Triangle Waist fire centennial commemoration events around Los Angeles

“WALKING THROUGH A RIVER OF FIRE.\" The first public reading of “Walking Through a River of Fire: 100 Years of Triangle Fire Poetry,” editor and social activist Julia Stein’s new poetry collection, features contributing writers Hilton Obenzinger and Alice Rogoff. Stein hosts the event, and Nelson Motta of United Steelworkers, drawing parallels between workers struggles’ of 1911 and today, speaks on the campaign to organize carwash workers in Los Angeles.

[additional-authors]

Ryan Torok

March 9, 2011

SUN | MARCH 13

“WALKING THROUGH A RIVER OF FIRE”
The first public reading of “Walking Through a River of Fire: 100 Years of Triangle Fire Poetry,” editor and social activist Julia Stein’s new poetry collection, features contributing writers Hilton Obenzinger and Alice Rogoff. Stein hosts the event, and Nelson Motta of United Steelworkers, drawing parallels between workers struggles’ of 1911 and today, speaks on the campaign to organize carwash workers in Los Angeles. Writer and stage performer Elaine Ocasio also appears. Sun. 7:30 p.m. $5 (students, seniors, children), $7 (general). Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. lalaborfest.org/calendar.

On March 18, Stein holds and participates in an additional reading of the anthology, along with actor and writer Lee Boek and poet Lynne Bronstein. Fri. 7:30 p.m. Free. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 822-3006. skylightbooks.com.

THU | MARCH 17

LA TIMES BOMB
In 1910, a deathly explosion involving dynamite occurred at the Los Angeles Times building and, blamed on a union member, illuminated tensions between workers and big business. Tonight’s theatrical salon is named after that tumultuous event and, put on by Public Works Improvisational Theatre, offers a look of Los Angeles during that time, while attempting to show how many of the workers’ struggles remain. The show features music, poetry, comedy and spoken word. Thu. 7 p.m. Free. Edgar Varela Fine Arts, 727 S. Spring St., Los Angeles. (213) 604-3634. publicworksimprov.com.

MON | MARCH 21

“TRIANGLE: REMEMBERING THE FIRE”
Emmy award winner Daphne Pinkerson’s new HBO documentary examines the historic fire and its aftermath and features narration by Tovah Feldshuh (“Kissing Jessica Stein”). 9 p.m.

FRI | MARCH 25

THE TRIANGLE FIRE: “REMEMBER OUR PAST. INFORM OUR FUTURE”
This fundraiser for the L.A. Garment Worker Center features music, theater, spoken word and film. Special guests, labor leaders, municipal officials, and rank-and-file workers appear. Fri. 7:30 p.m. $10 (suggested donation; no one turned away for lack of funds). Echo Park United Methodist Church, 1226 N. Alvarado, Los Angeles. (310) 704-3217. lalaborfest.org/calendar.

SAT | MARCH 26

MARCH AND RALLY FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND JOBS
The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor rallies in support of grocery workers and all working families. Sat. 10 a.m. Free. Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles (meet-up at the Convention Center at 10 a.m.; march to Pershing Square for the rally at noon). lalaborfest.org/calendar.

SUN | MARCH 27

THE TRIANGLE FACTORY FIRE: “BY THE SWEAT OF THEIR LABOR”
Music by Voices of Conscience, selections from Julia Stein’s collection of Triangle Factory Fire poems and photographic art by the “Common Threads” Art Collective highlight this afternoon event. Arbeter Ring (Workmen’s Circle), the Sholem Community, Jewish Labor Committee and LA LaborFest co-sponsor. Sun. 2 p.m. Free. Arbeter Ring, 1525 S. Robertson, Los Angeles. (310) 552-2007. lalaborfest.org/calendar.

On March 13, March 20 and March 27 at 8:30 a.m., Los Angeles radio station KPFK, 90.7 FM, broadcasts interviews with speakers involved with the events.