Literary and other arts and cultural circles will intersect during the third annual SunLit Festival, a springtime celebration of literature from April 10 to 25. Produced by Keep St. Pete Lit, the Festival will a host a kick-off party on April 6 at the Chihuly Collection from 7-9 p.m.
The Festival schedule includes 23 events over 16 days. Sunlit will raise the profile of our city, bringing together various literary organizations and arts disciplines to celebrate literacy, literature, reading, and writing.
Please refer to the Festival Schedule of Events for a description of each event, including time and location and when applicable, registration and admission fee.
For more information and schedule visit www.sunlitfestival.org
3rd Annual SunLit Festival Schedule of Events
Thursday, April 6th
SunLit Festival Kick-off Party
Come celebrate the kickoff of the 3rd Annual SunLit Festival! Your ticket allows you to explore the new home of the Chihuly Collection, enjoy 2 free drinks (beer or wine) and hors d’oeuvres, and hear from guest speakers and storytellers. We will also be giving out the 2017 SunLit Award.
Produced by Keep St. Pete Lit
Contact: Maureen McDole (727) 798-4530
Location: Chihuly Gallery- 720 Central Ave.
Time: (7:00-9:00pm)
Cost: $30.00 (Proceeds will support Keep St. Pete Lit’s summer writing camp for kids at Morean Center for Clay.)
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/170455556798389/
Monday, April 10th
An Evening with Craig Pittman
Pittman is the New York Times bestselling author of OH FLORIDA! HOW AMERICA’S WEIRDEST STATE INFLUENCES THE REST OF THE COUNTY and three other books as well as an award-winning journalist. Opening remarks begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the author’s talk. A reception and book signing is from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Seating is available starting at 5:00 p.m.)
Produced by Friends of the Mirror Lake Library and Keep St. Pete Lit
Contact: (813) 767-5503
Mirror Lake Library (second floor)
280 5th Street North.
Time: (5:30-7:00pm)
Cost: Free
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/211678502637276/
Tuesday, April 11
First Draft
First Draft is a free, public, live literary event featuring booked readers along with interactive audience storytelling activities.
Contact: (727) 329-6290
Location: Unscripted Theater- 14 18th St S.
Time: 7:00pm
Cost: Free
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/352681401793067/?ti=icl
Tuesday, April 11
Silent Read and Write In
An hour and a half of reading and writing in comfort and silence.
Produced by: Metta Center of St. Petersburg and Keep St. Pete Lit
Contact: (727) 771-5656
Location: Metta Center- 4554 Central Ave. Unit F
Time: 7:30-9:00pm
Cost: Donation appreciated.
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/147284492446335/
Wednesday, April 12
True Stories
Every person in the audience has the chance to tell a five minute story. The theme for April will be GOODBYES. No props. No notes. The audience picks the “best” story of the night.
Produced by: Keep St. Pete Lit and hosted by Lisa L. Kirchner
Contact: Maureen McDole (727) 798-4530
Location: Iberian Rooster- 475 Central Ave.
Time: 9:00-11:00pm
Cost: Free
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1925944650974440/
Thursday, April 13
Pull My Daisy (1959) and This Song for Jack (1983)
These two short films enhance enjoyment of The Open Road: Photography and the American Road Trip. Director Robert Frank is one of the major figures represented in that exhibition. With special introduction by David Amram, who composed the score for Pull My Daisy and appears in This Song for Jack.
Contact: Mary Szaroleta, Associate Curator of Public Programs (727) 896-2667 Ext. 220.
Location: Museum of Fine Arts- 255 Beach Dr. NE
Time: 6:00pm
Cost: $5.00 or free with MFA membership
For more info: http://mfastpete.org
Thursday, April 13
Poetry at The Dali with Jane Hirshfield
Hosted by Helen Pruitt Wallace
Poetry at The Dali is an ongoing series hosted by St. Petersburg Poet Laureate, Helen Wallace. Jane Hirshfield is the author of eight collections of poetry, including the newly published The Beauty (Knopf, 2015). “Jane Hirshfield is one of our finest, most memorable contemporary poets.”–The American Poet.
Contact: (727) 823-3767
Location: Dali Museum- One Dali Blvd.
Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Cost: Free
For more info: http://thedali.org/event/poetry-at-the-dali-7/
Thursday, April 13th – Sunday, April 23rd
Voodoo Macbeth
The Studio@620 honors the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s legacy with “Voodoo Macbeth”, inspired by Orson Welles’ historic 1936 production.
Contact: 727-895-6620
Location: Studio@620- 620 1st Ave S.
