Alberta Labour History Institute Web Launch

Time: 4:30 to 7:00 PM
The Alberta Labour History Institute is pleased to announce the completion of its comprehensive Alberta Labour History Website, which will serve as one of Alberta's main portals for the preservation and dissemination of the history of Alberta's working people, their trade unions and other organizations.   read more »

Event Location: The Health Sciences Association of Alberta, 10212 � 112 Street, Edmonton, Alberta
More Information: Dave Werlin, ALHI President at 780-483-8999 or Winston Gereluk, Committee Chair at 780-436-1976

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Global Visions and May Week present “Betrayed: The Story of Canadian Merchant Seamen”

Time: 7pm
This fascinating documentary by Vancouver's Elaine Brière, Internationally recognized photojournalist and filmmaker, tells a little-known Canadian labour story with major international implications. Although Canada is bordered by three oceans, not a single deep-sea merchant ship flies the Canadian flag. This film explains why, taking us from the sell-off of the merchant fleet after World War II to the union-busting tactics of Canada Steamship Lines today.

"Betrayed shows that globalization doesn't just happen. It is constructed and developed in a deliberate manner. This is a remarkable film that connects the dots from the destruction of progressive unionism in the fifties to the dire situation facing working people today."
- Mark Achbar, Director/Producer, The Corporation

Event Location: Metro Cinema, Zeidler Hall - main floor of the Citadel Theatre Complex (9828-101A Avenue).
Event Admission: $8 Adult $6 Students and Seniors

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Workers’ Art Exhibit Opening

Time: The venue has changed to Boardwalk Marketplace, South End of Food Court, 10320-102 Ave. Opening on April 27th at 5:30 pm

Every year, the Workers Art Show features visual art by working people who are not full time artists. Also, thanks to the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Community Support Organisations Project Grant and the Edmonton and District Labour Council, art work by Mary Joyce will be shown at this event.  For more information on Mary Joyce please go to our Artist Lineup page.  The exhibition is curated by Tom Gale.

Event Location: Venue Change! Boardwalk Marketplace, South End of Food Court, 10320-102 Ave.

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Reel Femme ‘06 Opening Gala Film: El Contrato

Time: 8:30 pm
May Week is excited to co-sponsor Reel Femme's Opening Gala Film El Contrato. El Contrato follows Teodoro Bello Martinez, a poverty-stricken father of four living in Central Mexico, and several of his countrymen as they make an annual migration to southern Ontario. For eight months of the year the town's population absorbs 4000 migrant labourers who pick tomatoes for conditions and wages no local will accept.   read more »

Event Location: Stanley A. Milner Public Library Theatre
Event Admission: Pay what you can
More Information: http://www.ewfs.ca

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Labour Cabaret

Time: Doors Open at 7pm
This Year's cabaret promises to be high-energy and diverse in sound. With progressive reggae band headliners Souljah Fyah, http://www.janayaellis.com/ and special guests RadioVacana http://www.radiovacana.com/, people will be inspired to hit the dancefloor and join in the celebrations for the upcoming May Day, the International Worker's Holiday. Other guests also include singer/song writer, Kevin Cook http://www.kevincookmusic.com/bio.htm and spoken word artist, Shimaisha Robinson aka Dwennimmen.   read more »

Event Location: Bonnie Doon Hall, 9240 93rd Street
Event Admission: $10 or buy a table for 12 people for $100, Tickets will be on sale by mid-March
More Information: Tickets are available at Earth's General Store located at 10832 Whyte (82nd) Ave. or email

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The IWW presents “The Inheritance: Lessons from Past Struggles For Today’s World”

Time: 2pm

So what can the stories of workers and immigrants’ struggles from
the late 1800’s and early 1900’s right up to the Civil Rights movement tell us about the class struggle in Alberta today?

“The Inheritance” is about more than just the incredible struggles to organize in a previous era, it is about passing the torch to the next generation of organizers.  Join the IWW and Alberta Views Magazine to discuss how workers in Alberta can look to the past in order to help build a better future for everyone.

Sponsored by the Industrial Workers of the World General Membership Branch and Alberta Views Magazine.

Event Location: The Underdog (Basement of the Black Dog Freehouse), 10425 Whyte (82nd) Avenue
More Information: Nick Driedger at

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May Day for Medicare March

Time: 6:30 pm

May 1st is a day chosen by workers to acknowledge the struggles and celebrate the gains workers have made throughout history. Each year, workers around the world take to the streets to let the bosses, corporations and governments know that workers will continue to fight for fairness, justice and respect in the workplace as well as celebrate our well-fought gains. In this spirit, this year’s March will provide a forum for the public disapproval and resistance to the Alberta Government’s plan for “third way” health care reforms.  Everyone is welcome!

For more information about keeping our medicare system public visit: http://www.keepmedicarepublic.ca/

Event Location:

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Labour, Arts & Youth - Street Jam

Time: Approximately 8pm (after May Day for Medicare Rally)
This event is an opportunity to recognize that young artists are workers too. Each year the festival aims to bring together a diversity of young performers including hip hop artists, dancers, singers, and other cultural performances that feature young people and their art. The street jam is organized by young people and is held on May 1 following the March.

Event Location: Bandshell on Southside of Legislature Grounds

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The Non-Academic Staff Association at the University of Alberta Celebrates May Week

Time: Doors open at 7:00 p.m
Join NASA in their May Week celebration of Workers, Arts and Politics! underCOVER Band will provide entertainment with a mixture of old/new rock, soul and reggae music.

Event Location: U of A Students Union Power Plant
Event Admission: Tickets: $5.00 ($6.00 @ the door) Students/Unemployed: $3.00
More Information:

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May Day Workers & Wonders: A Story Cafe

Time: 7:00-9:00 pm
Dawn Blue, Kate Quinn, and Renee Englot are our featured storytellers. There will also be an open-mic spot for one or two people with a 5-minute story to tell (not read-no-cheat -sheets!). Story Café gets crowded, so come early & please be prepared to share tables.

Event Location: Upper Crust, 10909 - 86 Ave.
Event Admission: $5.00
More Information: 433-2932

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The Mercy Seat

Time: 8:00pm
The Mercy Seat , written by Neil LaBute and directed by Heather Inglis, will be performed for 10 days (12 shows) at Azimuth Theatre, May 4-14th 2006. Neil LaBute is an acclaimed playwright and filmmaker whose social themes have made him a force to be reckoned with in the world of contemporary theatre. The play probes the decidedly un-heroic actions of two people in the wake of the disaster of 9/11. .   read more »

Event Location: Azimuth Theatre, 11315 106 Street , May 4-14th
Event Admission: $15
More Information: For Tickets Contact: Tix on the Square at 420-1757 or get them at the door

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