During the course of the pandemic, For You performance-makers Erika Chong Shuch, Ryan Tacata and Rowena Richie brought individual artists and elders together for creative exchange to ease isolation and make new friends. The Welcoming is a series of shared, public rituals that build off these relationships.

For KQED, The Welcoming [I-III] includes a drag act performed by El Beh and Morningstar; a sermon delivered by Clarice, a Dominican Sister accompanied by Crow’s woodworking; and a red carpet rollout for Harriet who stars in an animated short. For You collaborated with LBFE (Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly) to bring Harriet and many other older adults and artists together with the goal of providing engagement and support during the past 19 months. Through The Welcoming, we aim to emerge from the isolation of the pandemic by putting audiences into the hands and imaginations of our elders.

Erika Chong Shuch & Rowena Richie were interviewed on KQED Forum. Artists & Elders’ Project Inspires Art and Friendship Across Generations

Presented with Dancers’ Group. Erika’s participation in this project is supported by Headlands Center for the Arts Bay Area Fellowship Program (BAF).

*There will be audience participatory elements of the evening. Accommodations will be made for those who are unable to be mobile.*