Professor Rodrigue

Labor and Folk Festival

The first annual Labor and Folk Festival was organized by the students in Professor Barry Rodrigue’s Labor, Literature, & Arts Class.  They spent many hours gathering information and researching the history of the labor movement in the United States.  LAC students took the stage to present poems, writings, and songs representative of labor throughout recent history.

20% of the proceeds went to the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project (AWAP) and the USM Labor Solidarity Project

Some of the performers for the “open mike” section of the afternoon were Mary “Uke Lady” Heargraves, left, who sang a few songs, while Cynthia Phinney, top right, of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, or IBEW, told some inspirational stories of workers sticking together through tough times.

USM student Godfrey Banda, left, playing the mbira, an ancient instrument of Africa.  It is an important instrument that was played by the people of Zimbabwe during their fight for independence. 

Professional caller, John McIntire, helped people learn how to Contra Dance, but the highlight was the music created by Lex Romane, Dale Robin Lockman, and Andy Cohen, internationally celebrated singers; pictured at right, second from top.

 The performers at right are Steve Long and Don Petersimes.