• Juntando Orillas: Documentary Pre-screening

    18th Street Casa de Cultura 2057 West 18th Street, Chicago, IL, United States

    Pre-screening of the documentary “Juntando Orillas,” followed by a Q&A session with the director, producers, and protagonists.

  • Book Release: They Call You Back by Tim Hernandez

    18th Street Casa de Cultura 2057 West 18th Street, Chicago, IL, United States

    Join us for a book presentation and celebration for They Call You Back (University of Arizona Press) by Tim Hernandez. A haunting, an obsession, a calling: Tim Z. Hernandez has been searching for people his whole life. Now, in this highly anticipated memoir, he takes us along on an investigative odyssey through personal and collective...

  • Lit & Luz Literary Festival 2024

    The 2024 Chicago Lit & Luz Festival, Saturation/ Saturación, returns with a fantastic roster of writers and artists from the US and Mexico. The weeklong series of free events begins...

  • Roots and Flowers: Uruguayan Women Poets, Past and Present | Raíces y flores: Poetas uruguayas del pasado y del presente  

    Una celebración de la larga e importante tradición poética de las mujeres uruguayas. Las poetas uruguayas Silvia Goldman y Silvia Guerra compartirán su poesía y la poesía de sus madres y abuelas poéticas en una lectura bilingüe con las poetas y traductoras Mary Hawley y Jesse Lee Kercheval. A celebration of the long and important...

  • Exhibit B @ PCB – Nov. ’24

    Pilsen Community Books 1102 W 18th St., Chicago, Illinois, United States

    ExB's last show of 2024! Sam Herschel Wein, Emily Anna Maciel Gonzalez, Sarah Peecher and Emilio Maldonado will be joining Exhibit B at Pilsen Community Books for an evening of readings and community. Artist Bios: Sarah Peecher is a poet living, working, and teaching undergraduate writing in Chicago. She's been a reader for Unwoven Literary Magazine,...

  • ¡SLAM EN VIVO!

    18th Street Casa de Cultura 2057 West 18th Street, Chicago, IL, United States

    A la mitad de nuestra serie ¡SLAM EN VIVO! Todxs tenemos poemas, todxs tenemos algo que decir, compartalo en este espacio de juego, apego, y fuego 🔥 No importa que nunca hayas compartido tus versos, solo necesitas dos poemas para participar (all styles welcome!) Como siempre, tenemos un Juez de Honor increible: Carlos Cumpian 💥...

    Free
  • HIPPY HOLY DAZE 7

    Elastic Arts 3429 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago, Illinois, United States

    Host: QUEEN ZENOBIA Music: THESSELONIOUS Special Dance Showcase: FIREBIRD DANCERSDEVIKA DHIRVIVIANA REYES Guest star performances: THE GRATESSILIS101JOSH TREEHYPNAGOGIC TELEGRAM Featured performances: PUGS ATOMZHOBBYISTGREENLIGHTS MUSICBLUE COLLAR ROCK STARSYURI BASHO LANE - PLANET BTBXKAO RA ZEN

    $15
  • Power Lines 25th Anniversary Celebration w/ Poetry Foundation

    The Poetry Foundation 61 W Superior St, Chicago, United States

    Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Tia Chucha Press anthology Power Lines, a democratic assemblage of Chicago’s slam poets and poets of letters at the dawn of the new millennium. In a blast from the past, local and notable contributors revisit their original poems from the anthology and offer new poems and insight 25years later. Featured poets...

    Free
  • Cocktails & Conversation

    Epiphany Center for the Arts 201 South Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL, United States

    « All Events Cocktails & Conversation 05/30/2025 @ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT Epiphany Center for the Arts Eric Charles May Recently retired, Eric Charles May is an associate...

    $20 – $25
  • SAY THEIR NAMES Community Salon w/ NON:op

    Experimental Station 6100 S. Blackstone, Chicago, IL, United States

    Join us on June 6 at Experimental Station in Woodlawn as we remember Black Americans killed by police violence and honor the memory of Ronald Browne, lead researcher and one of the...

    $30
  • BrooksDay 2025: Living Legacy – Tradition Meets Tomorrow

    National Public Housing Museum 919 South Ada Street, Chicago, Illinois

    Join us for an unforgettable celebration on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 2pm as we honor the incredible legacy of Gwendolyn Brooks and the generations of Black female poets who continue her powerful tradition. Location: National Public Housing Museum919 S. Ada St., Chicago, Illinois 60607 The Living Legacy list shines a spotlight on the phenomenal...

    Free
  • Transvengence Pride Month

    Podlasie Club 2918 N Central Park Ave., Chicago, Illinois

    TRANSVENGENCE VOL. 8: LIBERATION BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY Host: Joss Barton Performers: Dutchesz Gemini Hi Bitch! The gorgeous and gifted Dutchesz Gemini is a Chicago based drag and performance artist,...

    Free
  • Palabra Pura: One Poet, One Poem

    La Bruquena Restaurant 2726 W. Division, Chicago, IL, United States

    ¡Anímate! The Guild Literary Complex is happy to announce that our annual Palabra Pura: One Poet, One Poem tradition is coming this July. All poets are welcome to perform a poem, whether it...

