Call For Submissions
MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts 2011
Deadline February 11, 2011

We shall not give up the fight,
We have only started …
Together we’ll have victory,
Hand holding hand …
Never ever put to flight,
We are bound to win …
We shall not give up the fight,
We have only started.
“We Shall Not Give Up the Fight” (South African Freedom Song)

From this well known song of the struggle against apartheid MayWorks takes the theme for its 2011 Festival of Labour and the Arts.

Resistance to unjust conditions and the struggle to change the world has inspired generations of artist/activists to create art that represents the times they live in. MayWorks invites artists to explore the issues and struggles of today using the theme “We shall not give up the fight, we have only started”.

MayWorks is a multi-disciplinary festival that focuses on working class themes. Founded in 1994 on the 75th Anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike MayWorks is now in its 17th year of representing working class art. Festival events will take place in the month of May 2011. We would like you to be part of this year’s MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts.

Please submit an outline (50 to 75 words in length) of the proposed project to MayWorks by the February 11, 2011 deadline. The proposal also needs to include information concerning date, time and venue for the project/event.

Proposals will be reviewed by the MayWorks Board and artists will be contacted if their submission is accepted for inclusion in the 2011 programme.

Submissions may be submitted by email to info@mayworks.org

By Amanda Hope

Aqua Books has been a favourite hangout spot for me since I started Creative Communications last fall. Its combination of books and food fulfills pretty much every basic need, and its proximity to campus means I’m never more than a ten minute walk from a wealth of creativity. The bookstore also hosts over 200 events each year, and tonight I witnessed one of them. In celebration of the May Works 2010 Festival, I spent the evening listening to epic poetry and foot-tapping, head-bobbing music. Watching the performances gave me a much needed boost to continue writing the collection of short stories I have been slaving over for the past month. Sometimes the best way to find one’s inner creativity is through the celebration of another person’s creativity, and the “Bread and Roses” artistic evening gave me exactly what I needed.

Poet Ron Romanowski kicked off the evening with readings from two of his books, including Insurrection, a collection of poetry about the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike. I purchased this book from McNally Robinson a few months ago, and it’s definitely worth a read. What drew me to this collection in particular was the historical aspect. I am currently in the research stage of my IPP, and most of the stories are set in Winnipeg. I was curious to see how another Winnipegger approached writing about the city, and was not disappointed. Romanowski also read a few new pieces, which will be published next spring. His delivery was honest, straightforward, and heartfelt, and I believe words on a page really come alive when they are read aloud by the person who has written them.

Following Romanowski’s poetry reading was a musical performance from Liliana Romanowski – Ron’s wife – and Ferruccio Moscarda – Liliana’s father. They performed a collection of songs together, and brought the audience through both the “bread” and “roses” aspects of the evening. Liliana’s vocals were very impressive, and she is currently training with an opera singer at the University of Manitoba. Moscarda accompanied her on guitar. After listening to him, I wanted nothing more than to run home and play my own guitar. Which I will. After writing this blog. My favourite part of the performance was when father and daughter sang an Italian love song together. There is something about song in foreign languages that simply can’t compare to English. Maybe that’s why I love the opera.

Finally, John Baillie read his poetry, and this man is absolutely hilarious. His poetry is great, but his delivery is simply superb. I have not laughed that hard in a long time, and he seems like the kind of interesting, animated individual you would want to buy a beer and talk to for hours. Writing is definitely an art, and the way Baillie constructs sentences to be both humorous and informative is artistry at its finest. I could learn a thing or two from this man.

The evening was fantastic, and I am impressed by how confidently and gracefully each of the presenters took the stage and shared their passions. I will strive to be able to present my work with such flair, and hopefully one day it will be me who has both the microphone and attention of an entire room. Watching fellow Winnipeggers do what they love is the perfect way to spend an evening.

May Day March kicks off at City Hall for International Workers Day
Womens rights and opportunities focus of May Day theme-
“Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities, Progress for all.”

(WINNIPEG) April 26, -International Workers Day is celebrated around the world on May 1st including Winnipeg. Join us at City Hall this Saturday, May 1st at 12:30pm for the opening ceremonies of this year’s May Day March and its theme of “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities, Progress for all.”

This year’s march will also highlight the struggle for Women’s Rights and Opportunities and will include speakers:

Kevin Rebeck, President Manitoba Federation of Labour,
Denis Lemelin, National President Canadian Union of Postal Workers,
Cathy Woods, Chair Aboriginal Workers Council, Manitoba Federation of Labour,
Marianne Cerelli, Community Activist and RRC Instructor and the
FemRev Collective (young feminist group)

“May Day is an important historic day for all workers to remember and celebrate the struggle of workers for respect, justice and equality”, says Denis Lemelin, National President Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

“The notion that women could work alongside men in the paid workforce as equals has become a reality in our time. Equal access to training and education, to child care, safe workplace standards, equal pay for work of equal value, paid holidays, paid maternity leave and the right to not be fired when pregnant come to mind are economic rights that are still not secure for everyone. We have come a long way but are still working towards these securities for everyone. Until that security is real for everyone we work for bread and roses too”, says Marianne Cerilli, Community Activist and Former MLA.

From there we will take it to the streets celebrating this year’s May Day theme of “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities, Progress for All. It is Time!” The route ends up at Old Market Square where the Buffalo Gals Drum Group, Hugo Torres-Cereceda and others will be there to celebrate working people everywhere!

The celebration of May Day is followed by another celebration; The Mayworks Festival of Labour and the Arts which is a multi-disciplinary festival that focuses on working class themes.

For more information please contact:

Chris Albi ∙Publicist ∙Mayworks Festival∙204-229-9660∙www.mayworks.org

All Month Long
Audio Resistance
During the month of May, MayWorks is pleased to continue its collaboration with CKUW. Tune in to Black Mask Radio every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. on CKUW 95.9 FM for reports and interviews about MayWorks events.

Winnipeg Labour Council MayWorks Picnic 2010

Freight House Park, Isabel Street and Ross Avenue
A fun-filled afternoon with free hotdogs and orange drink, inflatable play stations, face painting, a Clown and a free bicycle draw.
For more information call the Winnipeg Labour Council at 942-0522 or
email: info@winnipeglabour.ca