Let’s Get Literary: Upcoming Reading Events in Astoria & LIC

When thinking of neighborhood activities in Astoria, our mind tends to go to eating, drinking and maybe going to the park (how could we not?). But, the community also has a great arts & culture scene that we shouldn’t forget! Here are some literary and theatre events coming up that are worth checking out:

APRIL 11: Paperback launch of Love and Death in the Sunshine State with author Cutter Wood at 6:30 p.m.

In trying to understand how we treat those we love, Love and Death in the Sunshine State, like Truman Capote’s classic In Cold Blood, tells a story that exists outside documentary evidence. Wood carries the investigation of the murder of Florida Gulf Coast motel owner Sabine Musil-Buehler beyond the facts of the case and into his own life, crafting a tale about the dark conflicts at the heart of every relationship.

Book Culture LIC, 26-09 Jackson Ave, Long Island City

APRIL 15: Mission to (dit)Mars “END OF THE LINE” Play Reading at 7 p.m.

Mission to (dit)Mars, a theatre arts collective serving Queens artists, will be continuing their Launch Pad Reading Series with END OF THE LINE, a new play by Megan Bussiere and directed by Nikki Diloreto. A free reading will be performed on Monday, April 15 at 7 p.m. at The Broom Tree Theatre.

END OF THE LINE takes place on the 17th anniversary of 9/11. In the play, four New Yorkers take their morning commute on the N train. One slice of time is broken open to reveal the common threads that run between them and how they change at the end of the line.

The Broom Tree Theater at Astoria First Presbyterian, 23-35 Broadway, Astoria

APRIL 16: Book Launch: Lara Elena Donnelly on Amnesty at 7 p.m.

Join Lara Elena Donnelly on the third and final book in her Nebula and Lambda Award-nominated Amberlough Dossier trilogy. A glamorous, revolutionary alternate history, this trilogy has been described by Holly Black as “James Bond by way of Oscar Wilde.”

Astoria Bookshop, 31-29 31st St, Astoria

APRIL 18: Slightly Altered States theater company and DMNDR at The Arc Present Ty Rex

Ty Rex is the first autism inclusive production from creative to cast. Join us at The Arc to participate in this landmark reading + Talk Back in participation with Bareburger and The Wandering Barman! Music will be provided by the DMNDR house band. Talkback guests include Priscilla Gilman (The Anti-Romantic Child), special needs educators, autism advocate organizations, and our neuro diverse cast and crew. 

The Arc and Slightly Altered States are committed to changing the way autism is portrayed in media and entertainment; this will be the first of many events and shows to facilitate that change. It starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are available for purchase here.

The Arc, 36-30 36th St, Astoria

APRIL 27: Independent Bookstore Day! and Colors de la Runway Community Coloring Event

Join Astoria Bookshop for the 5th annual Independent Bookstore Day, a nationwide celebration of books and the book lovers who keep indie bookstores strong. All-day events include: special storytimes, pictionary with professional illustrators, a literary trivia happy hour with special book-themed cocktails, butterbeer & a cardboard Hogwarts castle fort for kids, double loyalty points all day, a book prescription booth, and a Queens bookstore bicycle ride!

Astoria Bookshop, 31-29 31st St, Astoria

Join Book Culture LIC at 11:30am for a special community coloring event led by Colors de la Runway author, Clarence Ruth. Drawing inspiration from the book’s theme, participants of all ages are invited to fill in a giant coloring sheet featuring one of Ruth’s illustrations. 

Book Culture LIC, 26-09 Jackson Ave, Long Island City

SAVE THE DATE: May 14 LIC Reading Series Four-Year Anniversary Event

The LIC Reading Series, a premier monthly reading series in Queens, was named one of the seven coolest reading series in NYC by TimeOut NY. Their anniversary event will feature authors Garnette Cadogan, Idra Novey, and John Wray. It will take place from 8pm-10pm in the carriage house at LIC Bar. This event is FREE and will include stories about Queens, readings, a panel discussion, and cake. We also have prizes for the audience from local businesses, and books will be for sale at the event courtesy of the Astoria Bookshop.

LIC Bar, 45-58 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City