For Love is Strong: a happening at The Basement at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

For Love is Strong: a happening is an interactive collage concert, which transports audience members to 1960s Greenwich Village. In that era, New York City was known to have “happenings,” or performances that combined elements of dance, theater, music, poetry, and visual art to blur the boundaries between life and art. You showed up, not knowing what to expect, and you left knowing you'd never experience anything like that again. On Sunday, May 5th at 4pm and 7:30pm The Why Collective presents a happening of their very own, in the style of their iconic MIXT: A Living Gallery. For Love is Strong, a title borrowed from the programmed work by David Lang, grapples with how exactly to express Love, through words or otherwise. The performance features excerpts from current works in development and participatory art installations, inviting artists and participants to embark together on the challenge of describing Love through words, sounds, movement, ASL, and visual art.

Featured performances by The Why Collective Chamber Choir, Mark Bankin Dance Company, live visual artist Michael Arthur (@inklines), Julian Wild, Manatsu Tanaka, Mary-Angela Granberry, Alberto Medero, and with works by David Lang, Elizabeth Gartman, Derek Weagle, G.F. Handel, and YOU!

For Love is Strong: a happening will also serve as a preview and fundraiser for The Why Collective’s upcoming season, as well as UNRWA, a Palestinian relief organization. For those with accessibility needs, the 7:30pm show will have ASL interpreters on site.

Tickets are $35 each general admission, with reduced options for students and TWC artists, and Patron tickets for entry to both performances. All inquiries can be made to thewhycollective@gmail.com. Phone number (716) 957-0539.