I just discovered an artisan -- Ivan -- who lives in Kiev and builds medieval hurdy gurdies! 

Here is his Etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BorshchDesigns?ref=shop_profile&listing_id=4526269485

Come check out the debut of Ukrainian tenor Bogdan Mynka's new opera & ballet company, Verismo.  August 29-31, 8;00pm, at the Marigny Opera House. 

https://marignyoperahouse.org/upcoming-events/tomorrow-and-tomorrow-an-opera-ballet-based-on-macbeth/

First: To maximize the value of your vote, please consider changing your party affiliation to "No Party".  If you are registered as No Party, you can vote in either the Democratic or the Republican primary.  This is very important, as pro-Ukraine/pro-Europe candidates are often under threat of being "primaried"-- voted out during the primary before they can reach the general election where reasonable, independent voters hold greater sway. 

Here is the link to change your party registration:
https://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/Pages/OnlineVoterRegistration.aspx


Second: The Telegraph has detailed clear evidence that Darren Beattie, the acting under-secretary for public diplomacy and public affairs who dismantled the US government’s Russian disinformation unit, is a pro-Kremlin plant in the Trump administration.

Here is a simple message you can send to Senators Kennedy and Cassidy, or (better) write one in your own words:

Please take steps to replace Darren Beattie, a clear Russian asset, with someone who truly prioritizes the security of the United States and our allies.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-official-shut-down-russia-095504636.html
 

Here are the links to the contact forms for Senators Cassidy and Kennedy.  It is so easy to simply tell them how you feel about an issue affecting the US and our European allies, and ask them to do something on your behalf, as a Louisiana voter.  That is their job, in fact! 

The more Louisiana residents write in, the more of a mandate they have to stand for Ukraine.  (Both of our senators are pro-Ukraine, but are up against certain other elements in the government that are not supportive.)  You can send just one or two sentences; no need for a long letter.

Just click on the links below and fill out the forms:

Senator Cassidy:
https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/contact/get-in-touch/

Senator Kennedy:
https://www.kennedy.senate.gov/public/email-me-form

Here are the links to the contact forms for Senators Cassidy and Kennedy.  It is so easy to simply tell them how you feel about an issue like Ukraine, and ask them to do something on your behalf, as a Louisiana voter.  That is their job, in fact! 

The more Louisiana residents write in, the more of a mandate they have to stand for Ukraine.  (They are both pro-Ukraine, but are up against certain other elements in the government that are not supportive.)  You can send just one or two sentences; no need for a long letter.

Just click on the links below and fill out the forms:

Senator Cassidy:
https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/contact/get-in-touch/

Senator Kennedy:
https://www.kennedy.senate.gov/public/email-me-form

May 18, 6:00pm  **New date and time!**
Polyana and East Piano at Cafe Istanbul

This will be a double feature of two 30-minute pieces, followed by discussion.

Polyana
Short film by Ukrainian-American acupuncturist Katya Chizayeva. Katya "commutes" to Ukraine to provide treatments to Ukrainian soldiers alongside local Ukrainian acupuncturists at the Lisova Polyana Rehabilitation Center in Kyiv. These soldiers have suffered from traumatic brain injury and amputations as a result of their military service. The film aims to raise awareness about many challenges that Ukrainian society holds as a whole while fighting on many different fronts-- personal, cultural, economic, etc.

"Polyana" is dedicated to the ordinary people of Ukraine-- focusing on soldiers and health care workers-- who continue to fight, care, recover, and live amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. To learn more, go to @ukrainewellnesslisova or @librewillness on Instagram.

Katya Chizayeva is a New Orleans-based Ukrainian-American artist, community activist, and acupuncturist. Her artistic work is rooted in bridging communities to tell the stories of resilience and belonging through the media of film, dance, and theater. *For those who have been in this group for some time, the piece "Top 5 Survival Moves" at the CAC (a collaboration between Katya and Goat In The Road Productions) was one of our first Meetup events!*

East Piano, The Frontline Sonic Journal of a Ukrainian Musician-Soldier.
East Piano, an audio production by Cicely Fell from the BBC's Between The Ears, is a sonic journal by musician-soldier Timur Dzhafarov (aka John Object). An electronic music composer before the war, he volunteered to defend Ukraine when Russia invaded and was sent to the frontline to fight. There, he recorded sounds that are compiled into this sonic journal.

Grand Kiev Ballet will perform the classic ballet Sleeping Beauty at the Jefferson Performing Arts Center, 6400 Airline Drive.  May 15, 7:00pm.  More information and tickets at: www.jeffersonpac.com/events/detail/the-sleeping-beauty

Today!  April 5, 2025, 2-5pm.  Lafayette Square in the CBD.  Nationwide rally against ALL of the misguided actions of our government, but show your Ukrainian colors!   Ukraine will not be a mining colony of the US and Russia.  Peace now, and tariffs removed from Ukraine and placed on Russia.  (Russia was one of the only countries that did not get hit with the new tariffs.  Raise your voice if you think this is wrong.)

Note:  although we citizens will try to protect those without citizenship, it may be best for those here on visas to stay home, as the administration has been revoking student visas if they see the student in a protest.  Sadly, free speech is being curtailed, and while this is WHY we are out in the street, let us citizens be your voice at this point if you are here on a visa.

Event information here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1454489225529079?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22notifications_tab%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3A%22feedback_reaction_generic%22%7D

Beauty can bring a smile in the heart of darkness.  Check out this photograpph among Cornell's Birdspotter photography contest finalists-- Ukrainian colors in ornithology! 

See the other stunning photography finalists (and vote if you want to) here:
https://dl.allaboutbirds.org/wild-birds-unlimited-birdspotter-photo-contest-voting-2025?utm_campaign=WBU%20birdpsotter%202024-2025&utm_source=BCE%20AAB&utm_medium=lightbox