upcoming

Auntie Sewing Squad Documentary Screening in NYC
Aug
9

Auntie Sewing Squad Documentary Screening in NYC

I will be at the screening! Part of the 49th Asian American International Film Festival.

Screening and ticket information here.

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Kristina’s Vulva at the VULVA GALA!!!
Aug
15

Kristina’s Vulva at the VULVA GALA!!!

  • 241 Cedar Avenue Long Beach, California, 90802 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

I won’t be here (because I double booked myself in San Francisco that day) but the VULVA COSTUME I worked on will be walking the catwalk! A fun inclusive event with pay-what-you-can tickets! Information here!

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Screeening of Auntie Sewing Squad Documentary!
Aug
15

Screeening of Auntie Sewing Squad Documentary!

  • San Francisco Public Library Main Branch, Koret Auditorium (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Free Screening! I will be at the Q&A and have copies of my book on hand.

San Francisco Public Library Main Branch

Koret Auditorium

100 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94102

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Book Event at Middle Tennessee State University
Sep
17

Book Event at Middle Tennessee State University

More details coming soon.

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BOOK EVENT AT PARNASSUS BOOKS IN NASHVILLE
Sep
18

BOOK EVENT AT PARNASSUS BOOKS IN NASHVILLE

I will be in conversation with local elected official Terry Vo and signing books! Event is free! I’d love to meet you!

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Auntie Sewing Squad Documentary Screening at SF State
Sep
30

Auntie Sewing Squad Documentary Screening at SF State

  • San Francisco State University, Fine Arts Building 101/Coppola Theater (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

I will be at this screening and have copies of my book to sign!

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Auntie Sewing SquaD Screening in Oakland
Jul
28

Auntie Sewing SquaD Screening in Oakland

I will be at the screening and answering your questions after! I’ll even have copies of our book on hand!

Get tickets here!

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Kristina co-MODERATING BILLY WEST PANEL AT SAN DIEGO COMIC- CON
Jul
26

Kristina co-MODERATING BILLY WEST PANEL AT SAN DIEGO COMIC- CON

My spouse and I are co-moderating a panel where voice legend Billy West will be talking about his new book. Panel listing is here.

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Kristina hosts Fringe Benefits Theatre’s 35th Anniversary Celebration
Jul
12

Kristina hosts Fringe Benefits Theatre’s 35th Anniversary Celebration

“Making Lemonade!” Fringe Benefits Theatre’s 35th Anniversary Celebration, July 12 from 5 to 8:30pm, at Plaza de la Raza!

Our “Making Lemonade!” theme celebrates the way Fringe Benefits helps youth turn their painful experiences with discrimination into powerful art that promotes a more just, kind and inclusive world.

 

RSVP & Get Your Ticket(s) by Monday, July 6. Space is limited!

 RSVP & TICKET LINK    

Suggested donation for tickets is $35 per person; $25 per ticket is tax deductible. 

If you are unable to donate $35, no worries, please join us anyways!  

Our 35th Anniversary Celebration features…

 

 Kristina Wong: Emcee Extraordinaire Comedian, Guggenheim Fellow, Pulitzer Finalist, & Longtime Fringe Benefits Ally!

 

 Entertainment & Inspiration from Fringe Benefits' Wonderfully Gifted Artists – Both New & Veteran!

 

 Absolutely DELECTABLE savories, sweets, & LIBERAL libations!

 

 A Gorgeous Setting with Happy-Making Music & Dancing to lift your spirits!

 

 One heck of a FABULOUS THRONG of delightful, thoughtful, diverse and FUN people!

 

️ An opportunity to partner with Fringe Benefits in our mission to continue to EMPOWER youth

       to replace hate with understanding through theatre & film LONG INTO THE FUTURE!

  

If you are unable to attend, please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation.

Your contributions of any size are greatly appreciated!

DONATION LINK

 

I hope you can join us!

Love,

Norma

Norma Bowles | Artistic Director

Fringe Benefits Theatre | Setting the Stage for Social Justice

www.cootieshots.org

 Some of the PRIZES our supporters have donated for some of our lucky contributors... 

 

An Antipasti basket  *  “Bottle Shock” Game  *  Casa 0101 theatre tickets  *  Casita del Campo gift certificate  *  Dowsing Workshops  *  Drama in Action workshop voucher  *  El Coyote gift certificate  *  Fringe Benefits books  * Handmade Serving Utensils  *  M3 Collections jewelry gift certificate  *  Sold Out Crowd one year membership  *  Sumi on Vermont gift certificate

Fringe Benefits Theatre helps youth turn their painful experiences with discrimination into powerful art that promotes a more just, kind and inclusive world.

