Hello Everybody!
FOI Chicago in cooperation with the Prop Thtr will host the
FOI Chicago's 26th Annual Autumn Goddess Convention & Festival
Thursday, Oct. 3, Fri. Oct. 4, and Sat. Oct. 5 at:
Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60618.
Our featured liturgy is from the FOI liturgical book, Urania: The Magic of Saturn and Astarte.
The Call for Presentations includes not only topics relating to the liturgy, but those of your own
special interests: Nature, the performing and visual arts, music, spiritual practices, the ancient world,
astronomy, astrology, poetry, divination, animal and human rights, cultural studies, etc.
It is a three day event this year, something we haven't had an opportunity to do for a very long time.
Some merchants will be on hand with their wares only on Saturday, others might be there for Thurs. and Fri.
Space is limited, we have to provide our own tables but the theater has chairs. Vendors are encouraged
to have standing displays if possible to maximize the spaces. We'll work with all for the best results possible.
The tentative program is in development. There will be some merchants each day.
The program, speakers, entertainers, vendors, volunteers, etc. are beginning to be booked now.
Thurs., Oct. 3 - Festival Day - Rehearsal
and fine tuning the set up. Thursday is dedicated to Dionysus as
patron god of Performance, Transcendence, and Transformation, and the
Muses for Inspiration and Creativity.
There will be a couple of Powerpoint slideshows and an Open Mike. (Sign up soon!)
Fri., Oct. 4 - Reception and Pagan Cabaret - over 21 only. Presentations, music, dancers, and divination.
Light refreshments will be served at the reception. Astarte, Adonis, Aphrodite, Eros, and Hermes are the featured
deities of the afternoon and evening's activities. We are blessed to have performers from the Harem of Oddities who will dance for us and the gods this night.
Sat. Oct. 5 - Convention Day - registration at 9:30 AM, program begins at 10 AM. Astarte & Adonis altar,
Ancestor
Shrine, Saturn & Rhea/Cybele shrine, Astarte workshop, Powerpoint
presentations, meditation, liturgy, ritual, and fellowship.
Free Parking is available on the streets around the theater. A small public park and playground
are across the street at Troy Ave., and Elston, a welcome bit of Nature in the midst of the city.
Restaurants, bars, a shopping center, bank, and stores are close by as well as the Kennedy
Expressway (I-90-94) at Addison or Belmont. The nearest CTA Blue Line station is at Addison and
the Kennedy, about 5 or 6 blocks away; the Kimball bus is only 3 blocks west of the theater, while the
California bus turns around a few blocks from there.
CTA Blue, Brown and Red Lines also connect with Addison and Belmont buses bringing one
within a block or three of the theater. Hotels are in a radius of about 15-40 minutes driving time,
depending on traffic and location. There's quite a few bed & breakfast places around the area,
which is close to Wrigley Field, Boys' Town, Lakeview, Logan Square, Bucktown, Wicker Park,
Old Irving Park, Thai Town, and more.
I'm excited to share this good news with you as we work on our convention and festival.
The Facebook event page will be updated as things develop.
Questions, ideas, comments? Please write to me and let me know what you think.
Wishing You All the Best Summer Ever,
Demetria
Lyceum of Alexandria Mishigami,
Iseum of Neith, Hathor, and MahaLakshmi,
Fellowship Of Isis, Chicago
(Photo: Deena Butta (left) and Olivia Robertson (right) in ritual)
(Photo: Deena Butta (left) and Olivia Robertson (right) in ritual)
