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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260607T143000
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DTSTAMP:20260605T040600Z
CREATED:20260316T071712Z
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SUMMARY:BrooksDay @ American Writers Festival
DESCRIPTION:Join the Guild Literary Complex’s annual celebration of Gwendolyn Brooks\, held every year on her birthday\, June 7th.\n\n\nSince 2013\, BrooksDay has been a marquee event in the Guild’s yearly calendar with many literary\, cultural\, and civic leaders from Chicago—and beyond—taking the stage to celebrate and honor Gwendolyn Brooks\, former poet laureate of Illinois and the first African American poet to win the Pulitzer Prize. \nBrooksDay honors her legacy as an artist and an iconic figure of generosity and civic conscience in Chicago and the nation. \n  \nPresented by: American Writers Museum\nBrooksDay 2026: Children Celebrate Gwendolyn Brooks \n2:30 pm – 3:10 pm \nFeatured writers: Nora Brooks Blakely and young writers \nLed by author and educator Nora Brooks Blakely\, the daughter of Gwendolyn Brooks\, young scholars take the stage as part of BrooksDay. Hear presentations by young people ages 5-11\, representing Brooks-related schools and groups. Fun and inspiring for the whole family! \nBrooksDay is the Guild Literary Complex’s annual celebration of Gwendolyn Brooks\, held every year on June 7th\, the anniversary of her birth. This year\, they take the stage at the American Writers Festival to honor her legacy as an artist and an iconic figure of generosity and civic conscience in Chicago and the nation. Presented in partnership with Brooks Permissions and the Guild Literary Complex. \n  \nBrooksDay 2026: Gen Z Celebrates Gwendolyn Brooks \n3:30 pm – 4:30 pm \nFeatured writers: Brooks Permissions and the Guild Literary Complex \nBrooksDay is the Guild Literary Complex’s annual celebration of Gwendolyn Brooks\, held every year on June 7th\, the anniversary of her birth. This year\, they take the stage at the American Writers Festival to honor her legacy as an artist and an iconic figure of generosity and civic conscience in Chicago and the nation. Presented in partnership with Brooks Permissions and the Guild Literary Complex. \nFULL SCHEDULE
URL:https://guildcomplex.org/event/brooksday-2026/
LOCATION:Harold Washington Library Center\, Chicago Public Library\, 400 South State Street\, Chicago\, IL\, 60605\, United States
CATEGORIES:BrooksDay
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260614T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260614T220000
DTSTAMP:20260605T034928Z
CREATED:20260316T071713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T034928Z
UID:14026-1781467200-1781474400@guildcomplex.org
SUMMARY:Transvengence Vol. 12
DESCRIPTION:Join us during Pride Month for TRANSVENGENCE\, our bimonthly open mic and performance series\n  \nREVENGE OF THE DOLLS\nHosted by Joss Barton \nFeaturing Ava Mirage Wanbli & Eris \n  \nDoors: 7PM \nOpen Mic: 8PM \nPerformances: 8:30PM \n\n\n  \nFeatured Performers\n\n \nAva Mirage Wanbli\n\n\nAva Mirage Wanbli (b.1989) is a Chicago based new media performance artist. Her work addresses consumption and production of self through interdisciplinary practices in performance art\, new media video animations\, and experimental video game development. Ava draws from her fascination on 3D scanning to archive her body while expanding on dialogues around hyper sexualization\, voyeurism\, labor\, and self constructed mythologies as a trans woman. She has performed and exhibited at the Supernova Digital Animation Festival in Denver\, CO\, The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Madison\, Wisconsin\, Chicago Artist Coalition\, and at the Depaul Art Museum in Chicago. She has received the Make A W ave Artist Award from 3Arts organization in Chicago. She has been featured as one of the ten New City 2024 Breakout Artists of Y ear in Chicago.  \nShe currently is focused on how ritualized actions operate as psychological contracts of embodied communion across mythologized presence within live performance art\, voice as signal\, digital world building\, and activated sculptures as bodily expansion \n\n\n \n\n \nEris\nProfessional succubus by day\, exclusive girlfriend to many by night. A lover of all things sensual and chaotic\, Eris blends the alluring darkness of a supercilious showgirl with the delicate charm of a southern belle serving flaky biscuits with a side of cinnamon honey butter. Yes\, I know you’re drooling and shame has no place in this temple.My artistry explores the tender layering of the histories of Black womanhood\, malleability of trans identity\, my commitment to faith and Spirit\, and embracing the erotic as roads for transformation\, which can only bloom from experience. Blending showgirl performance \, ancestral and orisha-based veneration\, spoken word\, and dance Eris is packaged and inspired by the mystique of self-determination: favor of the martyr leads resurrection of one’s highest self.This performance will be an insight into my personal journey with glamour\, rage\, sisterhood\, affirmation\, and grace.
