April is National Poetry Month, and nowhere in the world is the poetry scene so vibrant than it is in Chicago. Here is a detailed list of National Poetry Month events happening in Chicago, courtesy of CJ Laity, Publisher of ChicagoPoetry.com. Events are listed by venue and are updated frequently.
If you have a Poetry Month event and you would like it listed on this page, send the information to Publisher@ChicagoPoetry.com
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NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS OF POETRY FOR CRAM VOLUME 11
TO BE GIVEN AWAY FREE AT THE BIG POETRY MONTH FESTIVAL
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Poetry Month Open Mic
When Fri, April 1, 7pm – 9pm
Where Highland Park Arts Center, 1957 Sheridan Road (side entrance), Highland Park, IL
Description Our Poetry Month celebration kicks off with a special reading by the adult poets selected by our judges from submissions to the 2011 Poetry Challenge focusing on Rhyme & Time. This reading is followed by our regular monthly open-mic. Poets may bring up to 6 poems to share in the open-mic. Everyone is welcome to attend.
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Enemies of Silence: a night of poetry & performance
Fri, April 1, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Where Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington
Description Celebrating the power of women’s resilience and resistance in the face of violence, Rape Victim Advocates (RVA) presents a night of performances by local luminaries. This one-of-a-kind event draws on the fierce joy of survival to kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2011. Featured artists include Kristiana Colon, Misty De Berry, KrisDeLaRash, Marty McConnell, Lani Montreal, Coya Paz, Patience Rowe and Sarwat Rumi! This event is presented in conjunction with the exhibition Off the Beaten Path: Violence, Women and Art. The free program series for the exhibition considers the global issue of violence against women through a series of innovative local programs organized by the Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women & Gender in the Arts & Media; Rape Victim Advocates; and The Voices and Faces Project. This event is free and open to the public.
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April Fools Day Salon
When Fri, April 1, 8:00pm – 11:30pm
Where ACM HQ, 2608 W. Diversey Ave, #202
Description RSVP REQUIRED at: editors at anotherchicagomagazine dot net. The crowd will be capped at 80, so be certain to RSVP PROMPTLY. $10 suggested donation (or more if you’re feeling generous). Free booze. Featuring Patrick Culliton, Yvonne Strumecki, Alexander York, Jen Moore, Ryan
Kenealy, & Chris Bower.
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Uptown Poetry Slam
When Sun, April 3, 7pm – 10pm
Where Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway Ave, (773) 878-5552 (map)
Description Where the Poetry Slam began.
Every Sunday evening from 7 to 10 PM: 7 PM open mic, 8 PM slam, 9 PM featured guests. $7 cover
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Weeds Poetry Open Mic
When Mon, April 4, 10:00pm – 11:59pm
Where Weeds, 1555 N. Dayton (map)
Description Adult Only Poetry Open Mic hosted by Gregorio Gomez. One of the longest running poetry open mics in the city of Chicago.
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Poetry Off the Shelf: Seeing Things
When Tue, April 5, 6pm – 7pm
Where Rubloff Auditorium, Art Institute of Chicago, 230 South Columbia Drive (after-hours entrance)
Description Mary Karr. Free admission. Award-winning poet and best-selling memoirist Mary Karr has drawn universal acclaim from sources as diverse as The Nation, Vogue, and USA Today. Her latest memoir, Lit, was an immediate bestseller and widely hailed as one of the best books of 2009. Karr is the Jesse Truesdell Peck Professor of Literature at Syracuse University and was the weekly poetry editor for the Washington Post Book World’s “Poet’s Choice” column. Co-sponsored with the Art Institute of Chicago
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Chad Sweeney and William Olsen read at Series A
When Wed, April 6, 7pm – 8pm
Where Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Avenue
Description Come hear Chad Sweeney & William Olsen read from their work. Byob. Free parking. Easy public transit access. (Note: the reading starts and ends on time because the HPAC closes at 8.) For more info: series-a.org
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Encyclopedia Show
When Wed, April 6, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Where Vittum Theatre, 1012 N Noble St,
Description Tickets at the door. $8 Adults, $5 Students. All ages. www.encyclopediashow.com
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In One Ear at Heartland
When Wed, April 6, 10:00pm – 11:59pm
Where Heartland Cafe, 7000 N. Glenwood Ave, 773-465-8000 (map)
Description Sign up @ 9:30pm, The show begins at 10:15pm, steps away from Chicago's Red Line 'Morse' 'L' stop. For all poets, musicians, comedians, performers and patient listeners interested in the second longest running open mic in Chicago! Cover is $3.
