04/26/21 – Monday News Blast

From the International

“Yesterday, President Biden announced every American 16 years of age or over is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. With over 200,000,000 doses administered in the country, the authorized vaccines in the United States (Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna) have been proven to provide significant protection from the COVID-19 virus, especially when used in conjunction with other mitigation practices such as wearing proper masks and PPE, frequent hand-washing, and social distancing.

COVID-19 has devastated our industries, our communities, and our families. In this critical moment, we cannot afford to go backwards, and we must use every tool at our disposal if we are to defeat this virus once and for all.

Therefore, after consulting IATSE’s in-house epidemiologists and public health experts, we are strongly urging every IATSE member to do your part and get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as you can

Click here for information regarding the COVID-19 vaccinations, and how to find a vaccination appointment near you.

In solidarity,
Matthew D. Loeb
IATSE International President
and
Gregory R. Wagner, M.D.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health”

AFL-CIO – Workers Memorial Day

At 11 am on April 28, 2021, the South Central Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO will observe Workers Memorial Day to remember those who have suffered and died on the job, and to renew the fight for safe jobs.

Event will be held outside at Madison Labor Temple, and live streamed at www.scfl.org

Media Advisory for Monday April 26, 1:30 PM, Wisconsin State Capitol Steps. Support the PRO act.

Virtual PRO act rally – April 29, 3pm via zoom

VIRTUAL Biennial Convention of the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans

April 28^th, 11:00am – 1:00pm.
More info at https://wisconsin.retiredamericans.org/2021/04/08/biennial-meeting/

Overture Blood Drive – Tue April 27 – 9am-2pm

More info at overture website
https://www.overture.org/events/blood-drive

March 22, 2021

03/22/21 – Monday News Blast

Support Madison Nurses

The SEIU Nurses at Meriter notified their employer that they are prepared to strike beginning March 24, should the employer refuse to come to an agreement that helps nurses heal and better serve their patients, who many of us have been. The nurses have been on the frontline fighting with us and for us. It’s now time to stand with our Union Sisters and Brothers.
More info and what you can do to add support found HERE.

As of Sunday, NBC reports a tentative deal has been struck.

Educational Opportunities

Many upcoming classes focused on re-opening procedures and COVID safety/compliance. Hosted virtually by Lankey and Limey LTD.
https://llltd.events/class-information-entertainment/

Registration is now open for the New World Rigging Symposium (NWRS), produced by ESTA and USITT, which will take place online April 6-8, 2021. The cost has been reduced to $99 and the Symposium carries up to 9 ETCP education renewal credits for re-certification. The Symposium has been expanded to three days to allow more time for discussion and virtual networking over lunch and during the Rigging Cornucopia Happy Hour that will close each day’s sessions.
https://www.usitt.org/nwrs

Petition for Confirmation of Labor Department Candidates: Walsh/Su

President Biden nominated lifelong champions of labor and workers’ rights last month to lead the Department of Labor (DOL): Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, a longtime union leader, for secretary of labor, and California Labor Secretary Julie Su for deputy secretary of labor.
If confirmed, Marty Walsh would become the first union leader to head the DOL in more than four decades.
Sign The Petition

March 14, 2020

Peter Pan Cast learns how to fly

Reposted from NBC15 Madison

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) — Before ‘Peter Pan,’ the Tony award-winning musical comes to Capitol Theater, the actors must learn how to fly.

The cast of Peter Pan the musical rehearses wire flying.

“It’s just an out-of-life experience,” Laetitia Hollard, who plays Peter Pan, said. “Theater is the only place you can do things like this. It’s so magical.”

To create the wonder, the 16-year-old star from McFarland shows that hard work is top priority.

“The flying process really impacts the singing,” she said. “I’ve been doing crunches, jumping jacks, just to get my core ready, so that when I’m flying I can sound exactly the same, as if I am on the ground.”

Hollard also gets a little help from flyman David Gersbach. For Peter Pan to jump up, Gersbach must jump down.

“The hardest part is just trying to learn the sequence, then feeling the weight of the actress and still trying to keep them within the flow of the performance itself,” Gersbach said.

Full of “trust,” Hollard said, “I do the least amount of work. I just have to stand there and keep my core open and sing.”

Gersbach said he prefers working behind the curtains.

“Obviously,” he said, “the most important part of this position is making sure that the art is happening on stage. We should really be transparent back here.”

The magic is brought by the Children’s Theater of Madison, shows starting Saturday, March 14. Tickets can be found on its