Discussion 2: Beyond the Blues: Ending the Prison Industrial Complex, Series 2

Led by composer, bassist, and bandleader, Marcus Shelby, the series explores the prison industrial complex, mass incarceration, the school-to-prison pipeline, the black prison movement, incarcerated women, restorative justice, prison abolition, and more. The evenings include special guests, readings, live music, recorded music, poetry, and video. These discussions are open to anyone interested in ending the prison industrial complex and how music and art can be used as a powerful vehicle in that process.

Discussion 2 will focus on mass incarceration and its impact on public health, as well as other topics such as families impacted by incarceration, incarcerated women, and immigration. Joining Marcus Shelby and Jackie Ramos is special guest speaker, Isaac Taggart Sr., the program director of PUEBLO’S Reentry Program. The evening will close with Marcus Shelby on bass, Jackie Ramos sharing a poem, and an open mic for people to share their art (songs, raps, freestyle, poetry).

PUEBLO’S mission is to advocate for the needs of low-income residents of Oakland by grassroots organizing, offering leadership training, and initiating policy reform. PUEBLO has won reforms in the areas of public health, education, living wage, environmental justice, youth development, and public safety. An Oakland resident, Isaac Taggart Sr. has over 15 years experience in assisting individuals transitioning from welfare to work and parole-probation to payroll. He spent 3 years working as a Reentry Specialist for Mayor Ronald Dellums and played a key role in developing the policy, “Ban the Box,” which eliminates the question about past convictions on applications for employment and housing in the Alameda County. Isaac and Marcus have worked together at the UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS) helping recently incarcerated men and their families on health promotion and disease prevention.

Discussion and Performance Schedule:
Thursday, June 18 – Discussion 1
The Prison Industrial Complex: School-to-Prison Pipeline

Thursday, July 9 – Discussion 2 (postponed to August 27)
Mass Incarceration: Public Health Epidemic, Incarcerated Women, Families Affected by Incarceration

Thursday, August 13 – Discussion 3
Ending the Death Penalty, Restorative Justice, Prison Abolition

Friday, August 28 – Performance
The Marcus Shelby Ensemble with Excerpts from Beyond the Blues: A Prison Oratorio

Beyond the Blues: A Prison Oratorio is commissioned by the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival and will premiere at the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival on September 27, 2015.

Admission: $10 suggested donation per discussion and $20 suggested donation for performance. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Doors at 6:30pm. Discussion at 7:00pm. All ages welcome.

Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.

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