On September 1, the opening day of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, MN, musicians Billy Bragg, Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), rappers Lupe Fiasco and Mos Def, and Steve Earle and Allison Moorer are scheduled to perform across town at the Take Back Labor Day Festival at Harriet Island Park. Local rap duo, Atmosphere, will also perform.
The 12-to-7 p.m. event is hosted by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the fastest-growing union in North America, with 2 million members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
The festival will celebrate workers’ achievements and promote a new vision for the 21st century that includes: affordable, quality healthcare for everyone; wages that can support families; freedom to join unions without intimidation; and retirement security.
“We stand for economic democracy that honors hard work and builds the American middle class,” the union said in a post on its Web site.
In addition to the concert, the festival will include a YouTube station, a fully equipped blogger lounge, a children’s area, and a large audience-participation art project. The family area will feature story tellers, children’s music, participatory drum circles, Somali dancers, jingle dancers, art activities, face painters, magicians, jugglers, bounce tent, water wars, balloon games and more..
Tickets are $10 (plus applicable fees). SEIU members get in free.
