It's Back: Follow the North Star

It's time once again for Conner Prairie's Follow the North Star program, which immerses participants in the experience of fugitive slaves on the Underground Railroad. I've reviewed the program before -- it's not exactly fun, but it's incredibly powerful. For more information, watch Conner Prairie's promotional video, which still gives me chills.

Starting April 9, the program runs on Friday and Saturday evenings in April, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The program lasts 90 minutes, and groups start every 15 minutes. Tickets are $19; make reservations at (317) 776-6006.

Upcoming Classes: Conner Prairie

If you think of Conner Prairie as a warm-weather destination, think again. The museum offers activities all year round, including a handful of January classes:

• Basket-making -- Learn traditional techniques from Conner Prairie's basket expert, Louise Hoover, and make a basket to take home (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 9, $75).

• Leather-working -- Learn about leather-working tools and techniques and make your own Haversack, a single-strapped shoulder bag (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 16-17, $300).

• Pottery Basics -- Get hands-on experience with wheel-thrown pottery and traditional glazing techniques (Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m., Jan. 19-Feb. 23, $170).

Or, for an interesting night out, try the museum's Hearthside Suppers, where you'll help prepare a multi-course meal the old-fashioned way. This year's menu includes cheese and crackers, pork roast, chicken fricassee, skillet cranberries, hearth bread, bread-and-butter pudding and more.

All classes and events require registration; call (317) 776-6006.

Quick Updates

Whew! Thanks to my giant pile of end-of-semester grading, I'm a bit behind on posts. Here's a quick round-up of some tidbits I've missed:

• The December issue of Indianapolis Monthly includes an article on Joseph Allford, the pastry chef and cooking teacher who died earlier this year. One of Allford's classes at Frasier's Gourmet Foods took home our Best of Indy award last year, and I had looked forward to taking many more of his classes.

• Last night we enjoyed another wonderful experience at Conner Prairie by Candlelight. In 1836 Prairietown, we learned about historical holiday traditions, sang carols, and snacked on cookies and hot chocolate. It's truly a magical experience, and it's the perfect reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

• I just read a great article in Travel + Leisure about the School of Artisan Food in Nottinghamshire, U.K. One-day courses include "Artisan Cheesemaking Fundamentals," "Artisan Chocolate Making" and "Artisan French Baking." Pardon me while I drool ...
  

Reminder: Conner Prairie by Candlelight

Have you signed up yet for Conner Prairie by Candlelight? It runs the first three weekends in December, and it is -- hands down -- my favorite holiday activity in Indianapolis. Even better, it's educational! To order tickets ($12), check the Web site or call (317) 776-6006.

Reserve Now: Follow the North Star

Make your reservations now for Follow the North Star, Conner Prairie's outstanding program that simulates the journey of runaway slaves. Upcoming dates are Nov. 5-7, 12-14 and 19-21.

I reviewed the program last April; it's not exactly a fun way to spend the evening, but it is certainly eye-opening and worthwhile. You'll experience shame, uncertainty and fear, but you'll also meet friendly people who are willing to help you on your way. Will your group successfully escape, or will you be returned to the harsh slave traders from whom you fled? You'll have to go to find out.

(Photo provided by Conner Prairie. Thanks!)

Conner Prairie's Arts & Arms-making Workshop

Fall is a busy time at Conner Prairie: the Headless Horseman is roaming the village, the Apple Store is selling those yummy cider slushies, and some of the nation's best craftsmen are gathering for the annual Arts & Arms-making Workshop.

This year's workshop, Oct. 10-16, marks the 20th anniversary of this unique education vacation. You can register for five-day classes, half-week classes or weekend workshops in a variety of disciplines, from "Knife and Axe Making" to "Coopering" to "Basket Making."

The weekend classes (Oct. 10-11) seem to be the most accessible for casual students. Would you like to learn the art of hearth cooking? Silver wire inlay? Basic blacksmithing? I must admit, I think it would be really satisfying to make my own fireplace poker.

A few one-shot evening classes are also available, including "Spinning Basics" (6-9 p.m., Oct. 8, $40) and "Pottery Decorative Techniques for Redware" (7-9 p.m., Oct. 12, $60).

(Photo supplied by Conner Prairie. Thanks!)

Conner Prairie: Crafts and Trades Weekend

Mark your calendar for Conner Prairie's Crafts and Trades Weekend, which takes place Sept. 5-7. Interpreters at the open-air museum will be demonstrating old-fashioned techniques for making pottery, working wood, weaving cloth and crafting leather. You can even try your hand at making a pottery piece to take home.