Fringe Benefits is a groundbreaking educational theatre company with a 35-year track record of collaborating with schools and community groups to create plays, videos and programs that open hearts and minds and foster respect, inclusion and justice. Thanks in part to our partnerships, schools have developed more inclusive curricula and ended discriminatory policies; youth obtained emergency housing; formerly incarcerated women found employment; Rotarians decided to support marriage equality; high school students learned ally-empowering strategies from their Indigenous peers; and a university audited and corrected accessibility issues throughout their campus.

 

Our collaborations have produced over 500 world-premiere plays and videos. And our critically acclaimed anthologies --- Cootie Shots, Friendly Fire, and Staging Social Justice --- are used in classes throughout the United States. Sir Ian McKellen narrates Surviving Friendly Fire, the award-winning documentary about our work. Our work has earned acknowledgment by the President's Commission on the Arts and Humanities and awards from: the CSJ Center for Reconciliation and Justice, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, the Korean Youth and Community Center, PFLAG/LA, and Cornerstone Theater Company, among others.

 

Fringe Benefits Theatre (F.B. Alliance) is a 501-C3 non-profit organization, ID #:  95-4742959.            

www.cootieshots.org

 

Thank you to our 35th Anniversary Celebration Hosts!!!

Carol Fisher Sorgenfrei   *   David Miller  *  Diana and Jeff Tomei  *  Dwora Fried & Jehan Agrama  *  Fringe Benefits Board of Directors  *  Jesse Armstrong  *  John H. Bowles  *  Kathleen McHugh  *  Lo Sprague  *  Loring McAlpin  *  Mike & Nancy Riordan  *  Pamela Alma Weymouth  *  Peter Jones

 

Board of Directors

Barbara June Dodge Dart, President   *  Bernardo Solano, Secretary   *  Jan K. Tattam, Treasurer   *   Alexandra Billings-Blankenship   *  Norma Bowles  *  Sonja Berggren Seaver  *  Kimiko Warner Turner

 

Advisory Board

Jehan Agrama  *  Jayne Atkinson  *  Megan Cavanagh  *   David Ray Chaparro  *  Corky Dominguez  *  Olympia Dukakis †   *  Rabbi David N. Young  *  Yvette Freeman-Hartley  *  Mike & Lydia Gutierrez  *  Chris & Lynn Hunt  *  Allison Madison  *  Rev. Dr. Marilyn Matevia  *  Gail Rolf  *  Peter Sellars  *  Bob Stern  *  Jack Walker  *  Billie Weiser, Psy. D.  *  Bruce Whitacre  *  Jaime Wolf, Esq.  *  Joanne Woodward

 

“I am a supporter of Fringe Benefits because I share their belief that through theatre,

we can get to know and understand each other in all of our diverse beauty,

and work together to create a peaceful and loving world.”

Joanne Woodward, Fringe Benefits Advisory Board

If you are unable to attend, please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation.

Your contributions of any size are greatly appreciated!

DONATION LINK

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13th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest Celebration
Jul
11

13th Annual Imagine Little Tokyo Short Story Contest Celebration

  • Japanese American National Museum Democracy Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

I am a guest reader. Event is free and a virtual option also available. RSVP here!

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From Number to Name 3: Welcome Back Home?
Jun
26
to Jun 28

From Number to Name 3: Welcome Back Home?

I am devising and directing a new show with members of API RISE. It’s free to see our final sharing, RSVP link here.

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"Kristina Wong, #FoodBankInfluencer" at Portland Center Stage!  A Special Engagement!
May
26
to Jun 7

"Kristina Wong, #FoodBankInfluencer" at Portland Center Stage! A Special Engagement!

Back in Portland for this short engagement on the mainstage in 2026! Stay tuned to Portland Center Stage’s site for more details!

Take a look at the schedule below, and we hope to see you there!

May 26 | 7:30 p.m.

Pay-What-You-Can Performance + Post-Show Panel on Food Justice

Stay after the show for a special post-show panel featuring local food justice organizations in conversation about mutual aid, hunger relief, and community organizing.

May 30 | 7:00 p.m.

BIPOC Affinity Night

Performance begins at 7:30 p.m.

May 31 | 4:00 p.m.

Pre-show Party! - End of Season Soirée

Join us before the performance for an evening of celebration, community, and exciting announcements for the season ahead.