URL:https://guildcomplex.org/event/transvengence-vol-12/
LOCATION:Podlasie Club\, 2918 N Central Park Ave.\, Chicago\, Illinois\, 60618
CATEGORIES:Press Room,Transvengence
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260618T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260618T200000
DTSTAMP:20260605T144141Z
CREATED:20260605T034743Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T144141Z
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SUMMARY:Fuller Award: Ed Roberson
DESCRIPTION:Poet Ed Roberson will receive the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame’s Fuller Award for his lifetime achievements as a writer. He will be the 19th Chicago author given the CLHOF’s highest honor\, at a ceremony at and in partnership with the Poetry Foundation. Speakers\, including CM Burroughs\, Peter O’Leary\, Saretta Morgan\, julie patton\, Lena Roberson\, and Chicago Poet Laureate avery r. young\, will give context to Roberson’s significant contributions here and around the country. The ceremony takes place on Thursday\, June 18\, beginning at 6 p.m. In addition to the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame and Poetry Foundation\, partners for the ceremony include the American Writers Museum\, Chicago Poetry Center\, Columbia College Chicago\, Guild Literary Complex\, Northwestern University\, and University of Chicago. \nA native of Pittsburgh\, Roberson has spent more than two decades in Chicago\, teaching at Northwestern University\, Columbia College\, and the University of Chicago. Since 1970\, when he published his debut collection\, When Thy King is a Boy\, Roberson has been among America’s most innovative\, important\, and decorated poets. His 13 poetry collections resonate with influences spiritual\, musical\, and visual. In the title poem of his 2022 collection\, asked what has changed\, the narrator stares out of his Chicago apartment window as a start to a muse on the natural world and our relationship to it. Roberson’s poems sometimes criticize as well as question\, and in his work he’s been a force for societal change. An examination of race\, including in his use of language\, permeates much of his work. Among his many awards\, Roberson has won the Poetry Society of America’s Shelley Memorial Award (2008); the Penn/Voelcker Prize for Poetry (2016); the Poetry Foundation’s Ruth Lilly Poety Prize (2016); an Academy of American Poets Fellowship (2017); and Poets & Writers’s Jackson Poetry Prize (2020). \nHere is the event page and registration page (for both in-person or livestream attendance). The event\, as always\, is free and open to the public.
