Dr. Nicole Rawls
Anthropologist Astrologer Artist
~An Anthropologist Committed To A Liberatory Humanity
May 22, 2025
7pm
Dorthy Downstairs
2500 W. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Il
Dreams of Pleasure: A Sonic Journey is an interactive sonic exploration of pleasure and the body via wordscapes and soundscape to pull us into our dreamscapes. Combining music and poetry through a Black Queer lens, ChiMarronage creates dream incubators to help us imagine the worlds we want to live in by working with, and in, our own bodies.
For this incubator we will be working with the spirit of pleasure as a way to turn the body on so participants can learn to listen to and let the body lead as part of freedom making and taking.
Doors at 6pm with a one hour happy hour before our event begins at 7pm. Dorothy remains open after the event until last call at 11pm.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Dorothy is 21+ and requires physical ID for all to enter. Dorothy is also ADA accessible with elevator access on Campbell Ave. If you are a guest who requires elevator access, please wait by the black door on Campbell Ave with our logo in the window and call our staff to assist: 773-770-3799
Please note: refund requests are only available until 24h before the show (5/21, 7pm). No other refund requests will be honored.
--------------
ABOUT THE COLLECTIVE
ChiMarronage, composed of the Chicago based duo Nicole Rawls and Forest Brooks, blends poetry with music to create soundscapes that take us into the dreamscapes for our collective liberation. Maroons escaped from enslavement and created new settlements in the wild, working with the land for their freedom. Working in this tradition, ChiMarronage creates music that taps into the wilderness of our imaginations and asks us all to dare to be free through our dream incubators.
How do we learn to embody the knowledge we have learned?
What does it mean to strategically dream as a way to world-build the societies we say we want to live in?
Can we allow ourselves to play in the dreamscape(s) and bring those dreams into reality?
If we are our ancestors’ wildest dreams, how do we dream WITH them as a liberatory practice?
These are some of the questions I explore in my Patreon as a way to create a space for people to imagine our world differently and then dare to bring those imaginations into reality. Subscribe to learn more and have access to exclusive content.
MAY CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Use code "SPRING" for $25 off a Journey to Self reading till May!
Use code "SPRING" for $25 off a Journey to Self reading till May!
Dr. Nicole Rawls
Welcome! My name is Dr. Nicole Rawls and I am an anthropologist, astrologer, poet, and strategic dreamer.
I use my knowledge and training to deconstruct societal mindsets and imagine a world without oppressive systems governing us. I obtained my Ph.D. in Anthropology from Michigan State University in 2011, specializing in race, racism, citizenship, and the nation-state. I previously taught and worked at Michigan State University, The University of Bristol (UK), Beloit College and Brown University before leaving higher education in 2021. You can read more about me here.
My work and offerings are multifaceted.
I am the founder of Truesdell & Associates, LLC - a boutique Executive Strategy Firm. With a focus on creating clarity, choice, and action through a humane lens, I offer cultural and organizational strategy services to individuals and organizations/businesses alike through a process I call “ embodied strategic dreaming”. I am really interested in exploring the question: What does it mean to be human? And to answer that one must go on a ride through space and time and understand how we became a society that values dehumanization in the first place. This is where my creative work comes in. As the creator of “Embodied Strategic Dreaming” I help others learn to believe and embody their experiences and learnings and work in the dreamscapes as a way to strategically world-build the societies we say we want to fully live through my podcast, Patreon, writings, speaking, astrological analysis, creative projects, and active social media presence, where I discuss a wide range of topics including the concept of the human, ancestors, and society. My multidisciplinary approach allows me to bridge the gap between academia and spirituality, offering a unique perspective that challenges existing norms and encourages individuals to imagine a world free from oppressive systems. I am currently working on my first book, “Reclaiming My Wild: A Modern Day Marronage Folktale” (working title).
My passion lies in my commitment to social change and the belief in the transformative power of imagination and dreaming to have us come back to our humanity.
Yappin w/ the Stars - The Podcast
(LATEST EPISODE)
Full Moon in Scorpio: Illuminating the Monsters at the Door (May 7-13, 2025 Astrology Forecast)
This week on Yappin' with the Stars, we explore the upcoming Full Moon in Scorpio, illuminating the "monsters" that have been hiding in the dark for the past six months. In this emotionally charged time, we're being asked to believe our bodies and listen deeply to what they’re telling us. As we confront hidden truths, the question arises: Do we believe the monsters that have revealed themselves? And if we do, what action do we take?
This week’s conversation invites us to embrace the full spectrum of emotion and transformation, grounded in embodied wisdom. Weekly Forecast (May 7th-13th): The moon starts in Virgo on May 7th and ends in Sagittarius on May 13th. This week emphasizes emotion and physicality as the Moon moves through Virgo’s grounded energy and Sagittarius’ expansive nature. May 10th sees Mercury moving into Taurus, slowing down communication and emphasizing body wisdom. This marks a shift toward deeper, more deliberate reflection on what we need in order to thrive. May 12th: Full Moon in Scorpio at 22 degrees, illuminating the hidden monsters and emotional truths that have been lurking in the shadows. The Sun in Taurus loosely conjoins Uranus, prompting a radical shift in how we view our material reality and personal authority.
Astrology 101 – The Moon: In astrology, the Moon represents our emotional body, our material existence, and how we relate to the physical world. Historically, the Moon was connected to money, commerce, and exchange—especially through the relationship between land (Saturn) and currency (Moon). This week, we explore how these ancient associations relate to our modern relationship with the body, materiality, and power. Understanding the Moon’s cycles allows us to better navigate the changes in our lives, particularly around the body’s wisdom and the choices we make. Yappin’ Time: The Full Moon in Scorpio is a moment to confront the monsters—our hidden fears, desires, and emotions that have been trying to get our attention.
We dive into what’s been revealed over the past six months, starting with the October New Moon in Scorpio, and how belief in our body’s wisdom can lead us to transformation. Drawing from the movie Sinners, we explore the cost of freedom, the monsters knocking at our doors, and the importance of trusting our own authority. This week, it’s time to ask: What do you believe in? Do you believe your body? Can you trust what it’s telling you?
Next Week: We’ll be preparing for the Sun and Uranus conjunction in Taurus, as well as Saturn’s final degrees in Pisces—ushering in a time to reassess authority, belief, and transformation in our lives.
✨ Want to go deeper? ✨
🌟 Join me on Patreon for exclusive content, astrology insights, and personal guidance through the Embodied Futures Lab—my methodology to help you connect more deeply with your body, emotions, and purpose.
Subscribe here! 🔮 Ready to explore your cosmic blueprint? Book your Journey to Self astrology reading with me today! Let's dive into the stars to uncover your personal path, challenges, and gifts. Book now
🎶 Excited about living in pleasure and creative freedom? Join me at Dreams of Pleasure: A Sonic Journey on May 22nd at Dorothy’s for an evening of storytelling, poetry, and music. Let's conjure pleasure as a strategy of freedom together! Get your tickets today—Click here to secure your spot!
Book A Consultation!
You have a vision. You’re building something bold, something necessary—but you don’t need to do it alone. Through Embodied Strategic Dreaming, I help visionaries, creatives, and leaders turn their biggest ideas into actionable, sustainable strategies.
Whether you’re a founder, a creative, or an organization seeking clarity, we’ll design a roadmap that aligns with your purpose and leads to real transformation.
