****
A MOMENT OF… LOUD AT THE NYPL
****
Lonette McKee
The circus heads to the public library on Tuesday, July 10 for an exciting workshop teaching circus tricks as inspired by literature. The event is part of the inaugural series “A Moment of…LOUD,” co-presented this summer by the New York Public Library (NYPL) and Souleo Enterprises LLC. A Moment of…LOUD invites New Yorkers to get LOUD in the library as normally quiet libraries throughout New York City are transformed into pop-up performance/workshop spaces.
“A Moment of…LOUD: Cirque du Monde w/THE POINT,” an interactive workshop of THE POINT Community Development Corporation (Hunts Point, the Bronx) in partnership with the internationally acclaimed Cirque du Soleil®, will teach circus tricks. With tight wire, juggling balls, plate spinners and more, this event promises to bring out the clown in everyday New Yorkers of all ages. The special outdoor event will be held at 1:00 pm on July 10 at Macomb’s Bridge Library in Harlem.
The series highlights the role of libraries as educational and culture hubs, and each interactive event will reference a source of literature. They will include a lip-syncing workshop by iconic drag entertainer John Epperson (Lypsinka’s Maid) (June 23 at 2:00 pm, Webster Library, Upper East Side); a fashion reinvention design workshop with visual artist, stylist and fashion designer Beau McCall (June 30 at 2 pm, Riverside Library, Upper West Side); A Moment of…LOUD: An Afternoon of Scenes with Lonette McKee’s Actors Workshop Stars wherein the Tony-nominated actress and star of the original Sparkle movie will present theatrical works from rising talent (July 12 at 1 pm, Countee Cullen Library, Harlem); A Moment of…LOUD: From Ink to Juice w/Brandi Kowalski, a juice-making workshop that pays tribute to popular books (August 8 at 5:30 pm, Hamilton Grange Library, Harlem); and an interactive gong concert, A Moment of…LOUD: Get Gong’d w/Rashu Aten (August 25 at 2 pm, George Bruce Library, Harlem).
“This year Summer Reading adult programs aim to present a diverse, entertaining and enriching line-up of events that represents a range of cultures and experiences as reflected in our collections,” said New York Public Library Adult Programming Specialist Kelly Yim.
“With so many distractions pulling people away from literature, it was important to create programming that incorporated books and brought them to life in an exciting and fresh way,” said Souleo, founder and president of Souleo Enterprises, LLC, who is a producer of events and content for a variety of media and nonprofit institutions. “It is our hope that these events promote more reading and fully capture the power of literature to inspire us in all areas of our creative and personal lives.”
About The New York Public Library
The New York Public Library was created in 1895 with the consolidation of the private libraries of John Jacob Astor and James Lenox with the Samuel Jones Tilden Trust. The Library provides free and open access to its physical and electronic collections and information, as well as to its services. It comprises four research centers – housed, respectively, in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building; The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts; the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture; and the
Science, Industry and Business Library—and 90 locations in the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island. Research and circulating collections combined total more than 65 million items, including materials for the visually impaired. In addition, each year the Library presents thousands of exhibitions and public programs, which include classes in technology, literacy, and English as a second language. The New York Public Library serves more than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and another 25 million users internationally, who access collections and services through the NYPL website, www.nypl.org.
About Souleo Enterprises, LLC
Souleo Enterprises, LLC is the umbrella company that creates and produces entertaining and informative events, media and artistic projects by founder, Souleo. This Brown University graduate and dynamic young talent’s list of journalism credits includes Newsweek, Ebony, New York Press, Black Enterprise, XXL, Sister 2 Sister, Rolling Out and more. Souleo’s expertise and content has been featured on CNN’s The Nancy Grace Show, MTV’s FNMTV Premieres, the New York Post, the Chicago Sun-Times, Access Hollywood, CBS’s The Insider, NPR’s News & Notes, BET.com, Match.com and in the Boston Globe. Most recently the company has formed a partnership with the prestigious non-profit arts service organization the Harlem Arts Alliance. The initial project, a weekly column entitled “Harlem Arts Alliance Presents: On the ‘A’ w/Souleo” is now syndicated online and in print via several outlets including SoulTrain.com, New York Amsterdam News, Rolling Out, and more. In addition, Souleo Enterprises, LLC is developing several special projects designed to support and empower the arts and culture community, including the youth initiative CULTURE CRASHERS.
Saturday, June 23, 2:00 p.m.
A Moment of…LOUD: Lip-Syncing w/John Epperson, Lypsinka’s Maid
Webster Library, 1465 York Avenue (near E. 78th St.)
New York, NY
Legendary drag entertainer, John Epperson, Lypsinka’s Maid conducts a lip-syncing workshop using literary inspired music in this master class celebrating the art of lip-syncing.
Saturday, June 30, 2:00 p.m.
A Moment of…LOUD: A Fashion Reinvention w/Beau McCall
Riverside Library, 127 Amsterdam Avenue (at W. 65th St.)
New York, NY
Reinvent your old and worn T-shirts in this interactive fashion workshop led by creative artist, stylist and fashion designer, Beau McCall (featured in Women’s Wear Daily). Patrons are advised to bring their favorite large sized T-shirt, a pair of scissors and a seam ripper. T-shirts will be made available for sale to those that wish to purchase ready-to-wear items.
Tuesday, July 10, 1:00 p.m.
A Moment of…LOUD: Cirque du Monde w/The POINT
Macomb’s Bridge Library, 2650 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. (between W. 152nd & 153rd Sts.)
New York, NY
The circus arrives at the New York Public Library for this special outdoor workshop designed to teach circus tricks. With tight wire, diablos, juggling balls, plate spinners and more this event promises to bring out the clown in you.
Thursday, July 12, 1:00 p.m.
A Moment of…LOUD: An Afternoon of Scenes with Lonette McKee’s Actors Workshop Stars
Countee Cullen Library, 104 West 136th Street (near Lenox Ave.)
New York, NY
Original “Sparkle” star and Tony nominated veteran actress, Lonette McKee presents a showcase of Harlem’s finest up and coming stars. Talent will perform live mini-theatrical pieces in this pop-up performance of dramatic, humorous and engaging scenes. All scenes are directed by Mckee. Performances will be followed by a Q&A with McKee and the actors. Souleo of Souleo Enterprises, LLC will moderate the discussion. This event is presented in collaboration between the New York Public Library, the Harlem Arts Alliance and Souleo Enterprises, LLC.
Wednesday, August 8, 5:30 p.m.
A Moment of…LOUD: From Ink to Juice w/Brandi Kowalski
Hamilton Grange Library, 503 West 145th Street
New York, NY
Take inspiration from your favorite literary works of art and transform it into refreshing summer drinks in this interactive juice-making workshop. Expert mixologist, Brandi Kowalski leads this event where patrons will learn how to make healthy drinks. Samples of the drinks are available on a first come-first served basis.
Saturday, August 25, 2:00 p.m.
A Moment of…LOUD: Get Gong’d w/Rashu Aten
George Bruce Library, 518 West 125th Street (at Amsterdam Ave.)
New York, NY
Gong master, Rashu Aten brings this sacred instrument into the library for an interactive workshop where patrons will create their own healing sound vibrations using gongs.
