The Twin Cities Labor Chorus sang in San Francisco over Martin Luther King weekend, at the Western Workers Labor Heritage Festival. The Minnesota singers were one of three featured choruses at the event, and their songs were warmly received, not just with applause, but by the audience joining in on Mississippi River, Go to Work on Monday and Solidarity Forever.
“The chorus worked really hard to get ready for this and it really paid off,” said Director Josh Wise.
The Workers Heritage Festival is an annual celebration of labor culture where working people from around the country share artistic expressions of outrage at injustice and confidence in the power of solidarity to overcome it. In addition to a smorgasbord of musical and poetic performances, graphic arts displays and tables laden with books, posters and CDs, there were film screenings and workshops on topics such as A Musical Illustrated History of Women in the Labor Movement and Women’s Struggle for Social Justice, Labor Cartooning, Black Lives Matter and Jazz and Labor. Among participants at this year’s 30th Anniversary rendition of the event, were people who make their living as performers, as well as union members who simply like to sing, or write, or draw. All employ their gifts in labor and human rights organizing.
Twin Cities Chorus member Joyce Stone said of her Festival experience, “I’m absolutely overwhelmed with the talent here. I love it! I even had lunch with Melvina Reynolds’ daughter and spent lunchtime sharing funny stories with her.”
The Festival concluded with a moving tribute to Martin Luther King, Sunday afternoon and a lively concert in the evening, benefitting workers organizing at packaged vegetable producer Taylor Farms.
In addition to their scheduled set on Saturday morning, the Twin Cities chorus sang at other times throughout the weekend, and chorus member Michael Kuchta read one of his poems. Chorus members joined in the powerful massed choirs performance that concluded the festival.
“I really enjoyed the weekend,” said chorus member Cindy Nelson, “I hope we come again.”
Article by Bill Moore, MN State Retiree Council, and member of the Twin Cities Labor Chorus.
Video by Katie Ryan, IATSE Local 16.
Share
The Twin Cities Labor Chorus sang in San Francisco over Martin Luther King weekend, at the Western Workers Labor Heritage Festival. The Minnesota singers were one of three featured choruses at the event, and their songs were warmly received, not just with applause, but by the audience joining in on Mississippi River, Go to Work on Monday and Solidarity Forever.
“The chorus worked really hard to get ready for this and it really paid off,” said Director Josh Wise.
The Workers Heritage Festival is an annual celebration of labor culture where working people from around the country share artistic expressions of outrage at injustice and confidence in the power of solidarity to overcome it. In addition to a smorgasbord of musical and poetic performances, graphic arts displays and tables laden with books, posters and CDs, there were film screenings and workshops on topics such as A Musical Illustrated History of Women in the Labor Movement and Women’s Struggle for Social Justice, Labor Cartooning, Black Lives Matter and Jazz and Labor. Among participants at this year’s 30th Anniversary rendition of the event, were people who make their living as performers, as well as union members who simply like to sing, or write, or draw. All employ their gifts in labor and human rights organizing.
Twin Cities Chorus member Joyce Stone said of her Festival experience, “I’m absolutely overwhelmed with the talent here. I love it! I even had lunch with Melvina Reynolds’ daughter and spent lunchtime sharing funny stories with her.”
The Festival concluded with a moving tribute to Martin Luther King, Sunday afternoon and a lively concert in the evening, benefitting workers organizing at packaged vegetable producer Taylor Farms.
In addition to their scheduled set on Saturday morning, the Twin Cities chorus sang at other times throughout the weekend, and chorus member Michael Kuchta read one of his poems. Chorus members joined in the powerful massed choirs performance that concluded the festival.
“I really enjoyed the weekend,” said chorus member Cindy Nelson, “I hope we come again.”
Article by Bill Moore, MN State Retiree Council, and member of the Twin Cities Labor Chorus.
Video by Katie Ryan, IATSE Local 16.