    Free
  • Fountain Square LitFest

    Fountain Square | 1601 Sherman Ave. | Evanston, IL Bookends & Beginnings and the Guild Literary Complex present an afternoon of literary celebration on Saturday, August 23rd, from 12-8pm. Immerse...

    Free
  • Transvengence Vol. 9: Queer Pop-up

    Podlasie Club 2918 N Central Park Ave., Chicago, Illinois

    Join us after Printers Row Lit Fest at Podlasie Club for TRANSVENGENCE: VOL. 9! Our regular show this month will close off the literary weekend with special performances following an...

    Free
  • ¡Slam Diáspora en Vivo!

    PACH 21 2141 W 21st St, Chicago, Illinois, United States

    The first and only Spanish language slam in Chicago returns in-person. Poets/participants have a chance to win a free international trip to compete in the international slam. Hosted by Crystal Vance Guerra and Luis Tubens "Logan Lu"

    $5
  • Women’s Writers Showcase

    Haymarket House 800 W. Buena Ave., Chicago, Illinois

    The Guild Complex and Haymarket Books feature six new books by six amazing, local self- identifying female authors, centering fiction, poetry and short stories about the magic of water, ancestral legacy, grief, longing and memory. A lineup not to be missed!

    $5
  • GBOMA 2025

    Epiphany Center for the Arts 201 South Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL, United States

    Come out and support the 2025 finalists for the Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA) as they perform their works live. 10/7, Epiphany Center for the Arts, 6:30 PM. $15/advance, $20/door.

    $15
  • ¡Slam Diáspora en Vivo!

    Taqueria El Mezquite 1756 W 18th St, Chicago, Illinois, United States

    The first and only Spanish language slam in Chicago returns in-person. Poets/participants have a chance to win a free international trip to compete in the international slam. Hosted by Crystal Vance Guerra and Luis Tubens "Logan Lu"

  • Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories

    Experimental Station 6100 S. Blackstone (take Dorchester to 61st street then head east; free street and lot parking), Chicago, IL, United States

    Join us on Halloween weekend for a presentation of the new anthology by From Beyond Press, Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories. Contributors Jotham Austin II, Bendi Barrett, Tina Jenkins Bell,...

  • Write That Down! Show & Tell

    Podlasie Club 2918 N Central Park Ave., Chicago, Illinois

    Write That Down! invites you to our first “Show and Tell” presented by Chicago’s Guild Literary Complex. SHOW a keepsake that’s dear to you, a favorite bit of junk, or...

  • ¡Slam Diáspora en Vivo!

    Taqueria El Mezquite 1756 W 18th St, Chicago, Illinois, United States

    The first and only Spanish language slam in Chicago returns in-person! Participants have a chance to win a trip to a Latin American country (TBD) to compete in the international...

  • ¡Slam Diáspora en Vivo!

    Taqueria El Mezquite 1756 W 18th St, Chicago, Illinois, United States

    Last chance! Join us for the final Slam Diáspora of 2025 - the first and only Spanish language slam in Chicago. Participants have a chance to win a trip to...

  • Transvengence Vol. 10: Holiday Edition

    Podlasie Club 2918 N Central Park Ave., Chicago, Illinois

    Join us again at Podlasie Club for our recurring open mic/performance series, TRANSVENGENCE VOL.10! Our regular show this month brings a special holiday twist with guest performances by Celeste, Noa...

  • Write That Down! Show & Tell

    Podlasie Club 2918 N Central Park Ave., Chicago, Illinois

    Write That Down! invites you to the second of our monthly “Show & Tell” series at Podlasie Club in partnership with Chicago’s Guild Literary Complex. SHOW a keepsake that’s dear...

  • Write That Down! Show & Tell

    Podlasie Club 2918 N Central Park Ave., Chicago, Illinois

    Write That Down! is hosting a very special LOVE themed Show & Tell for February! Bring a keepsake that celebrates love in your life be it platonic, romantic, or some...

  • MOJO&MUSE: A Performance Speakeasy

    Watershed Art & Ecology 1821 S. Racine Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

    Get ready to experience a night of magic and creativity at MOJO&MUSE – where art comes to life! A special speakeasy of art and community. Join us for an exciting...

  • Palabra Pura

    18th Street Casa de Cultura 2057 West 18th Street, Chicago, IL, United States

    Poetry open mic hosted by Diego Báez. Featuring performances by Angelica Julia Dávila, Loren Maria Guay, and Yazud E. Brito-Milian. Palabra Pura is a bilingual reading series that promotes literary...

    Free
  • Digital Archives of the Unseen: Artist Talk

    Walls Turned Sideways 2717 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL, United States

    Artist Talk: Memory, Erasure, and the Living Archive Interdisciplinary, interdimensional artist, writer, and ritual maker Faylita Hicks joins Walls Turned Sideways Gallery, a nationally recognized space centering art, justice, and...

    Free