Staten Island OutLOUD presented 30+ free events in celebration of the life and work of Emily Dickinson for the National Endowment for the Arts – The Big Read, 2020-21. Here’s a family-friendly video featuring Staten Island community leaders reading selected poetry by Emily Dickinson, together with compelling musical variations, “Images of Emily” by composer Vivian Fine, performed by members of the DaCapo Chamber Players, featuring Patricia Spencer (flute) and Steven Beck (piano). Our readers (in order of appearance): Willi Chu (photographer), Carissa Pignatelli (Registered Nurse who’s cared for Staten Island COVID patients since the early days of the pandemic), Gregory Taylor (Director, community activist), Edwin Santiago “Pupa” (musician, composer), Esme Maria Ng (playwrite, performer, dramaturg), Olivia Roldan (actress).
Author Archives: beth
Bastille Day – OutLOUD
Sunday, July 13, 2025 at 6:30pm (Bastille Eve) Bring a lawnchair and join your neighbors, together with Staten Island OutLOUD, at the charming Westervelt Community Garden, 143 Westervelt Ave (near Curtis Place), SINY 10301. FREE. Plenty of free parking on surrounding streets. A candlelight celebration of Bastille Day, the French national commemoration of its 1789 revolution. Bastille Day (July 14) … Read More
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Declaration of Independence
Friday, July 4th, 2pm. Historic Fort Wadsworth, located at the intersection of Bay St & School Road. Every July 4th, Staten Island OutLOUD hosts a community reading of the Declaration of Independence and a conversation about our nation’s historic document. Enter the grounds of Fort Wadsworth via the Guard Station at Bay St & School Road (just a few steps … Read More
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The Souls of Animals
Saturday, May 3rd, 2pm – Rain cancels! Mariners Marsh Park, 130 Holland Ave, SINY 10303 (btw Benjamin Place & McCormick Place, just a few blocks off Richmond Terrace) Staten Island OutLOUD invites you to join us to read & discuss excerpts from “The Souls of Animals” by Gary Kowalski. After our reading, a Parks Dept volunteer will lead an optional … Read More
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James Baldwin: “If Beale Street Could Talk”
Thursday, May 8th at 1pm St George Library Center, 5 Central Ave, Staten Island 10301 This year we continue the celebration of James Baldwin’s centennial. Join Staten Island OutLOUD and our fabulous librarian friends Kristen Strmel and Peter Hegel at the St George Library Center, 5 Central Ave. We’ll explore Baldwin’s novel If Beale Street Could Talk. Plenty of copies … Read More
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Slay Your Dragons! An open mic event
Sunday, April 27th, 2pm An open mic event Every Thing Goes Book Cafe, 208 Bay Street, Staten Island 10301 Slaying your dragons doesn’t always mean having the courage to do what you love. Sometimes it means having the courage to do what you don’t want to do, but know that it needs to be done. This open mic invites you … Read More
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Bastille Day – OutLOUD
Sunday, July 13, 6:30pm (Bastille Eve) At Westervelt Community Garden, 143 Westervelt Ave (near Curtis Place),, SINY 10301 Rain or shine – We’ll have tents! Bring a lawnchair and join Staten Island OutLOUD in the charming Westervelt Community Garden. Free. Plenty of free parking on surrounding streets. A candlelight celebration of Bastille Day, the French national commemoration of its 1789 … Read More
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“The Great Gatsby” – 100th Anniversary
Monday, June 23rd at 11:30am at Port Richmond Library, 75 Bennett Street, SINY 10302 Join Staten Island OutLOUD and our fabulous librarian friend Jocelyn Victoria & all the excellent librarians at the beautifully renovated Port Richmond Branch Library as we explore F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”. Copies will be available at the library for you to check out ahead … Read More
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National Poetry Month – Poem-In-Your Pocket
Thursday, April 10th is Poem-In-Your-Pocket Day National Poetry Month extends throughout the month of April. At all Staten Island branch libraries, Staten Island OutLOUD is giving away free poems for you to keep in your pocket, to read and enjoy anytime you like. Just ask the librarian to give you one of Staten Island OutLOUD’s free poems! Share your “pocket … Read More
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Joy Harjo’s “Directions to You” on the 2021 Winter Solstice
Staten Island OutLOUD reads Harjo’s poem “Directions to You” on the beach, before swimmers made a winter’s morning plunge Winter Solstice December 21, 2021
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