There is a way to change anger and fear to love, singer-songwriter Neda Boin told an audience of San Quentin prisoners and outside guests. For her, it came after completing A Course in Miracles. Boin came from the Netherlands to release songs from her new album, The Light Has Come, at San Quentin State Prison. About 100 guests attended the February concert held in the Catholic chapel. Boin told the audience that A Course in Miracles: Mastering the Journey from Fear to Love changed her life and inspired her music. “It’s been about feeding … [Read more...] about Singer/songwriter Neda Boin brings inspiration to SQ
Arts
Art Prison Program
California prisoners are learning art behind prison walls and it’s transforming their lives, reports the New York Times. They are creating artistic scenes with bright color and light on murals at prisons like Salinas Valley and San Quentin state prisons. “I don’t have much of a legacy,” said Jeffrey Sutton, who is serving 41 years for armed robbery. “This is something positive that helps me focus on getting out.” The mural program is part of a new initiative by the state of California that offers prisoners classes such as Native American … [Read more...] about Art Prison Program
ART PRISON PROGRAM
California prisoners are learning art behind prison walls and it’s transforming their lives, reports the New York Times. They are creating artistic scenes with bright color and light on murals at prisons like Salinas Valley and San Quentin state prisons. “I don’t have much of a legacy,” said Jeffrey Sutton, who is serving 41 years for armed robbery. “This is something positive that helps me focus on getting out.” The mural program is part of a new initiative by the state of California that offers prisoners classes such as Native American … [Read more...] about ART PRISON PROGRAM
Artistic Ensemble Showcases Its Talents
A prison chapel served as a theater to dance, sing, rap and use spoken-word for an inmate performance, called Site Unseen. The audience of free people and men-in-blue walked across a makeshift stage and sat side by side to enjoy San Quentin’s Artistic Ensemble. “Prisoners, equality is not important to them … they like their plight. Like Prisoners, they like their plight,” expounded Chris Marshall at the Jan. 24 performance. His commanding voice echoed as the audience found their seats. “I’ve been in this room hundreds of times and each time … [Read more...] about Artistic Ensemble Showcases Its Talents
Shakespeare troupe brings on comedy and drama
Energy was high and humor flowed like good ale when performers in costume of Old England mixed with the audience at the San Quentin Protestant Chapel prior to the performance of two plays. The Shakespeare at San Quentin troupe held performances of Measure For Measure on May 12 and Richard II on May 19. Like Hamilton, these characters from the deep past were brought to life with a modern twist of music and dance, plus lots of jokes and sword fights. On Oct. 19 and 20 the actors will perform original skits based on the lessons learned in … [Read more...] about Shakespeare troupe brings on comedy and drama
SQ inmates’ victory lures the biggies of internet podcasting
The CEO of a major podcasting network, along with other executives, took an eventful trip from the East Coast to meet with the incarcerated men who defeated more than 1,500 entries from 53 countries in a storytelling contest. PRX CEO Kerri Hoffman and Radiotopia Executive Producer Julie Shapiro entered San Quentin State Prison for the first time and met Earlonne Woods and Antwan “Banks” Williams. Previously, the executives had only met Nigel Poor, the co-host and producer of the show Ear Hustle. Poor represents the trio beyond the prison … [Read more...] about SQ inmates’ victory lures the biggies of internet podcasting
SQ artists on display at the Smithsonian
By Rahsaan Thomas A group of incarcerated men with no architectural experience, created design ideas for a better America that were displayed in a museum overlooking New York’s Central Park. “It’s surreal. It’s something to be proud of,” said Noah Wright, one of the four incarcerated designers of the Genesis Project. “Sitting in here, you don’t expect that people want to hear what you have to say. It’s a new and exciting feeling.” The Smithsonian’s Cooper Hewitt Museum exhibit displayed more than 60 design ideas about building a better … [Read more...] about SQ artists on display at the Smithsonian
PUP’s big open-mic night winds up its year
By Juan Haines Teachers and aides with the Prison University Project, at San Quentin, along with inmates and prison staffers, roared with laughter on Dec. 30 to a sing-along spoof of the Twelve Days of Christmas by Alex Brigg. The parody made fun of police harassment as the audience chimed in with, “On the Fifth Day of Christmas, the police brought to me, five DUIs.” The event was part of an annual open-mic of comedy, poetry, spoken word and musical performances by inmates enrolled in the prison’s college. More than 150 people enjoyed the … [Read more...] about PUP’s big open-mic night winds up its year
Discovering what it means to be human
By Juan Haines A diverse troupe of men, dressed as usual in prison blue, broke away from the everyday constraints of incarceration through the artistic expression of dance and dialogue. San Quentin’s Artistic Ensemble put on its latest performance in the prison’s Protestant Chapel on Nov. 18 for an audience of about 150 that included the local community as well as fellow prisoners. “In our explorations to discover how we can reach the public, we also discover more about what it means to be human by connecting with each other,” the program … [Read more...] about Discovering what it means to be human
There’s sure a whole lot of talent at San Quentin
By Marcus Henderson In reality TV show fashion, San Quentin residents demonstrated they “got talent,” at the Third Annual Talent and Karaoke event, sponsored by the San Quentin Music Program. As the Lower Yard filled, about 150 people crowded around a makeshift stage to be treated to ’80s-style music by former Club Nouveau member, now incarcerated Jeffery Atkins. Atkins’ keyboard skills dazzled the crowd as they sang along to Club Nouveau classics songs like Situation Number Nine and Jealousy. He also performed Rumors by Timex Social Club. … [Read more...] about There’s sure a whole lot of talent at San Quentin