Event Type: cultural thursday

Join CLC for a captivating presentation by Asian-American and adoptee filmmaker Leah Xiuzhen Rathe, a Brainerd High School alum and award-winning filmmaker. Rathe, a 2023 Ignite Rural Artist-in-Residence and 2024 StorySeeds Screenwriting Fellow, holds a B.A. in Digital Media Arts with a Paralegal Certificate from Hamline University and operates a freelance creative business in the Brainerd lakes area.

Rathe will share excerpts from her acclaimed works, including her debut animated short film “CHOPSTICK” and the documentary featurette “The Accelerators: Brains, Braids, & Bots”. Inspired by her own journey as a Chinese adoptee growing up in the United States, “CHOPSTICK” tells the poignant story of an adopted chopstick navigating self-discovery in a land of forks. “The Accelerators: Brains, Braids, & Bots” follows the inspiring journey of an all-girls First Robotics Team from Cass Lake, MN.

Through her storytelling, Rathe highlights the power of representation in film and its ability to bridge perspectives and foster understanding. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with a talented filmmaker whose work has earned accolades at numerous film festivals.

Join us in the Chalberg and encounter one of our country’s greatest poets, Gregory Pardlo who was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2015. After the noon poetry reading, we will have a book signing, and this will be followed by an informal craft talk at 1:30, also in the Chalberg. Attendees will receive the gift of Dr. Pardlo’s newest poetry book Spectral Evidence in hard cover!

Explore the world of sustainable and authentic travel with CLC World Language Instructor Tracey Kloeckl-Jiménez. Drawing on her extensive travel experience—including over 14 led trips abroad—Tracey will share insights and stories from her recent sabbatical travels to Chile, Uruguay and Argentina.

During her month-long study abroad in February 2024, Tracey immersed herself in the vibrant cultures of South America, gaining a deep appreciation for sustainability practices and the personal connections formed through mindful travel. She will also share highlights from her time in Germany with the Goethe Institute and family visits to Spain, offering practical tips for making travel more meaningful and affordable.

Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or a curious newcomer, this presentation promises to inspire new ways to engage with the world while being mindful of your impact.