SOMATICA: MELTDOWN: OPERATION RATWEEK
You are INVITED to SOMATICA on SATURDAY, APRIL 4 at BOX ELDER FELLOWS (637 FELLOWS AVE)
“May you discover the enlivening power of darkness within yourself. May it nourish your rage. May your rage inform your actions, and your actions transform you as you struggle to transform your world” (Susan Stryker)
SOMATICA: MELTDOWN: OPERATION RATWEEK is an avantgarde apocalypse themed sober-forward movement-focused space, intent upon providing queer-enthusiastic, semi-social gathering for euphoria, healing, and being. Come join the scrappy underground resistance in affirming that trash is treasure, and no one is disposable, not even the rats!
Arrive by 8:30 PM for a theatrical orientation, to understand boundaries of the space and support collective consent. Please read through to the end; every Somatica is a little different!
COVID: Day-of rapid test required (swab throat & nose pls). Masks aren’t required, but feel free to be extra sexy and mask on the dance floor!! Tests available on-site, but they take 30 minutes and you’ll need to wait outside for results before entering. We’ll have air purifiers in the space, and windows open for air flow, weather allowing.
SOBRIETY: This event is a “sober-forward” space, meaning you’re encouraged to be sober or only inebriated to a degree that supports you in feeling less self-conscious, but not excessively fucked up. Tobacco and weed in the backyard, Alcohol in the basement, please.
PHONE: You’re super allowed to use your phone. We aaaalso invite you to consider using your phone minimally to see what connection with self & others this may bring.
ACCESSIBILITY/ALLERGIES: Pls refrain from wearing strong scents (perfumes, colognes, etc). This home has approx. 4 steps for entry & two cats who live there. The cats will be sequestered in a room upstairs. Let us know if you have other accessibility needs!
ATTIRE: This event is all about feeling connected to your body, your fierce queer self. So roll up in comfies, or get up dressed up and fucking go off. For inspo, think: utilitarian chic, futuristic, feral, dirty, distressed fabrics, asymmetrical designs, falling apart, skimpy skimpy skimpy, post-apocalypse punk, buckles, combat boots, monochromatic color palettes, cargo pants, tactical vests, literal actual trash?! give yourself a rat tail haircut??! Mood board: bit.ly/OperationRatweek
WTF is the deal with rats? Idk y’all, rats are an underground queer icon. From this diy-mutual-aid scene, Ratchella, to the trans icon that is Hot Rat Summer, to esoteric whispers of a “rat week” (a genuine mishearing of “trash week”) that spawned jokes about sleeping in piles on the floor. An online search for “Ratweek” turned up a coordinated assasination offensive against Nazis, that further research revealed has gay roots. The rat has been reclaimed as a symbol of anti-authoritarian resilience, scrappy resourcefulness, and unwavering solidarity. The time of the rat is now. It’s fucking Ratweek.
The Shape of Somatica:
“By gnawing through a dike, even a rat may drown a nation” (Edmund Burke)
7:00pm: The space opens for being, mingling, and settling.
7:15pm: We will begin with a rendition of the Thanksgiving address, facilitated by Ellie, James & Ash. We’ll share gratitude for the world we’re a part of, a generations-long practice on Haudenosaunee Land.
Then mingle, make art, add to the Somatica scrapbook, check out the art raffle, finish getting ready together (!), get your Euphoria portrait with Rachel. Put your phone away and engage with the grueling intimacy of the present moment?!
8:45pm: Opening words as we settle into our bodies and intentions for the time.
You’re invited to form a personal “statement of movement”, an intention for yourself. It might sound like, “I am moving towards making this space feel good” or “I am moving towards a sense of freedom”. Use this direction of desire to guide your Somatica.
Some mid-tempo music begins as we arrive in our bodies as much as we’re going to. A build of tempo, energy, movement. An exploration of ecstatic dance and deep pleasure. Maybe some singing, some raving, some safe thrashing. There’ll be props, toys, lights, and other goodies to help get you into whatever vibe works best for you. Let the frigid cold of winter begin to thaw. Channel your inner trash rat, knowing they’re communal and resilient as hell. Let your body move in new and unexpected ways! Pick out a “movement to explore”. Find something that feels good, mirror someone’s movements, relish in the sheer fact that we’re still alive and together! Tap in / tap out of the space as your body desires.
The arc of the curated playlist will build to a pinnacle and we’ll lean into high energy, feral movement together. Bask in collective energy. Become ungovernable!
We will organically lower energy, dancing slower, moving with more ease.
Come to a seated/reclined position as the energy trickles down. We will listen to how our bodies feel different than when we began.
10:30ish: Gentle live music with guiding meditative words by Joss, followed by a few minutes of full silence and some space for collective rest.
Until 1AM: Continue collective rest time, chatting in the other room, making art, getting portraits, raffle drawing @ midnight.
SOMATICA STATIONS:
Euphoria Portraits with Rachel
Bowl with suggestions for movements to consider exploring (e.g. move with your center of gravity low to the ground like a rat)
Themed mocktails in the kitchen with Alice
Art raffle. Funds raised with go to host rent.
Chill spaces upstairs - low sensory activities, art-making, coziness - find the Somatica guest book/scrap book/burn book and make your mark.
Easter Sunday (April 5) Clean-Up Brunch: Brunch @ noon, cleaning @ 1. Come eat, clean, and reflect with us. Please let Ash know if you have allergies (817-992-4849).
<3 Somatica Crew (Joss, Ash, Rachel, James, Alison, Ellie, West)