If you ever wanted to play doctor with Princess Leia while reading passages from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, now is your chance!
This July, Barnes & Noble is celebrating their Second Annual ‘Get Pop-Cultured’ month with a variety of fun events for all ages honoring Doctor Who, Star Wars, and the highly anticipated release of Harper Lee’s new novel, Go Set a Watchman. Created last year in an effort to bring to life fans’ favorite books, characters, artists, movies and pop-culture icons, 2015 proves to be even more action packed with over twenty separate events from Throwback Thursdays to DC Comic Days, Minions Mania and a Dr. Seuss Spectacular, all filled with contests, exclusive content, giveaways, prizes and many, many opportunities for innovative costumes and cosplay.
Seeing as I usually wear outfits inspired by literature, I cannot wait to participate in these fun bookish events at my local Barnes & Noble – St. Petersburg/Tyrone. With over 20 events and only so much space here in CL, here are a few of my top picks:
Throwback Thursdays - Weekly
Everybody gets nostalgic about a decade for one reason or another so here’s an opportunity to do it in public with likeminded individuals! Experience a different decade every week by exploring the influence that books, toys, games, fashion, music and movies had on society. Celebrate the ’50s July 2 with an in-store hula hoop contest, act out the 1960’s on July 9 in your best Mad Men attire, disco your way into the groovy 70’s on July 16th, then relive the totally awesome ’80s with big hair on July 23, and on July 30, close out the month with the Nirvana of the ’90s. Most events start at 7 p.m.
Time Travel Weekend – July 3-5
Designed to take you on a journey through time, be transported into the ever-popular BBC series Doctor Who on July 3rd at 7 p.m., where Whovians are invited to dress as their favorite characters and enjoy trivia, giveaways, and photo opportunities with fellow Tardis Riders. On July 4 at 10 a.m., young paleontologists can travel back millions of years with Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark, and on July 5 at 2 p.m., fans of Diana Galbadon’s Outlander series can gather to discuss the romance of time traveling.
DC Comics Days – July 8-12
If you have a cape, this is the time to wear it. It is a promise that Batgirl will be making an appearance at some point - that is if she can still fit into her costume from Halloween. Expect special offers on DC Comics graphic novels and free Young Gotham comic samplers and posters, while supplies last.
Harper Lee Celebration – July 13-14
On July 13, all Barnes & Noble stores nationwide will read Harper Lee’s classic To Kill a Mockingbird from start to finish in anticipation of the release of Go Set a Watchman on July 14, where stores will open early at 7 a.m. with the first 20 customers to purchase the book, getting a free exclusive To Kill a Mockingbird reusable tote, not to mention a free tall coffee in the café.
Minions Fun – July 17
Expect lots of yellow at this event, as fans can become certified Minions and attend Villain-Con with an opportunity to search for the most despicable villain to follow. Sign up ASAP as there is a limit of 100 participants. Event starts at 7 p.m.
Star Wars Saturday – July 18
May the force be with you as Star Wars fans of all ages unite for exclusive products, activities, cosplay, trivia and a chance to win a Star Wars character standee. No word yet if it is a slave Princess Leia.
Dr. Seuss Spectacular – July 28 & July 31
Thanks to the newly discovered Dr. Seuss book What Pet Should I Get?, kids of all ages are invited to a special Storytime event at 7 p.m. on July 28 featuring some furry friends from Reading Paws. Then on July 31, Get Pop-Cultured ends with a Dr. Seuss Spectacular, celebrating all things Theodor Seuss Geisel!
Other events include: Comic Convention Collectibles (July 9-12), Manga Mania (July 19), Fangirl Friday (July 24), Vinyl Day (July 25), and James Patterson Day (July 26).
For more information and specific details for your local Barnes & Noble location, visit bn.com/getpop-cultured or stay tuned to CL online as events (and my costumes) develop!
Meredith Myers, the "Stand-Up Librarian," has a Masters degree in Library & Information Sciences from USF and has been performing stand-up comedy since 2002 after checking out a comedy book from her local library. Binding her experiences in comedy and libraries, she created StandUpLibrarian.com in 2010 to educate and entertain people about the importance of libraries and literacy through literary comedy shows that she performs at libraries and book events across the country. In 2012, she launched Stand-Up Librarian Designs, creating literary fashions inspired by her favorite books and authors that she sells at her shows and Etsy shop. Meredith also works as a cataloging librarian and is a volunteer for the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and a contributing writer for Creative Loafing Tampa.
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