MayWorks: King-Brandow shows this week

Karen Brandow and Charlie King

SEATTLE — This week and for the rest of the month, MayWorks kicks into high gear with special events and performances celebrating labor culture and commemorating the centennial of the 1912 “Bread and Roses Strike” by textile workers in Lawrence, Mass. This eight-week strike by the mostly immigrant women was historic in its militancy, focusing the entire nation on the need for dignity as well as fair wages and working conditions.

Critically acclaimed musical storytellers Charlie King and Karen Brandow will be performing this week in Bellingham, Seattle and Tacoma at various MayWorks events (see schedule below). SING OUT! Magazine called one of their recent concert recordings “a tapestry of old songs, new songs, and old songs made into new songs to…. remind us that, although the times are hard, there is power and relief in the fact that we can come together at community events like this to find camaraderie and perspective and to raise a joyful noise.”

At their Seattle performance on Thursday, King and Brandow will be joined by our own local Rebel Voices at South Seattle Community College. A special wine reception sponsored by the Washington State Labor Council begins at 6 p.m. prior to the performance. Tickets are just $15 — contact Sarah Laslett to reserve your tickets — you can pay by check, or credit card — 206-934-5382.

The monthlong MayWorks celebration actually began in late April with the Emerging Leaders Conference and May Day events. Here are the remaining events. (You can also download a PDF of the MayWorks poster that includes this same information.)

Charlie King and Karen Brandow Workshop – Wednesday, May 16
Time: Noon
Western WA University, Bellingham

Charlie King and Karen Brandow Concert – Wednesday, May 16
Time: 7:30 PM
Roeder Home, 2600 Sunset Drive, Bellingham

Charlie King and Karen Brandow & Rebel Voices in Concert – Thursday, May 17
Time: 7:15 PM
South Seattle Community College Olympic Hall Auditorium, West Seattle Campus
A Pre-Concert Wine Reception, hosted by the Washington State Labor Council, will be held at 6 PM

“A Loud Noise in a Quiet Place” Performance – Thursday, May 17 – Tuesday, May 22
Time: 8:00 PM
Triad Theater – 102 Yelm Avenue East, Yelm 98576
Call 360-446-2188 for reservations.

The 44^th Annual Pacific NW Labor History Association Conference – May 18-19
Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma

— 1912 – Occupy Lawrence – The Great Textile Strike with Charlie King and Karen Brandow
Friday, May 18 at 7:30 PM

— The Passion of Sacco and Vanzetti Workshop with Charlie King and Karen Brandow
Saturday, May 19 at 9:30 AM

— Songs for the 99% with Charlie King and Karen Brandow
Saturday, May 19 at 8:00 PM

Charlie King and Karen Brandow, Parody Song Writing Workshop – Sunday, May 20
Sponsored by the Seattle Labor Chorus and Washington State Labor Council
Time: 1:00 PM
Washington State Labor Council, 314 1st Ave. W., Seattle

NORTHWEST FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL
at the Seattle Center

Bread & Roses Exhibition – May 25 – 28
Time: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM Friday – Sunday, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday
Lopez Room
(see above)

Oral Histories -Interviews with Seattle Center Workers – Saturday, May 26
Time: 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Narrative Stage at the SIFF Cinema

Labor Show – Saturday, May 26
Time: 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Bagley Wright Theatre
Chris Chandler; Nina Laboy; David Rovics; Seattle Labor Chorus; Solidarity Notes; Citizens Band

We Do the Work Film Festival – Sunday, May 27
Time: Noon
Narrative Stage at the SIFF Cinema
Awards announcements and screenings of the top three videos

Bread & Roses, Then and Now Workshop – Sunday, May 27
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Narrative Stage at the SIFF Cinema
Video about the original strike and discussion with representatives of contemporary labor struggles

Voices of Occupy Concert Hosted by David Rovics – Sunday, May 27
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Intiman Theatre Courtyard
Al Bradbury; Danny Kelly; Kaeley Pruitt-Hamm; Desert Rat; Nina Laboy; Chris Chandler; Jim Page; Laura Love and excerpts from the U.W. Drama School’s “Harp Song for a Radical”

Bread, Roses, and Happiness Workshop with John de Graaf – Monday, May 28
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Narrative Stage at the SIFF Cinema

For more information about “The Bread and Roses Exhibition” or the other MayWorks events, call the Washington State Labor Council at 206-281-8901.