Happy Birthday Walt Whitman! A Bicentennial Celebration

Mechanics’ Institute salutes American’s literary hero Walt Whitman for his 200^th Birthday during Pride Weekend! The event includes a complete reading from the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass (Song of Myself) and other selected works.  Director Dan Harder and Mechanics’ Institute Events Director Laura Sheppard have engaged local performers, poets and musicians to be part of this staged reading including members of renowned San Francisco men’s chorus Conspiracy of Beards led by Daryl Henline, actors Ryan Hayes, Greg Meyer, Dixon Phillips, Danielle Thys and Steven Winn. Special guests include Kathleen Antonia, Peter Maravelis, and poet Mason J., and musicians Anne Goess (violin) and Michael Irwin (banjo).  The audience will be invited to jump in and participate in the reading as well.

Be there at 6:00 pm for birthday cake and a Walt Whitman look-alike contest! Readings and performance start promptly at 6:30 pm. DADA Bar provides a gracious, charming Old World atmosphere for this community gathering and celebration.