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CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THE GWENDOLYN BROOKS WRITERS CONFERENCE FROM APRIL 7 THRU 9
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LGBT Poetry Reading & Panel Discussion
When
Fri, April 8, 7:00pm – 9:30pm
Where Center On Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted
Description On Friday, April 8th, 2011, the Center on Halsted observes National Poetry Month with a reading by LGBT poets (and a panel discussion) from 7-9:30 pm in the Hoover Leppen Theater and Irving Harris Reception Hall. The event will feature readings from poets Adam W. Hart, LeVan D. Hawkins, Marty McConnell, Robert McDonald, Betsy Merbitz, Nikki Patin, Gregg Shapiro, and avery r. young. The event is free and open to the public, though space for the performance/panel is limited. Reservations are highly recommended. Please RSVP to culture@centeronhalsted.org
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Rhino Release Reading
When
Sun, April 10, 2pm – 4pm
Where
home of Ralph Hamilton, 630 Clinton Place, Evanston (map)
Description free reading at private residence
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Woman Made Gallery
When Sun, April 10, 2pm – 4pm
Where Woman Made Gallery, 685 N. Milwaukee Ave. (map)
Description This reading will feature women writers with a notable record of publishing and other accomplishments. Participating readers include Susan Elbe, Rachel Contreni Flynn, Duriel Harris, Kathleen Kirk, Kristy Odelius, and Dee Sweet. The event is free to the public, but donations to the refreshment table are appreciated.
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Uptown Poetry Slam
When Sun, April 10, 7pm – 10pm
Where Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway Ave, (773) 878-5552 (map)
Description Where the Poetry Slam began.
Every Sunday evening from 7 to 10 PM: 7 PM open mic, 8 PM slam, 9 PM featured guests. $7 cover
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Molly Malone's Poetry and Fiction Open Mic
When Mon, April 11, 7:30pm – 10:00pm
Where Molly Malone's, 7652 W. Madison Street, Forest Park, 708-366-8073 (map)
Description 2nd Monday of the month Poetry/fiction open mic with feature, $3 to $5 donation.Hosts Nina Corwin and Al DeGenova invite you to the Molly Malone's Open Mic and Reading Series. 7:00 -- open mic sign-up begins / 7:30 -- open mic (5 minutes per reader) / 9:00 -- featured reader.
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Casual Reading Opportunity
When Mon, April 11, 8:30pm – 9:30pm
Where Brando's Speakeasy, 343 S Dearborn (map)
Description Casual Reading Opportunity literay open mic series at Brando's Speakeasy (343 S Dearborn, second Monday monthly @ 8:30pm).
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Weeds Poetry Open Mic
When Mon, April 11, 10:00pm – 11:59pm
Where Weeds, 1555 N. Dayton (map)
Description Adult Only Poetry Open Mic hosted by Gregorio Gomez. One of the longest running poetry open mics in the city of Chicago.
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Safe Smiles At Trace Open Mic
When
Tue, April 12, 10:00pm – 11:59pm
Where
Trace, 3714 N Clark St (at Waveland Ave, 773-477-3400 (map)
Description Every second Tuesday. Performance Poetry Open Mic with Polyrythmic Collective. Nov 9, featuring Maya Marshal; Dec 14, featuring Korim Storm (poet from Austin by way of Madison). 10pm, 3 bux...
