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

“Men, women and children solemnly walked from the Union Centre to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to honour workers who have been injured or killed on the job.

Marie Gravoso, 17, from the Maples Collegiate Amnesty International club, was asked to speak about this year’s SAFE Workers of Tomorrow Leaders’ Walk theme — the connection between human rights and worker safety.

“There are many people who are dying and being injured because they don’t know they have the right to ask questions,” said Gravoso.

The walk is the largest Day of Mourning event in Manitoba. About 300 people, including 170 students, took part this year. They did so to remind us not only of those who’ve died or been injured on the job, but also of the work that still needs to be done.

People need to realize injuries are not inevitable, the walkers stated.”

By: Kelly Graham, Winnipeg Free Press, April 27, 2012

April 24, 2012

Winnipeg – The MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts launches this Friday, April 27 with a youth-led march, hosted by SAFE Workers of Tomorrow , in honour of the National Day of Mourning. The march departs at 12:00 PM from the Manitoba Federation of Labour Union Centre at 275 Broadway.

Celebrated nationally on April 28, the day serves to remember workers killed or injured on the job and aims to publicly renew the commitment to making workplaces safer for everyone. On April 28, the Manitoba Federation of Labour will host a candlelight vigil, also in conjunction with the festival and the National Day of Mourning, at 6:00 PM in Room 2C, Union Centre at 275 Broadway.

In 2010, workplace deaths in Canada were reported at 1014*, an increase from 939 the previous year. This represents more than 2.78 deaths every day. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Nova Scotia Westray Mine Disaster, which claimed the lives of 26 workers and prompted an amendment to the Criminal Code of Canada. On March 31, 2004, the legislation of the Westray bill passed and established new legal duties for workplace health and safety.

SAFE Workers of Tomorrow organizes their efforts to bring public awareness, education, and training in workplace safety and health. The Manitoba Federation of Labour is the province’s central labour body and represents the interests of CLC affiliated unions in Manitoba.
The 2012 theme for MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts is “Change the World”. The multi-disciplinary festival focuses on the relationship between working class issues and their artistic expression in song, poetry, photography, dance, drama or art. Join us in changing the world and celebrating the struggle for worker rights from April 27 to June 2 at venues throughout the city!

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

*Fatalities accepted in 2010 according to “Number of Fatalities, by Jurisdiction 1993-2010” summary table, statistics from the Association of Workers Compensation Boards of Canada.

MAYWORKS FESTIVAL OF LABOUR AND THE ARTS
WANTS YOU TO “CHANGE THE WORLD”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 18, 2012

WINNIPEG: Amidst announcements of new federal and provincial budgets, job cuts, and increasing costs of living, the MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts joins festivals across the country to honour working class culture through song, dance, film, and stories. The 2012 festival theme, “Change the World”, invites the community to be the change they want to see by participating in a medley of events, taking place from April 27- June 2. Unionized and non-unionized workers, co-ops, and artists will gather in solidarity to honour the struggles for the rights and freedoms of working people.

MayWorks “Change the World” presents local artists from all disciplines that not only interpret and preserve the history of social movements, but lead and inspire social change. Events are presented by host organizations at venues throughout the city, launching on April 27 with a youth-led march hosted by SAFE Workers of Tomorrow. The march honours the National Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job. The annual May Day March on May 1, organized by the Winnipeg Labour Council in recognition of International Working Class Day, comes as the drive for austerity takes its toll on social programs, workers livelihoods, and pensions. Also on May 1, co-operatively owned Mondragon Bookstore and Coffeehouse hosts a live videofeed talk with activist Noam Chomsky. Woody Guthrie’s 100th Birthday Party is the festival highlight on May 17. Presented by MayWorks and the West End Cultural Centre, the songs and stories by the working class hero will be performed by Winnipeg’s brilliant folk music artists The Magnificent Sevens, Sweet Alibi, Nathan Rogers, JD Edwards and Leonard Podolak.

Change the world with MayWorks at various cultural events including plays by Bruce Sarbit, Dale Lakevold, a tour led by Danny Schur highlighting events from the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike, poetry readings, a May Day Banquet, documentary film screenings, and the Festival of Mandolins at the Ukrainian Labour Temple. These events and more comprise an exciting festival showcase of working class culture in Winnipeg.

MayWorks Festival of Labour and the Arts is a multi-disciplinary festival that focuses on working class themes. It is held in Winnipeg every year to honour and promote the many positive contributions of unions and working people. Full festival details at www.mayworks.org.

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

Date: June 1st & 2nd 8:00pm. June 2nd 3:00pm.
Title: Aleta Dey: A Rehearsal a play by Dale Lakevold
Location: Rudolf Rocker Cultural Centre. 91 Albert Street.
$12 at the door or in advance (204) 867-3908, lakevold@hotmail.com

Host Organization: Root Sky Productions

The moving story of a fiercely independent young woman standing up for what she believes in: women’s rights and an end to war. Adapted from the 1919 autobiographical novel Aleta Dey by Manitoba writer and activist Francis Marion Beynon. Featuring Tracy Penner.