The event is free with general admission, and it's a good overview of the classes the museum offers. On the schedule for this fall are introductory classes in pottery, spinning, blacksmithing and weaving. I took the weaving class about two years ago, and I have a beautiful scarf to show for it.

Tuesday Tidbits

On Thursday evening, I'm finally making my way to Boca Loca for a beading class. I'll give you a full report soon! In the meantime, here are a few tidbits to tide you over.

• Kiss Z Cook in Carmel has posted its March class calendar. I gave my mom a gift certificate for Christmas, so I'll probably be at one of these classes. Maybe "Breakfast Goodies" or "St. Patty's Irish Food and Beer"?
• The Knit Stop in Keystone has redesigned its Web site, making the class listings much easier to access. Sign up now for classes on specific patterns, or enroll in "rookie," intermediate or advanced classes to improve your knitting or crochet technique.
• Conner Prairie is offering an adult pottery class on Tuesday evenings in March. The focus is on wheel-throwing and glazing techniques.
• Another upcoming Conner Prairie event: An Evening Dinner with Freetown Village (March 21). Enjoy an evening of traditional African-American cuisine and 1870s period entertainment, including parlor games, story-telling and songs. (Reservations required.)

2008 Best of Indy Awards

Drum roll, please! It's time to present our 2008 That'll Teach Me Best of Indy Awards, recognizing the best continuing education classes, teachers and venues in the city.

Best class - The Summer Fruits cooking class at Frasier's Gourmet Foods. Taught by pastry chef Joseph Allford, this was the most educational -- and tasty -- two hours of my year. I still use several of the recipes Allford demonstrated, and I now know everything there is to know about vanilla harvesting.

Best continuing education venue - This was a close one, but the award goes to the IUPUI Community Learning Network for its tremendous variety of engaging, relevant classes (including the spectacular flower-arranging classes). Runner-up: The Indianapolis Art Center, which truly offers something for everyone.

Best instructor - I've taken several classes with floral designer Sara Thompson, and they are always a delight. Thompson is well prepared, attentive to her students, and skilled at fostering class camaraderie. My only disappointment: I've already taken every class she offers.

Best educational museum experience - No question about it: The winner here is the Follow the North Star program at Conner Prairie. The experience, which puts you in the shoes of a runaway slave, is memorable and powerful. It's not fun, but it's like nothing else you'll ever experience. Runner-up: Conner Prairie's delightful Conner Prairie by Candlelight holiday event.

Strangest class topic - We saw some bizarre classes this year: how to make your own canoe; how to build a dulcimer. But the wackiest of our Things You Didn't Know You Wanted to Know feature was the series of birch bark art workshops at the Eiteljorg Museum, including how to make birch bark picture frames and how to do birch bark etching. To each his own.

Finally, thank you to the hundreds of readers who have made the first year of this blog so successful. It's been fun to share my learning experiences with you and build this community of like-minded people. I'm looking forward to an educational new year!

Review: Conner Prairie by Candlelight

Happy holidays! I've been so bogged down in buying, wrapping, baking and decorating that I haven't told you about our wonderful experience at Conner Prairie by Candlelight last Friday evening.

This is truly my favorite local holiday event. Wrapped in several layers to keep warm, my husband and I followed the candle-lit path through Conner Prairie's 1836 Prairie Town. At each house in town, we warmed up by the fire and heard an actor describe how his or her "family" celebrates the holidays. We learned about traditions from several religions and cultures, all in a magically authentic historical setting.

When we were finished, we explored the museum's gingerbread house exhibit. The gift shop is also open, and you can tack on a dinner at the museum restaurant, too.

If you go next year, remember to sign up early; the later time slots sell out quickly. And be sure to wear warm clothes and comfortable walking shoes. I spotted one woman in a short skirt and heels, and I'm sure she was miserable.

Update: Conner Prairie by Candlelight

I made our reservation for Conner Prairie by Candlelight yesterday, and reservation slots are filling up fast -- especially for the slots later in the evening. I wanted an 8 p.m. start time, but the best I could do was 7:20. If you'd like to attend this year, make your reservation soon!

Conner Prairie by Candlelight

Poor Thanksgiving. This year, we seem to have skipped it entirely, heading directly from Halloween to Christmas. Since we're already in the holiday mood, it's time to make your reservations for Conner Prairie by Candlelight, one of the city's best -- and most educational -- holiday events.

Attending Conner Prairie by Candlelight is like stepping back to a time when the holidays were simple, joyful family affairs. You'll stroll through the lantern-lit 1836 village, clutching your cup of hot cider or cocoa, and stop in at the houses along the way.

