Something Fresh is Happening!

So many women live in poverty, not because they lack abilities, but because they lack opportunity. Overflow is joining with Trades of Hope to give women around the world that opportunity for a better life. Each woman has a story, and with Trades of Hope's help, their story has changed from pain and struggle to a story of hope! We're excited to further these stories.

Here's a video sharing the story of one Trades of Hope artisan in Uganda:

Trades of Hope works with the artisans themselves and organizations that are helping women in difficult circumstances. Some women have been rescued from sex slavery. Others are raising handicapped children alone. Some are in war torn countries and others have aids and leprosy. These women have never had the chances we've had, yet they are just like us in so many ways. They love their families and hope and dream of a better life for them.

Here are the various ways you can make a purchase and give a gift to yourself or to a friend that also gives a gift to a woman in poverty and her community:

• Shop at Overflow the next time you're in.  We have select items available for direct purchase.
• Shop online at mytradesofhope.com/overflowcoffeebar.  All items are available and can be shipped to any address in the United States.
• Host a party with your friends.  More info here.   

In case you need some enticement, here's an online promo that starts soon:

Thank you for changing the world with us!

See and Hear Barista Mark Perform

We all know how baristas are often artists who count on their barista work for stable income while they pursue their art endeavors.  It just so happens that one of your favorite Overflow baristas is a guitarist with exceptional skill and resume.  Here's a run down:

Mark Anderson (Chicago native, Code name: "RogerTango")

• Masters in Classical Guitar Performance at San Francisco Conservatory of Music
• Adjunct Professor of Guitar at Illinois Wesleyan University
• Guitar Instructor at The Academy of Movement and Music in Oak Park
• Performed the U.S. premier of “Rising Spirals” by award winning composer Chinary Ung

In his cover letter to apply at Overflow, Mark wrote,

"As a musician, I have learned to appreciate the full aesthetic of everything I engage in. Coffee is not a drink, it is an experience that I can create and share with a customer."  

You can see why we hired him.  Now, as part of the Daystar Center concert series, come see and hear him perform along with Necati Emirzade.  Together, they make Duo Tandem.  In addition, Zach Lehner will be displaying art before/after and creating live art during the performance.

Here are the details:

Thursday, April 17 and Saturday, April 19 (same show both dates)
7:00pm - two 45 minute sets with an intermission
General Admission: $20, includes gourmet appetizers
Bring your own beer or wine or purchase a beverage from Overflow.
Advance tickets are encouraged.  You can get them here.

Still not convinced to come???  Hear some samples of their work here.

Meet February's Artist: Alex

I want to introduce you to my friend Alexander Goreham.  His photography is on the walls here at Overflow for the month of February.  He is a resident of Bridgeport.  He doubles as an ER Technician and a student earning his Masters of Social Work from Loyola.  I sat down wit Alex and asked him 8 questions.

1. Where were you born?
Moscow, Russia

2. What is the top value that shapes your life?
Choosing surrender and seeking intimacy with Christ.

3. What's your main passion?
Having deep conversations with people.

4. Who is your role model?
My parents.

5. Tell us 1 thing you must do before you die.
Visiting my orphanage again.

6. What's your favorite drink or food at Overflow?
White Hot Chocolate.

7. What do you like most about Chicago?
The lake shore during summertime from 9am to 8pm.

8. Tell us 1 random thing you'd like people to know about you.
My photographic philosophy is “a moment captured is a moment remembered.”

Stop by sometime to see Alex' art.  If you want to make one your own, they're available to purchase.

We're looking for: ARTISTS!

We need some art to display on our walls in 2013.  If you're an interested artists, fill out the form here.

Here are some details you might want to know:
To express interest in showing your art on the walls at Overflow Coffee Bar for approximately 1 month, please complete the form  We'll get back to you to discuss details.