URL:https://guildcomplex.org/event/fuller-award-2026/
LOCATION:The Poetry Foundation\, 61 W Superior St\, Chicago\, IL\, United States
CATEGORIES:Chicago Literary Hall of Fame,Partner Event
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260629T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260629T203000
DTSTAMP:20260611T214705Z
CREATED:20260611T214705Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T214705Z
UID:15141-1782757800-1782765000@guildcomplex.org
SUMMARY:A Reading in Reflection: Roe v. Wade Commemoration
DESCRIPTION:Join us as we reflect on the impact of the overturning of Roe v. Wade\nOn June 24\, 2022\, the U.S. Supreme Court officially overturned Roe v. Wade in the landmark Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision. By a 6–3 vote\, the Court ruled that the U.S. Constitution does not provide a right to abortion\, ending nearly 50 years of federal protections and returning the authority to regulate the procedure to individual states. \nIn partnership with Hypertext Magazine\, the Guild Literary Complex will host a reading observing the anniversary of this historic loss of reproductive rights and reflecting on its lasting impact. \nFeaturing Della Leavitt\, author of Vivian’s Decision\, and contributors from The Overturning Anthology
URL:https://guildcomplex.org/event/roe-v-wade/
LOCATION:Pilsen Community Books\, 1531 W. 18th St.\, Chicago\, Illinois\, 60608\, United States
CATEGORIES:Special Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260718T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260718T203000
DTSTAMP:20260705T141359Z
CREATED:20260701T200318Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260705T141359Z
UID:15220-1784401200-1784406600@guildcomplex.org
SUMMARY:El evangelio jornalero: The Gospel of the Day Laborers
DESCRIPTION:Mark your calendar for El evangelio jornalero: The Gospel of the Day Laborers \nLectura dramatizada (staged reading): in Spanish with subtitles in English \nThe play El evangelio jornalero tells the story of a group of day laborers in Chicago who meet daily at “Home Deport” to wait for work. One day a fellow worker convinces the group to put on a play\, an adaptation of one of the gospels but with events that they face daily including wage theft\, work discrimination and\, most recently\, aggressive immigration enforcement. The story reveals the workers’ stories and the role of art in both struggle and victory. \n  \nAuthor: Raul Dorantes \nComposer: Samantha Herrera \n  \nReaders: Colectivo El Pozo \nPauleth Jauregui \nJuanjo Lopez \nNydia Castillo \nArmando Villegas \nMiriam Roman \nJuan Jasso \nJudith Palma \nRamon Smith \nErin Escarlata \n*Los fondos recaudados serán enviados a Donate to Earthquake Relief for Venezuela*All funds raised will go to Donate to Earthquake for Venezuela
URL:https://guildcomplex.org/event/el-evangelio-jornalero/
LOCATION:Movement on Montrose\, 2951 W Montrose Ave\, Chicago\, IL\, 60618\, United States
CATEGORIES:Palabra Pura
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260723T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260723T210000
DTSTAMP:20260705T140248Z
CREATED:20260705T135630Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260705T140248Z
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SUMMARY:One Poet/One Poem
DESCRIPTION:¡Anímate! The Guild Literary Complex is happy to announce that our annual Palabra Pura: One Poet/One Poem tradition is back this July. \nAll poets are welcome to perform a poem\, whether it be in English or Spanish\, or both. See old friends and meet new ones\, enjoy some light snacks\, and listen to some wonderful bilingual poetry. Registration is free\, but donations are welcome. \n——————————————————- \nGuild Literary Complex presenta nuestra tradición y evento anual\, Palabra Pura: Un Poeta/Un Poema este julio. \nTodas las poetas están bienvenidos a compartir un poema\, en inglés\, español\, o ambos. Encuentra amigos nuevos y viejos\, disfruta unos antojitos y escucha poesía bilingüe. Registro gratis\, pero se reciben donaciones. \nHost: Luis Tubens AKA “Logan Lu” \n\nABOUT PALABRA PURA\nThe Guild Complex’s night of poetry and community\, curated by and spotlighting Chicago’s most powerful voices in the Chicano and Latinx communities. Palabra Pura: One Poet/One Poem takes place every year in July.
URL:https://guildcomplex.org/event/one-poet-one-poem-2026/
LOCATION:18th Street Casa de Cultura\, 2057 West 18th Street\, Chicago\, IL\, 60608\, United States
CATEGORIES:Palabra Pura
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260812T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260812T210000
DTSTAMP:20260803T210414Z
CREATED:20260715T040322Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260803T210414Z
UID:15269-1786559400-1786568400@guildcomplex.org
SUMMARY:¡Slam Diáspora en Vivo!
