Imaginative Conceptions: An evening of music, dance & storytelling

How are Gods Born?

Join us at the Wesleyan Memorial Chapel for an enchanting event filled with music, dance, and captivating mythtelling, as we tell tales of imaginative conceptions and weird and wonderful births in ancient Greek, Norse, and Christian sources.

This unique and beautiful program pairs ancient stories of Athena, Aphrodite, Loki, and Mary with soaring music and graceful choreography. As we journey from tales of shapeshifting to male pregnancy and divine speech, we explore how the stories of how we are born shapes who we are. Immerse yourself in a world of melody, myth, and movement, as we bring ancient tales to life in an evening that will be both silly and soul-warming.

Progam includes the complete Bach Magnificat(with chorus and orchestra), choral music by Palestrina and Whitacre, and extraordinary choreography from the Sonia Plumb Dance company.

Admission is FREE.

Presented by the Mnemosyne Arts Collective, with support from the Wesleyan Department of Classical Studies and the Wesleyan Departments of Theater and Studio Art.

Who are we?

Mnemosyne (neh-mow-SOON-eh) was the mother of the nine Muses who brought poetry, myth, music, and dance into the world. She is the keeper of stories and dreams, who helps us to remember who we are.

Named for the ancient Greek goddess of Memory, Mnemosyne Arts Collective is a multimedia arts collaboration between the Department of Classical Studies at Wesleyan University and community artists in Middletown, Hartford, and the broader Connecticut area.

Our concerts bring together choral and instrumental music, storytelling, dance, and poetry, and visual media to tell ancient stories in exciting new ways, and to reframe familiar music for new audiences.