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Arts ahead: Glasgow Mayfest

Star entertainers Mark Thomas and Rab Noakes (below), along with author Owen Jones, are the headline acts in this year’s international workers festival celebrations in Glasgow and elsewhere in west Scotland.

Festival organisers Friends of MayDay anticipate that like last year the May 5 cabaret at Oran Mor in Glasgow will sell out, with comic Thomas returning with Marxist magician Ian Saville, the superb harmonica player Fraser Speirs and that doyen of political song, Arthur Johnstone. 

Making a huge contribution to the programme as a whole, renowned singer-songwriter Rab Noakes is not only starring in the main Oran Mor show but headlines two new cabaret venues in Dumfries

(Locharbriggs Social Club, May 2) and Blantyre (Miners Welfare, May 3). 

Also performing at all the events will be comedienne Eleanor Morton (below)  with Dave Anderson, Bruce Morton and Susan Morrison sharing compering duties.

In addition to the cabarets there’s a wide-ranging programme, from exhibitions to walks. There’ll be an appreciation of UCS cartoonist Bob Starrett (May 8) organised by the Morning Star and the Glasgow Trades Union Council (GTUC) is premiering a May Day Friday (May 2) featuring a socialist bike ride, a soul afternoon and the results of a union-sponsored creative writing course.

The GTUC are also organising the Glasgow Mayday rally on Sunday May 4, with author and political commentator Owen Jones (below) as keynote speaker. 

This year’s rally  focuses on the impact of austerity policies on the majority and it will start with a foodbank collection in George Square. Jones is an ideal choice to give the main address, speaking out as he has for those demonised by the coalition and their friends in the media.

STUC deputy general secretary Dave Moxham, said: “We are delighted trade unionists across Scotland are increasingly coming together to celebrate the importance of their members’ work. 

“This programme gives the lie to coalition threats to abolish the May Day holiday and helps us promote an alternative to the ruinous austerity failures of the governments in Westminster and Holyrood. 

“There is a better way.”

For the full programme of events, visit www.may1st.org.uk. An overview of Scottish marches and rallies are available at www.stuc.org.uk.

Chris Bartter

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