PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 16 – On the evening of Friday, September 26, The Woodlands will host A Night of Grief Karaoke as an installment of the ongoing project Karaoke in the Cemetery by Leigh Davis. The project brings karaoke to cemeteries across the country, creating a platform for participants to express and share in grief responses through singing together.
A Night of Grief Karaoke is a free, public event, and pre-registration is encouraged. Singing is not required, and participants are welcome to simply be part of the audience. Song requests will be made onsite. Participants who wish to sing are invited (but not required) to introduce their songs with a short dedication. The karaoke event will be held outdoors at The Woodlands’ Stable with limited seating. Attendees may opt to bring camping chairs or blankets. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available, and attendees are welcome to bring their own refreshments. If inclement weather occurs, this event will be postponed to Saturday, September 27.
About the project: Karaoke in the Cemetery invites everyone to gather in the cemetery to sing, listen, dance, or make a raucous or emotional mess together, shattering cultural expectations that grief should be kept silent. Karaoke is more than just the singing of a song; it's an outlet for emotions to break from everyday life. Allowing our grief to spill out through vibrations that echo into the here and now, let's celebrate our simultaneous existence.
Leigh Davis is an interdisciplinary artist. Her projects explore themes of grief, memory and storytelling, delving into how these shared human experiences shape our understanding of identity. Her work often takes the form of a collaboration with the public. www.leighdavisprojects.com
The Woodlands, a 54-acre undulating landscape that is at once a one-of-a-kind 18th-century English pleasure garden, a 19th-century rural cemetery, and a modern green oasis for its neighbors in bustling University City and West Philadelphia. Designated a National Historic Landmark District and actively used today, the cemetery, mansion, landscape, and programs are an educational resource meant to enrich the lives of area residents and visitors by serving as a hub for activities and educational programs that interpret, celebrate, and make available to the public The Woodlands’ historic buildings and tranquil green space. www.woodlandsphila.org
Past Present Projects is dedicated to creating and supporting installations of contemporary art in historic spaces. Our projects foster the development of culturally inclusive site narratives and support artists through site-responsive exhibition opportunities. We believe that historic sites are potent community resources, and the best way to preserve them is to engage audiences within these resonant spaces. www.pastpresentprojects.org
If you would like more information about The Woodlands, please contact info@woodlandsphila.org or call (215) 386-2181.