International Workers' Day (aka "May Day") is celebrated annually around the world on May 1 to honor laborers and recognize the continuing struggle for working class rights. Everywhere, that is, except for the United States and Canada, who hold their "Labo(u)r Day" celebrations on the first weekend of September. Whatever. The change of date is ironic since the holiday initially commemorated the May 1, 1886 protests in the United States for an eight-hour workday, which resulted in the Haymarket massacre in Chicago on May 4, 1886. This week, we commemorate May Day with music from Billy Bragg and Wilco, Tom Waits, Phil Ochs, Fantastic Negrito, Merle Haggard, The Love Me Nots, Chumbawamba and the wonderfully named Flame N'Peach and the Liberated Waffles.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our parent Davis Media Access during this year's Big Day of Giving! If you missed out, don't fret as KDRT will be holding its Spring FUNdraiser next week: May 5-12! We will have special programming for you, including an early morning live broadcast of the Audio Ecotone on Tuesday May 6 from 7:00-8:00 am and an expanded (2:30-4:00 pm) edition of the show on Friday, May 9 with special guest Tommy Dunbar of the Bay Area power pop stalwarts The Rubinoos!
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