photo by: Chris Pizzello/AP Photo

Taylor Swift arrives at the world premiere of the concert film "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, at AMC The Grove 14 in Los Angeles.

Music superstar Taylor Swift may not be hanging around Lawrence, as her local fans had recently hoped, but her music will be front and center at a downtown event exploring the signs of emotionally unhealthy relationships.

“We Are Never Getting Back Together: A Taylor Swift Sing-Along” is slated for 7 p.m. Wednesday at Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts St. The free event for those 18 and older takes its name from the 2012 mega-hit that recounts a woman’s frustration about an ex-lover trying to rekindle a romance and promising to change his ways.

At the event, Adrianne Nuñez, associate director of external affairs for Willow Domestic Violence Center, will narrate a presentation featuring several of Swift’s music videos, which will include a breakdown of song lyrics and visuals that provide insights into unhealthy relationships.

“I’ve had this idea in my head for almost a year now, and it just happens to coincide with Taylor’s (relationship) with Travis Kelce,” Nuñez said, referring to Swift’s new romance with the Kansas City Chiefs’ celebrity tight end.

Nuñez said that the presentation would incorporate elements of what she calls “Domestic Violence 101,” but she also wants people to see that “abuse is not always physical” and can be present in many kinds of relationships.

“I want people to take away that basic knowledge of what is healthy and unhealthy, and that domestic violence is not just physical in nature — and that emotional abuse extends beyond just romantic relationships,” Nuñez said. “Like with family members, we might be experiencing more of that psychological, verbal, emotional stuff.”

Nuñez said that “gaslighting,” or the act of selfishly and deceptively manipulating someone else’s perception of reality, is one of the most common forms of emotional abuse. The psychological tactic often leads to victims questioning their own sanity.

“Domestic violence can really just be imposing one’s will on another,” Nuñez said. “Even something like shaming or guilting someone into doing something you want.”

Nuñez said that Wednesday’s event is an offshoot of programming on teen dating violence that she spent several years delivering to area middle school students. For that, Nunez said, she mostly used Swift’s music video “Blank Space,” which describes a relationship journey that goes from untroubled love to emotional toxicity.

Wednesday’s event is designed for young adults, and it will include fun singalongs to Swift songs, said Nuñez, who relays personal experiences during her presentations to better connect with audiences.

“We want to have events that are fun but that still get information out,” she said.

Nuñez is a Swift fan, but she doesn’t consider herself a “Swiftie,” a label generally reserved for the most die-hard fans. Proof of her more moderate appreciation: She passed up a recent Swift concert in Kansas City to attend a friend’s wedding.

“I chose my friend over Taylor,” she said. “Which I don’t regret, but I’m still sad about.”

For Wednesday’s event, Nuñez said that she reached out to Swift’s camp through social media, hoping against hope that Swift, 33, might swoop in for an appearance at Lucia, which will feature purple decor in honor of Swift’s hit “Lavender Haze.” The color, Nuñez said, also represents domestic violence awareness.

While the event is not designed as a fundraiser, Nuñez said that donations will be accepted.