Time:
MATINEE PERFORMANCES: Sundays April 16, and 23 and Saturday April 15 at 3:00pm
EVENING PERFORMANCES: Thursdays April 13 and 20 at 7:00 PM; Fridays April 14 and 22 at 7:00 PM; Saturday April 22 at 7:00 PM
Cost: $25 General Admission / $20 Students and Seniors
For more info: http://www.thestudioat620.org/events/the-macbeth-project-2017
Friday, April 14th
From Page to Stage @St. Pete City Theater
Theatrical teens display their unique and creative vehicles to add another dimension to their favorite passages. Watch them bring the written word to life in a free pre-show from 6-7. Then stay and see the teen performance of “The Little Shop of Horrors” at 7PM for $12 a ticket.
Contact: (727) 866-1973
Location: St. Petersburg City Theater- 4025 31st St. S.
Time: 6:00-7:00pm
Cost: Free
For more info: http://www.spcitytheatre.org/teen-musical-theatre-city-theatre-ratz/
Friday, April 14
David Amram: Music, Stories, & Kerouac
Amram will be sharing stories about Kerouac among many others, playing his music on an array of instruments he’s mastered over a lifetime of learning, and sharing an inspired evening unlike any other.
Contact: (727) 822-3590
Location: The Palladium at St. Petersburg College- 253 5th Ave N.
Time: 8:00pm
Cost: GENERAL ADMISSION: $25 in advance, $30 day of show
RESERVED: $40 (limited availability)
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/256344041481624/
Saturday, April 15th
Downtown Tour With a Literary Twist!
St. Petersburg Preservation (SPP) and Keep St. Pete Lit are partnering to offer this fun tweak to SPP’s traditional downtown walking tour, a historic tour with a literary twist!
Contact: (727) 824-7802
Location: Start at Mirror Lake Library- 280 5th St. N
Time: 10:00am-12:00pm
Cost: $10 for non-members, FREE for SPP members
For more info: http://www.stpetepreservation.org/event-2485034
Saturday, April 15
Lucha Libro: The Madness Returns
In each round, writers will have five minutes to write to a randomly chosen subject, they will then read their fresh new work, and a winner will be chosen!
Contact: Cole Bellamy (352) 206 0527.
Location: Soft Water Studios- 515 22nd St. S.
Time: 7:00-9:00pm
Cost: Free
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/485443761845590/
Monday, April 17
Jump At The Sun (2008) and talk with Lois Gaston
JUMP AT THE SUN is the life story of Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960), a literary maverick who gained stature in death as the writer of Their Eyes Were Watching God. Lois Gaston is the great-niece of Zora Neale Hurston, and was President of HCC in Ybor City for sixteen years. Gaston’s grandfather was Zora’s brother. She is currently a Trustee for the Zora Neale Hurston Trust.
Contact: Kristy Andersen 813-390-3582
Location: Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum- 2240 9th Ave S.
Time: 7:00pm
Cost: Free
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1535371016472962/?ti=icl
http://www.woodsonmuseum.org
Tuesday, April 18
Fiction Live
Wordier Than Thou presents the fourth annual Fiction, LIVE! This event teams up Tampa Bay area actors and authors – the writers submit short stories, while actors bring them to life on stage.
Contact: Tiffany Razzano (516) 906-2140
Location: Studio@620- 620 1st Ave S.
Time: 7:00-9:30pm
Cost: $10 in advance; $12 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Wordier Than Thou Writers Project.
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/455657291491044/
Wednesday, April 19
City of Poets
Come celebrate National Poetry Month with celebrated Saint Petersburg poets: Peter Meinke (Poet Laureate of Florida), Helen Pruitt Wallace (Poet Laureate of St. Petersburg), & Gloria Muñoz (Eckerd College and LitSpace Faculty) will read alongside Keep St. Pete Lit’s 2017 LitSpace Writer in Residence, Alison Stone in an unforgettable evening of poetry.
Produced by: Keep St. Pete Lit
Contact: Maureen McDole (727) 798-4530
Location: Chihuly Collection -720 Central Ave
Time: 7:00pm
Cost: Free
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/212623262551553/
Thursday, April 20th
Literary Carousel at the MFA
Photography from the MFA archives comes alive through the art of the “Ekphrastic,” a literary interpretation of a piece of visual art. Hand-picked images get the prose and poetry treatment, read live to you.
Produced by: Todd Bates Creative
Contact: (727) 896-2667
Location: Museum of Fine Arts- 255 Beach Dr. NE
Time: 6:30–8:00pm
Cost: $5.00 or free with MFA membership
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/416884601989207/?ti=icl
Friday, April 21- Sunday, April 23
36th annual Florida Antiquarian Book Fair
Visitors will find books of every age and about every conceivable topic. Additional materials found at the Fair include maps, prints, postcards, ephemera, autographs and other paper collectibles.