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Lounder Than A Bomb movie showing
When Wed, April 13, 6pm – 8pm
Where Harold Washington Library Center, Video Theater, Lower Level, 400 S. State Street (map)
Description Louder Than a Bomb tells the story of four Chicago high school poetry teams as they prepare to compete in the world’s largest youth slam. By turns hopeful and heartbreaking, the film captures the turbulent lives of these unforgettable kids, exploring the ways writing shapes their world, and vice versa. Louder Than a Bomb is not about “high school poetry” as we often think of it. It’s about language as a joyful release and irrepressibly talented teenagers obsessed with making words dance. While the topics they tackle are often deeply personal, what they put into their poems—and what they get out of them—is universal: the defining work of finding one’s voice. Winner of eleven film festival prizes, including seven audience awards, the film has been selected for the 2011 American Documentary Showcase and will have its television premiere later this year as part of the Oprah Winfrey Network’s “OWN Documentary Club.”
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Poetry Workshop w/ Cin Salach
When Wed, April 13, 6pm – 7pm
Where Bezazian Library, 1226 W. Ainslie Street (map)
Description The Poetry Committee and the Bezazian Branch of the Chicago Public Library welcome local poet cin salach for a very special two-part CityVerse poetry writing workshop. Part one focuses on writing and part two will concentrate on revising the work created during the first week. Please bring paper and pen.
cin salach has collaborated with musicians, video artists, dancers and photographers for over 20 years in such groups as The Loofah Method, Betty’s Mouth and ten tongues. Her first book, Looking for a Soft Place to Land, was published by Tia Chucha Press. She has been widely published in journals and anthologies, most recently, Starting Today: 100 Poems for Obama’s First 100 Days, Iowa Press. An Illinois Arts Council recipient and four-time Ragdale fellow, cin is also co-founder of Words@Play, a joint project with the Chicago Park District and the Children’s Humanities Festival. A recent Emmy nominee for her voice-over and on-screen narration of the PBS documentary “From Schoolboy to Showgirl”, cin is living happily ever after in Andersonville, memorizing the works of Dr. Seuss and performing them for her young son, Leo.
Registration:
Due to limited space registration is required. Please note that registration assumes one will attend both sessions. Please call the branch at (312) 744-6022or come in to register.
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Poetry Writing Workshop with Rachel Flynn
When Wed, April 13, 6pm – 7pm
Where Near North Library, 310 W. Division Street (map)
Description The Poetry of Witness: Writing Poems from Our Times
We have all lived through times of political and cultural change and have experienced them in our own personal ways. Our families have histories that are part of the history of this country and of the countries our ancestors came from. This workshop looks at some poems of “witness” – those poems that describe and explore history from a social and personal perspective – and will help inspire us to write our own poems that witness the changes, hardships, and triumphs we’ve experienced as part of our society. Many poems of witness are those of struggle, but many also describe hard-won success. Many poems of witness address social, racial, or cultural traditions head-on, while others approach these topics from a more day-to-day perspective in poems that show how ordinary people live through extraordinary times. We’ll read, write, discuss, write some more, and enjoy artwork and music of witness to spark our creative spirits. This workshop is for everyone who has a story to tell and share through poetry.
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Elizabeth's Crazy Little Thing Open Mic!
When
Wed, April 13, 10:00pm – 11:59pm
Where
Phyllis' Musical Inn, 1800 W Division (map)
Description Come see our feature Judith Wiker!
Perform at the open mic!
The theme will be "Trials by fire and trails of tears."
Interpret as literally or figuratively as you wish.
Judith Wiker lives in a suburb of Chicago. She has been a teacher of art and creative development at College of DuPage and remains an artist, writer, poet and singer/songwriter. She is currently in private practice and a consultant to physicians and psychologists in the field of Integrative Medicine.
Her collection of poems “Children of Fire” was released in 2009. Her upcoming collection “BEAT" is due out in the Spring. She is also working on a music album and has released 4 songs that appear on Itunes.
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In One Ear at Heartland
When
Wed, April 13, 10:00pm – 11:59pm
Where Heartland Cafe, 7000 N. Glenwood Ave, 773-465-8000 (map)
Description Sign up @ 9:30pm, The show begins at 10:15pm, steps away from Chicago's Red Line 'Morse' 'L' stop. For all poets, musicians, comedians, performers and patient listeners interested in the second longest running open mic in Chicago! Cover is $3.
