The Opening Doors Project

Check out Opening Doors' latest newsletter and consider partnering with us on a Mass Cultural Council Creative Experiences Grant to bring our work to your organization or school!

https://campaign-statistics.com/browser_preview/e5qyDA-l5B7J6l-2YMs8G

Another great week of programs for The Opening Doors Project!

On Wednesday, , , , and performed multiple programs for different grades at Horace Mann Elementary in Melrose, MA. Then on Friday night, , , and Jr., had a wonderful show and conversation at .

Thanks to Paul Locke for all the great photos!

openingdoorsproject.org

At The Opening Doors Project, we believe artists have the power to shape narrative, spark dialogue, and inspire change. Through song and conversation, we amplify voices that challenge bias, celebrate identity, and foster understanding.

Our work is artist-centered — built on the belief that music is more than entertainment; it’s a force for connection and transformation. Whether on stage, in classrooms, or within communities, our artists use their craft to open minds and hearts.

Together, we’re creating impact — one song, one story, and one conversation at a time.

Five of our Opening Doors Project artists were in action this week at Roosevelt Elementary School in Melrose, MA. Kids in grades K-5 heard stories from Africa and America, learned about language arts, music making, and U.S. history, and older kids engaged in a program about race, Civil Rights, and the Boston METCO program.

Learn more about our programs for kids and adults at https://openingdoorsproject.org!

On Sat, Feb 22 The Opening Doors Project will be hosting a FREE afternoon concert and conversation as part of Club Passim's 2025 Black History Month programming!

Join Kemp Harris, Stephanie McKay, Reggie Harris, Zakiyyah, Pamela Means, and Alastair Moock as they swap songs, talk about their work in the community, and about what the Boston music scene is getting right and still working on to create the kind of truly inclusive community we all want to be part of.

The show will fill up, so grab your tickets asap. Kids are very welcome!

Beautiful show and conversation with Vance Gilbert last weekend. Watch the video at https://www.openingdoorsproject.net/concert-series.

Thanks to Paul Locke for photos!

What a magical night on Saturday at Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church with The Opening Doors Project. Our celebration of AAPI Heritage Month featured Anand Nayak, Anju, and Michael Dwan Singh in a show called "Desi Roots, Boston Branches." It was their first time ever playing all together and they totally killed it! Great music, great conversation.

You can watch the full video of the performance at https://youtu.be/AxAFwp5Zw-s.

More at https://openingdoorsproject.net.

On Saturday, May 18, in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, The Opening Doors Project is thrilled to present "Desi Root, Boston Branches." And lucky me, I get to host these three incredible musicians for an evening of concert + conversation!

Reserve your FREE spot at: https://www.openingdoorsproject.net/concert-series/

---------------

Anand Nayak is a Grammy-nominated producer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and longtime guitarist for the beloved American roots band, Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem. Anju is a transcendent, fast-rising singer-songwriter and member of The Passim Folk Collective. Michael Dwan Singh is a seasoned musician and stage actor, and one of very few sarangi players in the U.S. – an instrument he plays regularly with his band, The Shadow Notes.

---------------

The Opening Doors Project is a small organization with a big mission to amplify voices of color and advance conversations about race through the arts.

This concert is made possible by the support of Melrose Unitarian Universalist Church, Club Passim Iguana Fund, Melrose Cultural Council, Melrose Messina Fund for the Arts, Mass Cultural Council, Melrose Rotary Club, Filmmakers Collaborative, and donations from our audience... Thank you!