"Objets d'art in mirror are closer than they appear"

Rear-view Mirror: a snapshot of Toronto activist art 1976-1996 chronicles a recent historical period of political activism which might otherwise fall victim to the ravages of social amnesia. In October 1976 a million Canadians walked off the job to protest wage and price controls in the largest general strike in Canadian history. In 1996 a series of one-day rotating strikes took place in cities across Ontario against the Mike Harris regime's 'Common-Sense Revolution,' with the largest of these 'Days of Action' attracting 250,000 people in Toronto on October 25th.

The United Mayday Committee's annual celebration of the international workers holiday will be held on Sunday, April 29th at the Steelworker's Hall, 25 Cecil Street. It's a family-friendly event with cultural performers, speakers, a children's program, plus food and refreshments. Endorsed by dozens of labour, political, community and solidarity organizations. Visit "May Day Cultural Event" on Facebook for more information. FREE ADMISSION.

Gord Hill, author of The 500 Years of Resistance Comic Book, launches his new graphic novel The Anti-Capitalist Resistance Comic Book: From the WTO to the G20 at Vancouver's Spartacus Books on April 19.

In recent years the world has borne witness to numerous confrontations, many of them violent, between protesters and authorities at pivotal gatherings of the world's political and economic leaders. While police and the media are quick to paint participants as anarchistic thugs, accurate accounts of their subsequent treatment at the hands of authorities often go untold-as well as the myriad stories of corporate and government corruption, greed, exploitation, and abuse of power that inspired such protests in the first place.

Arsenal Pulp Press, The Waldorf and editors Elee Kraljii Gardiner and John Mikhail Asfour invite you to the launch of the new anthology V6A: Writing from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Featuring short readings by Cathleen With, Henry Doyle, Phoenix Winter, and My Name is Scot. Please join us in celebrating this vibrant community of writers. All are welcome; no cover charge.

V6A is the postal code prefix for the Downtown Eastside, an area generally associated with socio-economic issues related to poverty, addiction and abuse. But this neighbourhood, beloved by residents, is also a site of optimism, activism and intense creativity.

Tuesday April 17th, 5.30pm-7.30pm.

A unique and beautiful exploration of the issue of Fairness experienced kinaethetically, emotionally and intellectuallly. "How Can it be Fair?" combines dance and discussion to question the lack of fairness adn accountability in our post economic crisis world. Relevant to everyone.
Free admission, but please register for tickets as seats limited: fairnessdance@gmail.com

FREE Green Expo and Conference w/ Pedal Powered Concert Launches BIG on Green.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

• Green Marketplace features the latest in cost-effective, eco-friendly solutions and local suppliers for business and home, including Exhibitions and demonstrations showcasing eco-friendly technology and local vendors ; Free Interactive activities, entertainment, speakers and giveaways; Networking sessions with experts and recruiters designed specifically for job
seekers considering a career in the green economy.

In celebration of Black History Month, MINT Film Festival's February event features musical performances by Canadian jazz legend Jackie Richardson, vocalist Sterling Jarvis, pianist Steve Hunter and a screening of the award-winning documentary PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI. 

Director Paul Saltzman, who had been imprisoned for his work in the U.S. civil rights movement, will be in attendance. The film follows Oscar winning actor Morgan Freeman and a group of students on their journey planning and undertaking their first integrated school prom.

A special award will also be given to the producers of the environmental media project GREENHEROES, and their short film on the late Dr. Wangari Maathai will be screened. 

Everyone welcome. Allies welcome.

GLEN OR GLENDA: wildly considered the worst film ever . . . it is an exploitation film created by Ed Wood, and featuring Bela Lugosi. The film is a docudrama about cross-dressing and semi-autobiographical. Wood himself was a crossdresser, and the film is a plea for tolerance.

"Glen or Glenda" tells two stories. One is about Glen, who secretly dresses as a woman but is afraid to tell his fiancée. The other is about Alan, a "pseudohermaphrodite" who undergoes a painful operation to become a woman. The film delivers earnest (even if incoherent) lectures on understanding. A cult classic with great conviction.

Campy with comic appeal and definitely a B-movie beyond the mainstream - come question what is has to say.

UK TROUBADOUR LEON ROSSELSON COMING TO TORONTO The great English radical singer-songwriter Leon Rosselson will be giving a concert at Toronto's Palestinian cultural centre Beit Zatoun (http://beitzatoun.org/) on Saturday August 6th at 7:30 PM. Admission is $15 ($10 unwaged) with proceeds going to the to UK group Medical Aid for Palestinians (http://www.map-uk.org/).