Performance begins at 7:30 p.m.

June 1 | 1:30–3:00 p.m.

Volunteer Day with Kristina Wong at the Oregon Food Bank

Roll up your sleeves and volunteer alongside Kristina Wong at Oregon Food Bank in a special community service event inspired by the show.

June 4 | 7:30 p.m.

ASL Interpreted Performance

June 6 | 2:00 p.m.

Open Caption Performance

June 7 | 2:00 p.m.

Audio Described Performance

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SAN FRANCISCO PREMIERE of THE AUNTIE SEWING SQUAD DOCUMENTARY
May
10

SAN FRANCISCO PREMIERE of THE AUNTIE SEWING SQUAD DOCUMENTARY

I’ll be in the audience and fielding questions with other Aunties.

🎟Get tix here!

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Kristina on Panel "Between Visibility and Erasure"
May
9

Kristina on Panel "Between Visibility and Erasure"

This panel is part of a day long series called “Tea House Salon”. This particular panel is at 2:45pm. RSVP for this free panel here.

Diverse representation in film and TV has come a long way, but lately it feels like we’re sliding backward. Studios are retreating into old habits, and in a country that seems increasingly allergic to conversations about diversity, filmmakers from underrepresented communities are left wondering: where do we go from here? As the contraction of DEI continues, AAPI storytelling is at a crossroads. Join us for a conversation with Dino-Ray Ramos, journalist and founder of DIASPORA, alongside filmmakers as they unpack what authentic representation means and discuss whether or not AAPI storytellers still need to wear their cultural identity on their sleeve in order to be seen.

Featuring Schuyler Bailar (Participant, The A List) Kristina Wong (Participant, The Auntie Sewing Squad Resistance Playbook) & Valerie Soe (Director, The Auntie Sewing Squad Resistance Playbook), Jaskaran Singh (Director, Jersey Boy) in conversation with Dino-Ray Ramos (Founder, DIASPORA). 

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LOS ANGELES SCREENING OF AUNTIE SEWING SQUAD DOCUMENTARY
May
2

LOS ANGELES SCREENING OF AUNTIE SEWING SQUAD DOCUMENTARY

I’m in the documentary and I also will be there!

🎟 Get tickets here!

Website for the documentary here.

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Book Event in Long Beach:  Auntie Kristina's Guide to Asian American Activism
May
2

Book Event in Long Beach: Auntie Kristina's Guide to Asian American Activism

Free event! We will be reading and signing copies of our book! All ages invited to come!

Check out this cool bookstore here!

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Book and Food event at UC IRVINE
Apr
28

Book and Food event at UC IRVINE

For registered UC Irvine students only.

REGISTER HERE~

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Book Launch event at the VILLAGE WELL IN CULVER CITY
Apr
26

Book Launch event at the VILLAGE WELL IN CULVER CITY

Free book event with all four authors and special guests. A chance to also get your copy signed by us! Free!

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"The Kids are the Future: Activism For Young Adults" Book Event at LA Times Festival of Books
Apr
19

"The Kids are the Future: Activism For Young Adults" Book Event at LA Times Festival of Books

  • YA Stage - Signing Area 9 | Pages: A Bookstore (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS


Session Title:
The Kids are the Future: Activism For Young Adults

Date/Time: Sunday, April 19 -- 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Venue: YA Stage - Signing Area 9 

Panelist(s): Taylor Cassidy, Theodore Chao, Kristina Wong, Andrew Aydin 

Moderator: Julia Torres

  • Outdoor stages require no reservation! See you there!! 

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BOOK LAUNCH EVENT: AUNTIE KRISTINA'S GUIDE TO ASIAN AMERICAN ACTIVISM
Apr
18

BOOK LAUNCH EVENT: AUNTIE KRISTINA'S GUIDE TO ASIAN AMERICAN ACTIVISM

🎟 Get tickets here! Ticket price includes a copy of the book!

Join us for a family friendly book launch event! The writers, Young Rebels and even a few Auntie Heroes will be present to sign and celebrate the launch of our new book!

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Book Event at ACT San Francisco
Apr
12

Book Event at ACT San Francisco

We’ll be talking and reading from our book! No reservation needed! Free! Just come on up! There’s a show, Girls Chance Music, in the theater at 1pm which we highly recommend seeing. Make an afternoon of it!

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Book Event at Night of IDeas San Francisco
Apr
11

Book Event at Night of IDeas San Francisco

Join me and co-writer Jenessa Joffe and our special kid guests Vivian and Sloane, at the library for a reading of some of the book, some activities and a signing afterwards! Free as part of a day long event called Night of Ideas!

