Jarvis Collaborates on "Got My Wings" Upcoming Community Dance Performance
Jarvis’ story and legal case has inspired the Creative Alliance Project to present “Got My Wings,” an upcoming community dance performance to be held February 3-5, 2023 in Katonah, New York. Following each show, a panel of formerly incarcerated men and women will share their experiences and reflect on living and coping while in prison.
The piece is set to an original score written and performed by jazz composer and musician Daniel Blake, with choreography by Tomiko Magario, and features an ensemble from Westchester Ballet Company. The show—which debuted last year online due to COVID—was originally performed at the Bethany Arts Community in Ossining (NY) and reflects on the nature of freedom.
Blake reports the community response has been enthusiastic and he is grateful to have Jarvis' input and involvement throughout the process. “Jarvis Jay Masters has inspired me beyond what words can describe. He has illuminated for the world a freedom that cannot be taken away, nor can it be confined to a prison cell. My wish for Jarvis is that 2023 will be the year when he can walk out of San Quentin for good, so that he can finally be received by the warm embrace of his loving and ever-expanding community of family, friends and supporters, to whom he has given so much," says Blake. More information and tickets can be found here. For additional context on how dance artists are addressing the U.S. prison system in their work both onstage and on the inside, refer to this recent article in Dance Magazine.
Spearheaded by the Bedford Hills Free Library, a half dozen local libraries in the Katonah area will also be participating in a community read of “That Bird Has My Wings.”
Jarvis’ supporters around the world continue to promote his work through a variety of platforms such as blogs, articles on Medium, community newspapers, and via local book clubs and book reviews. Advocates are encouraged to reach out to our Campaign to share their efforts. Everyone is welcome to speak up and sign our new public guestbook for Jarvis and keep sharing the ongoing Change.org petition.