We plan to writie an extended wrap-up celebrating this years hugely successful festival, but we must quickly say, we are very proud, working peoples culture has been brought to centre stage, which has been and is MayworksHalifax’s first goal.
We wish to congratulate all participants, producers, workers and artists who have worked so hard, so skillfully and with such solidarity, creative solidarity.
We specifically applaud Kathleen Flanagan who was thanked and acknowledged in the Legislature for her still running show.
MR. HOWARD EPSTEIN « » : Mr. Speaker, I hereby give notice that on a future day I shall move the adoption of the following resolution:
Whereas April 28th is marked each year as the International Day of Mourning for workers killed on the job; and
Whereas Kathleen Flanagan, a noted local photographer, created an exhibit of photographs of monuments located throughout Nova Scotia placed in memory of workers killed on the job; and
Whereas the exhibit, Sacrifices on the Job: Honouring Nova Scotians killed at work, opened April 28th in Alderney Landing, Dartmouth, and includes photographs of the monuments to John Michael Rossiter, the paramedic killed during Hurricane Juan, William Davis killed during protests over mining conditions, and of the monument placed to the miners killed 20 years ago today in the Westray mine explosion;
Therefore be it resolved that this House acknowledge the skill and dedication of photographer Kathleen Flanagan, and thank her for her exhibit, Sacrifices on the Job: Honouring Nova Scotians killed at work.
…
The motion is carried.
The original can be found on the Nova Scotia legislature’s website here.
Welcome to MayworksHalifax 2012, months in the making, we are proud to open our third annual Celebration that Knows its History.
Mayday March and Rally
12 noon, Tuesday, May 1st, Grand Parade (In front of city hall).
Come out! Celebrate! This is our day. With the attacks on wages, benefits and community organizations, with the de-funding of research and activism on the issues of our time, with the attacks on women’s rights and much more, it is time to show solidarity. ALSO, with the growing understanding of the struggle we face, with the uplifting resistance of unions and community groups, with the potential for real change growing in our country it is time to Celebrate our Solidarity!
Exhibit open through May 30th
Women’s Labour History
Wallpaper Installation
An exhibition that runs through June, of letterpress printed wallpaper, reflecting the aesthetic of William Morris, (as the observant may have noticed on our site background) that depicts vignettes of women’s labour history from the mid-nineteenth century until the early twentieth century. The intent of this project is to provide a graphic representation of women’s labour in order to bring this radical social history to art viewers. Includes a “launch event”.
Please read more, including glowing reviews.
Sacrifices on the Job
Exhibit open through June 30th
Photographs, by Kathleen Flanagan, of public art and memorials, honouring Nova Scotians killed and injured at work.
The exhibit consists of documentary photographs of public art – plaques, monuments, and gravestones – commemorating people who were killed at work and refer to events that occurred in a time-frame ranging from 1797 to 2005.
The Office of the Worker Counsellor – workercounsellor.ca.
“We must end workplace injuries and fatalities, and care for workers injured on the job.”
Dirt Road Museum
1726 Grafton Street (near Metro Centre)
This show features an original blues history of the working class experience with T.H.Hatte , Giggi Laurel Taylor, Gary Tulk, Isaac Dickson, and Wylder Hatte. Three of the band members are members of IATSE Local 680.
No cover, but donations gratefully received.
Please read more.
Puppet Making Workshop for Families
Join Puppets Et Cetera! for a family inclusive hands-on workshop on basic methods of puppet and mask construction for street theatre and parades. Using simple materials, learn to spice up your political actions with a taste of traditions stemming from carnivals, pageants and street theatre. Kids will make masks or costumes they can take with them. Otherwise, creations built and/or completed during this workshop will be used in the performance to take place the following Saturday, May 5th. (see below)
A $5.00 donation toward materials is requested.
Space is limited, participants must register in advance by emailing puppetsetcetera@gmail.com
Please read more.
Workers Take the Mic
Agricola and North
“Singing for Our Lives” Karaoke Night. With host Halifax-based Rhythm and Blues Singer — Deedee Slye.
Our most popular and highly attended event! Over a hundred loud and happy singers and participants were at this exciting, fun and involving MayworksHalifax Event in 2011. Sing the songs from your life, about our lives, from the oldies and the hits today, from the history we lived, and from the front pages of today’s paper. Do not arrive late, bring friends: we are Singing for Our Lives!
Women and Song
Ruth Minniken
Carmel Mikol
Gottigen Street, North End Halifax
Everyone Welcome!
A night with two performances by two wonderful musicians.
Cost: Cover $5.00
Please read more.
Puppets on Parade
Ethical Food = Ethical Work
10 am – 1:00pm
Puppets Et Cetera! presents an outdoor performance and parade exploring the theme of migrant labour within the farming industry of Nova Scotia. Through various methods of street performance, the troupe will bring to attention issues of unfair labour practices that are left under-addressed within the local food movement and investigate what really constitutes ethical food. The performance will include a short outdoor variety show as well as a puppet procession parading along Lower Water Street between the Historic Farmers’ Market and the Seaport Farmers’ Market. The variety shows will include a variety of acts ranging from puppet skits, circus acts, musical numbers and theatrical story telling. All are welcome to join the parade!
As some Puppets are paper mache this event cannot take place in the rain . Rain date is the following Saturday. To confirm cancellation call: (902) 453-2074
Doors and bar opens 7:30
Dapopo Theatre Company
“The Drinking Game”
Cost: Tickets $10.00
This is DaPoPo Theatre Company’s third Mayworks contribution, and we could not be more pleased. It is a widely praised, thoroughly enjoyed and thoughtful theatrical event. Their complex events have been packed in the past, with a few disappointed live theatre lovers unable to get good seats. Please make sure you come early. You will not be disappointed if this is your first Dapopo Event.
Dapopo describes this as a “A new performance idea that explores the connection between non-traditional audiences and art; invites discussion about topics such as sexism, racism, classism, homophobia and religion; and promotes the empowerment of non-actors using the tools of theatre.”