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Identity and Dislocation: Achy Obejas
When
Thu, April 14, 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Where Lower-Level Classroom, Library; Northeastern Illinois University Main Campus, 5500 N St. Louis Ave (map)
Description A foremost Cuban-American author, Achy Obejas writes groundbreaking and provocative fiction, poetry and journalism. The recipient of two Lambda Literary awards, the Studs Terkel Award for Media and Journalism, a Pulitzer Prize for team journalism and several Peter Lisagor awards, Obejas explores identity, memory and migration in immigrant, LGBTQ, Jewish and women’s communities. She is the Chicago-based, world-renowned author of ...We Came All the Way from Cuba So You Could Dress Like This? (1994), Memory Mambo (1996), Days of Awe (2001), Havana Noir (2007), This is What Happened in Our Life (2007) and Ruins (2009) and has published in venues such as Revista Chicano-Riqueña, Review: Literature and Arts of the Americas, Washington Post, Vocalo, Indiana Review and Third Woman. She is Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz Chair in Latin American and Latino Studies and the Department of English at DePaul University.
We are thrilled to host "Identity and Dislocation" at NEIU. The talk will be followed by a lively Q&A. Refreshments will be served. Free parking available on the 4th and 5th levels of the main parking garage.
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La Esquina Del Poeta [Poet's Corner] open mic
When
Thu, April 14, 7pm – 9pm
Where NEIU - El Centro Campus, 3119 N. Pulaski Rd (map)
DescriptionIn honor of poetry month El Centro would like to invite everyone to it's open mic session. If you are a SPOKEN WORD ARTIST or POET then celebrate with us the art of expressive thought. The commencement of the evening will begin with our feature, Poet IasEL.
IasEL, is a spoken word artist/poet from the Logan Square/Humboldt Park area. In January of 2010 he co-founded and is the host of a monthly community open mic, Ponce At-Nite. IasEL is the producer/host of La Voz Del Barrio, an positive showcase of live music fused with spoken word. IasEL is a member of Yolanda Nieves', Vida Bella Ensemble and of the Buena Risa Social Club, a all Latino comedy sketch group.
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August Kleinzahler, Maureen McLane, Tom Pickard
When
Fri, April 15, 7pm – 10pm
Where The (New) Corpse, 1511 N. Milwaukee Ave. 2nd Floor (map)
Description Part of the Chicago Poetry Project’s short symposium on the work of British poet Roy Fisher.
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BIG POETRY SHOW!!!
When
Sat, April 16, 5pm – 7pm
Where
Cafe Mestizo, 1738 w 18 street (map)
Description CJ Laity will be a featured reader for Vito's show, reading from his new novel Point Nemo. And all Stella Vinitchi Radulescu will be celebrating the release of her new book, all seeds & blues. Also featuring Luis Humberto Valadez and Kim Berez. There will be an open mic.
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Poetry Off the Shelf
When Sat, April 16, 7pm – 8pm
Where Curtiss Hall, 410 South Michigan Avenue (map)
Description Poetry Off the Shelf: Ari Brown, Reginald Gibbons, Mabel Kwan, Christina Pugh, Ed Roberson, and Rachel Jamison Webster. $20; $10 students and seniors. Tickets go on sale to the public March 16; PianoForte members can purchase tickets now by calling 312.291.0291
Chicago poets and musicians present an evening in the arts. Ari Brown, a composer, arranger, and educator who has played with Chuck Berry, B.B. King, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, provides music inspired by the poetry of Christina Pugh and Ed Roberson. Pianist Mabel Kwan connects the words of Reginald Gibbons and Rachel Jamison Webster to her contemporary and exploratory music background. Kwan is a founder of the duo Nothing in Common and a member of Ensemble Dal Niente. Co-sponsored with PianoForte Foundation
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Tim Yu
When Sat, April 16, 7pm – 8pm
Where Myopic Books, 1564 N. Milwaukee Ave (map)
Description Free poetry reading.
