Looking at the Stars Breaks Ground in the U.S.
Looking at the Stars made its debut in the United States, performing two groundbreaking concerts in Massachusetts, marking a significant milestone in its 10-year history. The concerts featured the virtuoso Canadian piano soloist Tony Yang, who at just 16, became the youngest laureate to receive acclaim at the 2015 International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw. Yang captivated audiences with a compendium of works by the Hungarian composer Franz Liszt. Tony’s performances, interwoven with poetry readings and interaction with the housed individuals, took the audience on a profound spiritual journey through love, loneliness, darkness, and light.
MCI-Norfolk Performance on September 26
On September 26, Tony Yang performed at MCI-Norfolk, a medium-security male correctional facility housing 1,200 inmates. This facility, with roots tracing back to the colonial era and once home to Malcolm X, saw close to 200 inmates embrace Yang’s performance of Liszt’s complex pieces. For many, it was their first experience witnessing a classical concert, and their appreciation was palpable.
MCI-Framingham Performance on September 27
The following day, Yang performed in a more intimate setting for approximately 60 women inmates at MCI-Framingham. Just as in the men’s facility, the women were deeply moved by Yang’s exuberant style and the hope he conveyed. His candid explanations of the music made the performance even more impactful.
A Lasting Impact (From Eyewitnesses)
“We appreciate Looking at the Stars for choosing the Massachusetts Department of Correction to be the first correctional organization in the United States to host their concerts. The DOC continually looks to support and partner with programs that enrich and educate our housed individuals. The program and performance put on by Looking at the Stars was tremendous and had a profound impact on our staff and the incarcerated individuals under our care.” – Interim DOC Commissioner Shawn Jenkins
“I was very glad to be there. It was a wonderful concert and a wonderful thing to bring to people whose lives do not include enough beauty. .” – Massachusetts State Senator William N. Brownsberger
Looking at the Stars Launches in the U.S.A.
We are very excited to announce our FIRST EVENT SERIES in the U.S.A.
These five events in two States mark the culmination of our focused efforts to introduce American facilities to the important work that Looking at the Stars has done in Canada and Europe, restoring dignity and hope to those who may have lost these important attributes. We are optimistic that there will be many opportunities ahead to present to other American facilities.
MASSACHUSETTS
TONY YANG, piano
“A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY THROUGH LOVE, LONELINESS, DARKNESS AND LIGHT”
Works by FRANZ LISZT
MCI – Norfolk (medium security male facility)
September 26, 2024
2 Clark St. , Norfolk, MA. 02056
MCI – Framingham (women’s facility)
September 27, 2024
99 Loring Drive, Framingham, MA
MINNESOTA
JONATHAN CROW, violin – JOSEPH JOHNSON, cello – WALTER DELAHUNT, piano
“OVER THE RAINBOW”
Works by Heifetz/Gershwin, Bach, Massenet, Arlen, Albeniz, Handel-Halvorsen, Brahms
MCF – STILLWATER (close custody male facility)
October 16, 2024 at 12:30 – 2:00 pm
970 Pickett St, Bayport, MN
MCF – Moose Lake (medium custody male facility)
October 17, 2024 at 1:15 – 2:45 pm
7600 525th Street, Rush City, MN
MCF – SHAKOPEE (women’s facility)
October 18, 2024 at 12:30 – 2:00 pm
1010 West Sixth Avenue, Shakopee, MN
VOCALISTS’ DEBUT – A SUCCESS
For the first time in our history, our events featured vocalists. The experiment in three Lithuanian prisons (Spring 2024 Series on May 21-24) exceeded expectations – the inspirational recitals of German soprano Elena Sverdiolaite and Lithuanian tenor Rafailas Karpis (assisted by pianists Gustas Raudonius and Darius Mazintas respectively) culminated in standing ovations, inmates’ singing, and their reaffirming testimonials following the opening concerts in two prisons in Pravienškės.
Our Artist in residence, S. Gordon Harwood created abstract paintings during each of the events and gifted them to our audiences.
Canadian Ambassador to Lithuania Hon. Jeanette Sautner has honoured our Program by paying a historic visit and delivering opening remarks during our “fully packed” event at the Panevežys Women’s prison.
Mindaugas Kairys, a newly appointed Head of Lithuania’s Correctional Services, delivered powerful and unexpectedly emotional closing remarks, emphasizing the positive impact of our gift on the faith of the inmate population.
Our fourth and last performance in Kaunas prison featured our program debutants from Austria Ieva Pranskute, violin and Mislav Brajković, cello. Their highly expressive and professional performance and engaging interaction with the audience inspired intense applause and an invitation to return.
MAY 21 – PRAVIENISKES 1st PRISON
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MAY 21 – PRAVIENISKES 2nd PRISON
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May 23 – PANEVEZYS
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MAY 24 – KAUNAS
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[VIDEO] Schubert in Spring 2024 Fundraiser
On April 12, 2024, we have successfully implemented our traditional, yet very unique fundraiser, featuring a keynote address by Steven Lamberti, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, and a string quintet comprised of leading musicians from The Toronto Symphony Orchestra and distinguished Ukrainian pianist, Anna Sagalova. Here’s a 10-minute video summary for your review.
Death of a Grand Piano
Our extraordinary team of international artists and technicians travelled to Izium, Ukraine, to record an open air performance of classical music as a gift to honour the dead and inspire the living. A stunning white grand piano is a beacon in the grey anguish of this ravaged landscape. The scarred earth is a bleak reminder of the russian invader’s attempt to subjugate the Ukrainian people. Yet Ukraine remains steadfast in their resistance.
The beautiful white grand piano did not survive the production. Moisture took its toll, as you can hear during the final musical sequences. Overcome by the pathos of the moment, the piano gave up its spirit and died. Yet the spirit of the piano lives on in this phenomenal recording of a celebration of the Ukrainian people’s courage and commitment.
Sponsored and organized by Looking at the Stars Foundation – a Canadian federal charity. (www.lookingatthestars.org) with invaluable support from All-Ukrainian Forum for Democracy (DEMFORUM) https://demforum.org/en/
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Toronto, ON
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