Past Events

Friday, Oct 23, 7pm at Staten Island Academy, 715 Todt Hill Road, SINY 10305

Staten Island OutLOUD hosts a reading & discussion on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” together with excerpts from his short story “Absolution” – One of the “Gatsby quartet” of stories that helped germinate and develop ideas that Fitzgerald incorporated into his novel.

“Absolution” is an unsettling story about Jay Gatsby’s youth.  Can you guess what his story might be, prior to Nick Carraway’s narration?

Hosted by Prof. Edward Fiorelli

Sunday Oct 18 at 3pm.  El Centro de Hospitalidad, 1546 Castleton Ave, SINY 10302.   

Staten Island OutLOUD hosts a book giveaway, bilingual reading & conversation on “El Gran Gatsby” in the heart of the Island’s Mexican community.  Bilingual readings for kids, too.  Delicious refreshments for all.

Thanks to Rev. Terry Troia and our neighbors at Project Hospitality for hosting us – and thanks to them for all they do for our community.

HuSunday, Oct 11, 4pm.  At the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, 338 Lighthouse Ave, SINY 10306.

A brave and inspiring professor taught “The Great Gatsby” in to her class at the University of Tehran as revolution raged. Some students criticized the book as decadent, while others said it exposed the corruption of the filthy rich. The professor had a clever response; she and her students put the book on trial. In the spirit of Jacques Marchais, the Tibetan Museum’s founder, this event will explore how art and literature can foster cross-cultural dialogue.

This Big Read discussion of “The Great Gatsby” is inspired by a chapter from “Reading Lolita In Tehran” by Azar Nafisi. The author shares her experience teaching Nabokov, Fitzgerald, Henry James and Jane Austen in the Islamic Republic of Iran. A story of courage, discipline, hard work and hope.

Co-hosted by James Anthony Phillips.  James is a freelance writer and a longtime instructor in the ESL and the writing departments of Kingsborough Community College.

Saturday, Oct 10, at 2pm.  Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave, SINY 10306.

This program is part of Historic Richmond Town’s special Columbus Day event, “Rome Through Richmond Town”, celebrating Italian culture.  Scott and Zelda lived in Rome while he worked on The Great Gatsby, and this event recalls the novel’s Italian connection.

Staten Island OutLOUD hosts a reading & discussion on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” together with excerpts from his short story “The Rich Boy” – One of the “Gatsby quartet” of stories that helped Fitzgeralod germinate and reflect ideas that he incorporated into his novel.     PLEASE NOTE PARKING OPTIONS FOR ROME THRU RICHMOND TOWN ON SAT, OCT 10th:  Valet parking available at Richmond Town, or park for free at SI Mall & take the free shuttle to Historic Richmond Town.  THANKS!

Sunday, Oct 4 at 2pm at Every Thing Goes Book Cafe, 208 Bay St, SINY 10301 (between Victory Blvd & Hannah St).   NOTE NEW LOCATION: FT WADSWORTH IS CLOSED DUE TO HURRICANE WARNING & will remain closed this weekend, even if weather clears.  But ETG Book Cafe is open!  Warm, friendly vibe, hot coffee & teas & plenty of free parking.

Staten Island OutLOUD will explore Chapters 8 & 9 of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.  A terrible accident has just occured, a young woman is dead.  Her husband grieves – and seethes.  Who will do the right thing?

 Featured readers include Victoria Hallerman, Joan Harmon, James Anthony Phillips, Joseph Smith, Tariq Zaid, and others TBA.

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Sunday, Sept 27, 2015 at 2pm.  National Lighthouse Museum, 200 Promenade at Lighthouse Point, SINY 10301.  Enter at the intersection of Bay St & Richmond Terrace, across from Borough Hall.  Follow the walkway downhill, past the Siah Armejani footbridge, and turn right to follow the brick promenade to the waterside Lighthouse Plaza and the Lighthouse Museum.

Staten Island OutLOUD brings “The Great Gatsby” to NYC’s newest museum, the stunning National Lighthouse Museum, overlooking New York Harbor.  We’ll explore Chapter 7 as we enjoy a view that Jay Gatsby would have envied.  If weather is fair, we’ll read outdoors on the plaza, if it rains, we’ll gather inside the museum.

Our featured readers include Robert Heffernan, Caroline Hastie, John McGhee, and James Anthony Phillips.

Friday, Sept 25, 6:30pm.  At the Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier Gazebo, Capadanno Blvd near Seaview Ave, SINY 10305.

Staten Island OutLOUD gathers around picnic tables under the gazebo at the foot of the scenic Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier to explore another chapter of The Great Gatsby. Rain or shine, the big gazebo will keep us comfy and sheltered. This location is at the foot of the 825-foot fishing pier, and it affords a stunning ocean vista. It’s a scene that Gatsby might have enjoyed (if Daisy had been there with him).

Our featured readers include Joan Harmon, Robert Heffernan, James Anthony Phillips and others TBA.

Monday, Sept 21, 2015 – 6:30pm.  Mariners Harbor Branch Library, 206 South Ave, SINY 10303.

The library staff at the Mariners’ Harbor branch library and Staten Island OutLOUD invite you to a discussion of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”. Plenty of free parking on the surrounding streets.

Sunday, Sept 20 at 2pm.  Blue Heron Park, 222 Poillon Ave, SINY 10312

Staten Island OutLOUD gathers at Blue Heron Park to explore Chapter 3 of The Great Gatsby.  The verdant meadow & wetlands, the scenic ponds and beautiful birds are reminiscent of Gatsby’s estate.  If the weather is fair, we’ll stroll through the park.  If it rains, we’ll meet inside the charming nature center, with wide windows that overlook the woodland.  BRING A LAWNCHAIR.

Our featured readers include James Hill and Nan Smith.

Saturday, Sept 19, 2015 – 1pm.   St George Library Center, 5 Central Ave, SINY 10301

Join Staten Island OutLOUD and the awesome librarians at the St. George Library Center for a lively conversation on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” and a free screening of the 2013 film version, directed by Baz Luhrman, and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby.