Star-Studded Lineup to Honor Legendary Author Judy Blume for Her 8Oth Birthday

It's an all-star celebration for Judy Blume's 80th birthday! Paying tribute to this beloved author are Samantha Bee (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee), Molly Ringwald (Riverdale), Tavi Gevinson (Rookie), Phoebe Robinson (2 Dope Queens), Chloë Sevigny (Big Love), Jenna Ushkowitz (Glee), and more in an evening with stories and readings from the tantalizing, naughty, and hilarious grown-up works that solidified Blume as a unique talent and often controversial literary figure. Hosted by Meg Wolitzer (The Interestings). Beginning at 6pm, the evening includes a rare NYC appearance by Blume herself.

Three generations of children have learned about sex, masturbation, menstruation, and divorce from the ground-breaking author. For this unforgettable evening, we handpicked juicy selections from Blume's novels. Including steamy, hilarious, and angsty sections from Wifey, performed by Samantha Bee, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, read by Molly Ringwald, and more. Adults only!

For younger readers we'll be hosting Judy Blumesday-Kids at 3pm, making this a full-day celebration. Kids aged 8-12 are welcome to join authors Jacqueline Woodson (Brown Girl Dreaming), Rachel Vail (Well, That Was Awkward), Blume's illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi, and Judy Blume herself!

Adults as well as children will recognize literary icon Judy Blume's titles, such as: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Superfudge; Blubber; Just As Long As We're Together; and Forever. She has also written the best-selling novels Wifey; Smart Women; and, Summer Sisters. More than 75 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into twenty-six languages. Blume is a longtime advocate of intellectual freedom. Finding herself at the center of an organized book-banning campaign in the 1980s she began to reach out to other writers, as well as teachers and librarians, who were under fire. Since then, she has worked tirelessly with the National Coalition Against Censorship to protect the freedom to read. She is the editor of Places I Never Meant To Be, Original Stories by Censored Writers.

WHEN: Sun, Feb 4 at 3:00 & 6:00PM

WHERE: Symphony Space 2537 Broadway at 95th Street

TICKETS: Full $26 and up; Member $22 and up; 30 & Under $16

Box Office: (212) 864-5400 / MORE INFO

Symphony Space's THALIA BOOK CLUB offers intimate conversations between writers and their readers. The series has featured best selling and critically acclaimed authors and continues to be one of the most popular series on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.