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3rd Saturday Coffeehouse: Dorothy Terry
When Sat, April 16, 7:30pm – 10:00pm
Where Unity Temple, 875 Lake Street, Oak Park (map)
Description Open Mic sign up 7:30 / Open Mic 8 / Feature at 9. Dorothy Terry. Charlie Rossiter host. We are acoustic--no equipment provided. $3-$5 donation. Wheelchair accessible. Info at 708-660-9376.
Join us at 3rd Saturday Coffeehouse Open Mic Night
on April 16 featuring Chicago-area poet Dorothy Terry
Ms. Terry’s poetry has been published in The Thing about Second Chances,
Polyphony Press, Chicago; InPrint, Persiflage Press, Chicago; Zocalo,
Oaxaca, Mexico.; InPrint, Newberry Library, Chicago and most recently,
Oaxaca: Manana y Noche, Chicago. She was selected as an annual Newberry
reader in 2004, representing Brooke Bergan¹s workshop. She has been
writing poetry for many of her 80+ years, and currently lives with her
cat, Hermione.
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Uptown Poetry Slam
When
Sun, April 17, 7pm – 10pm
Where Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway Ave, (773) 878-5552 (map)
Description Where the Poetry Slam began.
Every Sunday evening from 7 to 10 PM: 7 PM open mic, 8 PM slam, 9 PM featured guests. $7 cover
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Poetry Workshop with Alice George: Writing (Part One)
When
Mon, April 18, 6pm – 7pm
Where Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue (map)
Description The Poetry Committee and Sulzer Regional Library welcome Alice George for a special two-part CityVerse poetry writing workshop. Part One will focus on brainstorming and writing with Part Two concentrating on revising and improving the work created during the first session. Please bring paper and a pen/pencil.
Alice George's first collection, This Must Be The Place, was published by Mayapple Press in 2008. Alice teaches poetry to students in K-12 classrooms independently and through Columbia College’s Project Aim and Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development. She is also an instructor in the University of Chicago’s Graham School Certificate in Creative Writing program. George's work appears in eight anthologies, most recently 'Mentor and Muse' (SIU Press, 2010) and “Brute Neighbors: urban poetry, prose and photography” (DePaul Humanities Center, 2011). More information about Alice George's writing, teaching and art can be found at www.alicegeorge.org.
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Weeds Poetry Open Mic
When Mon, April 18, 10:00pm – 11:59pm
Where Weeds, 1555 N. Dayton (map)
Description Adult Only Poetry Open Mic hosted by Gregorio Gomez. One of the
longest running poetry open mics in the city of Chicago.
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Poetry Writing Workshop with Rachel Flynn
When Wed, April 20, 6pm – 7pm
Where Near North Library, 310 W. Division Street (map)
Description The Poetry of Witness: Writing Poems from Our Times
We have all lived through times of political and cultural change and have experienced them in our own personal ways. Our families have histories that are part of the history of this country and of the countries our ancestors came from. This workshop looks at some poems of “witness” – those poems that describe and explore history from a social and personal perspective – and will help inspire us to write our own poems that witness the changes, hardships, and triumphs we’ve experienced as part of our society. Many poems of witness are those of struggle, but many also describe hard-won success. Many poems of witness address social, racial, or cultural traditions head-on, while others approach these topics from a more day-to-day perspective in poems that show how ordinary people live through extraordinary times. We’ll read, write, discuss, write some more, and enjoy artwork and music of witness to spark our creative spirits. This workshop is for everyone who has a story to tell and share through poetry.
Please join us on April 13th and begin writing your own poems of witness and join us for the follow-up workshop on April 20th to discuss and revise your work
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Poetry Month at Book Cellar
When Wed, April 20, 7pm – 8pm
Where Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave (map)
Description Local Author Night becomes Local Poet Night, with readings by Robert McDonald, Richard Fox, Katie Phillips and Larry Baker.
