Music Theatre Art Events

July 2 - 4 (Monday) 2:00 PM (Free) Dolores Park - 18th St. & Dolores, SF
SF Mime Troupe - "2012 - The Musical!"
A small political theater company, Theater BAM!, finds itself at a crossroads: should they keep telling the stories they feel can change the world (and starve while telling them), or feed at the corporate trough, sell out, and be the mouthpiece for The Man. Tough decision. But before having to make it, they are offered an artistic commission that may save the company; all they have to do is create a new play, “2012 - The Musical!” But is it political? Will it keep with the company’s original mission? What’s the true purpose of this frivolous production, and who’s really bankrolling the thing?  www.sfmt.org

July 8 (Friday) 7:00 - 8:30 PM($15, 12, 10) MIRA Theater -51 Daniels Avenue, Vallejo
Compared to What?
New Play Shows the Beginnings of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters by Judith Offer.
Set in 1926 in West Oakland, the play answers the question of why the men who had the “best job for Negro men in America” were complaining and trying to change it.
COMPARED TO WHAT? will open July 8 and close July 23.
Reading attendees will find it interesting to see the rewritten work, which even includes a new character in the form of the Porter Supervisor, Archibald Snoddy.
The show will play at 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 3 on Sundays.  Patrons can get tickets on line at: www.MiraTheatreGuild.org or by phone at (707) 552-0400.

July 9 (Saturday) 1:00 & 3:00 PM (Free) Rincon Annex Post Office - Steuart Street side at Mission Street
Labor Archives and Research Center's 25th anniversary
Sympathetic
In honor of the Labor Archives and Research Center's 25th anniversary, the Archives has commissioned Jo Kreiter and Flyaway Productions to create a dance performance honoring labor.  "Sympathetic" is a site-specific performance based on the funeral march for the two workers killed on Bloody Thursday, whose deaths sparked the historic 1934 San Francisco General Strike. The aerial dance will take place on the side of the historic Rincon Annex Post Office building, which features WPA era murals that honor the strike. Directly across from Rincon is 113 Steuart Street, the longshore union headquarters during the strike and where the funeral march began. Flyaway Productions incorporates a building’s features into their choreography, utilizing rigging to create space and movement.  Their dances are visually exciting and thought-provoking and the company has received significant press for their work. 
The 10-minute dance will be performed twice in the day, with a labor landmarks walking tour of nearby sites in between performances.
For more info: (415) 564-4010  e-mail: larc@sfsu.edu

July 9 (Saturday) 7:00 PM (Free) Marine Fireman's Hall - 224 2nd St. at Howard, SF
A Month In Madison:  Eye-Witness Reports From The Wisconsin Protests Curated by Joan Juster
An evening of films, songs, photos and stories from the 2011 protests in Wisconsin with refreshment.
Special guest: J. Eric Cobb,  Executive Director of Buildings Trades South Central, Wisconsin.
On February 11, 2011, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker introduced a “budget repair bill” that threatened the rights and livelihoods of Wisconsin’s labor unions, schools and citizens. The bill sparked massive, ongoing protests that have grown into the largest peaceful demonstrations in history, inspiring similar uprisings around the country.
When protesters occupied the Capitol in Madison, San Francisco documentary producer Joan Juster bought a one-way ticket to Wisconsin to document these historic events.  Through films, photos and stories she gives a first-hand view of the month she spent on the front lines of the battle for Wisconsin.
Films are still being confirmed at press time. Some of the featured films by various producers include:
Wisconsin “Budget Repair Bill” Protest (5:38) , Mike Scholtz (12:30), Cheddar Revolution - VO5 - music video (2:53), This is Happening Now! (6:39), Matthew Schauenberg: Putting his life on the line for Wisconsin (4:50), Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill Protests (9:30), Tax the Rich: Madison Protest Time-Lapse (4:17), Rudy Fox (5:10), Pizza Revolution (5:20), Wisconsin (6:39), This is What Democracy Looks Like (2:45), There is Power in a Union (3:46), Fourteen Senators (2:17)
For info: justerhill(at)aol.com

July 10 (Sunday) 2:00 PM (Donation for actors) Phoenix Theater - 414 Mason room 601 at Geary
Play - Wisconsin, Workplace Hell 2:  Collective Bargaining, Dodo Birds and Other Nearly Extinct Things
Sorry, This event was cancelled.

