Free Event. Hosted by: MayWorks

Depart from Union Centre entrance, 275 Broadway.

A youth-led march to honour the National Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job. This year’s march will head to the Manitoba legislature.

Entering their 20^th year, the MayWorks Festival of Labour & the Arts joins festivals across the country to honour working class culture through song, dance, film, and interactive events. The 2013 festival theme “Another World is Possible” takes place at various venues in Winnipeg from April 26 – June 1.

The festival engages local community to celebrate the history of social movements, while leading and inspiring social change. MayWorks President, Glenn Michalchuk, remarks that, “as the world continues to experience shockwaves from the deep economic crisis of capitalism many are looking for a way out. “Another World is Possible” is the theme of MayWorks 2013…[recognizing] the growing awareness — from the Occupy Movement to Idle No More – that the current world order is unsustainable.”

Over 20 events during MayWorks are hosted by co-ops, unions, and venues throughout the city. The annual May Day March on May 1, in recognition of International Working Class Day, is followed by a performance cabaret at Mondragon Bookstore and Coffeehousefeaturing Pat McGuire, Annharte (Marie Baker), Pat Krawec, Sara Kreindler, and RasTamils. Meanwhile, during the month of May, visitors to the Millennium Library can view the traveling Postcard Art exhibit which features mail-in art from around the world.

The festival highlight is an intimate concert celebrating folk legend Pete Seeger, who’s songs and music is considered the soundtrack for civil rights and anti-war movements. At this May 24^th performance at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, local talent Jessee Havey, Leonard Podolak, Nathan Rogers, Rob Varrmeyer, trio Red Moon Road and others will showcase Seeger’s many contributions to the various struggles for social justice.

MayWorks 2013 is dedicated to the memory of academic, politician, and activist Errol Black (1939-2012).The first MayWorks festival was held as part of the celebrations organized to mark the 75th anniversary of the Winnipeg General strike in 1994.

MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts invites submissions for MayWorks 2013 to be held in the month of May 2013.

MayWorks is a multi-disciplinary festival that focuses on the relationship between working class issues and their artistic expression in song, poetry, photography, dance, drama or art.

The theme for MayWorks 2013 is “Another World is Possible”.

We invite you to contact MayWorks if you are interested in making a proposal for an event. The deadline for submissions is midnight on Friday, February 8, 2013. For a submission form or more information contact MayWorks at info@mayworks.org.

The prolific Songs & Music of Woody Guthrie are interpreted by Winnipeg’s leading lights in the folk music community as they celebrate the 100th birthday of “America’s tuning fork”. Presented by the MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts, on May 17 at the West End Cultural Centre join the Magnificent Sevens, Sweet Alibi, JD Edwards, Leonard Podolak, Tim Osmond, Lindsay Jane, and Hugo Torres Cereceda in honouring the work of Woody Guthrie which continues to lead and inspire others to change the world through song.

Woody Guthrie documented the struggles of working class people and his body of work, which contains more than 3000 songs, is unparalleled. This year, Guthrie becomes the first artist to receive the Songwriters Hall of Fame Pioneer Award which honours the career of a historic musician that has influenced generations of songwriters. The concert on May 17 at the West End Cultural Centre (WECC) will feature his best known songs and most memorable stories and recitations performed by Winnipeg’s own working class heroes; musicians who share Guthrie’s passion for truth, fairness, and justice for all.

The centennial celebration presents a performance by acoustic five-piece The Magnificent Sevens who fuse punk rock roots with bluegrass instruments. Familiar with the nomadic lifestyle of Woody Guthrie, their strong work ethic keeps them on the road touring Canada and beyond. The band released their second album, All Kinds of Mean, in December of 2011. Sharing the stage is roots trio Sweet Alibi who return home from their west coast tour to celebrate Guthrie by weaving their sweet harmonies over ukulele, banjo, and guitar.

Also on the bill are well known singer-songwriter JD Edwards and multi-instrumentalist Leonard Podolak. JD has been captivating crowds with the JD Edwards Band while fans are most familiar with Leonard’s alt-Celtic roots band, The Duhks. In addition to their solo projects and collaborations, Edwards and Podolak have been touring internationally with Nathan Rogers as a trio, Dry Bones. They can be seen this summer at the Winnipeg and Edmonton folk festivals, as well as Summerfolk in Owen Sound, Ontario.

The birthday bash includes sets by Lindsay Jane, a solo acoustic act who has been on regular rotation on SIRIUS/XM the Coffee House music channel since 2009, and Hugo Torres Cereceda brings a world-beat and Latin influence to the evening with pan flute and classical guitar. Winnipeg’s most sought after bluegrass banjo player, and founding member of Home Routes, Tim Osmond will also strum tunes in honour of Guthrie.

The concert is held at the West End Cultural Centre, a popular venue known for bringing in local and larger touring acts, while serving the community through programming music lessons, workshops, and family friendly events. The venue also relies on the hard work of volunteers who help with various duties at each event. The WECC was recently awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver Certification for their efforts in building an environmentally sustainable venue.

The 2012 MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts is a multi-disciplinary festival that focuses on the relationship between working class issues and their artistic expression in song, poetry, photography, dance, drama or art. The festival runs from April 27 – June 2 at venues throughout the city.

Join some of Winnipeg’s finest folk musicians in celebrating the Songs & Music of Woody Guthrie for his 100th birthday at the West End Cultural Centre on May 17 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $20, available at West End Cultural Centre, Organic Planet, and Mondragon. Full festival details available at mayworks.org.

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Media Contact: Nat Felicitas | 998-4748 | mayworksmedia@gmail.com