Contact: (727) 234-7759
Location: St. Petersburg Coliseum- 535 4th Ave N.
Time: Friday, April 21: 5:00-9:00pm
Saturday, April 22: 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday, April 23: 11:am-4:00pm
Cost: Friday evening’s admission, which includes a live music performance, is $10; the ticket is good for the entire weekend. Saturday’s admission is $10 for the weekend or $6 for the day. Sunday’s admission is $6 for the day and includes a free appraisal by members of the Florida Bibliophile Society. Children 12 and under, and students with valid identification, are free. Parking is free. Ticket sales benefit the St Petersburg Public Library. Discount tickets: http://www.FloridaBookFair.blogspot.com/
For more info: http://www.FloridaBooksellers.com/
Friday, April 21
Adult Spelling Bee Fundraiser for Literacy Council of St. Petersburg
JOIN US FRIDAY, APRIL 21ST AT OUR SPELLING BEE FOR GROWN-UPS!
Teams of adults will compete to determine the best spellers in St. Pete – and all for a good cause!
Produced by: Literacy Council of St. Petersburg
Contact: (727) 521-1117
Location: Sunshine Center- 330 5th St. N
Time: 6:30-9:30pm
Cost: $100 per team of two to four adults.
Register your team at www.universe.com/adultspellingbee
General public: $10 for adult, $7 for children 12 and under.
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1252546574825098/
Saturday, April 22
Mission Compostable: An Earth Day Letterpress Workshop & Brunch
Meet like-minded creatives at Calusa Commons and discuss how design and literature impact and promote environmental awareness. Enjoy a light brunch with baked goods and coffee provided by Black Crow, then roll your own eco-friendly wood type print at Calusa Press. Admission is $10, includes complimentary brunch and print.
Contact: (727) 755-4657
Location: Calusa Commons- 2161 1st Ave S.
Time: 10:30-12:30pm
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/Calusa-Commons-183928952030974/
Saturday, April 22
Writers, Winners and the Publishing World
Three St Petersburg writers will read from their latest publication, and answer your questions about the publishing world: Jackie Minniti with her book Jacqueline, Lori Roi with her book Let Me Die In His Footsteps, Steph Post with her book Lightwood. Winners will also be announced of the SunLit short story contest, a less than 2500 word short story beginning with the phrase “She/He walked away without so much as a backwards glance.” First place $100, Second place $50. Deadline to enter is midnight on April 17.
Produced by: Friends of the Main Library
Contact: For information on entering the short story contest or attending the event, contact Lorraine Franckle at (727) 698-3643 or email ljrmd@tampabay.rr.com
Location: St. Petersburg Public Library- 3746 9th Ave N.
Time: 2:00-4:00pm
Cost: Free
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1878315125786376/
Saturday, April 22
Children’s Poetry Night Hike
Celebrate poetry with this unique event tailored especially for children. Local poets will read children’s poetry related to the wilds of the night. Limited space. RSVP required.
Contact: Andrea Leavitt Andersen (727) 893-7326.
Location: Boyd Hill Nature Preserve-1101 Country Club Way S.
Time: 7:30-8:30pm
Cost: $5 adults/ $3 children; Ages 3 and up; 25 max.
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1493490004026852/
Sunday, April 23
City-Wide Read and Write In
Under the Banyan trees next to the MFA, free children’s books, bring your picnic blankets. Special appearance by NYT bestselling children’s book author, Sara Pennypacker.
Contact: Maureen McDole (727) 708-4530
Location: North Straub Park next to the MFA under the banyan trees.
Time: 2:00-4:00pm
Cost: Free
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/994394454025832/
Tuesday, April 25
Lisa Unger and Ya La’ford, in Conversation: The Intersection of Art and Story
New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger and acclaimed artist Ya La’ford will appear at Behar + Peterancz Architecture to celebrate the release of THE RED HUNTER and offer an exhibit of La’ford’s paintings.
Friends and major figures of the Tampa Bay area arts community, Unger and La’ford bring their private conversations about art, story, process and life – and where it all intersects – to the stage. With an introduction by Susana Weymouth, Executive Director of Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts (TBBCA.) Inkwood Books will be selling copies at the event. If you cannot attend but would like a signed book, contact them today to place your order at inkwoodbooks.com.
Contact/ RSVP: lisaunger.com/release-party
Location: Behar + Peteranecz Architecture- 2430 Terminal Drive S.
Time: 6:00pm
Cost: Free
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/1979342138965616/