Check the TOURS page for Norman's updated cross-Canada shows and workshops this Summer and Fall.

To save Parc Oxygène - our endangered little green space

(west of Parc, east of Hutchison, south of Pine, north of Prince Arthur)

SUMMER LOVE-IN FESTIVAL TO SAVE OUR PARK CONTINUES!

Aug 22 - Dance - tango and more!
Aug 29 - Music - open mic!
Sept 5 - Mega show - music, dance, more!
(if it rains, event postponed)

parcoxygene@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/parcoxygene

Sunday July 25, Visual art + music in the park, painting, sketching, drawing, sculpting, exhibits, 4pm-6pm, free!

To save Parc Oxygène - our endangered little green space

(west of Parc, east of Hutchison, south of Pine, north of Prince Arthur)

All visual artists welcome to come and paint, draw, sketch, photograph or just display their work.

SUMMER LOVE-IN FESTIVAL TO SAVE OUR PARK

July 25 - Art and music
Aug 8 - Poetry - open mic! with music!
Aug 22 - Dance - tango and more!
Aug 29 - Music - open mic!
Sept 5 - Mega show - music, dance, more!
(if it rains, event postponed)

parcoxygene@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/parcoxygene

To save our endangered, inner-city, little alley green space
(west of Park, east of Hutchison, south of Pine + north of Prince Arthur)

SUMMER LONG LOVE-IN FESTIVAL TO SAVE OUR PARK!
Parc Oxygène, People's Park! People's Art!
Music • Théatre • Art • Comedy • Dance • Return to school Mega spectacle!
(4pm - 6pm, if it rains, event postponed)

Dates online
http://www.facebook.com/parcoxygene


Latest News

• Pimento Report #23: Parc Oxygène (YouTube video), July 7, 2010: Watch Patrick Barnard's excellent short documentary on YouTube called 'Pimento Report #23: Parc Oxygène,' about the fight to save this vital green space.
• Montreal Gazette, May 16, 2010: This is a fight for the whole city," said resident Norman Nawrocki, who is to kick off the performance series. "Every neighbourhood needs to preserve every precious piece of green space."
  
• Montreal Mirror, May 13, 2010
  
• Montreal Gazette, May 11, 2010
  
• Spacing Montreal, April 7, 2010
  
• McGill Daily, October 26, 2009
  

Norman joined Mohawk artists on stage in Aronhiatekha School in Kaneshsatake for the 20th anniversary commemoration of 'the Canadian crisis at OKA' (a 78 day standoff in 1990 between Mohawks and the Canadian Army).

Here he performs 'The Oka Polka' - a satirical Rhythm Activism song about a disillusioned Canadian soldier questioning why thousands of heavily armed troops were sent to Mohawk land to harass women and children, 'kicking in doors, looking for cigarettes and beer?'

Today, 20 years later, Mohawks still don't have rights over their land.

GO GO WORDS WORKING THE SKOOL

Norman Nawrocki – The Spoken Word workshop

The Association of Teachers of English of Quebec offers subsidies to help sponsor such projects as workshops and author visits. Thank you ATEQ. M. Eva

A couple of years ago I was fortunate to spot Norman Nawrocki’s name on the MELS Culture in Schools program. I was looking for an entertaining way to enlist student’s appreciation of poetry and all the while have them see the importance of the spoken word through music. Norman offered such a workshop. I had had the pleasure of working with Norman in 2006 when he gave a short story writing workshop to my students. It was a success as evidenced through their descriptive writings. I also attended a spoken word evening where Norman used music – he plays a mean violin – a drum machine, and put his stories to music. This eclectic use of literature interested me and I asked my secondary 4 and 5 students whether they would like to have such a workshop. No coaxing was necessary – I have yet to hear a young person reject music or a chance to do something different. The workshop aptly took place in April, during Poetry Month.

Read more >>

English poetry: "SHE PUTS ON HER HEADPHONES" A collective poem written in collaboration with the students of Cavelier-de-LaSalle high school, in the Marguerite-Bourgeoys school district of Montreal

"The invitation to participate in La semaine québecoise des arts (The Quebec Week of Arts) was a unique opportunity to encourage my students to create a poem they could share with the rest of the province. Mr. Nawrocki, a distinguished guest who has extensive experience as an Artist at school, brought excitement to a regular class and at the same time helped these students to open up and create something they would be proud of.

Read more >>

Norman was recently invited to give the keynote speech at the ACIC symposium and celebration in Charlottetown, PEI, and to facilitate a workshop about the arts and public engagement.

"Thanks you for sharing your enthusiasm and humour with us. Your presence as a presenter was greatly appreciated. The inspiring examples of your own and other's activism reminded us that music, theatre, poetry, visual arts, and humour are effective means to engage the public bringing creative expression into our projects."

- Atlantic Council for International Cooperation

A sanctions-busting telethon was held in support of Abousfian Abdelrazik in Montreal on 28 April 2010. More than 150 people from across the country responded to the appeal to donate to Abdelrazik, though they were aware that they risked federal prosecution by doing so.

Click to view

Norman Nawrocki's
DINNER FOR DISSIDENTS

• MONTREAL Book launch with live violin performance
Mon Sept 21, 5pm – 7pm
Casa del Popolo, 4873 boul St-Laurent, Montréal
Gratuit! Free!