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Book Event at LOS ANGELES Public Library in Chinatown
Apr
11

Book Event at LOS ANGELES Public Library in Chinatown

Note: I won’t be here because Jenessa and I are at a book event in San Francisco that day, but Teddy and Anna Michelle will be there! Free!!

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Kristina's Play is in a 29 hour developmental reading week
Mar
27
to Apr 3

Kristina's Play is in a 29 hour developmental reading week

I wrote a new play with a cast that doesn’t include me. It was commissioned by La Jolla Playhouse and we’ll be in the rehearsal room with actors for 29 hours with a private closed reading to follow. In New York City.

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Kristina Wong, #FoodBankInfluencer in New York City
Mar
20
to Mar 23

Kristina Wong, #FoodBankInfluencer in New York City

🚨FREE TICKETS! RSVP HERE! Free supplemental groceries available after each show!🚨

Two locations in the East Village! Free tickets! Limited availability!

Self-proclaimed “Food Bank Influencer” Kristina Wong offers her rendition of the American Musical—like nobody ever asked for—by celebrating our emergency food system.

Having experienced food distribution (or lack thereof) from New York to the Navajo Nation, she shares irreverent commentary while illuminating American food insecurity and the subsequent national pastime that is collecting and giving away free food. But, how will she pull this off with humor? It’s a SNAP! (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, that is!)

This NEW YORK THEATRE WORKSHOP: WORK OUT presentation will take place at two locations:

HETRICK MARTIN INSTITUTE
Entrance at 2 Astor Place

March 20 @ 6:30 PM
March 21 @ 1 & 5PM

ST LUKE IN THE FIELDS
487 Hudson Street

March 22 @ 7PM
March 23 @ 7PM

All tickets are free and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited and RSVP is required.

ADDITIONAL CREDITS:

Music Director and Musicologist Howard Ho
Production and Stage Manager Amanda Eno

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Author Keynote at Teaching for Justice: Communities of Care
Mar
7

Author Keynote at Teaching for Justice: Communities of Care

✍️More information and register here!

The authors of “Auntie Kristina’s Guide to Asian American Activism” will be giving the morning keynote at this conference!

ABOUT:Teaching for Justice: Communities of Care

A two-day conference for K–12 educators and community partners focused on AAPI-centered, justice-driven teaching that centers community knowledge and lived experience while exploring how to bring justice, equity, love, and solidarity into classrooms and schools.

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Kristina's Short Play in Las Vegas!
Mar
6
to Mar 15

Kristina's Short Play in Las Vegas!

  • Ham Fine Arts-Paul Harris Theater (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Kristina’s new short play “Tweets and Consequences” will be performed as part of the University of Las Vegas Short Play Festival with acting students at UNLV.

🎟Eight shows! Get tickets!

Description

The short play festival is back! This year’s theme “The Worker” is a contemporary and immediate snapshot of the American workforce—a compelling and fascinating look at work, jobs, and the people who do them. Join NCT as we bring you six world premiere short plays written for Las Vegas by some of the most thrilling voices in American theatre. Shorts is made possible by the David and Stephanie Vondrak Short Play Festival Fund.

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FEAST MODE: A Friendly Show ABOUT Food Insecurity
Feb
17

FEAST MODE: A Friendly Show ABOUT Food Insecurity

FEAST MODE: A Friendly Show About Food Insecurity

Join us for a culminating performance of the FEAST MODE workshop facilitated by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Kristina Wong where we’ve explored issues around food justice as inspiration for original writing and performances. Cheer our participants on as they share what they’ve been creating in this fun informal showing!

FREE Admission!

FREE Refreshments!

Donations Welcome!

World Harvest Food Bank
3100 Venice Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90019

Street Parking Available, Park south of Venice on Arlington recommended.

Additional Questions?
feastmodeworkshop@gmail.com

This free workshop and performance is supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)’s Creative Optimism-Uplifting Promises (CO-UP) Grant.

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Kristina is Opening Guest at Creative Mornings Los ANgeles
Feb
13

Kristina is Opening Guest at Creative Mornings Los ANgeles

I’ll be talking about food justice and my upcoming book!

Free event! Registration required. More info here.

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Kristina at "Outtake-O-Rama" part of SF Sketchfest!
Jan
25

Kristina at "Outtake-O-Rama" part of SF Sketchfest!

🎟 Tix here!