July 12 (Tuesday) 7:00 PM (Free) Farley's -1315 18th Street, SF
TRIANGLE This event was replaced with the following program
A new program of music, poetry and words will replace Elaine Ocasio who is unable to perform in SF.
The Revolutionary Poets Brigade will be presenting at this event on the Women of the Triangle and the workers of the world.

July 15 (Friday) 1:00 - 6:00 PM July 16 (Saturday) 12:00 - 3:00 PM (Free ) 522 Valencia - near 16th St., SF Location moved from 518 Valencia
Struggle for Justice: The Hoshino Art Show
Reception: 4:00 - 6:00 PM (7/15)
Fumiaki Hoshino is the longest held political prisoner in Japan. He was a student political activist and leader in the protest struggle against the US military bases in Okinawa and Japanese imperialism. On November 14, 1971, he led a demonstration in Tokyo against permanently maintaining the US bases there with the nuclear arsenal. An Osaka education women trade unionist Noriko Nagata and a policeman were killed in the protest, and the government has sought to blame the deaths on protest leader Hoshino. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and has been in jail for 37 years, and is now filing the second application for retrial. He has also received support from trade unionists in Japan and the US.  He met his wife Akiko after he was jailed and she has been fighting for his release. She will present his watercolor pictures painted in the prison and speak about their international solidarity campaign.
A video on his case and the struggle during that period edited by Manabu Minagawa will be shown during the exhibition period.
http://fhoshino.u.cnet-ta.ne.jp/

July 15 (Friday) 6:00 - 8:00 PM Fog Lifter Café - 1905 Ocean Ave @ Ashton - SF 94127
Delicious and affordable menu plus $10 - $20 donation for Vampire Slayers
Vampire Slayers Full Moon Music Presentation  
With Kaylah Marin and Tasha Kame
The Vampire Slayers, faculty, staff and community members at SFSU, work with students and organizations to defend public education and preserve health and social services.
Kaylah Marin's soulfully inspired lyrics and vocals, Neo-Soul, Hip Hop & Pop with deep Old School RnB Roots combine with dynamic rhythms, a driving huge voice and range. Enjoy an evening of Soul, Poetry and TASHA KAME Jon Brooder, Kevin North, Mike McCoy, playing Blues, roots and Rock.
www.vampireslayers.org 

July 16 (Saturday) 8:00 PM (Free ) 885 Clayton St.- ., at Carl St., SF
Song and Poetry Swap
For 29 years, the Freedom Song Network has been helping keep alive the spirit of labor and political song in the Bay Area, on picket lines, at rallies, on concert stages and at song swaps. Bring songs or poems to share. Everyone is welcome, regardless of musical ability or training.
For info: (415) 648-3457

July 19 (Tuesday) 7:00 PM (Free) Farley's  - 1315 18th Street between Texas & Missouri St.
Labor Stories for the 21st Century
An evening of storytelling, solo performance, poetry, song and music with an Open Mic to follow. Come listen to working class labor stories and labor songs of the young and aging, from the past to present day. What does it means to fight back with non-violence, what tools are being used and what are the stories of hope for the 21st century?  Open Mic: Bring your stories, poetry, song and music. Members of the group are Phyllis Holliday, Margaret Cooley, Keith Cooley, Susan Ford, Adele Kearney, Nellie Wong, Jerry Path, and Alice Rogoff.
www.laborfestwriters.org   suford@earthlink.net     

