For the 2021 outdoor season, Boogie Down Books is partnering with six different community sites in and around the Bronx. Boogie Down Storytime takes place at 10am EDT every Saturday and will rotate to a different site each week, with audiences able to join in person starting April 24 at Willis Playground, May 1 at the Urban Farm at Randall’s Island, and May 29 on the rooftop at Mottley Kitchen. Three additional Bronx sites will join the rotation in June: Morning Glory Garden, Maria Sola Community Greenspace, and Kelly Street Garden. All events will continue to simultaneously broadcast on Zoom, and young readers and families anywhere in the world can join virtually.
Currently scheduled highlights of the outdoor Boogie Down Storytime season include:
Saturday, April 24: Boogie Down Storytime outdoor launch at Willis Playground featuring Bronx author Joshunda Sanders reading I Can Write the World, a picture book set in Mott Haven, and Independent Bookstore Day celebration in collaboration with The Bronx is Reading.
Saturday, May 1: Boogie Down Storytime launch at the Urban Farm at Randall’s Island, coinciding with Cherry Blossom Celebration Week.
June: Month-long Pride celebration, including readings by Drag Queen Story Hour.
June 19: Juneteenth celebration and Swing Into Reading summer book giveaway in partnership with Made for Me Books.
August: Reading and book signing with Bronx author and illustrator C.G. Esperanza featuring Boogie Boogie, Y’All.
A range of registration options makes Boogie Down Storytime accessible for the community, from completely free to a suggested contribution of $5 per family to registration with a copy of the featured book. In order to ensure that Boogie Down Storytime complies with capacity limits required by law, social distancing guidelines, and contact tracing needs, pre-registration is required for all events. Masks covering both the nose and mouth are required for all attendees over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status.
More information about Boogie Down Storytime, including the schedule, locations, featured authors and books, and registration links, can be found at www.boogiedownbooks.com/