You can get your May Day started early this year with a free May Day weekend film screening and discussion of "Comrades" this Saturday, April 29.
The movie will be screened at the Mackenzie Street Public Library at 1 p.m.
Comrades follows 22-year-old Yan trying to find his way in life: a job he likes, an ideal. In his hometown he vegetates, just like his father, an unambitious worker. His fiancée has middle-class values and dreams of a comfortable married life.
Dissatisfied, he moves to the big city where he becomes an assembly line worker. Sick of the working conditions he and his fellow workers face, he soon turns into a communist organizer.
Popcorn and refreshments will be served at the screening on Saturday.
For more info, check out the the Facebook event page.
The film is the opening salvo in a weekend of May Day festivities organized by the Sudbury May Day Committee to recognize International Worker's Day, which commemorates the Chicage Haymarket Affair of May 1886, where workers took to the streets, striking for aN eight-hour workday.
"May Day is an expression of the international struggles of the working class against oppression and exploitation, for decent conditions of life and for political power," organizers state in a press release. "For over a century it has belonged completely to the proletariat and the people, unsanctioned by the bosses and the state. It's a day all about us and our fight for a better world."
Several local activist and community groups came together to form the organizing committee.
The revolutionary fun doesn't end Saturday though. Head to Victory Park, 496 Frood Road in the Donovan, for May Day Art Attack! on April 30 at the Myths and Mirrors Clubhouse. Billed as a "fun, family-friendly afternoon of artistic creation, games, free lunch and other activities" from 1-4 p.m.
What would a May Day celebration be without a march. On Monday, participants are taking to the streets to "unite and push forward anti-capitalist, anti-colonial and anti-imperialist struggles in Sudbury."
Head to the Memorial Park gazebo for 5:30 p.m. on May 1 for a meal, before hitting the streets of downtown for a 6:30 p.m. march.
Once the march is over, you can head to the Asylum, 19 Regent Street in the West End, for a May Day musical celebration. Entry is $4 or pay what you can.
"On May Day night we band together in joyous camaraderie with hopes for a brighter future free of slumlords, bosses, cops, politicians and imperialists!"
The lineup of artists performing includes Zhawb Deez, Kevin Shaganash, Fionna Tough, Xzoro, Jor-Del Downz, Sweezy, Koncept and Mike Major.
There will also be a door-prize raffle, a 50/50 draw, and revolutionary literature and May Day swag on sale. All proceeds go to the Sudbury May Day Committee, allowing for an even bigger May Day next year.
