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LaborFest 2011

Over 60 free lectures, tours & workshops at the 18th Annual Labor Cultural Arts Festival | July 2-31
By - posted 7/6/2011 No Comment

LaborFest, the 18th annual labor cultural arts festival in Northern California aims to re-balance our perspective on workers and their rights.

This free month-long festival will not only commemorate the 1934 San Francisco general strike, but also the 150th anniversary of the US civil war and the role of slavery in California and the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire.

The festival also features the Film Works United festival, theatrical and musical performances, the annual BookFair and labor history cultural walks and presentations. Most events are free and open to the public.

LaborFest
July 2-31, 2011
San Francisco Bay Area
– Most events are free and open to the public

2011 Festival Highlights:

  • SF Mime Troupe’s “2012-The Musical” / July 2-4, 2pm in Dolores Park FREE
  • SF Fire Department Museum Tour / July 7  1pm on Presidio Avenue between Bush and Pine FREE
  • Eye-Witness Reports From The Wisconsin Protests / July 9 7pm Marine Fireman’s Hall – 224 2nd St. at Howard FREE
  • Poetry In The Struggle / July 10 5pm City Lights Bookstore FREE
  • San Francisco Waterfront Labor History Walk / 10am Meet at 75 Folsom St. FREE
  • Golden Gate Bridge Walk / July 10, 11am – Meet at Visitor’s Plaza FREE
  • Triangle: Play about 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire / July 12 7p – Farleys Potrero Hill / FREE, but donation requested
  • Hayes Valley Farm Tour / July 14 3pm – learn about urban farming in San Francisco / FREE
  • San Bruno Jail Tour / July 15 10am – free behind the scenes tour of 14 acre organic farm at San Bruno Jail / FREE but reservations required
  • Mission Murals Walk / July 16 11am – Precita & Harrison / FREE
  • Song & Poetry Swap / July 16 8pm – 885 Clayton @ Carl / FREE
  • Bay Bridge History Guided Boat Tour / July 17 6pm – 3 hour boat tour of the how the Bay Bridge was built w/ free meal / $45 but worth the splurge
  • FilmWorks United Film Festival / July 22 6pm – 518 Valencia @ 16th Street / FREE but donation requested
  • Coit Tower Mural Walk / July 23 10am – FREE
  • LaborFest Book Fair / July 24 9:30a-6p / Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts / FREE
  • Unsung Heroes of U.S. History / July 28, 5pm Manilatown Center 868 Kearny / FREE but donation requested
  • Mare Island Naval Shipyard Tour / July 30, 11:30am / FREE
  • LaborFest Closing Party / July 31 7pm / Nap’s Mission @ Precita / FREE

Complete 2011 LaborFest Schedule

Why is LaborFest important?
Over the years we’ve pretty much been brainwashed to think of Jimmy Hoffa, overpaid ballplayers, and inconvenient strikes when the words “Labor Union” are pronounced. Now various media personalities are trying to convince us that collective bargaining and pensions for public employees of Wisconsin are superfluous.

Who are these public employees? Mostly teachers, nurses, police, firefighters.

But never mind the facts, let’s pretend they’re faceless government bureaucrats. LaborFest seeks to re-balance our perspective on workers and rights

– David Fox for FuncheapSF