Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Hop Aboard a Historic Ship For a 'World Oceans Day' Literary Salon

 The historic steamship Lilac has been docked at TriBeCa's Pier 25 since May 2011.
The historic steamship Lilac has been docked at TriBeCa's Pier 25 since May 2011.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Julie Shapiro

TRIBECA —  Here's a chance to feel buoyed by literature.

The Lilac, a historic steamship turned floating museum docked in TriBeCa, is hosting a free literary salon Wednesday — an evening of readings related to the sea.

The night, in honor of World Oceans Day, will feature readings by Robert Kurlwich, host of NPR's Radiolab and by Pulitzer Prize winning author Michael Cunningham.

The salon is organized by One Grand Books, a website that curates reading lists by asking writers and other creative thinkers to name their top 10 favorite books, or the books they'd take with them to a desert island.

Along with the readings and wine, there will be a performance by the Linked Dance Theatre — a piece based on Oscar Wilde's short story, "The Fisherman and His Soul" about a fisherman who gives up his soul for the love of a mermaid. 

This is one of numerous events citywide celebrating World Oceans Day, which is now an annual commemoration meant to encourage awareness for the need to protect the world's oceans. The Lilac salon is free, but reservations, which can be made here, are required.

The literary salon also kicks off the Lilac's open public season. The storied 1933 steamship has become a museum and regularly hosts art exhibits and performances related to the waterways.

The Linked Dance Theatre will dance its entire Soul of the Sea performance on June 7 through June 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The show is also free.

The Lilac, docked at Pier 25, at West and North Moore Streets, is now open to the public for free on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 7 p.m.