If you don't already know Shakespeare's poetry, this is a great chance to get your iambs wet. In the 15th annual edition of this free event, 154 readers participate in a marathon reading of Shakespeare's 154 sonnets in numerical order. It makes for an unparalleled poetic survey of love in all its shades of wonder, joy and despair.
The talent includes actor Rachel Handler from "Interview With the Vampire." You can join her as a reader by signing up here.
Shakespeare’s Birthday Sonnet Slam will be held Wednesday, April 23 from 1–4pm at The Riverside Church in Morningside Heights in the 9th floor Lounge. It's free to attend.
Willful Pictures artistic director Melinda Hall created the Sonnet Slam for the people of New York to celebrate Shakespeare. "I wanted to create a unique opportunity for the Sonneteer and Shakespeare to be together, even if it's only for a minute," she says.