10 Pulse Memory Events at the Downtown Public Library


From June 11 through June 15, the Orange County Library System joins Orlando in reflecting on the year that has passed since the shooting at LGBT nightclub Pulse. Join us for a series of events that celebrate diversity, show support for our community, and ask people to consider how Pulse has changed us.

Pulse Remembrance Through Music & Poetry
Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd.
Sunday, June 11, 2 p.m.
Local band Sugar City will perform their song “World of Love,” which was inspired by the Pulse tragedy and recorded at the Melrose Center. Local poets will read poems they composed in memory of the events of June 12, 2016.

Orlando United: Letters to Strangers
Hiawassee Branch, 7391 W. Colonial Drive
Monday, June 126–8 p.m.
Alafaya Branch, 12000 E. Colonial Drive
Wednesday, June 14, 7 p.m.
Join us on Orlando United Day to hand-write encouraging notes to be placed around the city or sent to someone in need of a boost. The World Needs More Love Letters is an organization that encourages everyone to write empowering and uplifting letters to strangers. For more information, visit moreloveletters.com.

Love Rocks
Winter Garden Branch, 850 E. Plant St., Winter Garden
Monday, June 12, 3:30 p.m.
Connect with others to paint river rocks with messages and symbols of love and kindness in honor of Orlando United Day.

Drag Queen Storytime – REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS FULL
Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd.
Monday, June 12, 5:30 p.m.
Impulse Group Orlando invites you and your family to attend a uniquely whimsical storytime! In the spirit of the City of Orlando and One Alliance's “Acts of Love & Kindness” movement, Impulse Group is bringing you Orlando's first Drag Queen Storytime. Join us for what promises to be a laugh-filled reading. Space is limited. Register at ocls.info/dragqueenstorytime.

Paint for Pulse
Alafaya Branch, 12000 E. Colonial Drive.
Tuesday, June 13, 7 p.m.
Commemorate the Pulse tragedy through art. Patrons are invited to paint their own piece of art to symbolize what the last year has meant to them and their community. Supplies will be provided. We invite the finished artwork to be put on display at the Alafaya Branch. Ages 16 and up.

L.O.V.E.: Lessons on Vulnerability and Empathy
Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd.
Wednesday, June 14, 6:30 p.m.
Participate in a discussion and craft about L.O.V.E.: Lessons on Vulnerability and Empathy. In order to build a better world, we must build a better self. Ages 18 and up.

Love YA!: A Celebration of Diverse Young Adult Literature
Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd.
Tuesday, June 13, 6 p.m.
Reflect on the events that have impacted our community and commemorate the Pulse tragedy with a panel discussion of diverse young adult authors including Alex Sanchez, Shaun David Hutchinson and Jenny Torres Sanchez, moderated by Lauren Gibaldi. Ages 13 and up. 

What Has Changed?
Orlando Public Library, 101 E. Central Blvd.
Thursday, June 156–7:45 p.m.
The Orlando Public Library hosts an art show that addresses the question What Has Changed? In April, local art-supply store Sam Flax put out a call to artists asking them to create works of art that reflect the artists’ feelings about what has changed since June 12, 2016, when 49 people were shot at LGBT nightclub Pulse. Sam Flax donated the art supplies that went into creating the pieces in this show, which will be on display at the library through July. The Orlando Gay Chorus will perform, followed by Latin guitar/percussionists Antone Affronti and Adalberto Bravo. Participants will be invited to make short videos of themselves discussing what they think has changed in our community over the past year.

Pulse:  One Year Later - In Their Own Words 
Melrose Center, 101 E. Central Blvd.
Thursday, June 15, 6:30 p.m.
Special presentation of renowned muralists Michael Pilato and Yuri Karabash's multi-canvas mural (work in progress) depicting victims, survivors and those who responded to the tragedy.  A behind-the-scenes account of the impact of the Pulse tragedy in our community as experienced by some of the very people who lived through it and are depicted in the mural. 

Pulse – One Year Later - In Your Own Words
Melrose Center, 101 E. Central Blvd.
Thursday, June 15, 6 p.m.
The public is invited to the Melrose Center Video Studio to share their stories about how the Pulse tragedy has impacted them and the community as a whole. Stories will be uploaded to the library’s Orlando Memory website, which documents the city’s history.