Juneteenth Lineup + Project Updates
Juneteenth Performances + Community Dialogue
Your voice matters. Come to reckon, reflect, and act together.
The lineup for Maine Inside Out’s Juneteenth events has us full of love! With music, story, original theater, and the premiere of MIO’s new short documentary film, these events invite the public into open dialogue about what liberation really looks like in our communities. At a moment when civic engagement is vital, this is an opportunity for connection and active participation.
Featuring:
Hip Hop Performance by MOJOSUDAN
Reflections by Samuel James
Film Premiere - The Broken Clock Tour Documentary
The MIO Creative Ensemble’s The Big Yes
Lewiston tickets: Thursday, June 11 at The Public Theatre, doors at 6pm
Portland tickets: Wednesday, June 17 at Mayo Street Arts, doors at 6:30pm
These events are entirely supported by donations, sponsorship contributions, and grants. Many thanks to our event supporters: Maine’s Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations, Androscoggin Bank, Berman & Simmons, KeyBank, Lewiston Public Art Committee, Little Chair Printing, Poland Spring, Sam L. Cohen Foundation, and The Youth Justice Clinic and the Center for Youth Policy & Law at Maine Law.
There is still time to support these events - contact us for details, or make a contribution when you reserve your tickets!
New Inside Theater Projects Begin in August
As Maine Inside Out prepares to launch 12-week theater projects later this year inside Bolduc Correctional Facility and the Southern Maine Women’s Reentry Center, the MIO Creative Ensemble will go inside in August to perform new original work for audiences of incarcerated community members and prison staff.
These two performances in August will be designed to invite dialogue and will give incarcerated audience members an opportunity to talk with MIO artists and leaders about the opportunity to participate in a theater project this fall.
Stay tuned for invitations to culminating performances and dialogues inside in November and December!
Reentry 2030 meeting at the Maine State House
The MIO-MPAC Reentry Community Group during a weekly meeting in Lewiston.
Stories from the MIO-MPAC Adult Reentry Community Group
The pilot collaboration between MIO and Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition continues to meet weekly in Lewiston and provide vital peer support and advocacy for adults in reentry. The group’s goal is to provide a safe and supportive space for community members to receive emotional, social, and tactical support in the reentry process. So far, the program has helped members secure housing, employment, medical care, food, and many other essential supports that - along with a loving peer network - can help them build a foundation in the community.
Building a program for successful reentry also means removing the systemic barriers to success in the community. The reentry group recently attended the launch of Reentry 2030 at the Maine State House. Reentry 2030 is a partnership between government agencies, including the Department of Corrections and Department of Labor, and community-based organizations to identify barriers, remove obstacles, and increase resources for reentry in Maine.
One of the major obstacles in reentry is opportunities for employment. In the reentry group, members continue to lose jobs due to criminal records. This legislative session the Maine House and Senate passed LD1911 An Act to Automatically Seal Criminal History Records that proposed to seal criminal records after a set number of years. Ultimately, the bill was vetoed by Governor Mills. Popularly supported legislative changes like this one would be crucial for supporting long-term reentry and stability for returning citizens.
Featured Lewiston Youth Project Partner: UnitedYES
This month, Maine Inside Out and United Youth Empowerment Services (UnitedYES) collaborated to offer a theater workshop for youth in the Lewiston community. The energy was incredible and the room was full of play, laughter, and creativity. In our closing circle, the youth shared highlights from the workshop: “I loved all the games,” “I liked that we all got along,” and “my favorite part was how everyone was included.” We look forward to more collaborations with UnitedYES!
Pop-Up Art Show & Fundraiser Benefiting ArtVan June 5
Stop by to see original paintings by incarcerated artists, and connect with Maine Inside Out staff and board at the FROM WITHIN pop-up art show & fundraiser at Orange Bike Brewing in Portland on June 5 from 4pm-8pm.
