Folk/punk musician and storyteller Shannon Murray, hailing from the north woods of Minnesota, is set to ignite the stage at the Grand Marais Public Library on June 8th at 1 PM with their captivating presentation of “People’s Music: Songs of the IWW.” Inspired by the revolutionary spirit of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), Murray’s performance promises an unforgettable blend of music, storytelling, and social justice history.

The IWW labor union, affectionately known as the Wobblies, uses music as one of their most persuasive organizing tools in the fight for justice. Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) writes of the IWW’s music, “The IWW literally wrote the book on protest music. These songs, some written many decades ago, address the same issues facing us today: poverty, police brutality, immigrant rights, economic and racial inequality, militarism, threats to civil liberties, union busting.” From Minnesota’s own labor history to the startling revelation of Wobblies in their own family tree, Murray’s presentation is a testament to the enduring relevance of the Wobbly legacy connecting past and present-day struggles through song.

Shannon Murray is a fiscal year 2023 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Join us for an evening of music, history, and solidarity. For further information and inquiries, please contact: [email protected].

For its next event, the library will host Tuey! The Comic Stunt Juggler on June 20th, from 10-11 AM as part of the Summer Reading Program. 

Check out the website www.grandmaraislibrary.org for more information on our Summer Reading Program.