The Big Read / Bleed

The month-long celebration of reading and community, Irving’s Big Read, will kick off from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 1 with The Big Bleed: Books or Blood donation drive. Bring a book to donate to the Friends of Irving Public Library or donate blood at the Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd. Participants will receive a free lunch and will learn about Irving’s Big Read initiative. Local Poe enthusiast Darius Frasure, spoken word artist Will Richey, and the band Faint Image will entertain the audience performing works by Edgar Allan Poe. For more information, call (972) 721-2606.