MayWorks is off to a great start with the holding of the annual May Day March followed by a successful May Day Cabaret at the King’s Head Pub.

An exciting week is in store and it features one of the highlights of the Festival – the tribute concert to the late Pete Seeger featuring some of Winnipeg’s finest musicians on Friday, May 9. And on Saturday, May 10 MayWorks features one of its signature events: The Festival of Mandolins.

Monday, May 5
Cinco De Mayo Poetry
7 p.m.
McNally Robinson Booksellers in the Atrium
1120 Grant Avenue
Admission is free

A people’s holiday event featuring Mexican Poetry read in Spanish by Liliana Romanowski and in English by John H. Baillie. Also new and selected poetry by Winnipeg activist poet Ron Romanowski author of Incantations from the Republic of Fire

For more information contact Ron Romanowski at 204-667-6802.

Thursday, May 8
Open House: Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Manitoba office
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Social Enterprise Centre
765 Main St.
Refreshments served

Celebrate CCPA’s community-based and labour research and new location! CCPA is pleased to join Winnipeg’s social cluster at the Social Enterprise Centre. The Social Enterprise Centre, is an innovation cluster for social enterprises (SE), formed and operated by the three social enterprise partners: BUILD, Manitoba Green Retrofit, and Pollock’s Hardware Cooperative.

Thursday, May 8 (and other dates – see below)
“Labour of Love” Art Exhibit and Musical Performances
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Featuring Jamil the DJ
Studio Wall
8-791 Wall Street
Free Event

Celebrate the works of West End Artists in their “Labour of Love” with the blank canvas, songbook and dance floor. Featuring Artwork by Sue Hoang and Wai Tien and Musical Performances from Jamil the DJ, Jonathan Seburn and local guest DJs and musicians.

“Labour of Love” continues with performances on:

Friday, May 9 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, May 10 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. with Jamil the DJ;
Thursday, May 22 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with Jamil the DJ
Friday, May 23 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, May 24 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. with DJ Jonathan Seburn

For more information 204-807-6989

Friday, May 9
Pete Seeger Tribute Concert
Doors at 7 p.m. Concert at 8 p.m.
Winnipeg Art Gallery
Muriel Richardson Auditorium
Tickets $20 available at Organic Planet, Winnipeg Folk Festival Music Store or at the Door

Featuring: Heather Bishop, Leonard Podolak, Nathan Rogers, Sweet Alibi, Jessee Havey, Red Moon Road, Keith Dyck

Saturday, May 10
Festival of Mandolins
8 p.m.
Ukrainian Labour Temple – 595 Pritchard
Tickets $15 at the door

The Winnipeg Mandolin Orchestra and guest performers present the Festival of Mandolins at one of Winnipeg’s most historic and unique venues.

For more information contact Brent Stearns at 204-488-1008

All of MAY
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.

THIS THURSDAY THE FESTIVAL BEGINS!
Join a fantastic lineup of artists for an evening celebrating International Working Class Day @ The Kings Head Pub
Following the MayDay March (5:30 – City Hall)

Welcome to MayWorks 2014 and the Festival of Labour and the Arts. MayWorks is dedicated to the art and lives of working people. MayWorks celebrates this through artistic expressions and events that reflect the struggles, aspirations and dreams of working people.

May begins with one of the most significant celebrations for working people, International Working Class Day on May 1 and it is a fitting beginning for MayWorks.

This year is the 95th Anniversary of the Winnipeg General Strike and there are three offerings to mark this occasion. The first is the launch of a new book about the Winnipeg General Strike. This is followed on Saturday, May 24 with a graveside memorial service for Mike Sokolowski one of two strikers known to have died because of the events on “Bloody Saturday” June 21, 1919. Culminating our special acknowledgement of this anniversary is a bus tour on Sunday May 25 of the locations synonymous with the Strike.

The passing of two activists: one local, Nick Ternette and one on the international stage, Pete Seeger requires special mention. Both were social and political activists who devoted their lives to the cause of working people. Both are honoured in the Festival. MayWorks 2014 is dedicated to Nick and on May 9 there is a tribute concert to Pete Seeger.

No introduction to the Festival would be complete without recognizing the importance of the union support we receive and the artists who have responded to be part of the Festival.
Whatever your interest we invite you to come and participate in the events that are part this year’s MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts.

Glenn Michalchuk
President MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts

Freight House Park (Isabel and Ross)
Hosted by: Winnipeg labour Council