The second annual St. Pete Reads! Lit Fest will take place on Nov. 4 at the Woodson African American Museum of Florida, 2240 9th Ave. S, St. Pete, from 10-4 p.m.
ST. PETERSBURG — Cultured Books Literacy Foundation is proud to announce its second annual St. Pete Reads! LitFest, presented in collaboration with the St. Petersburg Library System. The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10-4 p.m. in the Legacy Gardens at The Woodson African American Museum of Florida.
Lit Fest is a family-friendly event designed to celebrate literature and creativity, with a focus on #kidlit authors. This inclusive festival provides opportunities for youth and teens alike to engage with thought-provoking authors and activities in a vibrant atmosphere.
Attendees of this dynamic event will enjoy readings by headlining authors. In addition to exciting author presentations, families can expect a variety of interactive literacy activities designed to encourage ongoing engagement with literary resources.
New this year, LitFest has expanded its programming to include an array of teen-focused offerings. Teens can participate in poetry workshops, self-portrait sessions, and an exclusive art walk in collaboration with Keep St. Pete Lit.
The St. Pete Reads! Lit Fest is a free event with no cost to attend. Free parking will be available at St. Petersburg College’s Douglas L. Jamerson Jr. Midtown Center and Cecil B. Keene Sr. Student Achievement Center.
Story Stage in The Legacy Garden
10:15 a.m. — Storytime with author Ana Siqueria Read aloud “Our World: Brazil” and “Bella’s Recipe for Success”
11:15 a.m. — “Everything You Wanted To Know About Childhood Literacy, But Were Too Afraid To Ask” Panelist discussion with:
- LaShawn Proctor, Pinellas County Schools
- Maria Scruggs, Phyllis Wheatley Rise To Read
- Antonio Brown, Barbershop Book Club
- Tyana Tibby, Urban Book Squad
- With moderator Natasha Hall
12:15 p.m. – Jazz in the Garden: Musical Storytime with Al Downing Tampa Bay Jazz Association. Dwayne White will read Jazz on a Saturday Night by Diane and Leo Dillon.
1:15 p.m. – Storytime: Read-aloud of “Okra Stew” by Cultural Icon and author Natalie Daise.
2:15 p.m. – Storytime: Read-aloud of “Granny’s Vintage Camera” by author Jasmine Paul.
3:15 p.m. – Nature in the Garden: Interactive Storytime with Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and Florida Native Plant Society reading.
Book Blvd. – Inside the Woodson Gallery
Teen Art and Writing Workshops
Anastasia Magloire Williams
11 a.m. – Self-Portrait Workshop led by Anastasia Magloire Williams, illustrator of “Beyonce: A Little Golden Book Biography” and “Heroic Heart: An Illustrated Biography of Joe Delaney”
As an illustrator known for blending graphics, illustration, and painting, Williams shares how visual style can complement the stories they are meant to tell. Following the reading, she will guide youth participants in creating their own self-portraits. Participants will explore character design techniques and visual storytelling to bring their own stories to life.
12 p.m. – The Art of Storytelling: Walking tour of the Deuces with The African American Heritage Association, followed by writing exercises with Keep St. Pete Lit.
The Art of The Deuces Writing Workshop is an opportunity to explore the immersive and captivating world of storytelling through public art. Led by the African American Heritage Association, youth participants will tour the Deuces.
They will discover how artists convey narratives through their art while learning about the rich culture and heritage of the Deuces. Following the tour, Keep St. Pete Lit staff will lead participants through writing exercises encouraging exploration of themes inspired by the neighborhood.
Roberto Germán
1 p.m. – Teen Poetry Workshop led by Roberto Germán, educator and author of “Blue Ink Tears.”
Germán will read from his book “Blue Ink Tears,” introducing youth participants to his life through storytelling. His bilingual poetry shares 20 years of his life, where he discusses issues of identity, love, relationships, and race. He will guide youth participants to create and present their own poetry pieces.
Miesha Brundridge
2 p.m. – Teen Open Mic Workshop – Learn about Miesha Brundridge’s journey becoming a poet and create your own poems ahead of the afternoon Teen Open Mic.
3 p.m. – Teen Open Mic: Hosted by poet renowned poet Miesha Brundrige
Bring a poem to recite or share your original work at the Open Mic event. Sponsored by St. Petersburg Poet Laureate Gloria Muñoz. (Sign-up at festival welcome table)
Click here to sign up for Teens and Youth Groups workshops.
The 2nd Annual St. Pete Reads! Lit Fest is made possible by the generous support of The Woodson African American Museum of Florida, The St. Petersburg Library System and Florida Humanities, The Rays Baseball Foundation and Rowdies Soccer Fund, BayFirst Financial, Pinellas Community Foundation, St. Petersburg Poet Laureate Gloria Munoz, Barbershop Book Club, St. Petersburg College Jamerson Campus, Tru by Hilton, BLICK art materials, The Deuces Live, Urban Drinkery, and our amazing community of donors.
Funding for this program was provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Volunteers, sponsorships, and partnerships are welcomed. For more information, visit www.culturedbooks.org/litfest.
