2009 Minnesota State Fair

AEA and AFTRA Members Needed for Minnesota AFL-CIO Labor Pavilion at the MN State Fair August 27 - September 7, 2009

Who: Members of AEA and AFTRA

What: Represent our Unions by working as Hosts at the AFL-CIO Labor Pavilion at the 2009 Minnesota State Fair

When: Daytime hours (work one 4-hour AM or PM shift per performer) Aug. 27-Sept. 7

What do I get?
Free ticket to the State Fair, a $50 stipend, AEA or AFTRA swag, and the chance to share the pride in your union and boost arts in our communities

How do I sign up?
Over the past 6 months, Twin Cities AEA and AFTRA and members have been working with the Musicians Union, IATSE, the University of MN Labor Education Service and the Minnesota AFL-CIO, to brainstorm ways to enhance Minnesota Labor's presence at the State Fair. Last year, the MN AFL-CIO inaugurated its showplace, "green" State Fair Pavilion building (the first and only 'green' building at the Fair!) Including stages, a video wall and an outdoor plaza. This year, State Fair visitors to the Pavilion will receive an enhanced experience with a Labor Fun Facts Contest, performances and union labor craftsman demonstrations, and the live, interactive warmth of professional AFTRA and AEA members as welcoming hosts.

By involving union artists this year for the first time in an active role, we will "present" the concept of unions in a more accessible way to Minnesota State Fairgoers.

Each day, an actor/ host will be on hand to interact with the public by helping to orient them to the Pavilion, introduce stage acts or craft demonstrations, assist in the Labor Fun Facts Contest, and add the "human experience" that other unions may not encompass. We just need us to be our effervescent selves (with maybe a few notes off cue cards)-no scripts necessary.

The MN AFL-CIO has been delighted to have our involvement this year. But this is also a great opportunity for our unions. The Labor Pavilion at the State Fair receives thousands of visitors daily. Many in the general public are not familiar with unions-much less performing industry unions-so this year presents a perfect opportunity for artists to unite with other unions and join in twelve days of high-profile presence at MN State Fair.

Volunteer Now!
We are asking actors to sign up for 4-hour shifts during the daytime hours of the Fair. You may sign up for either the 10 am-2 pm shift, or the 2 pm-6 pm shift. You will receive a free ticket to enter the Fair, and a $50 stipend to cover gas, parking, food and other small costs. All hosts will receive MN AFL-CIO Labor Pavilion T-shirts and AFTRA or AEA hats, which they will be required to wear while they are working as Hosts at the Pavilion.

The Training/Orientation Session for actor volunteers will be on Monday, August 17 at the MN AFL-CIO Labor Pavilion building on the MN State Fair grounds. You will receive information then on State Fair "how to's" as well as info about the daily schedule of events, craft demonstrations, and other elements hosts will be involved in.

Hosts will have a wireless microphone. They will toss out questions to the public as part of the Labor Fun Facts contest, introduce performances or craft demonstrations on stage, mingle and interact with the public who visit the Pavilion. Shifts are planned for single hosts, but if you want to work as a team with a co-host on a shift, teams are welcome as well.

The Labor Pavilion is planning a bit of bally-hoo on Opening Day of the Fair as well as Labor Day itself. So anyone with talents to share on the stage is encouraged as well. Musicians and AFTRA singers will be there, along with the Minnesota Labor Chorus. If you plan to perform at the Labor Pavilion, and we can get a confirmed date for your performance by the end of June, your performance will be listed in the State Fair calendar for Labor Pavilion events. This will be more fun than work, and leaves you a half-day free at the Fair when you are done! Please take the time to represent us. Please email availability and interest to me: Joey Babay - JBabayMN@usiwireless.com.