Welcome to MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts 2016, in this 22^nd year for MayWorks. The Festival’s first year was 1994 – the 75^th Anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike. It was those anniversary celebrations that prompted a number of trade union activists to launch MayWorks. Now, twenty-two years later we are looking forward to and planning for the 100^th anniversary of the General Strike in 2019.

MayWorks is unique in that it is dedicated to celebrating art and ideas which emerge from working class struggles. As before MayWorks offers a mix of events and something of interest to everyone. We have some events that are part of the calendar every year such as those that honour the history of the Strike or unique cultural gems such as the Winnipeg Mandolin Orchestra. This year MayWorks theme exposes racism and how it is used to divide, control and distract from the real issues and problems that we face as a society.

We have all experienced how this works. We saw the attempt to divide Canadians in the federal election last year. Efforts were made to inflame opinion around issues such as the hijab. Appeals were made to “Canadian values” and “old stock Canadians” and the tone was distinctly anti-immigrant. The issue of inflaming public opinion along cultural, religious, ethnic and national lines has emerged front and centre in the U.S presidential primaries.

On this note the Festival will feature events that build understanding and the program book will feature short essays exploring the issue of racism from various perspectives.

The MayWorks program has become an integral part of the Festival not only as a guide to the events but an artistic and literary contribution to the Festival in its own right. The program is available on-line at this web site and in printed form at various locations. We are quite proud of the program and its development over the years. In this regard we owe a great deal of thanks to the union support that makes it possible. You can also find a list of all our events in the calendar

Whatever your interest we invite you to come and participate in the events that are part of this year’s MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts.

We also ask you to consider supporting the Festival by following us on Facebook, volunteering for MayWorks events and contributing financially to help us build the Festival.

Glenn Michalchuk,
President
MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts

MayWorks needs your help!


“My Name is Rachel Corrie”
A play created from Rachel’s own journals is struggling to meet production costs in order for it’s debut performance for MayWorks.
• As edited by actor Alan Rickman and journalist Katherine Viner
• Directed by Andrea Sartison
• Performed by: Gwendolyn Collins, Heather Russell, Gislina Patterson, Liz Whitbread, Brittany Thiessen & Erin Schwartz
Tickets: http://mayworkswpg.brownpapertickets.com/

In the spirit of artistic expression, freedom of speech and the spirit of Rachel herself, we are asking you to donate what you can to help MayWorks’ successfully share Rachel’s life story.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/my-name-is-rachel-corrie-winnipeg-may-2016–3#/

Tune in to interviews from this morning’s show on CKUW –
People If Interest with Dave Quanbury: https://ckuw.ca/programs/detail/people-of-interest

Interviews with Myron about the history of the Ukrainian Labour Temple

Highlights on the upcoming show of The Festival Of Mandolins (This Saturday!!)
8:00 PM Ukrainian Labour Temple (591 Pritchard Avenue)
Tickets: $20 ($10 for children 14 years and under; free for children 5 years and under)

This year will be the twenty-second annual Festival of Mandolins.

Interview with Angela Fama about her upcoming pop up photo project “WHAT IS LOVE”
TOMORROW 11am-3pm @ Old Market Square
www.wabisabibutterfly.com/whatislove

MayWorks is in full swing!

Tonight’s event – a book launch and literary thrill-ride for poetry fans and everyone else by one of Winnipeg’s most experimental poets – Ron Romanowski.

A Reader’s Guide to the Unnameable is avant-garde Winnipeg writer Ron Romanowski’s sixth poetry collection. His first, Sweet Talking, was published in 2004. His work has appeared in journals and in numerous anthologies. His poetry has been read on national CBC Radio. Ron continues to work with, among many other cutting-edge themes, definitions of authorship and identity in his latest collection.

TONIGHT 7pm McNally Robinson (1120 Grant Ave), free event

Check out the poetry video by Winnipeg’s renowned young filmmaker Dylan Baillie: http://bit.ly/1JgD1Gf

MayWorks 2015 is here!
Below is a listing of the events in MayWorks 2015. You can also download the program to access some of its additional content, such as There Is Power In A Union by songwriter Joe Hill.

MayWorks on CKUW
Tune in all month long as CKUW 959.9FM will be carrying news and coverage of MayWorks events!
Tune in to “People of Interest” Mondays to Wednesdays from 8 to 9am.

MayWorks MAIL ART all month long
Millennium Library
251 Donald Street
Free Admission

The MAIL ART exhibit is part of the world’s largest collection featuring the theme of work. MAIL ART is a worldwide cultural movement started in the 1960′s. The idea behind the movement is to bypass the elitist gallery/museum system of art. There are no hierarchies, no rules, all participants work is shown to the public. MAIL ART is non commercial, no entry fees, no sales and the yearly call is universal.

