About the Youth Talent Showcase
- YTS
- Welcome to the official blog of the Youth Talent Showcase at the Union Project. The Youth Talent Showcase brings together Pittsburgh area youth by providing a safe outlet for creative development through workshops, performances, and positive feedback from professional artists, mentors and peers.
Would you like to participate at the next Youth Talent Showcase? Please contact Jeffrey at Jeffrey@unionproject.org or 412-363-4550 x 26 for more information.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Check out our partners!
Did you know that the Youth Talent Showcase has some amazing partners?
Hip Hop On L.O.C.K. Project has launched a brand new website - check it out!
www.hiphoponlock.org
Hip Hop On L.O.C.K. Project has launched a brand new website - check it out!
The HIP HOP ON L.O
.C.K. PROJECT is an arts education program in which youth's ages 13-21 to learn:
L eadership skills
O rganizational skills
C ooperative economics
K nowledge of the music business
www.hiphoponlock.org
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Next Youth Talent Showcase on October 7th
The next Youth Talent Showcase will take place on Tuesday, October 7th at 7 PM at the Union Project.
Want to get involved? If you are interested in competing or would like more information, please contact Hilary at hilary@unionproject.org or 412-363-4550 ext 26.
Want to get involved? If you are interested in competing or would like more information, please contact Hilary at hilary@unionproject.org or 412-363-4550 ext 26.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Poems
Here are some poems from past performances. Thanks to Rashida James, Belove and Chassity (Lioness) for their work with these students and for passing the poems along.
Black Woman
Inspired by all Grandmothers displaced by Katrina
Shaunele Jackson
Little Black Woman
house washed away
no where to eat
no where to stay
Little Black Woman
tainted with sorrow
hoping her babies
survive tomorrow
Little Black Woman
poor and bruised
prayers stuffed
in the sole of her shoes
Little Black Woman
tired and weak
Little Black Woman
forgotten for weeks
Little Black Woman
calling on the Lord
Little Black Woman
please hold on
Little Black Woman
brown fingers slipping
Little Black Woman
floating away
Little Black Woman
Little Black Woman
Please hold on…
New Wings
Clayton Jackson
when i used to play
only girls allowed
told the boys to stay away
can't say i was poised for this day
but things got rough
like the bumps on my face
now i'm here
with flowers in my hair/my best gear
unprepared but ready
for my last performance
the church my final stage
mama is enraged/her tears proof
she will never understand
look at her baby
seventeen and buried today
finally a bird
free from its cage
June 29, 1999
Richardo L. Grimsley
If I had one wish
I would ask God
to bring my Granddaddy back,
He was a handsome man.
A God fearing man.
who knew
before I understood
that it was time to say
good-bye.
Homewood
Glen Smith
If I take you, back
your hope, smile
belief in better days
would disappear.
There is constant violence
Gunshots that echo dilapidated blocks
Plaguing a dying community
There is…
No laughter
No flowers
No tree of hope
Step over
Broken bottles
Scattered dreams
Young men in search of their fathers
Drug Dealers selling addiction
This concrete is hell
The Devil sitting at each corner
Waiting to eat you whole
Something Blue
Reginald Moore
loss and pressure
cut my soul into angles
sharp enough to injure
yet far too dull to cut a way out
despite my prayers
the rain never falls hard enough
never seems to wash away this misery
darkness seeps
finding cracks in my happiness
it enters slowly, inside I quiver
fearful of being found
only to become a prisoner of sadness
these prayers worthless
this rain never strong enough
to turn misery into rainbows
Elevators
Clayton Jackson
I walked to my cousin's crib. "Bro' you made it!" He was sitting on the porch getting his hair braided. Some crazy cats came thru started blazin' left his brains on my lap, eyes closed still the world stopped and life started changing. Pain became like steroids it made me stronger. Some say death is a badge of honor that day I learned death was promised, ambulance taking longer than the hair on Pocahontas, with tears I write rest in peace. But, now that your gone what happens to me, standing in a bloodstained white tee. I hope your elevator went up, I guess in time we'll see. You told me I could make it out, that you never wanted this life for me, you wanted to see me cross that stage with a degree to everything you deserved but never had in this life. As I fight back emotional precipitation, still waiting like reparations for the day we stand face to face and you say "Bro' you made it!"
For the Record
Janaya Hanner
I am Woman.
I am Black.
I am Poor.
My spirit rich.
My back strong.
My eyes full of dreams.
The Box
Clayton Jackson
I think outside the box
of tech's and blocks.
I think outside the box
of rocks and pot.
I think outside the box
of playing slots.
I think about spaceships
and robots and spaces
where no one dies
and people sleep
without hearing shots
Police so bored they pick up trash
instead of little boys
who happen to look like me
Hardball
Glenn Smith
"Death ain't nothing but a fastball on the outside corner" .
-August Wilson
The only thing promised is death
as soon as you take that first breath.
Death just coming slow but still flying
like a fast ball, 10 mph coming wit' steam.
Then it stops stands right in front of you
just waiting for you to swing.
