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Comment by John Pietaro on July 31, 2011 at 3:47

This year's DISSIDENT ARTS FESTIVAL occurs on Sat 8/13, 4PM-11PM at the Brecht Forum, NYC. The Fest opens with a screening and discussion of the long-blacklisted film "Salt of the Earth". Concert follows: Upsurge!, Radio Noir, Judy Gorman, Secret Architecture, radical poets Steve Bloom, Angelo Verga, Jackie Sheeler, many more! http://theculturalworker.blogspot.com/2011/07/who-what-and-where-of...

Comment by John Pietaro on November 17, 2010 at 15:03

Hey all-----my piece JOHN REED: THE WRITER AS REVOLUTIONARY was just published in 'Political Affairs'. If you are an artist of conscience involved in any genre, I urge you to check it out. We need to reconsider our roles as movement cultural workers, the model of which John Reed helped to create so many years ago.
jp--
http://www.politicalaffairs.net/john-reed-the-writer-as-revolutionary/

Comment by John Pietaro on October 24, 2010 at 5:12

Music, film, theatre, and poetry ring out revolution......
THE DISSIDENT ARTS FESTIVAL
WHEN: Saturday November 6, 2010, 3PM – 11PM
WHERE: The Brecht Forum
451 West Street (between Bank and Bethune streets), New York NY
212-242-4201 www.brechtforum.org

Now, in the midst of right-wing fear-mongering and teabag hysteria, progressive artists speak out for social justice. The Dissident Arts Festival, now in its fifth year, is a platform for cultural workers to sing, recite, improvise, act and orate against war and inequity, on behalf of human rights and environmentalism, and in honor of the struggle of workers and the globally oppressed. Event organizer John Pietaro, a cultural and labor organizer who writes for progressive publications and fronts the ensemble the Flames of Discontent, is now bringing the Dissident Arts Festival to Manhattan’s Brecht Forum this November 6.
Originally based in upstate New York, the Festival began life as ‘the Dissident Folk Festival’ in 2006. Its primary goal was the establishment of an annual showcase of progressive protest music, poetry and performance art--perhaps the only such fest in the nation. But this Festival has always sought to bring together a wide variety of sounds and styles, bending rules and infusing all of the arts with the strongest, most progressive activism. Featured among our past performers and speakers have been Malachy McCourt and Pete Seeger and we presented tributes to Woody Guthrie and Paul Robeson, Bertolt Brecht and Phil Ochs. And while we are proud of the successes upstate, the resources of a site like the Brecht Forum and a location like downtown Manhattan help to grow the concept of the Festival. This year, we mix folk-protest song with dissentful jazz, left-wing cabaret and revolutionary hip-hop with topical theatre, radical poetry, political satire and the screening of the powerful documentary “GIULIANI TIME”. The arts ARE a weapon for social change…….

3:00 PM-5:00 -Film: “Giuliani Time”
5:00-5:30- Discussion w/”Giuliani Time” director Kevin Keating
5:30 -6:00—Music: Rafael Figueroa – percussionist/poet/vocalist opens up the concert in rapturous style
6:05-6:35—Music: Salim Washington Ensemble – the celebrated saxophonist’s social justice Jazz
6:35 – 6:45--Poetry: Marina Mati
6:45-7:15—Poetry/Music: Louis Reyes Rivera (host of WBAI-FM radio’s “Perspectives” show)
7:20-7:50—Music: Bev Grant and the Dissident Daughters –“a radical Andrews Sisters” to present the works of the esteemed topical singer-songwriter
7:50-8:00-- Political Stand-Up Comedy: Marcy Gordon
8:00-8:30--Music/Poetry: Mancini & Martin--rad and ethereal, electro-acoustic saxophone/spoken word duet
8:30-8:40—Poetry: Robert Milby
8:40-8:50—Poetry: Adrianna Delgado
8:55-9:25—Music: The Flames of Discontent –where Bertolt Brecht and Woody Guthrie meet Rockabilly!
9:25-9:40-Drama: Theatre of the Oppressed Lab--theatre of dissent and struggle
9:45-10:15--The Last Internationale –acoustic-electric protest songs for today
10:15-10:45--ReadNex Poetry Squad –revolutionary Hip Hop and spoken word ensemble
10:45 – 11:00—Outro Jam (ReadNex Poetry Squad, the Flames of Discontent and other performers TBA)

Comment by Brad Drake on September 25, 2010 at 0:57

Incredible weekend had us marching with Steelworkers in Brantford, and rockin with our friends Anti Flag, including awesome shoutout for Unionrocks and the import of supporting trade unionism from Justin at the London Show. Look for our Friends who will be touring Europe this fall. Also check out great new workers song by The Artists Life.. " This Is The Waking Of The Working Class Revolt"

Comment by Brad Drake on September 15, 2010 at 22:29

Greetings and Solidarity to all, readying for weekend of rockin with Anti Flag in London and Kitchener, but first marchin in solidarity with sisters and brothers in Brantford.
Time to get this movement rockin, question to all, what music inspires the activist in you?

Comment by Brad Drake on September 8, 2010 at 1:44

European fans look for our favourite band, and true social activists Anti Flag this fall. Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany, France. We're headlining the Vans "Off The Wall" Music Night tour in October! Get your tickets now! http://www.anti-flag.com/TO10.php

Comment by Brad Drake on September 8, 2010 at 1:39

Pumped...awesome labour day news, Unionrocks has secured more funding and is poised to ensure it's 5th year is it's loudest most evocative yet..

Comment by Peter HJ on September 1, 2010 at 21:05

Hey folks... have you checked out the global Solidarity Idol competition? http://www.newunionism.net/solidarityidol.htm

Comment by Brad Drake on August 29, 2010 at 16:36

Sounds Like A Revolution
New Documentary by filmakers Summer Love and Jane Michner captures the growth of new protest music over the last decade. Great film that reveals much of the music and energy Unionrocks has been using to build strentght for labour in Ontario.

Comment by Brad Drake on August 29, 2010 at 14:29

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfqc2TRcLIM

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