At each house, museum interpreters present a holiday tradition, such as a pioneer Christmas party or Hanukkah celebration. You can ask questions, sample foods from that time, sing carols and even get involved in the action. (Last year's "plot" for the evening involved some local boys barricading themselves in the schoolhouse to protest the classes scheduled for Christmas Day.)

Yes, it will be cold outside, but don't let that stop you. Each house along the way offers a roaring fire, and you can always warm up at the museum's gingerbread-house exhibit. It's a great way to get in the holiday spirit -- and remind yourself what the holiday spirit is really supposed to be.

Conner Prairie by Candlelight takes place from 5 to 8 p.m., Dec. 5-7 and 12-14. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for youth ages 2 to 12. Reservations are required: call (317) 776-6006.

Random Notes

A few miscellaneous schedule updates and reminders:

• Boca Loca Beads in Fountain Square has posted its class schedule through December. Of particular interest is the Lampwork Boot Camp class in November.
• The Chef's Academy has posted its class schedule through February. Improve your knife skills, sample winter comfort foods or explore the cuisines of Japan, Australia, Cuba or South Carolina.
• Likewise, Frasier's Gourmet Foods has posted its class schedule through January. Sign up early for Joseph Allford's soup and bread series, which is sure to sell out.
• Conner Prairie's Traditional Arts and Arms Making Workshop takes place next week, so sign up now if you're interested.

Fall Schedule: Conner Prairie

Conner Prairie sure knows how to keep things interesting. Unlike some museums we're content to visit just once, on a fourth-grade field trip, Conner Prairie keeps us coming back for more -- especially where adult continuing education is concerned.

Coming up this fall: the outstanding Follow the North Star program (weekends in November), the Traditional Arts and Arms-Making Workshop (Oct. 11-17) and a variety of adult classes, such as pottery, blacksmithing and weaving.

You can also attend one of the museum's On the Farm Experiences, which can last for a day or an entire weekend, depending on your tolerance for outhouses and chamber pots.

If you haven't attended Follow the North Star, make that your first priority. The experience, which re-creates the journey of an escaped slave (with you as the slave), is unsettling and incredibly powerful. I reviewed the program earlier this year, and I can't recommend it enough.

Fall Classes at Conner Prairie

As you map out your fall class schedule, remember to consider the classes at Conner Prairie. The pioneer living history museum offers classes in blacksmithing, weaving, pottery and other old-fashioned skills. The introductory weaving class I took there inspired me to take a whole series of weaving classes.

Now's also the time to sign up for the Follow the North Star program, which runs on weekends in November. The program, which puts you in the shoes of a runaway slave, is one of the most powerful ways I can imagine to understand the horrors of the slave trade. (Click here for my April review of the program.)

Off the Beaten Track: Museums and Historic Sites

Work has been crazy, so it's been a few days since my last blog. All work and no play makes this a dull blog.

Unfortunately, we're also in the summer doldrums where classes are concerned. That means it's time to take advantage of the year-round learning opportunities in Indianapolis, such as museums and historical sites.

You already know about the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Eiteljorg and the Indiana State Museum, of course, but here are a few you might not have considered:

• The Morris-Butler House, a historic landmark, offers guided tours on the half hour Wednesday through Saturday ($5). The 1865 home is a window on the life of the upper-middle-class Victorian family who lived there.
• Did you know there's a museum inside the Soldiers and Sailors Monument? The Col. Eli Lilly Civil War Museum highlights the war experiences of Indiana residents.
• The Children's Museum of Indianapolis has several temporary exhibits you might find interesting, including one on the history of animation and one on comic-book heroes. (And I still think the museum is one of the best date spots in the city.)
• Conner Prairie continues its series of one-day and overnight On the Farm Experiences this summer. Tend the garden, feed the livestock, make a meal the old-fashioned way ... in other words: work hard while you learn.
• The President Benjamin Harrison Home showcases the life of Indiana's only president. Tours are available on the hour and half-hour (closed Sunday); cost is $8.

Now, back to work ...

Random Learning Opportunities

Readers, I must beg your forgiveness. I spent today's blogging time watching last night's "Top Chef." Perhaps you'll forgive me if one of these tidbits piques your interest.

If you live on the north side and are interested in taking art classes, check out Artisan Masterpiece in Carmel. The gallery is home to a wide range of art classes, from painting and drawing to stained glass and jewelry design.

If you'd like to learn more about architecture and product design, check out the design film series at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Next up: A collection of short films about designing products, including the famous Eames lounge chair (6 p.m., June 12, free).

Want to know more about going "green" in Indianapolis? Visit Green Piece Indianapolis (nope, not a typo) and sign up for its twice-weekly e-mail newsletter.