To Whom it May Concern,
It will hurt but it must be said.
I grew up in a house
where plates struck walls more than laughter.
I am not a girl with waiting arms.
I am selfish this is the only self I have to love.
-Aiden Conde
Black Woman
Inspired by all Grandmothers displaced by Katrina
Shaunele Jackson
Little Black Woman
house washed away
no where to eat
no where to stay
Little Black Woman
tainted with sorrow
hoping her babies
survive tomorrow
Little Black Woman
poor and bruised
prayers stuffed
in the sole of her shoes
Little Black Woman
tired and weak
Little Black Woman
forgotten for weeks
Little Black Woman
calling on the Lord
Little Black Woman
please hold on
Little Black Woman
brown fingers slipping
Little Black Woman
floating away
Little Black Woman
Little Black Woman
Please hold on…
New Wings
Clayton Jackson
when i used to play
only girls allowed
told the boys to stay away
can't say i was poised for this day
but things got rough
like the bumps on my face
now i'm here
with flowers in my hair/my best gear
unprepared but ready
for my last performance
the church my final stage
mama is enraged/her tears proof
she will never understand
look at her baby
seventeen and buried today
finally a bird
free from its cage
June 29, 1999
Richardo L. Grimsley
If I had one wish
I would ask God
to bring my Granddaddy back,
He was a handsome man.
A God fearing man.
who knew
before I understood
that it was time to say
good-bye.
Homewood
Glen Smith
If I take you, back
your hope, smile
belief in better days
would disappear.
There is constant violence
Gunshots that echo dilapidated blocks
Plaguing a dying community
There is…
No laughter
No flowers
No tree of hope
Step over
Broken bottles
Scattered dreams
Young men in search of their fathers
Drug Dealers selling addiction
This concrete is hell
The Devil sitting at each corner
Waiting to eat you whole
Something Blue
Reginald Moore
loss and pressure
cut my soul into angles
sharp enough to injure
yet far too dull to cut a way out
despite my prayers
the rain never falls hard enough
never seems to wash away this misery
darkness seeps
finding cracks in my happiness
it enters slowly, inside I quiver
fearful of being found
only to become a prisoner of sadness
these prayers worthless
this rain never strong enough
to turn misery into rainbows
Elevators
Clayton Jackson
I walked to my cousin's crib. "Bro' you made it!" He was sitting on the porch getting his hair braided. Some crazy cats came thru started blazin' left his brains on my lap, eyes closed still the world stopped and life started changing. Pain became like steroids it made me stronger. Some say death is a badge of honor that day I learned death was promised, ambulance taking longer than the hair on Pocahontas, with tears I write rest in peace. But, now that your gone what happens to me, standing in a bloodstained white tee. I hope your elevator went up, I guess in time we'll see. You told me I could make it out, that you never wanted this life for me, you wanted to see me cross that stage with a degree to everything you deserved but never had in this life. As I fight back emotional precipitation, still waiting like reparations for the day we stand face to face and you say "Bro' you made it!"
For the Record
Janaya Hanner
I am Woman.
I am Black.
I am Poor.
My spirit rich.
My back strong.
My eyes full of dreams.
The Box
Clayton Jackson
I think outside the box
of tech's and blocks.
I think outside the box
of rocks and pot.
I think outside the box
of playing slots.
I think about spaceships
and robots and spaces
where no one dies
and people sleep
without hearing shots
Police so bored they pick up trash
instead of little boys
who happen to look like me
Hardball
Glenn Smith
"Death ain't nothing but a fastball on the outside corner" .
-August Wilson
The only thing promised is death
as soon as you take that first breath.
Death just coming slow but still flying
like a fast ball, 10 mph coming wit' steam.
Then it stops stands right in front of you
just waiting for you to swing.
To Whom it May Concern,
It will hurt but it must be said.
I grew up in a house
where plates struck walls more than laughter.
I am not a girl with waiting arms.
I am selfish this is the only self I have to love.
-Aiden Conde
Some images to get started...
Welcome to the blog of the Union Project Youth Talent Showcase. Here are a few pictures from past performances to get started!
October 2, 2007:
November 6, 2007
January 15, 2008
February 5, 2008
October 2, 2007:
November 6, 2007
January 15, 2008
February 5, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
About the Union Project
The Union Project is located at 801 N. Negley Avenue at the corner of Stanton Avenue and is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing community space to connect, create, and celebrate.
The Union Project brings Pittsburgh communities together through mission-based businesses and community events for youth and adults. The Union Project’s businesses include stained glass restoration, a ceramics studio and co-op, office and events space rental, and Eat UP café and catering. The Union Project also provides a teaching environment that allows individuals with barriers to employment to attain specialized job skills, take pride in their work, and connect with the local community.
The Union Project brings Pittsburgh communities together through mission-based businesses and community events for youth and adults. The Union Project’s businesses include stained glass restoration, a ceramics studio and co-op, office and events space rental, and Eat UP café and catering. The Union Project also provides a teaching environment that allows individuals with barriers to employment to attain specialized job skills, take pride in their work, and connect with the local community.
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