Ifrah Mansour “How To Have Fun In A Civil War”

Somali playwright Ifrah Mansour presents the New England premiere of her one-act play, “How to Have Fun in a Civil War: Childhood Memories of Hope,” at the Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath on Friday, May 2, at 7:30 pm. This one-woman play interweaves puppetry, poetry, and personal storytelling as Mansour revisits her childhood refugee experience during the 1991 Somali civil war. “How to Have Fun in a Civil War” is a moving story about resilience and survival, told with humor and warmth, and is a spellbinding experience for kids and adults alike.

The evening performance runs for approximately 50-minutes, and will be followed by a conversation with the artist facilitated by Maine State Representative Deqa Dhalac. Somali spiced tea will also be served.

Attend a free community workshop on Wednesday, April 30th, to create a miniature “The Healing Hut,” at the Chocolate Church’s Art Lab.

The Chocolate Church is at 804 Washington Street in Bath. Tickets are on a sliding scale and may be purchased at the website:  https://www.chocolatechurcharts.org/…/ifrah-mansour-02-may

Know Your Rights

Yesterday, MidCoast New Mainers Group offered a “Know Your Rights” info session at the Welcome Center with an immigration lawyer who gave the community sane, useful guidance on responding appropriately and safely in different situations in which their right to be here might be challenged.

The message for asylum seekers was to get good information, not to trust everything you hear or see in the media, and, above all, to stay calm- you are not deportable unless you are convicted of a crime or miss your immigration court date.

One important piece of information she repeated was that marijuana use is only legal for US citizens- Federal law supersedes state law and so asylum seekers can be charged and deported if they are caught using marijuana in any form.

We hope to host a similar session for volunteers in the near future.

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Family Mentor Georgie Bunker Welcomes a New Mainer

Board member and long-time Family Mentor Georgie Bunker doing what she- and all of our Board members- do! I am so proud to work with Georgie and all of our Board who walk with New Mainers every day as they seek to rebuild their lives here in Maine.

“How to Have Fun in a Civil War” – A Play for Kids and Adults- THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED!

THIS EVENT IS BEEN POSTPONED!

Coming to the Chocolate Church!!!!

“How to Have Fun in a Civil War” – A Play for Kids and Adults

Somali-American playwright and performer Ifrah Mansour resides in Minnesota, and comes from the world of puppetry and the life-changing experience of surviving a civil war and immigrating to the United States. Her play, “How to Have Fun in a Civil War” is told from the perspective of a young girl, and the story — though visceral and moving — is suitable for kids and adults alike. It’s a captivating one-woman play, a story of resilience and survival.

“How to Have Fun In a Civil War” offers a voice to refugees — and child refugees in particular — and contextualizes the experience for non-refugees in a way that cultivates understanding and empathy for those who survive such life-changing events. Artists like Ifrah Mansour speak to the community-building that underpins much of the work of the Chocolate Church Arts Center, and this performance will be a memorable one.

Welcome Avery Friend – our new Organizational Assistant..

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