Mark your calendars for this weekend's Indiana Festival at Conner Prairie. You can learn about multicultural music and dance traditions while munching on an elephant ear.

And, finally, be watching this weekend for my review of the historic ghost walks we talked about a few weeks ago. Let's see whether they're educational or just plain cheesy.

Things You Didn't Know You Wanted to Know

This week's installment: The timber framing class at Conner Prairie. Yes, for a mere $150, you can help construct the Prairietown Carpenter Shop using traditional timber framing techniques. According to the museum's new summer brochure, you'll also learn "how to sharpen and use traditional tools like corner chisels, slicks, handsaws and t-handled augers." To each his own. If I'm going to build a building (and possibly slice off a finger), I'm not going to pay $150 for the privilege. But that sounds harsh; I can see how you might enjoy it. Just watch out for your fingers!

The class takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, July 11. Registration required.

Review: Follow the North Star

At the beginning of last night's Follow the North Star program at Conner Prairie, the moderator said, "You're not here for fun. You're here for an experience." It was true. Nothing about the activity, which puts you in the shoes of an escaped slave in the 1830s, qualifies as fun. But as far as experiences go, it was eye-opening, unforgettable and unquestionably worthwhile.

One of the strongest elements of Follow the North Star is the uncertainty participants feel, so I don't want to reveal too much. You're not sure of your final destination and sometimes not even sure what you're supposed to do next. You're not sure which of the characters -- played to perfection by Conner Prairie interpreters -- will be willing to help you on your journey.

But I will tell you this. As the interactive portion of the program starts, you assume the role of a slave who is about to be sold to a new master. The first step is the slave sale, where you are belittled and verbally harassed by both your old and new masters. My first instinct was to raise my head and say, "Who do you think you are? You can't treat me like this!" But we had been admonished to try to "stay in character," so I didn't say that. I kept my head down, said "yes, sir" and "no, sir," and got my first taste of the power of this program. At several stages of the journey, I was fighting back tears.

Conner Prairie does have a safety net in place for participants who feel overwhelmed. We were each given strips of white fabric, which we could tie around our heads to become "invisible" to the interpreters. If we felt ready to participate again, we could take the strips off. Nobody in our group used the strips, but I came pretty close.

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I went through the program with my husband, which made it all the more powerful. We were constantly being told to keep our eyes to the ground, so most of the time, we couldn't see what was happening to the other people in our group. Even though I knew, in the back of my mind, that everything was fake, it was horrifying not to know where my husband was or what was happening to him. It was the first time I had ever internalized the horror and grief the slaves must have experienced as their family members were sold away to other masters, never to be seen again.

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That's the power of this program. It gives you a small taste of what those experiences must have felt like. And the dawning realization you'll have is that, no matter how scary the Follow the North Star experience is, it's nothing compared to what really happened.

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Follow the North Star is offered in April and November, and the cost is $19 per person.

Topic Overview: Weaving

Presenting the first installment of a new feature, topic overviews, which will focus on how to gain in-depth knowledge of a topic or skill. This week's feature: weaving.

Yes, there's more than one way to make a scarf. In fact, weaving allows you to make everything from scarves to tapestries to clothing fabric and gives you total control of the colors and pattern.

If you're interested, start with the two-day weaving workshop at Conner Prairie. You'll do a project (probably a scarf) from start to finish -- everything from choosing the yarn to cutting the fringe. The class is expensive, but you'll get a great overview of the weaving process. These people really know what they're doing; they weave all of the blankets and other fiber items on display in the living history areas of the museum.

Want to learn more? Sign up for the introductory weaving class at the Indianapolis Art Center. Instead of doing one project from start to finish, you'll focus on learning types of weaving patterns and making small samplers. (It's a good solution to the center's equipment problems; when I took the class about a year ago, there weren't enough looms to go around, and there were only four people in the class.)

Still interested? Make the drive to Arcadia, which is home to Tabby Tree Weaver. This is another chance to get a start-to-finish lesson in weaving, and there's plenty of personal attention. (I made a table runner.) When that project is finished, you can rent a loom for a low weekly rate to get even more practice.

That's where my personal experience with weaving ends, but there are lots of other options. Classes are offered at the Indiana Traditional Arts Center in Monrovia and the Weaver's Loft in Guilford. Or, get connected with a local weaving guild for advice and ideas.

A word of caution: No matter how much you enjoy that first Conner Prairie class, do not buy a loom until you've had more practice. You'll learn more as you go about what kind of loom you might like, and you'll find out whether you find the repetition involved in weaving to be soothing or tedious.