Arts & Culture

Bright Lights, Angry Birds

This week on MinneCulture, producer Britt Aamodt explores The Mesabi Iron Range Strike of 1907. At the turn of the last century, Minnesota’s Iron Range was a cauldron of ethnicities and languages. From 1892 to 1914, more than 40 different ethnic groups immigrated there from the Old World, converging on one of the richest iron lodes in history.

In 1907, a large-scale labor strike erupted on the Mesabi Range, led primarily by immigrant Finns. The strike raised questions about whether laborers had the right to strike for liveable wages, eight-hour work days and fair work practices.

Though ultimately unsuccessful, the strike broke down cultural barriers and united miners under the common banner of organized labor. In our next segment, KFAI producer Britt Aamodt talks with historian Rhoda Gilman, Pam Brunfelt and Peter Rachleff.

WALKING ACROSS AMERICA
Advice for a Young Man. Co-produced by Jay Allison and Andrew Forsthoefel

Jumping into the month of May with so much great new music…and a some choice older music as well. Some excellent new tunes including Patra’s “Sweet Reggae Music”, Malika Madremana’s “Good People”, The RBC’s “Never Get Burn”, and J Boog’s “I’ve Got the Handle” (Jacob Miller tribute). More fine new sounds from Dub Campaign, YesKing, Dub Caravan meets Hornsman Coyote, Sgt. Remo & McPullish, Slightly Stoopid/Righteous Dub, DubRaJah, Version Xcursion, and Mutant Frogs. Filling out our eclectix were the likes of Transglobal Underground, SOJA, Bill Laswell, Infinite Third, King Tubby, Lee Perry & ERM, Big Youth, Hotdrop, Dub Trio, The Drastics, The Skatalites, Jazmin Tutum, and more…