants\, ashes\, and water– no industrial products\, nothing from the store! We will go over the techniques of photograms (also known as rayograms) and phytography\, two ways of exposing and making images on photo paper without needing to use a camera. We will explain how to choose\, harvest\, and process the plants for the making of a developer\, exploring the properties of the plants that can develop the silver halides in photo emulsion (the same process works for all photo sensitive materials; film and paper). \n\n\n\nParticipants will be able to go home with their images and are welcome to stay for a communal meal ahead of the film screening. \n\n\n\nLe Ratoire 16mm Film Screening\, 7pm\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLe Ratoire\, a name that in French hints at both the words “lab” and “failure\,” is a group of artists coming together with the proposition of making a movie from start to finish almost as a single act\, as a joint organism\, often with any materials they have at their disposal\, and in extremely little time. About their methodology for filmmaking the artists explain: “each film is defined by a particular set of parameters; both technical and\, especially\, situational.” URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/le-ratoire-workshop/ LOCATION:The Sanctuary\, 3361 6th Ave\, Troy\, 12180\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/le-ratoire.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250517T160000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250517T174500 DTSTAMP:20250519T230148Z CREATED:20250422T230520Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T230148Z UID:10002191-1747497600-1747503900@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Cybersecurity DESCRIPTION:Join us for a cybersecurity workshop with Dan Phiffer. This is part of the Community Care Workshop day on May 17: 12pm Plant Swap\, 2pm De-escalation workshop\, 4pm Cybersecurity workshop. \n\n\n\nThis workshop will make space for us to think about cybersecurity together and offers a set of practical steps for using your devices more safely. Learn about strategies to protect yourself and your friends. What is encryption? Should you be using a password manager? (Spoiler: yes!) Let’s practice better digital security together so that we can act with more confidence and better understand how technologies can both betray and liberate us. \n\n\n\nDan Phiffer is a web developer living in the Hillside neighborhood of Troy. He builds tools and websites with a social justice orientation\, including mediasanctuary.org. \n\n\n\nHudson Mohawk Magazine · Cybersecurity Workshop with Dan Phiffer at the Sanctuary\, May 17 URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/cybersecurity/ CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/cybersecurity.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250517T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250517T154500 DTSTAMP:20250519T230218Z CREATED:20250422T225132Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250519T230218Z UID:10002190-1747490400-1747496700@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Practicing Justice in a Struggling World DESCRIPTION:Join us for a de-escalation and communication workshop with Celia Kutz. This is part of the Community Care Workshop day on May 17: 12pm Plant Swap\, 2pm De-escalation workshop\, 4pm Cybersecurity workshop. \n\n\n\nPracticing justice in a world struggling through multiple catastrophes is difficult\, to say the least. Because we need each other we have to build the skills to be with disagreement and disorientation\, within ourselves and our community. Come hear stories\, learn internal de-escalation techniques and gain ways to communicate when things get tense. No promises\, but the hope is you leave a little more grounded and clear about how to be resilient in the midst of this polycrisis. \n\n\n\nCelia Kutz is a facilitator and trainer\, radicalized through the mass mobilization movement in the early 2000’s. She’s been with Training for Change for 16 years training and facilitating thousands of groups across the social justice left. Currently she’s focused on sticky\, tense and disorienting group dynamics\, supporting organizers and movement directors to make embodied decisions. She lives with her dog and partner with the land of the Mohawk and Mohican\, along the banks of the Hudson River\, the Muheakunnk\, The River that Runs Both Ways. She is guided by her work with Sacred Vibes Apothecary\, Process Work Practitioners\, the School for Global Somatics\, and by the Jewish women who have taught her resilience\, compassion and bravery. \n\n\n\nHudson Mohawk Magazine · De-Escalation Workshop with Celia Kutz at the Sanctuary\, May 17 URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/practicing-justice/ CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Practicing-Justice2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250517T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250517T140000 DTSTAMP:20250512T021051Z CREATED:20250224T211033Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250512T021051Z UID:10002183-1747483200-1747490400@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Plant Swap 2025 DESCRIPTION:Join us for our annual Plant Swap at the Collard City Growers garden! This is part of the Community Care Workshop day on May 17: 12pm Plant Swap\, 2pm De-escalation workshop\, 4pm Cybersecurity workshop. \n\n\n\nWhere: 3337 6th Ave\, Troy\, NY 12180 \n\n\n\nThis is a free event for the community to get together and exchange plants for the spring season. Stop by to pick up some plants\, drop off any extras that you don’t have room for\, or just come on by to say “Hi!” \n\n\n\nWhat is a plant swap? An opportunity to share plant abundance!  \n\n\n\nHow to participate? Bring your extra plants and/ or saplings to trade for something new\, including perennials\, annuals\, house plants\, and more! You don’t have to bring a plant to participate. \n\n\n\nWhy participate?  It’s an amazing excuse to explore the garden\, soak up the sun\, and meet some new people and plants! \n\n\n\nAnd remember: All the plants that you give and take are free! URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/plant-swap-2025/ LOCATION:Collard City Growers\, 3337 6th Avenue\, Troy\, New York\, 12180\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/CCG-Plant-Swap-2024-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250426T120000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250426T140000 DTSTAMP:20250426T131459Z CREATED:20250327T153706Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250426T131459Z UID:10002189-1745668800-1745676000@www.mediasanctuary.org SUMMARY:Backyard Composting 101 DESCRIPTION:Join composting enthusiast Christian Grigoraskos to learn all about composting\, from kitchen to finished compost.  We will cover simple and low-cost methods for diverting food waste from the landfill and using it to build biologically robust\, living soil. Participants will help to spread finished compost in the garden as well as assemble ingredients to build a new pile. \n\n\n\nRAIN OR SHINE. Rain plan: set up tents near the compost URL:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/backyard-composting-101/ LOCATION:Collard City Growers\, 3337 6th Avenue\, Troy\, New York\, 12180\, United States CATEGORIES:Workshop ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.mediasanctuary.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/grower-workshop.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR