On Friday, March 5th Hastings Friday Night LIVE kicks off its 2010 season celebrating National Reading Month. The evening will showcase the towns’ local literary talent including authors, poets and playwrights through a variety of events such as readings, kids programs, poetry slam, live music and Friday Night GIVE.
Mayor Peter Swiderski will read “Will You Tell Me a Story” by Jim Copp, illustrated by Lindsay DuPont, and James Kaplan will give a brief overview of his soon-to-be-released Frank Sinatra bio, “Frank: The Voice.” Other readings around town will feature local poets including Kathleen Ossip, Helen Barolini, Deborah Maier and Golda Soloman.
There will be a village wide poetry contest. Participants can submit a one-page poem on a topic of their choice. Poems can be dropped off at The James Harmon Community Center or e-mailed to FNL@hastingsgov.org – deadline March 1, 2010. Contest winners will be announced at the Rainwater Grill at 7:30 p.m. Prizes from local merchants will be awarded. Poetry submissions will be divided into age groups. Local merchants and restaurants will be hosting some events, and many will be open late, offering various special offers and promotions to encourage visitors to stop in and browse.
In addition to the evening’s literary celebration, Common Ground Downtown will host Catherine Russell with March Share at the James Harmon Community Center.
Hastings Friday Night LIVE will be held on Friday, March 5th from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is plenty of parking at the commuter lot across from the Hastings Train Station. Supporters include Atlantic Richfield/BP and Astoria Federal Savings.
Hastings Friday Night LIVE is a monthly event intended to transform the village into an exciting, vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike. The event is a group effort led by Hastings Village Trustee Meg Walker and the Hastings Chamber of Commerce.
