Renowned musician Will Kaufman, a professor of American studies, performs his Woodie Guthrie live documentary at a special event as part of celebrations marking 30 years of the Brighton & Hove TUC Unemployed Workers Centre.
7.30pm Saturday June 11 2011
Latest Music Bar, Manchester Street, Brighton
Kaufman brings alive Guthrie's legendary songs, written during the 1930s Great Depression era when a global economic crisis condemned millions to the dole queue and poverty. Today his songs do not feel out of place.
"Not much has changed in the last 80 years," explains Brighton & Hove TUC Unemployed Workers Centre Co-ordinator Tony Greenstein. “We have had a technological revolution but not a social revolution. Today we have the most sophisticated computers but we are still unable to conquer poverty, homelessness and unemployment.
"The struggle remains the same as it was 30 years ago. Nothing has changed except there is now an attempt to roll back the post-war settlement with savage cuts to the most vulnerable, including the disabled.”
Brighton & Hove TUC Unemployed Workers Centre is one of just a handful across the country that continue to remain open. It provides a whole range of services including legal help and welfare support along with organising children’s outings for those on low incomes.
"The centre has been through some tough challenges in its past," says Tony. "When we moved to Hollingdean, the local New Labour councillors did their best to prevent us opening."
On Wednesday GMB General Secretary Paul Kenny will offer his 30th anniversary wishes to the centre with a lunchtime break from the union's conference taking place in Brighton this week. The late Dudley Edwards was one of those who helped to found the centre.
For more information visit http://www.bhuwc.org.uk/
