We are only two weeks in and 2025 has already dealt some pretty dreadful blows- the wars, the storms, the devastating fires…

And as if that wasn’t enough, Monday, January 20, 2025 marks a transfer of power that could make way for both local threat and global chaos. To many of us, the prospect of witnessing this alongside these other disasters is intolerable. It provokes our deepest anxiety, if not our downright fear of what will become of us and our democracy. Avoiding the celebrations, we will be trying to breathe and stay calm while looking for ways to keep connected to each other and figuring out how to help and what to do next.

To address this, La Mama is hosting an Inaugural Night Care Café on Monday night, January 20 from 5-7pm as a space to gather, care for each other, and possibly strategize for a more hopeful and a more careful future.

The Care Cafe was conceived by artist Lois Weaver in the aftermath of the 2016 US presidential election and developed as a place to be in company and conversation with others. Set up like a conventional café with small tables and chairs, the Care Café acts as a temporary venue for community and conversation with some simple table activities set up within a framework of care. Just by entering the room, we acknowledge something of our own needs in the present moment and our desire to give and receive care.

The Care Café asks us to turn up as we are, with no specific agenda, expectation, or discussion topic, simply asking the question: How can we maintain an attitude of care in an uncaring world?

Drop in anytime between 5-7 pm on Monday, January 20 at La Mama 74 East 4th Street.

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