On October 22, 2021, Times Square will host a performance of “Vexations in Time.”

This interdisciplinary performance piece is draws from Erik Satie’s “Vexations,” and is co-produced by local classical musicians Sydney Anderson, Slavina Zhelezova, and Heather Jones.

This re-imagining comes as a reflection on the re-opening of New York City amid the ongoing pandemic, with the piece to be performed for 14 hours. A collective of pianists will perform on a single piano in constant shifts until the work has been played 840 times; as they interpret the work, other artists will come in and out, improvising melodies, playing unrelated songs, or instrumental responses written by composer Timothy Peterson. Dancers will bring movement to the performance, and the audience will be invited to participate through poetry, open mic, and visual arts.

“Vexations in Time” serves as the launch event and fundraiser for The Why Collective, a new company whose mission is to encourage artists and audiences to seek deeper truths through questioning. Its inaugural roster of artists have had their work featured by organizations such as Beth Morrison Projects, HERE Arts, National Sawdust, The Tank, New York City Opera, and American Lyric Theater.

The performance will be held on Anita’s Way on West 42^nd Street; admission is free, with access to the livestream being available through RSVP.