LECTURES & LIBATIONS: New Event Series Finds Its Sweet Spot In Eau Claire
the free-to-attend recurring events will continue with a talk on mental health through the lens of fly fishing, on May 19 at Forage
Evelyn Nelson, photos by Andrea Paulseth |
Envision an evening defined by its relaxed atmosphere, where thoughtful dialogue is paired with both sweet and savory refreshments. Whether your goal is to decompress or discover a fresh new topic, Eau Claire’s free-to-attend “Lectures & Libations” series welcomes accessible education for all walks of life.
From sessions on “Where Art Meets Medicine” to the “Cultural Anthropology of Skateboarding,” both its topics and guest speakers range from medical professionals in the Valley to faculty and staff at neighboring University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
“While these lectures are academic in nature, they are also social and casual,” Sarah Bjorklund and Sara Sandager, the two locals who created the series, said. “We are here to hang out with friends – and have a glass of wine or beer – to learn something new with no pressure.”
A blend between education and entertainment, both Bjorklund and Sandager hope to cultivate a space where the exploration of new subjects feels natural – bolstered by expert voices and an engaged audience.
"We think this is an important part of supporting the community and the speaker's special interests. It's always nice to keep the discussion flowing and get a few different perspectives thrown in and hear the speaker's responses."
SARAH BJORKLUND & SARA SANDAGER
ORGANIZERS, LECTURES & LIBATIONS EVENT SERIES
The duo first began hosting these sessions in winter of this year at Forage (403 S Barstow St., Eau Claire) – the event’s primary venue – with the help of owner and operator, Lori Borg.
“The atmosphere and overall flow of Lectures & Libations is laid back in a smaller, intimate setting,” the duo said. “We want the audience to have a chance to ask the speaker questions – whether that is after or during, it really just depends on the energy in the room.”
This month, at 6:30pm on May 19, the series will continue at Forage with “Casting for Calm & Connections” – led by Tom Sather.
Sather, a professor in the College of Health and Human Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and assistant professor at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, will share the skills and camaraderie found in fly fishing.
For Sather, the sport – a distinctive angling method which uses a weighted line to cast artificial flies – has become a powerful tool and multifaceted form of medicine which supports human connectivity, creativity and well being.
“I taught myself how to fly fish shortly after graduating from UW-Eau Claire,” Sather said. “We are incredibly fortunate to have some of the absolute best trout water in the entire country in our area.”
The hour-long event will share a combination of fly fishing stories and fly tying, with some complementary health literature to illustrate how fly fishing acts as an avenue to promote mental health, “while being in some of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin.”
“(The) fly fishing community in Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley is exceptional,” Sather continued. “The people who fly fish and are interested in fly fishing and fly tying in the area are incredibly talented and incredibly supportive.”
Sather, just like Bjorklund and Sandager, finds fulfillment in speaking about something he is both vested and finds value in – whether that is related to his professional endeavors or personal passions.
Lectures & Libations offers that “sweet spot” between the two – and the co-organizers agree. Both Bjorklund and Sandager hope this contemporary learning environment will become a draw for other intersectional topics as the series progresses.
“We think this is an important part of supporting the community and the speaker’s special interests,” Bjorklund and Sandager said. “It’s always nice to keep the discussion flowing and get a few different perspectives thrown in and hear the speaker’s responses.”
Visit the Lectures & Libations Eventbrite webpage online, to view forthcoming events in the series – hosted at Forage (403 S Barstow St., Eau Claire). Lectures & Libations is a free event for the Chippewa Valley; online registration is encouraged and walk-ins are welcome.
