Past Events

Staten Island OutLOUD reads the Declaration of Independence on the North Shore: Sunday, June 30, 3pm at Fort Wadsworth, Bay Street & School Road, SINY 10305 (enter through the Guard Station at the end of Bay Street, near the Verazanno Bridge).

When was the last time you had a chance to read the Declaration?  Join us as we reflect on the meaning of the national holiday – On the sacrifices of our forebears – On the work of our founders.  BRING A LAWN CHAIR!

We’ll read the Declaration together and share ideas on the document that proposed a radical new idea. We’ll also feature a few related texts, plus a literary surprise or two.

Park in the Visitors Center parking lot, then follow the sidewalk to the spectacular Harbor Overlook, where we’ll gather in a shady spot.

Free and open to the public.  Please bring a lawnchair!

Plenty of free parking.  For directions via public transportation, visit www.hopstop.com.

Staten Island OutLOUD’s annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on the South Shore: Saturday, June 29, 2pm at the historic  Conference House, 7455 Hylan Blvd, SINY 10307 (southern end of Hylan Blvd, at Saterlee St)

When was the last time you had a chance to read the Declaration?  Join us as we reflect on the meaning of the national holiday – On the sacrifices of our forebears – On the work of our founders.  BRING A LAWN CHAIR!

We’ll read the Declaration together and share ideas on the document that proposed a radical new idea. We’ll also feature a few related texts, plus a literary surprise or two.

Free and open to the public.  Please bring a lawnchair!

Plenty of free parking.  For directions via public transportation, visit www.hopstop.com.

Sunday, June 16, 2013, 6:30pm – 60 Bay St Gallery, 60 Bay St, SINY 10301 (across from Post Office)

Every year on June 16, people around the world gather to celebrate “Bloomsday” – readings from James Joyce’s comic epic Ulysses, considered by many to be the first modern novel. It’s called “Bloomsday” because the novel focuses chiefly on the peregrinations of the chief protagonist, the hapless Leopold Bloom (as well as his wife, the buxom Molly Bloom, the young idealist Stephen Dedalus, and a multitude of other Dubliners).

Ulysses follows the events of one day in Dublin, June 16, 1904, from dawn til almost sunrise the next morning.  Bloomsday is a high literary holiday – Every year on June 16, from Boston to Beijing, from Paris to Perth, people celebrate Joyce’s chronicle of those three Dubliners (& everyone they meet) during the course of the day.

Staten Island OutLOUD is happy to be part of this global phenomenon: Every June 16, OutLOUD hosts a reading with music of  Ulysses.  Our annual “Bloomsday” attracts a loyal following of Joyceans – plus folks who discover Joyce for the first time with us.  This year, because Bloomsday falls on Fathers Day, OutLOUD will present some of Joyce’s observations on fatherhood.

Our 2013 Bloomsday event will take place at 60 Bay St Gallery – next door to Karl’s Klipper, and across the street from the post office.  Plenty of free parking on the street.  Thanks to our friends at Staten Island Creative Community, who run this gallery!  Their work will be on display, so come join us, and enjoy!

Conviviality, James Joyce, a June night, a glass of burgundy – What’s not to love?

For directions via public transportation, visit www.hopstop.com

Wednesday, August 7, 2013 at 3pm – Richmondtown Branch Library, 200 Clarke Ave, SINY 10306.  THIS EVENT WAS ORIGINALLY SET FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 31. IT’S NOW RESCHEDULED FOR WED AUG 7.  (The library will be closed July 31 for a tech upgrade.)

Kids ages 5-10 can have a lot of fun while they strengthen their reading skills and build confidence, by reading aloud to a patient listener: a licensed therapy dog, Sweetie Pie (a kindly boxer) and Gracie (a dachsund princess).  Kids can bring their favorite books from home, or borrow books from the library’s collection. 

Free.  Plenty of free parking.  Wheelchair accessible.  For directions via public transportation, visit www.hopstop.com.

Staten Island OutLOUD hosts a variety of community gatherings this summer. Global literature, American classics, creative writing workshops, spoken-word performances. James Joyce’s Ulysses, Chinese poetry, Declaration of Independence, Walt Whitman, Moby Dick, memoir workshops, fun readings for very young children.  All events are free –  Bring family & friends!

Staten Island OutLOUD is proud to continue Young Writers OutLOUD, our popular creative writing workshop series for ages 10-16.   Our Young Writers OutLOUD workshops will take place Wednesday afternoons, July 11, 18 & 15 at 2pm in the Richmondtown branch library, 200 Clarke Ave, SINY 10306.

Our Young Writers OutLOUD workshop series is free.

We welcome young Islanders who’ve done a lot of creative writing, as well as those who are just getting started.  During each workshop session we’ll experiment with different writing styles.  Then, during the week everyone will have a chance to work on short original pieces, which we’ll enjoy sharing with each other at the next workshop session.

With parents’ permission, we’ll publish participants’ short original works on our website, and (also with parents’ permission) we’ll create a magazine featuring their original work.

To join our workshop, all you have to do is show up with a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a readiness to work cooperatively with other young people, and with our workshop leader.   It’s fun and it’s free!