July 23 (Saturday) 7:00 PM (Donation) ILWU Local 34 Hall - 801 2nd St., SF Next to the AT&T Ball Park
Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of The Triangle Fire & The LA Times Bombing
This year is the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Fire in which 146 immigrants, mostly Jewish and Italian garment workers, died in New York City. It is also the 100th anniversary of the LA Times bombing that was blamed on unionized ironworkers. This led to a witch hunt against labor and the defeat of working class candidate Job Harriman in the Los Angeles elections. Both these events will be focused on during this event.
Screening of Clara Lemlich, A Strike Leader’s Dairy, about the life of immigrant Russian garment union leader Clara Lemlich and her role in the “Uprising of 1909”.
Clara Lemlich, a young 17-year old Russian immigrant like many other young immigrant women in New York was in the garment industry. Despite her small stature she stood up for the women, young and old, who toiled in the garment shops and factories. She was also targeted by the bosses, who hired thugs and goons to beat up the union activists and Clara was beaten numerous times. Despite the great costs to her health and even her life, she continued organizing. At a mass meeting at NY Cooper Union she spoke up for many when she said it was time for a mass strike. This was unanimously agreed to, and in 1909, twenty thousand garment workers went on strike. That was called the “The Uprising”.
Despite the efforts to get a union at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, the anti-labor owners refused to sign a union contract. The failure to get a contract led to continued dangerous working conditions and also locked escape doors. The death however led to an explosion of anger and support for union and labor rights that are now under attack.
Lee Boek, Public Works Improvisational Theater Company, will present a theater piece on the 1911 LA Times bombing and the shaping of Los Angeles. The   attack on organized labor, particularly union ironworkers and organizers John J. (“J.J.”) and James B. (“J.B.”) McNamara in Los Angeles, was a critical part of Los Angeles and California labor history. These unionists were charged with the bombing of the LA Times building and their lawyer was Clarence Darrow. This incident was used to politically assault the trade union movement and also derail the election campaign of Job Harriman.
Labor Folk Blues Onion & GG
http://www.latimesbomb.com/2010/09/100/
presentation by Mike Daly on the LA Times bombing

July 24 (Sunday) 2:00 - 3:00 PM (Suggested donation #5.00 to LaborFest) Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (2nd floor Gallary)- 2868 Mission St., SF
Learn by Suing
Performance and Discussion by Jay Martin
With a layoff looming in 2008, Jay Martin looked at the law. 60-day
notice, it said. Jay became the lead plaintiff in a class action
against his former employer, an experience more about phone calls than
courtrooms. Jay appeared previously in LaborFest reading Upton
Sinclair's memoir "I, Candidate." This year, learn what Jay learned
about the law that protects workers during a mass layoff, the WARN
Act.

July 24 (Sunday) 4:00 PM($12, Students/Seniors $8) Café Royale - 800 Post Street at Leavenworth, SF
Folk This!
It Can't Happen Here 
A dramatic reading and multimedia presentation
“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross”.  So stated Sinclair Lewis in 1935 in his popular novel “It Can’t Happen Here”, which two years later was adapted to the stage and performed in 15 cities simultaneously by the Federal Theatre Project.  The evening’s program by the Indelible Voices Projects features a dramatic reading of Lewis’ play by a talented group of local actors as well as a presentation on Sinclair Lewis, the Federal Theatre Project, and the impact of “It Can’t Happen Here” in the 30s and its implications for our own time.
For information on the tickets: call (415) 378-7235.  E-mail: marcusd@igc.org.

July 24 (Sunday) 7:00 PM ($10 Donation-no one turned away) 518 Valencia - near 16th St., SF
Woody Guthrie: Hard Times and Hard Travellin'
By Dr. Will Kaufman
Will Kaufman’s WOODY GUTHRIE: HARD TIMES AND HARD TRAVELLIN’ is a captivating “live documentary” that sets the songs of Woody Guthrie in the context of the American 1930s - the Dust Bowl, the Depression, the New Deal and the state of popular music itself. Such hard-hitting Guthrie songs as “Vigilante Man”, “Pretty Boy Floyd” and “I Ain’t Got No Home” are brought into conversation with other relevant songs - from Joe Hill’s “The Preacher and the Slave” to “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” Altogether the show highlights the blending of music and radical politics that marks Guthrie’s most powerful work.
wkaufman@uclan.ac.uk,
www.myspace.com/willkaufman
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9598321
Woody Guthrie Ludlow Massacre
Will Kaufman on Woody Guthrie-KQED Interview with Michael Krasny

July 30 (Saturday) 7:00 PM (Donation) ILWU Local 34 Hall - 801 2nd St., next to the AT&T Ball Park
Displaying Union Power-Local 510 On Stage
A Performance by the Rock’in Solidarity Labor Heritage Chorus
The latest production to come out of the Labor Tales, Labor Drama Project tells the story of Sign & Display Union Local 510. The piece focuses on the workers who set up and take down the exhibits in the Bay Area convention halls and their struggle to build a strong and democratic union. It is based on oral history interviews and includes words or poetry set to music and performed by the Rockin’ Solidarity Labor Heritage Chorus. The project is collaboration among the San Francisco State University Labor Archives, the City College of San Francisco Labor & Community Studies Theater Arts program and Labor Heritage Chorus as well as Local 510.
The Labor Chorus, under the direction of Pat Wynne, will do an additional set of songs about solidarity and struggle with their usual passion and humor.