Tuesday, April 28
ANNUAL DAY OF MOURNING MARCH
11:50 AM

On April 28th, take part in the annual Day of Mourning march from the Union Centre to the Manitoba Legislature. Sponsored by the Safe Workers of Tomorrow project, the theme for this year’s ceremony is “New, Vulnerable Workers”. Participating will be union activists and leaders, Members of the Legislature, representatives from the workplace safety community, and Manitoba Workers Compensation.
The march leaves the Union Centre (Broadway & Smith) @ 11:50 am

Friday, May 1
CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WORKING CLASS DAY
6:00 PM (Assemble at 5:30 PM)
City Hall 

Winnipeg Labour Council celebrates International Working Class Day with a march starting and returning to City Hall. This year’s theme is: “HOPE is COMING”. Bring your banners and demands for a better world. Duration of the march is about one hour.
Everyone is welcome to gather at the Kings Head Pub after the march. Reserved area.

Monday, May 4
A READER’S GUIDE TO THE UNNAMEABLE By Ron Romanowski
7:00 PM
McNally Robinson (Atrium) 1120 Grant Ave
Free admission

A book launch and literary thrill-ride for poetry fans and everyone else by one of Winnipeg’s most experimental poets. A Reader’s Guide to the Unnameable is avant-garde Winnipeg writer Ron Romanoswski’s 6^th poetry collection.
To see the poetry video by Winnipeg renowned young filmaker Dylan Baillie visit http://bit.ly/1JgD1Gf

Thursday, May 7
WHAT IS LOVE
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Old Market Square
Free Admission

Vancouver artist Angela Fama, with her project “What Is Love”, is travelling this spring and summer across North America in a pop-up photo studio, setting up in collaboration with MayWorks and the support of the City Of Winnipeg. Fama will invite interested passersby to participate, conversationally questioning the word “love” and photographically capturing the micro-expressions shared in the process. “What Is Love” aims to reveal through this collaborative performance and comparative photography the strength and beauty of vulnerability that can be found within adults, regardless of age, race, nationality, income, sexual orientation or gender. “What Is Love” dedicates itself to unify communities across Canada and the United States through creating kinship and understanding beyond borders and perceived differences.

For more information visit: www.wabisabibutterfly.com/whatislove

Saturday, May 9
FESTIVAL OF MANDOLINS
8:00 PM
Ukrainian Labour Temple
591 Pritchard Avenue

This year will be the twenty-second annual Festival of Mandolins. The program will feature the Winnipeg Mandolin Orchestra under the direction of Annis Kozub and guest artists. The orchestras selections will include light classical arrangements of folk melodies by Ukrainian and Russian composers.

Tickets: $20 ($10 for children 14 years and under; free for children 5 years and under)
For information call Brent Stearns @ (204) 488-1008

Friday, May 15
96 YEARS LATER – The Legacy of the Winnipeg General Strike
7:00 PM
Ukrainian Labour Temple
595 Pritchard Avenue
Free Admission

Danny Schur hosts a concert of selections from his musical Strike! followed by a panel discussion about the legacy of the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike – at the national and provincial historic site, the Ukrainian Labour Temple – site of events during the strike.
Coffee, tea and pastries will be served during the intermission.
For further information: 204-227-1167

Sunday, May 24
1919 BUS TOUR
2:00 – 4:00 PM
2 hrs

The 1919 Strike Bus Tour will take people through highlights of the General Strike, with a description of the social and economic conditions of the time. The tour starts on Selkirk Avenue, goes to the residential area and ends in the exchange.
Cost: $10 employed adults, no charge students/seniors/unemployed
To reserve email: comgroup@mymts.net

Sunday, June 7
WINNIPEG GENERAL STRIKE – Book Signing
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Mcnally Robinson
1120 Grant Ave
Free admission

A Book signing of Winnipeg’s General Strike Reports from the Front Lines (Michael Dupuis).

Saturday, June 20
THE LEGACY OF THE WINNIPEG GENERAL STRIKE
2:00 PM
Brookside Cemetary

Steve Szczerbanowicz was one of two workers killed on Bloody Saturday June 21^st, 1919. He was burried without a gravestone on the 29^th of June. Through the offorts of two members of the MayWorks Board and the musical contributions of many local musicians two concerts raised the funds to cover the cost of this gravestone.

Join us for the unveiling of this memorial stone, 96 years later, to pay your respect and honour the memory of this victim of Bloody Saturday.