DESCRIPTION:The first and only Spanish language slam in Chicago returns in-person! All participants have a chance to compete at the international level at the final slam hosted by a Latinx country (TBD). Hosted and curated by Crystal Vance Guerra and Luis Tubens “Logan Lu.” \nOpen to poets of all styles and ages! From anyone who is just starting\, to anyone who has been writing for decades\, are all welcome to participate. SIGN UP HERE. \nRequirements:\nSlam– 2 poems in Spanish/Spanglish\nOpen Mic– Any genre of performance art in any language! \nWe believe that poetry pertains to everyone\, and that all of us carry it within us. This slam is to experiment\, play\, and to let the words flow. \nRemember: the point is not the points\, the point is the community. We want to nurture a poetic community\, and invite new people to participate as audience members\, as poets\, and as spoken-word lovers.\nSlam Diáspora is the first Spanish slam in the U.S. and aims to create a space that unites Latinx poets in the US with poets in Latin America\, to form a poetry community despite borders. Participants and winners from last year can participate again! \n\n¡Abierto a poetas de todos estilos y edades! Desde quien apenas esta empezando a escribir\, a quienes llevan décadas escribiendo– todos están bienvenidos a participar. REGÍSTRATE AQUÍ. \nRequisitos:\nSlam– Dos poemas (en español/spanglish)\nOpen Mic– Música/Poesía/Cuento etc\, en cualquier idioma \nCreemos que la poesía le pertenece a todxs\, y que todxs traemos poesía adentro. Este Slam es para experimentar\, jugar\, y dejar que la palabra fluya. \nRecuerden: el punto no son los puntos\, sino la comuna. Queremos crecer como comunidad poética\, e invitar a nuevas personas a participar como audiencia\, cómo poetas\, y cómo amantes de la palabra viva.\nSlam Diáspora es el primer slam de poesía en español de los EEUU y busca crear un espacio que une\npoetas Latinx en los EEUU con poetas en Latinoamérica para fomentar una comunidad poética a pesar de las fronteras. ¡Participantes y ganadores del año pasado pueden participar de nuevo! \n\nJUEZ DE HONOR: YOLANDA NIEVES\nYolanda Nieves\, born and raised in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood\, identifies as a second-generation Puerto Rican and is an activist scholar\, poet\, playwright\, director\, and educator. She is the author of two poetry books with Plain View Press: Dove Over Clouds (2007) and The Spoken Body (2010). Nieves’s research and poetry feature Latine women’s narratives about their history in Humboldt Park. Her activist projects have included teacher training in Costa Rica\, Guatemala\, and Puerto Rico\, and the Hopi Nation’s Gathering of Men and Women in Arizona. \nNieves’s research and poems have been published in the Journal of Latina Critical Feminism\, Edges and Borders journal\, and Wherever I’m At: An Anthology of Chicago Poetry and with After Hours Press. Nieves received the American Educational Research Association’s Outstanding Dissertation Award for Arts-Based Research in 2010 and the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women’s Woman of the Year Award in 2012. In 2014 she was awarded Northeastern Illinois University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award\, and in 2016 she received the Kirchmeier Teaching Award from the North Central Council of Latin Americanists. \nNieves earned a bachelor’s and a master’s from Loyola University Chicago\, a master’s from Northeastern Illinois University\, and a doctorate in adult education from National Louis University. She teaches at the City Colleges of Chicago. Nieves writes that she fully embraces Mindy Nettifee’s\, author of Glitter in the Blood\, idea: “be intentional about your meaning even when you don’t exactly know what you mean.”
URL:https://guildcomplex.org/event/slam-diaspora-2026-1/
LOCATION:Taqueria El Mezquite\, 1756 W 18th St\, Chicago\, Illinois\, 60608\, United States
CATEGORIES:Partner Event,Slam Diáspora
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