“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
Performances
Bob Goff returns to San Quentin with friends
Bob Goff speaking to the crowd about ambition Bob Goff refers to him- self as a “recovering lawyer” after practicing law for 25 years. In May, he returned to San Quentin, along with some friends, to speak with the inmates who assist the many guests who tour the prison. Goff met these inmates when he toured San Quentin, and he wanted to speak directly to them. He first engaged them in the Protestant Chapel with dialog that involved comedy. Then he asked about their ambitions. “When people know what you want they want to help you,” … [Read more...] about Bob Goff returns to San Quentin with friends
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
Two Marin professional classic musicians join Zuill Bailey to perform at San Quentin
Jeremy Constant, Zuill Bailey and Jenny Douglass performing at San Quentin Protestant Chapel Grammy Award winning cellist, Zuill Bailey, returned to San Quentin State Prison’s Protestant Chapel for a third time to perform for an audience of inmates, staff and outside guests. “Thank you for taking me out of prison for a while,” an inmate in the audience said. It was by far the best turnout for one of Bailey’s performances. The audience kept growing during the performance as inmates and staff trickled into the chapel for the noontime … [Read more...] about Two Marin professional classic musicians join Zuill Bailey to perform at San Quentin
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
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
Curb Service shares truth, harmony and love
Rob Woods, Aaron Davis and Chris Balderas on stage performing From an Oakland street corner to San Francisco’s “Tenderloin” district to San Quentin State Prison, the music of freestyle collective Curb Service screams of power, truth, harmony and love—lots of love. They arrived at the prison on Feb. 22, six men and one woman who would soon erupt from their quiet demeanors to become superstars for an hour and a half in SQ’s Chapel B. “I could feel the energy when I walked through the gate,” said Kalin Freeman, who goes by the stage … [Read more...] about Curb Service shares truth, harmony and love
Motivational speaker Bob Goff comes to SQ
Bob Goff talking about ambitions in the SQ Protestant Chapel Pepperdine Law School professor Bob Goff told a San Quentin audience that he never tells people he’s a lawyer because he doesn’t want to be viewed as a jerk. The audience all laughed. Goff’s listeners included prisoners as well as Warden Ron Davis and Chief Deputy Warden Ron Bloomfield. Goff, a popular motivational speaker, expounded on the theme “Love Does.” “Focus on the guy you want to be,” Goff told the audience in the Protestant Chapel. “Let people know what your … [Read more...] about Motivational speaker Bob Goff comes to SQ