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Guild Complex
When Wed, April 20, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Where Humboldt Park's La Bruquena, 2726 W. Division (map)
Description Palabra Pura curated by David Hernandez, featuring his poetry band Street Sounds and other Latino writers, 7:30pm, La Bruquena, 2726 W. Division, free
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Words That Kill
When Thu, April 21, 7pm – 10pm
Where Creative Lounge, 1564 N. Damen Ave 3rd Fl., (map)
Description Lethal Poetry Presents W O R D S T H A T K I L L - a comedy / poetry series & omni-slam featuring local, national touring, and award winning comedians and poets every 3rd Thursday. Doors / Sign-up 7 PM / 7:30 - Open Mic / 8:00 - Poetry/ Comedy Showcase / 9:00 - Omni-Slam: open to all language-based arts. Theatrics and props are encouraged! !!!ALL AGES!!! Admission: $5 or FREE with canned goods donation.
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Arlington Poetry Project-Open Reading
When Sat, April 23, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Where Borders, 1540 Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL (map)
Description The reading is the 4th Saturday of the month. Arlington Poetry Project-Open Reading. 3 Rounds-Approximately 5 poems. Family friendly although some adult subject matter is read. Kids are encouraged to read. Read original work or covers.
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Uptown Poetry Slam
When Sun, April 24, 7pm – 10pm
Where Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway Ave, (773) 878-5552 (map)
Description Where the Poetry Slam began.
Every Sunday evening from 7 to 10 PM: 7 PM open mic, 8 PM slam, 9 PM featured guests. $6 cover
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Poetry Workshop with Alice George: Revising (Part Two)
When
Mon, April 25, 6pm – 7pm
Where
Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue (map)
DescriptionThe Poetry Committee and Sulzer Regional Library have welcomed Alice George for a special two-part CityVerse poetry writing workshop. Part One focused on brainstorming and writing. Part Two concentrates on revising and improving the work created during the first session. This Revising Workshop is for those who attended the Writing Workshop on April 18. Please bring paper and a pen/pencil.
Alice George's first collection, This Must Be The Place, was published by Mayapple Press in 2008. Alice teaches poetry to students in K-12 classrooms independently and through Columbia College’s Project Aim and Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development. She is also an instructor in the University of Chicago’s Graham School Certificate in Creative Writing program. George's work appears in eight anthologies, most recently 'Mentor and Muse' (SIU Press, 2010) and “Brute Neighbors: urban poetry, prose and photography” (DePaul Humanities Center, 2011). More information about Alice George's writing, teaching and art can be found at www.alicegeorge.org.
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Weeds Poetry Open Mic
When
Mon, April 25, 10:00pm – 11:59pm
Where
Weeds, 1555 N. Dayton (map)
Description Adult Only Poetry Open Mic hosted by Gregorio Gomez. One of the longest running poetry open mics in the city of Chicago.
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"Write From the Heartland"WhenSaturday, Apr 30 thru May 1
Where The Cenacle, 513 Fullerton Parkway (map)
Description "Write From the Heartland" at The Cenacle, 513 Fullerton Parkway, Chicago, April 29-May 1, 2011. Gregorio Gomez will be our keynote poet, giving a FREE reading and presentation on 4/30 at 7:30-8:30p.m. The reading is Free, but reservations are necessary due to limited space. Contact Catherine Conway at www.heartspeaklisten.org or poemsheal@sbcglobal.net if interested in attending the writers workshop, ask questions or reserve a seat for the poet's reading. More info about the three day conference to come.
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SATURDAY APRIL 30
HAROLD WASHINGTON LIBRARY, POETRY FEST, 10 AM TO 4 PM
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National Poetry Month Cram
When Sat, April 30, 7pm – 9pm
Where Cafe Ballou, 939 N. Western Ave. (map)
Description National Poetry Month Cram
Saturday, April 30, 7 to 9 PM
(following the big poetry fest)
Café Ballou, 939 N. Western Ave.
Everyone gets a free copy of Poetry Cram Volume 11
Cram 11 Poets read, plus open mic!
Hosted by CJ Laity
visit http://poetrycram.com
NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS OF POETRY FOR CRAM VOLUME 11
TO BE GIVEN AWAY FREE AT THE BIG POETRY MONTH FESTIVAL