• TORONTO Triple Brainfood book launch
Sat Oct 10, 1pm
HeartBeat 960, 960 Queen St. West, with special musical guests
Free!

• VANCOUVER Book launch + violin + 'sex' show
Sat Oct 17, 7pm -8pm
Café Deux Soleils, 2096 Commercial Drive
Free!
(followed by Norman's Lessons from a 7ft Penis at 9pm; $10 at the door; limited seating)

More rabble-rousing poems, songs and lyrical musings from Montreal's celebrated rebel wordsmith/musician/actor. This third volume in Nawrocki’s ‘Brain Food Trilogy’ (see also Breakfast for Anarchists and Lunch for Insurgents) also contains new original, compelling art by Caro Caron, Gord Hill, Matta, Tournesol Plante, Poderiu, Jesse Purcell, Tôma Sickart, Maurice Spira, Tania Willard – and a Perogy Party recipe.

A book for anyone craving new ways of thinking towards a world without rulers and ruled. Norman will play his looped, sampled violin for the launches, and read some of the poems.

Available from Les Pages Noires Distribution ($12 plus shipping) or from better bookstores in October 2009.

80 pages; 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"; illustrated; ISBN 978-2-9805763-1-7. Price: $12 plus shipping.

“Nawrocki has a lifetime of finding politics & poetry in the street & taking them back there in revitalized form.” – The Vancouver Province

“The reality of the daily news fused with imagination and hope.” – Broken Pencil

"Never a doubt about the clarity of Nawrocki's voice...(it) kicks the heads of authoritarian society" – Montréal Mirror

As part of Quebec's 'Artists in the Schools' program, Nawrocki recently taught 250 eager young students the subtle art of 'clowning.'

Here's what their regular teacher said:

"In two hours Norman Nawrocki took classes with limited (if any) experience with clowns, and enabled them to create a show. What was accomplished in that short time was amazing.

Norman worked with the students of Edgewater School for two weeks. During that time, each of our classes, grades 3 to 6 had a total of two hours with him, divided into 4 half hour sessions.

Students who had limited exposure to the art of clowning created delightful routines. Large group, small group and solo routines were explored. This meant that every student was able to be successful, whether or not they felt comfortable working in a group. Norman's gentle manner, and encouragement gave the students confidence.

At the end of the two hours, each class had created their own "mini-circus" show that was then presented at the school open house and Bar-B-Que. He was a pleasure to work with, and listened to the teacher feedback and adjusted his workshop accordingly.

I would highly recommend him to work in any school situation."

—Janet Lamarre, Edgewater Elementary School, April 2009

Check out Nawrocki's article about his recent visit to Hong Kong: 'Where Anarchists & Blackbirds Sing About Freedom,' in the Summer/Fall 2009 issue of the highly recommended, cannot-go-unread American anarcho periodical, Fifth Estate.

Then visit the Hong Kong Blackbird band site and order the 1984-2004 retrospective bag set 'Body of Work,' of 7 music CDs with bilingual liner notes in English and Chinese for only 400 Hong Kong Dollars, postage included

This was Rhythm Activism's anarcho Hong Kong sister band back in the day led by the 'artivist' Lenny Guo. He also published a fascinating 200 page bilingual book about his band called 'Singing in the Dead of the Night,' with interviews, song lyrics, sheet music and a sample CD. The book is included in the above package deal.

New poster from David Lester's 'Inspired Agitators' series of posters outlining the philosophies of a selection of international activists.

David Lester is also the guitarist for the Vancouver rock duo, Mecca Normal.

Norman live in Hong Kong at the ACO with friends.

Toronto, Whistler, Hong Kong.

See Tour Page for details.

Nawrocki's newest collection of poetics in his 'Brain Food Trilogy' 'LUNCH FOR INSURGENTS,' will be launched in Montreal May 11th. Ideal gift for the insurgent or insurgently-challenged in your life. Available in cool bookstores then, or online from the LPN Pay Pal shop.

See the Catalogue Page.

Reviews of Norman's Italian book, L'anarchico e il Diavolo Fanno Cabert.

>> download

Norman was recently honoured to collaborate with the highly respected Italian-based international Human Rights group, EveryOne Group. The group asked him to contribute the English language vocals for a memorial video-poem written by a well known Italian writer, Robert Malini, "in remembrance of Makwan Moloudzadeh, 21 years old, executed in Kermanshah Central Prison, in Iran, on December 5, 2007, a victim of prejudice, and against the Death Penalty."

Makwan was executed simply because he was gay. The video-poem 'Makwan: A Letter from Paradise ,' was part of a presentation to the Human Rights Committee of the European Parliament in Brussels advocating the abolition of the Death Penalty.

A new spoken word CD from AK Press , published by CBC Radio, featuring interviews conducted by University of Victoria BC art historian, Allan Antliff with several leading North American anarchist artists, including Norman Nawrocki, discussing contemporary activist politics and art.

The historic 1983 front cover of the first issue of the original, hardcopy Les Pages Noires, the printed 8.5" x 14" folded once, printed anarcho activist newsletter, distributed for free all over Montreal in 1983.