The Happening

The idea and the name is borrowed from an event which reinvented American counterculture — in January 14,1967,the hippie culture came into being in San Fancisco’s Golden Gate Park thanks to an event called Human Be-in,which aimed for personal empowerment,cultural and political decentralization— but Monica Dogra can still be considered a trailblazer. By providing an open platform to all kinds of art forms to aspiring musicians of the city,Dogra who is a part of the Mumbai-based electronica band Shaair and Func,is doing something that has possibly never been attempted in the country before.  “I hope this allows talented performers to engage,explore and ultimately collaborate with other artists. The idea is to nurture these talents,give them the opportunity to explore their forms and possibly to even be discovered,” she says.  In Someplace Else this Friday,Kolkata’s first Open Mic night ,the Be-In was launched. “It is open to all people who love to perform. Be it musical performers or stand up comedians. As an artiste with political concern and reasonable means,  this is the least I could do,” says Dogra. The Friday launch of Be-in was just the beginning of what Dogra hopes is a “revolution”. “I hope this platform encourages pluralistic expression. We would like to provide and open and equal platform to share ideas and thoughts,” she says.

The Be-in will be a monthly event at Someplace Else