breadandrosesmo
Upcoming Events
Art Is Labor
Exhibit runs through Jan. 17th
Join Us for the Closing Reception on Friday, January 17th 6:30 – 8:00 pm
What: The “Art Is Labor” exhibition, curated by Dail Chambers, highlights labor history as seen through art and artifacts, with a focus on Saint Louis. The selected work will explore topics such as social and economic justice and labor history. Contemporary artwork will be curated alongside historical collections of ephemera, text, and artifacts to build a narrative that speaks of the workers of our time and recognizes artists as workers.
When: December 7th, 2019–January 17, 2020.
Where: Arcade Contemporary Art Projects Gallery
The Webster University Gateway Campus
812 Olive Street, St. Louis 63101
See Gallery Site for Hours
Photo compliments of St. Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune
Workers’ Opera
Debuts January 26th
Join Us for a Free Performance on Sunday, Friday, January 26th at 2:00 pm
What: Workers’ Opera is a full length play of “devised” theater; the artists and performers are members of working St. Louis. These workers-turned-actors collaborate and train for months each year to create a series of sketches that connect past and present stories of struggle, and that focus on economic justice, racism, poverty, social justice issues and relevant policy. Stories are shared in word and song, historical reenactments, and tales of the ongoing struggle for workers’ rights, told by those most affected.
Performance Dates:
January 26th, Missouri History Museum in Forest Park, St. Louis
February 29th, Missouri Organizing and Voter Engagement Conference (MOVE), Columbia, MO
March 9-10 and 16-17, Gaslight Theater 358 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
June 12-13, Grand Center Theatre Crawl, St. Louis
Photo compliments of Philip Deitch
Past Events
Art Is Labor Exhibit Opening and Gala
What: A cocktail party celebrating the opening of the Art Is Labor exhibit and Bread and Roses’ 5 year anniversary. The event features Percy Green & Jamala Rogers as guests of honor and a performance from the 2020 Workers’ Opera.
When: Saturday, December 7th, 6:00-9:00p.m.
Where: Arcade Contemporary Art Projects Gallery
The Webster University Gateway Campus
812 Olive Street, St. Louis 63101
Admission: $45 General Admission
$75 VIP Admission
About the Gala: Bread and Roses invites you to join us for the opening of the “Art Is Labor” exhibition and gala cocktail party celebrating the 5th Anniversary of Bread & Roses Missouri. The evening begins at 6:00p.m. with programming beginning at 7:30 p.m. to celebrate our guests of honor, Jamala Rogers and Percy Green. A sketch from the 2020 Workers’ Opera will also be performed.
The “Art Is Labor” exhibition will highlight labor history as seen through art and artifacts, with a focus on Saint Louis. The selected work will explore topics such as social and economic justice and labor history. Contemporary artwork will be curated alongside historical collections of ephemera, text, and artifacts to build a narrative that speaks of the workers of our time and recognizes artists as workers. The exhibition will be curated by Dail Chambers and will run until January 17, 2020.
Event photo is the painting “We Demand,” an original artwork by Joe Jones, a St. Louis-born artist whose early 20th century works focused on the struggles of working people.
Jailbird: an original play about Eugene V. Debs
What: Bread and Roses presents the premiere of Jailbird, an original play based on a true story
When: Friday, November 15th at 7:00p.m.
Saturday, November 16th at 7:00p.m.
Sunday, November 17th at 3:00p.m.
Where: Missouri History Museum
5700 Lindell Blvd, St. Louis 63112
Admission: FREE
About the Show: In 1920, Eugene Victor Debs ran a campaign for the US presidency- from a federal prison cell. He was imprisoned for his outspoken objection to the violence and chaos of WWI. Debs ended up receiving a million votes, and 100 years later, his revelations on our society, economy, prison system, and the nature of war, are strikingly relevant.
November 15th and 16th at 7pm, and November 17th at 3pm.
The Sunday performance will be followed by a talk back, “Then and Now,” featuring representatives from The Eugene Debs Foundation and Missouri Jobs With Justice.
Directed by Kathryn Bentley and written by St Louis playwright Colin McLaughlin.
Part of the Bread and Roses Missouri Workers’ Theater Project.
Featuring Shaun Sheley, Hassie Davis, Noah Laster, Summer Baer, Thomasina Clarke, Michael Paplanus, Kenya Hitchens, and Ryan Lawson-Maeske.
The Joe Hill Road Show and After Party
Featuring the Shelby Bottom Duo
A performative telling of the story of Joe Hill, a union organizer, activist, and musician who was framed for murder.
When: Sunday, March 10th at 3:00p.m.
Doors (and Cash Bar) Open at 2:30
Reception Follows Performance until 7:00 p.m.
Where: Gaslight Theater 358 N Boyle Ave, St. Louis, MO 63108
Admission: $10
About the Show: Nashville’s Shelby Bottom Duo joins Bread & Roses Missouri to tell the story of labor activist and songwriter Joe Hill and the early U.S. labor movement. Joe Hill was executed in 1915…but not before he fanned the flames of labor discontent with his songs. Regarded as anthems of the IWW labor union (the Wobblies), Joe’s songs live on, influencing generations of social and political protest music. Join us to hear his story told through spoken word, historical images, and some new-fashioned, old-time music!
The 2019 Workers’ Opera
New and revised music, skits, and sketches about laborers, unions, and workers’ rights in the past and present.
When: Monday, March 11th at 8:00p.m.
Doors (and Cash Bar) Open at 2:30
History of the St. Louis Worker: A Bus Tour in Partnership with the Missouri History Museum
The Grand Center Theatre Crawl
