“The EOP program has enriched my life” San Quentin’s No Limits Dance Crew raised the roof once again during their May performance. The crew stepped it up and debuted their first piece of original choreography in the education department of the prison’s dormitory yard. “The men came up with most of the moves, I just directed them in the space,” said Ms. Bridges, the program facilitator, “I’m so proud of them.” The squad danced to an instrumental version of the song I Got Five On It with a pleasantly surprising violin added into the … [Read more...] about SQ’s No Limits dance crew performs
Arts
Britain’s Derby law school members visit San Quentin
SQ Tour guides speak about prison experiences to Derby law school Future cops, probation officers and students of criminal justice from Britain got an up-close view of an American prison during a visit to San Quentin. They met the incarcerated artists who had donated paintings to the University of Derby’s gallery. The art hangs in Friar Gate Square — “It’s a big copper building. People call it the copper box,” said Charlotte Hargreaves, head of the university’s criminology and social science departments. “The art tells a story — you … [Read more...] about Britain’s Derby law school members visit San Quentin
Navigating the unexpected: Improv offers critical life skills
Teachers and students of Prison University Project's Improv Class Roars of laughter filled the classroom as the Prison University Project (PUP) Improv Troupe put on the last of two performances for the spring semester. The April 19 show was a result of everything that the students learned in the Improv for Life class. “Everything that you are about to see has not been planned; it has not been rehearsed; it comes from the shoulders, or as we say it, improv,” said SQN staffer, MC Aaron “Showtime” Taylor as he welcomed the … [Read more...] about Navigating the unexpected: Improv offers critical life skills
Prison and Jail Tour offers unique insight into incarcerated conditions
LMU logo A group of college students got a first-hand, up-close look at the California prison system on a recent tour arranged by a former inmate. About 20 students from Loyola Marymount University went on the Prison & Jail Tour created by a formerly incarcerated man, Francisco “Franky” Carrillo Jr. Carrillo was innocent, and he proved it several years ago with the help of the LMU Law Clinic. After obtaining his freedom, Carrillo worked to educate others about the prison industrial complex and mass incarceration. The 2019 … [Read more...] about Prison and Jail Tour offers unique insight into incarcerated conditions
Program helps at risk youth through music
John Wallace at his studio John Wallace went to jail and prison19 times, starting at age 18. Then he was sent to San Quentin, where he served two terms and started writing rap lyrics on his last trip there in the prison’s West Block. An initial opening to a career in music happened by chance when Wallace and other inmates created what he described as a “radio show” called K-FU** Radio in the cell block where they would sing, rap and tell jokes at night. He said it was like comedy night in the cell block, and it inspired him to … [Read more...] about Program helps at risk youth through music
Bread & Roses presents tribute to honor Audrey Auld
Audrey Auld singing for Day of Peace on lower yard in SQ A parade of San Quentin musicians entertained about 100 inmates while honoring the late folksinger Audrey Auld, a favorite performer at the prison. “She opened up her heart; she brought her music. She was amazing!” guitarist Richie Morris said of Auld. “Audrey’s final performance at San Quentin was the performance of a life- time—the show to top all shows. She left exhilarated. It’s an example of the healing power of music,” said Lisa Starbird of the music organization Bread … [Read more...] about Bread & Roses presents tribute to honor Audrey Auld
San Quentin’s 52nd annual Native American Pow Wow
Healing sister, Mike “Lil Voice” Powell & Gregory “White Eagle” Coates dancing to bless the ceremony Native American spiritual leaders from across California and the na- tion brought the spirit of family and the traditional healing dances to San Quentin’s 52nd annual Pow Wow. Colorful dancers from Oklahoma and elders from Oregon mixed with the local Native American prisoners to celebrate the sacred circle of life. “We came to let the men know that they are warriors and not gang members. A warrior takes care of his family,” said … [Read more...] about San Quentin’s 52nd annual Native American Pow Wow
Artist and mentor Pat Mahoney retires
Pat Mahoney in Arts and Corrections Pat Mahoney spent the last 40 years coming inside San Quentin to mentor incarcerated artists on the finer points of art; however, he’s best known as a keen listener and caring person. Mahoney is one of the founders of the San Quentin Arts in Corrections program, sponsored by the William James Association. He retired from the Arts in Corrections program last February. Mahoney helped create the Upper Yard mural with the Helen Caldicott quote: “We are the Curators of life–We Hold it in the Palm of our … [Read more...] about Artist and mentor Pat Mahoney retires
Cori Thomas brings attention to criminal justice system with play
Cori Thomas Thomas (center) with the cast for the first rehearsal When the Rattlestick Theater commissioned playwright and San Quentin volunteer Cori Thomas to write a play in 2016, she penned a draft featuring a 62-year-old man who has been incarcerated since he was 16 called Lockdown. At the time, she had never visited a prison or envisioned having her first play, which debuted in New York City, become a tool for discussion about the criminal justice system. “It’s about a group of people who are incarcerated and the challenges they … [Read more...] about Cori Thomas brings attention to criminal justice system with play
Lifer: A play about former SQ resident Glenn Bailey
The cast of Life after the performance Playwright Dr. Ayodele Nzinga was already collect- ing stories of communities impacted by the carceral system when she met Glenn Bailey, in 2014. She had just started work on “Beyond Bars: Growing Home,” a performance that explored how returning citizens processed the trauma of coming home, inspired by interviews with men recently released from San Quentin Prison. Bailey had just come home himself, after serving 52 years inside. His tale is remarkable in its own right. But Nzinga was quick … [Read more...] about Lifer: A play about former SQ resident Glenn Bailey