Hi,

Hope you and yours are doing well. Welcome to my first of hopefully many blog posts about my visits to correctional facilities around the country. I'm beginning with a concert I did last year at SCI Everglades Florida. Any comments you would like to put on the blog page would be great! And please feel free to share this blog with any of your colleagues in other correctional facilities. 

Making Music Memories: My Florida Prison Performance Experience

Today, I have a super exciting story to share with you all. I recently had the amazing opportunity to perform a music show at Everglades CI (Correctional Institution) in Florida. The concert took place in a library. It was an acoustic performance featuring me singing with a guitar. Yeah, I had to fly down and couldn’t take all my equipment.

So, sit back, relax, and let me take you on a journey of how I brought music to this prison's library and lifted the souls of the incarcerated individuals in Florida. I am on a mission visiting prisons and spreading love to the people of The United States, and nothing’s going to stop me from rocking out in this unlikely venue.

The Journey to Everglades, Florida

Okay, now to the interesting part, yeah! I found myself in the charming town of Everglades, Florida, with the incarcerated individuals ready to spread some musical magic to the inmates who were so welcoming, polite, lively and well courteous. The library was a beautiful space, with shelves of books lining the walls (which made for great acoustics) and a table and chair set up for me in the front to inspire some souls.

As I unpacked my guitar and set up, the excitement in the air was palpable. The thought of playing my music in such a unique setting created a buzz of anticipation. I fine-tuned my instrument, did a quick run-through of my setlist while the audience began to enter the room. We shared encouraging smiles with each other. (By the way, if you have some time, you should listen to my music on my website https://thefolkrockrabbi.com/concerts-for-incarcerated-individuals) then I thought to myself “This is another opportunity to inspire some souls that are in prison” fully ready to give it my all.

And then, the moment arrived. As I began to strum my guitar, the room fell silent in anticipation; the thought of playing my original songs was such a blessing to me. The first strum of the guitar reverberated through the air, signaling the start of my performance. The sound was rich and soulful, filling every corner of the library with melodic notes that seemed to dance around the room. From heartfelt ballads to upbeat tunes, I serenaded the audience with my music, each note sung with passion and joy. At first, they seem not know the lyrics of my songs, as I played it twice loudly, the atmosphere lightened up; they all begin to sing and flow along with the song. Indeed, it was an experience I would love to have again and again. I can still feel the joy as I write this blog post. You can learn more about my prison visits (and donate if you'd like) right here as well https://thefolkrockrabbi.com/concerts-for-incarcerated-individuals

My experience while playing

One of the most rewarding parts of performing in a library was the intimate setting it provided. I could see the faces of the audience up close, their eyes shining with appreciation and admiration. I interacted with them in between songs, answering some of their questions and joking a bit in between the songs, sharing stories and laughs that created a special bond between us. I felt like I was not just a performer, but friends sharing a moment of musical connection and unity. And there again I thought to myself “what a blessing to be able to use my music to uplift the souls of people in Prison”

The library setting added a unique ambiance to our performance that I had never experienced before. The soft lighting, the scent of books in the air, and the hushed whispers of the audience created a serene backdrop for our music. It was a stark contrast to the loud and bustling venues I am used to, but I embraced it wholeheartedly. The quiet reverence of the library only heightened the impact of the music, allowing each note to resonate deeply with the listeners.

Throughout the show, there were several standout moments that I will never forget. From the cheers and applause after each song to the shared smiles and nods of appreciation from the audience, every moment felt like a highlight. I even had a spontaneous sing-along session with the crowd, turning the library into a makeshift concert hall where everyone joined in the music. It was a magical experience that lifted our spirits and reminded us of the power of music to bring people together.

As my performance drew to a close, I couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfillment and gratitude. Bringing music to this Florida prison was a truly unforgettable experience that touched the inmate’s hearts in ways I never expected. The warmth and appreciation I received from the audience filled me with a sense of accomplishment and joy.

At the end of the session, there was an argument among the inmates about whether I sounded more like Paul Simon or Bob Dylan. I raised my face up and smiled. I left the library that day with hearts full of love and melodies that would linger in our minds for days to come.

And there you have it, my incredible journey of performing a music show in SCI Everglades Florida, in a library with a guitar.

My dream is to get an RV or to gut out a Transit or van and make it into a travel vehicle, add a bed etc... then I can really travel the country uplifting the souls of people in prisons. If you would like to donate to my dream and allow me the opportunity to continue this endeavor, it would be an honor to have you become a part of this with me. Donate!

I hope you enjoyed hearing about my adventure as much as I enjoyed living it. Stay tuned for more exciting music stories and performances coming your way. Until next time, keep rocking and spreading the love of music wherever you go. 

Thank you for reading, I am Gedalya. Talk to you in the next blog!