Here are the rules:

1. Artists are given priority for scheduling in the order their forms are received.
2. Artists must live, work or study in the South Loop or a nearby neighborhood within the City of Chicago.
3. Artists may list their pieces for sale and keep 100% of the sales. Overflow does not take any overhead or fees.
4. Artists must not have a permanent gallery space.
5. We have lots of kids come through the coffee bar so all art is subject to approval by Overflow staff.
6. Artists are encouraged but not required to have an opening reception soon after their art is hung.  The reception is a great opportunity for inviting friends and family to see the art!

Artist Phil poses with his art

This Month at Overflow!

October continues an already busy fall.  Click on the name of each item for more information.

• Saturday, October 6 - Open Mic & More! @6pm (sign ups start at 5:30pm)
• Saturday, October 13 - Kids Story & Music Time @10am
• Friday, October 19 - South Loop Art Walk hosted by Greater South Loop Association but we're one of the stops!  Starts at 6pm. (more details coming soon) 
• Thursday, October 25 - The People's Crisis Film Screening @ 7pm
• Saturday, October 27 - Kids Story & Music Time @11am

Also, in our building but sponsored by other groups are the following...

• Every Sunday - You Can Hear God (hosted by Vineyard South Loop) @ 6:30pm
• Thursday, October 11 - Film Club screens North by Northwest (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 7pm
• Saturday, October 27 - Michael P. Smith Concert (hosted by Daystar Center) @ 8pm

If you'd like to help make the neighborhood a better place to live, consider volunteering at Alderman Fioretti's Clean and Green on Saturday, October 20.  

Don't forget the Chicago Marathon is Sunday, October 7.  Go out and cheer on the runners!  We'll open early at 7:30am so you can fuel up.  :)

We're Expanding Our Mission and Our Impact

Overflow's mission is to give South Loop residents, students and workers the opportunity to change the world.  We now have a new way for YOU to change the world one artisan-crafted item at a time!  

Overflow Coffee Bar is now a retailer of products from Ten Thousand Villages.  Ten Thousand Villages is a fair trade retailer of artisan-crafted gifts, home decor, jewelry, personal accessories, textiles, art & sculpture from across the globe. Featuring products from more than 130 artisan groups in some 38 countries, we are part of a network of more than 390 retail outlets throughout the United States selling Ten Thousand Villages products. For more than 60 years, Ten Thousand Villages has been establishing long-term buying relationships in places where skilled artisans lack opportunities for stable income. All artisans are fairly paid for their products.

For more information about Ten Thousand Villages at Overflow, please contact Amanda at amanda@overflowcoffeebar.org.  Ten Thousand Villages products will be available on Saturdays from 8:00am to 6:00pm.  As sales increase, we'll add new hours.

For the month of August, we're donating 5% of all gross sales from these new products to the Greater South Loop Association to help make the Bash on Wabash a success.  We'll also have Ten Thousand Village products available at the Bash on Wabash, August 25 and 26.

The South Loop now has a place for you to find interesting gifts or unique items for yourself at a convenient location.  Support local business, make global impact.

Art Opening June 3, 1-5pm

Sunday, June 3 from 1-5pm at 1550 S. State Street.

Join Philamonjaro (the artist) and Overflow for the opening of a new body of work titled Desert Dreams. The exhibit features twenty two framed works of large scale art photographed at The Burning Man Festival located in the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada.

The exhibit will be up through the month of June but this is your chance to meet the artist.

This Month at Overflow

Here's a quick summary of events happening this month.  Click on the links for more info.

Open Mic and More!
Saturday, May 5
5:30pm
More info here.

Call and Response Documentary Film Screening
with discussion facilitated by Traffick Free
Thursday, May 24
7:00pm
Get more info and reserve your seat here.
Watch the trailer.

We also have Art & Discussion every Sunday evening at 6:30.  Click here for more information.

Sneak Peak of Art Gallery/Auction

Here's a sneak peak of the Art Gallery and Silent Auction taking place tomorrow (Saturday, March 31) starting at 1pm.  Stop by to check out the local art!  You might just find something you want to bid on.  :)

Money raised from the auction is split between the artist and paying off Overflow's debt.  We've got some BIG plans for our 2nd year that the money will go to fund. More details coming soon (or hear them by purchasing a ticket to Coffee Tasting & Speed Networking)!