Warkworth Medium Security Institution April 21, 2017 7:00 p.m.

Warkworth Medium Security Institution

April 21, 7 pm.

Last Stop. Back to Ontario. We are now aware that we will have to compete with Leafs again, fighting the Capitals, but we  are better equipped to win:  we have Igor Gefter with his cello teaming up with Lukas, Bob Rae our Chairman and his wife Arlene in the audience and Warden, Larry Ringler, – our first host at CSC, a former acting Warden from Bath, and Nancy Pearson, Assistant Warden, who was instrumental in preparing the event. The gym is packed with inmates and staff (again).

Lukas and Igor present a sparkling program of chamber and solo performances, enticing the audience of about 75 inmates. Musicians shared insights and stories about the music they presented. The classical repertoire included works by Bach, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Chopin, Bruch, and several contemporary composers. Inmates and numerous staff listened carefully despite the infrequent, but thought-provoking commentary by Dmitri, who continues to believe in Oscar Wilde’s observation that “…we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

Then came an encore – a colourful piece by an Armenian composer,  and to finish, in contrast – a simple and peaceful yet extremely powerful melody by a Lithuanian composer, performed by Lukas with a special dedication and sentiment to his heritage. Our only hope was for a cautious optimism to be planted in the gym that night. The following extensive communication and interaction between inmates, musicians and guests seemed to emphasize the success of building bridges among all of the participants. Lukas’s CDs are presented to many of the inmates and CSC staff.  Another challenging question from one of the inmates, “Many of us here are wrongfully convicted; how can we find justice?” Leafs  lost again in OT (1:2).

Event photo gallery coming soon.