It is going to be an awesome week, with a social justice social on Thursday, an activist workshop on Saturday, and NAOMI KLEIN coming to WashU on Wednesday!!!  And that’s just a small sample of all the events that are coming up!

This week’s events:

Sunday, Jan. 25, Today is the last day to catch the “I AM”,  a play that touches on GLBT issues, racism, and other hot button topics.  The showing today is from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the DramaRama Arts and Music Academy, and you can get the full details here.  The play was produced by Landon Shaw, a member of the Activist Hub.

Also Sunday, from 4 to 6 p.m., the Royale is hosting “Theology on Tap” with a focus on the Theology of MLK.  The Royale is located at 3132 South Kingshighway, and you can get more details at this link.

Monday, January 26. Riddles Penultimate Cafe and Wine Bar (6307 Delmar) is hosting a fundraiser for the St. Louis-based group Peace Economy Project (PEP).  It looks like a really tasty meal: check out the full menu and RSVP  here.  The fundraiser goes from 6:30 to 9:30, and 100% of the profits go to PEP!

Tuesday, January 27.  “Back the City!  Progressives for Shane Cohn” is a fundraiser for Shane Cohn, an Activist Hub member and much-admired local progressive who is running for Alderman in the 25th Ward.  The event is from 6:30 to 8:30 at 3009 Allen Avenue.  RSVP at this page.

Also Tuesday, tonight is the the monthly International Dinner Club of I-sqaured.  The dinner will be at Fritanga, 2208 S. Jefferson Avenue, starting at 7 p.m.  More info is at the facebook page.

Also Tuesday, here’s a message I got from Smoke-Free St. Louis:

“We’re kicking off our 2009 happy hours in style on Tuesday, January 27 at The Royale. 2009 is going to be a pivotal year for Smoke-Free St. Louis City, and we need your help!

As you know, changing the status quo takes time & money. So we’re asking for a small $10 donation at the door to help with the cost of ads, flyers, mailings, etc. All proceeds go to Smoke-Free St. Louis City. There will be yummy FREE appetizers and the first 10 people to give a donation will get a free Smoke-Free St. Louis City t-shirt! Not to mention attendance prize drawings and possibly a guest DJ!  We look forward to seeing you there!”

Wednesday, January 28.  Naomi Klein, one of the coolest people on the planet, is going to be speaking at WashU!  Klein is a gutsy and brilliant journalist, and the author of the NYT bestselling “Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism.”  She’s speaking from 11 a.m to noon at the Graham Chapel, and then will be on a panel from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Women’s Building Lounge, with a reception from 4 to 5 p.m.

Thursday, January 29.  The Literacy of Social Justice Teachers Research Group is holding a “Social Justice Social” at Legacy Books and Cafe, and all social justice groups are invited!  The event is from 5:30 to 8:30 and Legacy is located at 5429 Delmar.  You can get more info at the IOW calendar.

Also Thursday, Revitalize St. Louis is holding their monthly meeting at the Square One Brewery, at 1727 Park Avenue, from 7:30 to 11 p.m., and you can RSVP here.

Friday, January 30,  The WashU Peace Coalition is hosting a “Peace Potluck” at the WashU Co-op at 6021 Pershing.  The potlucks usually get started around 6:30.  I don’t think there’s a facebook group yet, but you can send an email to washupeacecoalition@gmail.com for the latest information.

Saturday, January 31, Students and activists from around St. Louis are all invited to a FREE workshop on “Speaking to Legislators” at the Washington University Campus from noon to 3 p.m.  Colleen Cunningham of Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty will be facilitating the training, which will be applicable to any group interested in influencing policy decisions.  This is also part of a series that connects progressive students from across St. Louis.  RSVP here.

Also Saturday, the evening features the Organization for Black Struggle’s annual dinner at the Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center at 2711 Locus St.  This year, they’re hosting Kali Akuno, the National Organizer for the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and former director of the People’s Hurrican Relief Fund.  More info at the IOW calendar.

Also Saturday,  Urban Eats Cafe is hosting a photojournalism exhibit titled “One in a Million” examing the role of women in modern China.  The Art Exhibit goes from 7 p.m. to midnight.  Go to this page for more information.

Finally, looking ahead a little bit, the Jobs with Justice Worker’s Rights board is hosting a reception for Phil Dine, Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and former Post-Dispatch Labor employee, on Monday, Feburary 2nd at Maggie O’Brien’s.  Dine is the author of the recent book State of the Unions: How Labor Can Strengthen the Middle Class, Improve Our Economy, and Regain Political Influence.  There will be a cash bar and appetizers provided: Signup for the event  here.

Lots of great stuff coming up!  Have a fun and meaningful week.