**I know, I’m not on the flyer. But I will spinning a wheel and bantering as part of this.

SF Sketchfest: The San Francisco Comedy Festival presents 3 weeks of non-stop live sketch, improv, stand-up, podcasts, reunions, and more!

Join the stars of FUTURAMA for a riotously uncensored tribute to the most notorious celebrity outtakes ever accidentally recorded! Featuring voice legends John DiMaggio, Billy West, and Maurice LaMarche, plus Futurama head writer David X. Cohen. Always a wild party!

Ages 18+!

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Kristina on the Futurama Panel at San Francisco Sketchfest!
Jan
24

Kristina on the Futurama Panel at San Francisco Sketchfest!

🎟 Get tickets here!

*I’m here reading some guest parts!!! I know I’m not on the flyer, but I will be there!


FUTURAMA
is LIVE on Earth for one night only! Prepare to be invaded by comedy overlords John DiMaggio, Maurice LaMarche, Phil LaMarr, Lauren Tom, and Billy West, plus Invasion Coordinator/Producer Lee Supercinski, and Saucer Pilot/Head Writer David X. Cohen. Enjoy one final evening of laughs and lasers as they seize control of your weak, tiny planet! Muhuhuhahahaha!

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Kristina will mend your textiles at the Echo Park Repair Fair
Jan
18

Kristina will mend your textiles at the Echo Park Repair Fair

It’s not a “gig” but me volunteering with one of my favorite community building projects in Los Angeles. Bring your ripped clothing items or missing button shirts that need repair, and myself or another community volunteer will fix it.

It’s first come, first served. I recommend getting in line early!

There’s also a clothing swap, lead testing, free knife sharpening and all sorts of repair services on site on site.

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FEAST MODE:  Free Writing and Performance Workshop
Jan
13
to Feb 17

FEAST MODE: Free Writing and Performance Workshop

FEAST MODE!

Free Performance and Writing Workshop Exploring Themes of Food Insecurity

TRADUCCIÓN AL ESPAÑOL DISPONIBLE

Participants will pick up FREE groceries each week!

Get creatively charged up and hone your skills in writing and theater while making original performance pieces on the topic of food insecurity. This workshop is facilitated by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Kristina Wong.

Meeting dates: 

TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS MORNINGS 10-11AM

BETWEEN JANUARY 13- FEBRUARY 17, 2026

PUBLIC PERFORMANCE ON FEBRUARY 17, 11AM

All workshops happen at:  

World Harvest Food Bank, 3100 Venice Blvd. LA, CA

Advance enrollment recommended. Drop-in participants are welcome. Questions? Email: feastmodeworkshop@gmail.com

This free workshop is supported by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)’s Creative Optimism-Uplifting Promises (CO-UP) Grant.

MODO PACHANGERO

Taller Gratuito de Actuación y escritura sobre la inseguridad alimentaria

¡Los participantes recibirán comestibles GRATIS cada semana!

Impulsa tu creatividad y perfecciona tus habilidades de escritura y teatro mientras creas piezas teatrales originales sobre el tema de la inseguridad alimentaria. Este clase es impartido por Kristina Wong, finalista del Premio Pulitzer.

MARTES Y MIÉRCOLES MAÑANAS 10-11AM

ENTRE EL 13 DE ENERO Y EL 17 DE FEBRERO DE 2026

ACTUACIÓN PÚBLICA 17 DE FEBRERO, 11AM

Todos los talleres se realizan en:

World Harvest Food Bank, 3100 Venice Blvd. LA, CA

Se recomienda la inscripción anticipada. Se aceptan participantes sin cita previa. ¿Preguntas? Correo electrónico: feastmodeworkshop@gmail.com

Este taller gratuito cuenta con el apoyo de la Ciudad de Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA)’s Creative Optimism-Uplifting Promises (CO-UP) Grant.

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Kristina in Miami Guest Facilitating for Young Arts
Jan
4
to Jan 5

Kristina in Miami Guest Facilitating for Young Arts

This is a closed event for YoungArts artists in Miami, FL. Kristina is leading two interdisciplinary workshops as part of their YoungArts week.

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Nov
5
to Nov 6

Kristina in Brooklyn showing a new work

By invite only!

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Kristina is RUNNING/ TRUDGING the NEW YORK MARATHON
Nov
2

Kristina is RUNNING/ TRUDGING the NEW YORK MARATHON

I haven’t learned me lesson the first two times I did marathons with minimal training. Can you help me build a hospital in Kenya as part of what I think might be the last time I do something so brazenly dumb?

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