In an effort to augment the money we have raised from personal savings, grants, and donations from generous friends and strangers on Kickstarter, Amanda and I will host a fundraising event for Homespun on Saturday, May 1 at the Irving Theater. As readers of this blog know, our loan application was rejected but we dedided to move forward with a scaled down version of our original concept anyway. We have almost enough money in hand to execute Plan B but having a few extra bucks wouldn’t hurt.

The May 1 event is the Indianapolis premiere of Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft, and Design, a documentary by Faythe Levine. Gary Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times had this to say about the film:

Levine profiles an intriguing cross-section of the socially conscious, eco-friendly folks who work in such media as paper, glass, thread and fabric, crafting and selling handmade jewelry, books, clothing, quilts, calendars and much more. How and why these largely female entrepreneurs and artists produce their wares is examined, with an emphasis on the creative fulfillment and self-empowerment that helps drive their unique work. It’s a gentle, enlightening film, with great respect and admiration for its genial subjects that easily spills over to the viewer.

In addition to the film screening the event will feature live music by Pholly and The Jack Davies as well as a silent auction of goods donated by our crafty friends and a cash bar featuring six of Sun King Brewery’s handcrafted beers which will be poured by our friends, the Hoosier Beer Geeks. Admission is $9 and all proceeds will go towards making Indianapolis a more interesting place to live.

Handmade Nation Film Screening, Sat., May 1, 7 – 10 p.m., Irving Theater, 5505 E. Washington St. Live music, silent auction, and great beer! (Click here to RSVP!)

AND – if you aren’t busy this weekend, check out this super interesting performance at the Irving.