News and Events

Upcoming Engagements

Story Club, an open mic for stories
Where: Uncommon Ground Wrigleyville, 3800 N. Clark Street, Chicago
Thursday, July 7, 8pm - 10pm
Story Club is Chicago's best open mic for stories.
www.storyclubchicago.com

It's Alive! A Benefit for the Rebirth of Chicago Underground Library
Beauty Bar, 1444 W. Chicago, Chicago IL 60642

Sunday, July 24, 9pm - Monday, July 25, 2am
Featuring Chicago culture writers/DJs
www.thebeautybar.com

Poetry Slam Celebrates 25 Years
Hosted by slam originator Marc (So What!) Smith
Cabaret Metro, 3730 North Clark in Chicago
Saturday, July 30, 8pm - 10pm
Tickets are available through the Metro's box office or
www.chicagoslamworks.com

Ongoing Series of Slam History Salons at Chopin Theater
www.chopintheatre.com

Sunday Salon Chicago
Sunday, July 31, 8pm - 10pm
Uncommon Ground on Devon, 1401 W. Devon, Chicago
This month's featured literary organization, the Neighborhood Writing Alliance. Reservations in the listening room guarantee seating: (773) 465-9801.
www.uncommonground.com

Columbia Journal of Literature and Art
Please check website for submission information TBA.
www.columbiajournal.org/contests.htm

Pegasus Players Young Playwrights Festival
Please see website for details/dates TBA

www.pegasusplayers.org

24th Annual YPF Winning Plays:
Deliver Me From Evil
In this fever dream choreopoem, Magdelina journeys through a minefield of betrayal, emotional upheaval and rebirth.
by KAT BLACKBURN, Lincoln Park High School

The Nowehere People
Ernie gets caught up in his next door neighbor's quest to build a ghost machine.
by GABRIELLA BONAMICI, Whitney Young High School

Newberry Library Seminars Program- offers writing workshops for both beginning and advanced writers; discussion-based seminars on a variety of topics in philosophy, history, arts, music, languages, genealogy, and literature; and a good selection of "Chicago interest" seminars from Chicago playwrights to Chicago neighborhoods to the city's public art.

Printers Row Lit Fest- The Midwest's largest literary festival includes author readings and signings, panel discussions, kids' activities, food booths, book sales, and more.
Events at the Harold Washington Library Center require advance tickets.
June 9-10, 10am-5pm.

Newberry Library Book Fair- annual book sale offers 120,000-plus donated books in 70-some categories, many priced under $2. If you're there on Saturday, get up on your soapbox and hold forth on current issues at the Bughouse Square Debates, held in Washington Square Park, just across the street-and prepare be heckled (it's encouraged).
July 26-28;
Book fair Thu-Fri noon-8 PM and Sat-Sun 10 AM-6 PM.

Little City Book Fair: Billed as the largest used book sale in the Midwest, this annual sale also offers CDs, DVDs, comic books, and collectibles. Proceeds benefit the Little City Foundation, which supports children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin, Palatine, $10 donation on opening night, free thereafter.

57th Street Children's Book Fair: Dozens of booksellers and community organizations participate in this neighborhood book sale, which also features three stages of music, storytelling, and other kids' activities.
57th and Kimbark, 773-684-1300.

Chicago's Twenty-first Annual RHINOFEST
Chicago's longest-running, last-standing fringe festival is back in its 21st year, presenting a wild variety of fresh new solo performance, live art, avant-garde theatre and experimental music.
www.rhinofest.com

WordPlay
Starting September 2nd, YCA's weekly open mic for youth starts up again. As always, each show will have a writing workshop at 6PM, free pizza at 7PM, open mic at 7:30 and a RADICAL featured performer at 8:30.

WordPlay happens every Tuesday 6-9 p.m. (September through June) at Young Chicago Authors 1180 N. Milwauke

'In One Ear' Poetry Night
Wednesdays: 10 p.m.
Heartland Cafe - 7000 N. Glenwood Ave. - Chicago (Rogers Park)
Five-minute performances range from spoken word and poetry to music and visual art.

Uptown Poetry Slam with Marc Smith
The Green Mill
Sundays, 7:00-10:00 pm
4802 N. Broadway, Chicago

Loose Leaf Tea Loft
Tuesdays, poetry open mic
4229 N. Lincoln Ave, Chicago
7:30 PM

Fourth Sundays, RHINO Poetry Workshops
and peer exchange sponsored by RHINO/the Poetry Forum
Evanston Public Library
Church & Orrington
1:30-4:30 -- Room 108

Open Mic for Poets, Musicians, Storytellers & Other Performers!
3rd Saturday Coffeehouse:
The Unity Temple
875 Lake Street, in Downtown Oak Park