Sullivan's Island goes 'Stark Raven Mad'

Celebrate the works of Edgar Allan Poe this month on Sullivan’s Island, where he was stationed for a year at Fort Moultrie. The University of South Carolina commemorates the 200th anniversary of Poe’s birth with a “Stark Raven Mad” duo of free events.

First up is a poetry reading and discussion about nature’s role in Poe’s work on Tues. Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. at Fort Moultrie. The role of nature in Poe’s work will be the focus of the event, and Nancy Vinson, water quality program director of the Coastal Conservation League, will open the evening at 6 p.m. with a talk on tidal marshes. South Carolina Poet Laureate Marjory Wentworth will follow by reading some of Poe’s poems. Children from Sullivan’s Island Elementary School will read as well.

Next up on Mon. Oct. 28 at 7 p.m., five poets from the Lowcountry area will gather at Poe’s Tavern for a reading of some Poe classics, as well as their own original works that were inspired by him.

Both events are free, and attendees will receive a copy of Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe.

For a complete list of events going on during the “Stark Raven Mad” celebration, visit artsinstitute.sc.edu.