We’ve got some great titles to share with you over the upcoming months. On Thu, 10 Feb. ’11 The Bloom will show “Scarred Justice:The Orangeburg Massacre 1968″ at 6:30 pm. at The Bloom Collective, 671 Davis NW. This film brings to light one of the bloodiest Civil Rights era tragedies after four decades of denial. The killing of four white students at Kent State University in 1970 left an indelible stain on our national consciousness. But most Americans know nothing of the three black students killed at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg two years earlier.

It raises disturbing questions about how our country acknowledges its tortured racial past in order to make sense of its challenging
present.

WATCH THE TRAILER

The Bloom will serve a light supper with vegan options.
$3-$5 suggested donation.

We will be hosting a potluck, the new film about Daniel Ellsberg, “The Most Dangerous Man in America” and a discussion about Wiki Leaks on Saturday Jan. 15.  See you soon!

Come get a radical organizer for yourself or a friend and help support the Bloom!

They’re really awesome and are put out by the good folks over at the Long Haul infoshop in Berkeley, CA.

Check them out here or stop by the Bloom and see them for yourself!

We have lots of the standard size for just $6 in all kinds of colors! As of now there’s just one large one left for $12.

Sat. Nov. 13 2 – 4 pm
Workshop
Zine Making
Zines have been around since the 1970s, as an effective way to protest the idea that
information can be “owned” or copyrighted. Learn how to make and assemble your
own zine at the Bloom!

Mon. Nov. 15 11 am – 1 pm
Film Showing + Discussion
Guns and Greed
Join us at GVSU for a screening of Guns and Greed and a discussion about the School
of the Americas, which has trained over 60,000 Latin American soldiers in the
past 59 years and has left a trail of blood and suffering in every country where its
graduates have returned.

Thurs. Nov. 18 6:30 pm
Dinner and a Movie
Guns and Greed
If you can’t make it to GVSU on the 14th, join us at the Bloom for a screening of Guns and Greed and a discussion about the School of the Americas. There will be a vegan dinner served. $3-$5 suggested donation.

Sat. Nov. 27 1 – 5 pm
Free Market + Film Showing
Help us create an alternative to the consumerism of the season with a Really Really
Free Market at the Bloom – bring stuff you don’t need, or just come hang out and
join us for a showing of Shop Til You Drop at 3:30.

Hours

The Bloom is open:

• Wednesdays: 8am -12pm
• Thursdays: 1pm – 7pm
• Saturdays of events: 12pm – 4pm

Hey everyone! For October we have four events.
Rethink Afghanistan

THURS. OCT. 14
DINNER & A MOVIE 6:30 – 8:30 P.M.

October marks the ninth anniversary of the US occupation of Afghanistan. This ground-breaking, full-length documentary focuses on the key issues surrounding the War in Afghanistan, raising critical questions that Congress and the American people need to address.

$3-$5 suggested donation.

Direct Action for Social Change

SAT. OCT. 16
POTLUCK DISCUSSION 2 – 4 P.M.

On October 16, 1859, abolitionist John Brown and several followers seized the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry. The actions of Brown’s men brought national attention to slavery. Let’s talk about the role direct action has played in bringing about change throughout history and how direct action is still relevant today. Bring a dish to pass, the Bloom Collective will provide vegan options.

Applesauce Canning Workshop

SUNDAY. OCT. 24
CANNING WORKSHOP 1 – 5 P

Join experienced canners from The Bloom Collective, GR Free School and Our Kitchen Table for four hours of hands-on fun with fruit and vegetables. Bring jars, lids, knife, cutting board and washed apples for canning.

The Codes of Gender

THURS. OCT. 28
DINNER & A MOVIE 6:30 – 8:30 P.M.

Explores how gender ideals are the result of ritualized cultural performance, uncovering a pattern of masculine and feminine displays and poses. It looks beyond advertising as simply selling products, and beyond analyses of gender that focus on biological difference or issues of objectification and beauty, to provide a clear-eyed view of the two-tiered terrain of identity and power relations.

$3-$5 suggested donation.

Also, be aware that the Bloom Collective’s Saturday hours only pertain to days we have events.

Hello patrons and friends! It is now September and The Bloom Collective will be hosting a series of potlucks, events, and discussions. Remember, our new location is in Steepletown Center, 671 Davis St.

September events

Body image discussion and potluck: September 2^nd 6 – 8 pm. A facilitated discussion on our society’s expectations and pressures in regards to body image. For men, women, and all people. Bring a dish to pass. The Bloom will provide vegan options.

Canning workshop: September 19^th 1 – 5 pm. Join experienced canners from The Bloom Collective, G.R. Free School, and Our Kitchen Table for four hours of hands-on fun with fruit and vegetables! Bring jars, lids, a knife, a cutting board, and produce for canning.

ArtPrize discussion: September 25^th 3 – 5 pm. Open competition? Or capitalist casino? How many artists hours are gambled away in the ArtPrize slots? Who REALLY gets the big pay-off? Does it truly benefit the G.R. arts scene? How does ArtPrize contribute to the continuing gentrification of Grand Rapids? Join us for a potluck discussion with Grand Rapids artists. Bring a dish to pass, the Bloom will provide vegan options.

New Hours

The Bloom will now be open:

• Mondays: 12pm – 6pm
• Wednesdays: 8am -12pm
• Thursdays: 1pm – 7pm
• Saturdays: 12pm – 4pm

We hope to see you there!