"Beware the organization that sings; it is invincible" - IWW

For once, the sun shone on the Peterborough Day of Mourning ceremony and I didn't have to have to use Mayor Paul Ayotte this year as my roadie, holding an umbrella to keep my guitar dry. This year, we remembered the West Virginia miners (sang "Union Miner"), the immigrant workers who died in Toronto on Xmas Eve, and the 1000 workers who died on the job this past year ("We'll Not Forget").

The May Day Concert at the Tranzac Club was inspirational in so many ways. It was the first time the Rank n File had performed together since 1997. Kevin Wrycraft was outstanding as performer and emcee. His version of Bill Turner's "Estevan", accompanied by Turner, was the highlight of the evening for me. Close behind was the singing of Natasha Luckhardt and the emergence of percssionist Evan Cartwight, both in their early twenties, that gives this veteran a warm and fuzzy feeling for the future of labour music. All of the performers did an outstanding job, as did the singing audience. Still haven't listened to the recording to see if there is usable material for a CD. There are inherent contradictions between music at rallies and music at concerts.

Now it's on to the house concert circuit.  Heading to London this Wednesday May 5th and the western trip (BC and Alberta) at the end of the month. In between, there is a trip to Collingwood for an engagement for OPSEU May 14 and a pre-Mariposa event at the Flying Cloud Folk Club on May 16. Always look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones at each of these events.