Mayworks Festival begins in Fredericton

Artists and workers invite all to celebrate the fifth annual Mayworks Festival of Working People and the Arts in Fredericton on unceded Wolastoq territory.

This year’s festival, that runs from Wednesday, April 24 to Tuesday, May 7, features a book launch by Bruce Campbell, an artist pop-up gallery, poetry by El Jones, a film about migrant workers in Canada, labour history, a ceremony for workers who have lost their lives while at work, and much more.

Festival goers will learn about the issues facing today’s workers including worker safety, migrant justice and Black Lives Matter.

Events include:

Rail Transport and Safety for Jobs, Communities and the Environment

Author Bruce Campbell on his book, The Lac-Mégantic Rail Disaster: Public Betrayal, Justice Denied, Wednesday, April 24, 7:00pm at Conserver House, 180 Saint John St. The event will include a reading by local playwright Len Falkenstein from his play Lac/Athabasca, inspired by the train rail disaster. Co-presented by RAVEN, NB Media Co-op, Council of Canadians & the Fredericton Public Library.

Day of Mourning Ceremony

Join the annual day of mourning for workers who have lost their lives while at work on Sunday, April 28, 12:00pm at the Firefighters Memorial Monument, behind 65 Brunswick St. Co-presented by the Fredericton District Labour Council & the Fredericton Fire Fighters.

May Day Events

Mayworks Pop-up Gallery Exhibit Opening

Join the opening of the Mayworks Pop-up Gallery on Wednesday, May 1, 4:00-6:00pm at Connexion ARC, Room 103, Charlotte Street Arts Centre, 732 Charlotte St. The exhibition will be on display from May 1-5.

Celebrate May Day with an Acadian Kitchen Party

Celebrate May Day, the International Workers’ Day, on Wed, May 1, 7:00pm at Capital Winter Club, 232 Rookwood Dr. with an Acadian Kitchen Party, with Acadian food, culture and dance. Join us for a bilingual square dance called by Kevin Arseneau and accompanied by violinist, Katherine Moller. 
Fricot will be served. With a cash bar. Co-presented by Société de l’Acadie du N-B.

Songs For Social Justice: Open Mic Night

Enjoy the musicians playing songs for social justice at an open-mic night on Friday, May 3, 7:00pm at Maybee Brewery, 559 Wilsey Rd.D

Poetry & Power

Hear the powerful poetry and words of El Jones, Darius Mirshahi and storytellers from the NB Immigrant Women’s Association on Saturday, May 4 at 7:00pm at Wilmot United Church, 473 King St. Co-presented by the NB Immigrant Women’s Association.

Migrant Dreams

The award-winning film by Min Sook Lee follows the struggles of women migrant farm workers in Canada will screen on Tues, May 7, 7:00pm at Gallery on Queen, 406 Queen St. Co-presented by Canada Research Chair in Global & International Studies, Cinema Politica Fredericton & No One Is Illegal Fredericton.

Labour unions supporting Mayworks Fredericton 2019 include: AUNBT (Association of University of New Brunswick Teachers), Canadian Union of Postal Workers CUPW, Fredericton & District Labour Council, FAUST (The Faculty Association of the University of St. Thomas), Fredericton Firefighters Association/IAFF 1053, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 37, Professional Institute for the Public Service of Canada PIPSC-IPFPC, Public Service Alliance Public Service Alliance of Canada PSAC – AFPC Atlantic, Unifor Atlantic, Unifor Local 219, Unifor Local 4504 and the Union of Graduate Student Workers (PSAC Local 60550).

Community groups/businesses supporting Mayworks Fredericton 2019 include: Canada Research Chair in Global and International Studies, Cinema Politica Fredericton, Higgins Insurance, New Brunswick Immigrant Women’s Association, NB Media Co-op, No One Is Illegal-Fredericton, RAVEN, and Societé de l’Acadie du Nouveau-Brunswick.

*If your organization would like to support Mayworks (financial support, in-kind support, suggesting an event to our festival), please contact us at mayworksfredericton@gmail.com.

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