Second annual Youngstown May Day Festival. Calvin Center for the Arts, 755 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown 44502. 330-333-0708. Email:
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…. This one-day festival will celebrate May Day, “an internationally celebrated day for workers, celebrants of spring, and those finding new love.” The event is co-sponsored by the Calvin Center for the Arts and the Youngstown Solidarity Network. Noon-6 p.m., Sunday, May 1. Free.
The family-friendly celebration will bring together supporters of the historical and present struggles of labor, celebrants of Beltane (the Celtic celebration of spring, fertility and rejuvenation), and “those fighting against medical and racial discrimination, those fighting for climate justice and sustainable living, and other supporters of justice, care, and support of a sustainable planet, fair workplace and inclusive communities.”
Organizers say the festival “brings together residents building a better future for our environment and our workplaces.” For more information, visit here.
The event will feature workshops, speakers, food (for all dietary types), crafts, poetry, vendors and live music. Speakers include internationally recognized labor and civil rights activists Alice and Staughton Lynd.
All-day activities are scheduled inside and on the grounds of Calvin Center and include sidewalk chalking, face painting, children’s games/crafts and rides by Youngstown Pedicab. The Cafe Space will feature a Vegan Community Meal by Erin Timms. A clothing-and-accessories swap (bring-your-own washed clothing and accessories) takes place in the basement. Organizers are especially interested in wigs and unused makeup to donate to Full Spectrum Community Outreach’s Closet of Change.
Vendors include Witch City Tacos, Spiritual Phoenix Studios (esoteric items and tarot readings), Crochet by McKayla (handmade crocheted items), Sean Posey Books (local history books by the author) and Plant Ahead Ohio (plants and seeds).
The event also includes music by Joe Conversino, Jan Kay Pentz, Tyler Guerrieri and Jon Smiley.
Events by time/location
The Chapel
- “Lessons from the Community Rights Movement in Youngstown.” By Lynn Anderson. 12:30 p.m.
- “Future of Community Organizing.” Open discussion with Susie Beiersdorfer. 1 p.m.
- “Early 20th Century Labor History & Youngstown’s Struggle to Win Union Recognition.” By Sean Posey. 2 p.m.
- “The Significance of the 30th Anniversary of the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor.” By Brooke Bobovnyik. 3 p.m.
- “Prisons & Jails: Activism to Abolish the Death Penalty and Against Ohio’s Push to Build New Jails.” By Alice Lynd and Daphne Carr. 3:30 p.m.
- “Fascism Now and What We As a Community Can Do About It.” A roundtable discussion with Werner Lange, Julie Stout, Jacob Labendz and the community. 4 p.m.
- “The Future of Labor – The Meaning of the Amazon and Starbucks Organizing.” By Staughton Lynd. 5 p.m.
- Closing remarks. 6 p.m.
Stage
- Opening Invocation. Noon.
- Jan Kay Pentz, guitar. 1 p.m.
- Tyler Guerrieri, guitar. 2:15 p.m.
- Joe Conversino, guitar. 3:15 p.m.
- Jon Smiley, piano. 4 p.m.
The program features interspersed poetry readings by Brandon Carrion, Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez + Alicia Prieto Langarica, Jim Jordan and others. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own poetry or a favorite poem (related to May Day themes), if they’d like to read (3-5 minutes).
Cafe Space
“Cleaning with Enzymes Demonstration.” By Erin Timms and Susie Beiersdorfer. 3:30 p.m.
Front Yard Fun (indoors, if it’s cold or rainy)
- “Maypole Dance No. 1.” 12:15 p.m.
- “Flower Crown Making Demonstration.” 12:30 p.m.
- “Round Robin Sing and Play Along by Cait.” 1 p.m.
- “Maypole Dance No. 2.” 4:45 p.m.
Calvin Center for the Arts
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