Check It Out: L5P Community Center

You may know that occupies one end of the, but do you know what else goes on there?

Saturday presents the perfect opportunity to find out. Tenants and artists who work and teach a variety of classes in the building at Euclid and Austin avenues have been gearing up all summer for the first-ever L5P Community Center “Community Day.” The event is from 10:45 a.m. until 3 p.m., and it all kicks off in the cafeteria with a free African Dance performance by Manga Dance.

With workshops, classes and demonstrations, this is an event geared toward all ages. If you’ve thought about taking a class or exploring your creativity in any number of areas — from Ta’i Chi to singing to playwriting or faux painting — you can pay $8 to take one class on Saturday, or $20 to try out three classes. There are three time slots for the 50-minute classes/workshops, with four offerings at each time: 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m, and 1:30 p.m. (If just coming to experience one class or workshop, you are advised to arrive 10 minutes ahead). For kids 5-11 whose folks are on site, there’s an all-day program ($12 fee).

Thought about getting more politically involved? The International Action Center based at the center at 11:30 a.m. will walk you through some community activism possibilities. There’s even a meditation workshop with the Sema Institute, and a “legal clinic” with attorney Pilar Penn of The People’s Law Firm (1:30 p.m for both).

And for all the budding comedians out there: Funny lady Gwen Thomas will offer a 12:30 p.m. workshop titled “Using Humor to Make Connections.”

Several pottery artists from the Euclid Arts Collective will offer demonstrations in all three time slots. At 1:30 p.m., the Gateway Mask Theatre will present a performance.

Faux painting with Three Chicks Studio is in the offing at 11:30 a.m., and Horizon Theater’s playwriting workshop is on tap at 12:30 p.m., as is Elise Witt’s “Singing for Fun” workshop. Witt, who frequently teaches classes at the center, welcomes singers of all abilities, even those who don’t think they have a lick of talent but still enjoy singing.

There will be some food vendors on site, and participants are also welcome to bring their lunches. All proceeds from the event will help support the center.

“We’re looking forward to sharing this collaborative event with the community,” said Cate Morrill of Candler Park. Morrill is on the center’s board and has been involved in planning the event. She is also at the helm of Rising Phoenix Ta’i Chi, and teaches many classes at the center every week.

On Saturday, Morrill is looking forward to giving newcomers an “introduction to T'ai Chi and Qi Gong for health, fitness, balance of mind, body and spirit,” Morrill said. “If you need to soothe your soul and invigorate your energy,” this 11:30 a.m. workshop could be for you.

“The many partners throughout our building are opening up especially to share all that we do with our neighbors,” Morrill added. “We hope folks come out to learn more about who we are, what we do, and how we all can enjoy just being, learning and playing together.

“With theater arts, visual arts, mind-body arts, traditional dance arts, activism, community conscious programming, and so much more, we are the Little 5 Points Community Center!”

If you go: Little 5 Points Community Center’s first “Community Day,” 1083 Austin Ave. 10:45 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, 1083 Austin Ave. $8 to try one class, $20 for three. For full schedule of events: www.L5PCC.org. Call 522-2926 and ask for Imani.