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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260429T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260429T200000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174220
CREATED:20260402T200613Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260402T200713Z
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SUMMARY:Poem as Autobiography Workshop w/ Angela Jackson
DESCRIPTION:Join us during National Poetry Month for a special online workshop series with 5th Illinois Poet Laureate\, Angela Jackson!\nPoem as Autobiography is a virtual course designed to explore and illuminate moments of life in individual poems and the evolution of the self in invaluable collage. Poem as well as personal myths and folk tales will be examined. \nBecause autobiography is rooted in African American literary traditions and many African American poets’ powerful and deeply engaging work remains generally unrecognized and un-respected\, we will present the writing of African American as well as other poets as guides and inspiration. The atmosphere of the workshop will be collegial\, critical and informal. \n  \n\n\nCourse Schedule\nWednesdays: \nApril 29 \nMay 6 \nMay 13 \nMay 20 \n6:30 – 8:00PM \n  \n\n\nBooks of Reference\nCarolyn Rodgers – “How I got ovah” \nLucille Clifton – “good times” \nRobert Hayden – “Angle of Ascent” \n  \nInternet & Zoom setup is needed for each class. \nTuition is $50.  \nSeats are limited!
URL:https://guildcomplex.org/event/poem-as-autobiography/
CATEGORIES:Workshop
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260430T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260430T210000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174220
CREATED:20260325T052803Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260421T140459Z
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SUMMARY:35 Writers to Watch: Celebration Party
DESCRIPTION:The Guild Complex’s 35 Writers to Watch list celebrates the Guild’s 35+ years of innovative programming by featuring local writers whose careers represent the future of the literary arts in Chicago\, and whose work reflects the spirit and values of the Guild Complex today. Names were put forth by our folks from our diverse literary network of writers and organizers from across Chicago’s geographies and communities (and beyond). \nJoin us in the Catacombs at Epiphany Center for the Arts for an exciting party and social to celebrate these authors\, enjoy music\, refreshments\, fellowship\, and the opportunity to rub elbows with emerging literary icons you’ll be proud to say you knew when. \nPurchase tickets (required) here. Includes 1 free drink.
URL:https://guildcomplex.org/event/35-writers-to-watch/
LOCATION:Epiphany Center for the Arts\, 201 South Ashland Ave.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60647\, United States
CATEGORIES:Writers to Watch
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260514T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260514T203000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174220
CREATED:20260429T145412Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T201511Z
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SUMMARY:Musicality of Poetry
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an evening of musical and lyrical magic\, courtesy of Nikki Patin and friends. Excerpts of Patin’s biomythography\, Working On Me\, will be performed against a live soundtrack along with new pieces making their debut before a live audience. Presented and produced by Guild Literary Complex and Nikki Patin. Signed copies of Working On Me will be available for sale.  \nGet your tickets here.\n  \nPERFORMERS\n\n\nDJ: Dhe-Di Beats\nDhe-Di Beats is a Chicago-based DJ known for blending soulful house\, deep grooves\, and high-energy mixes that keep dance floors moving. With a style that’s equal parts sexy\, soulful\, and unapologetically bold\, Dhe-Di Beats brings a unique vibe to every set — from downtown lunchtime mixes to late-night events. Beyond DJing\, she’s also a creative force in fashion\, beauty\, and visual storytelling\, building a brand that celebrates confidence\, rhythm\, and individuality. \n\n \n  \nKEYS: David Blair II\nDavid Blair II is a singer\, songwriter\, and musician\, creating thought-provoking\, “celestial soul.” Inspired by Frank Ocean\, Donny Hathaway and Stevie Wonder\, his music blends soulful storytelling\, alternative R&B\, and gospel influence into a sound that is both intimate and uplifting. He has shared stages with artists including Jamila Woods\, Mannaseh\, and Michael Damani. David’s artistry is deeply rooted in faith\, honesty\, and emotional connection. \n\n \nPERCUSSIONIST: Hasani Cannon\nHasani Cannon was born and raised in Oak Park IL\, and has been developing his artist skills since the tender age of 5. In 2022\, he received his BFA in visual arts at University of Illinois in Springfield and is currently based in Oak Park IL. During his highschool career\, Hasani was a finalist in  Congressman Danny Davis Art Competition\, he was a featured Artist for the OPRFHS Art Gallery and he worked each summer since sophomore year with the Oak Park Arts Council Off The Wall project\, even contributing to the Black Lives Matter mural in the summer of 2020. He had his first solo show in 2021 at Forest Park National Bank and took part in the Biennial Terrain show of 2021 along with several shows in the UIS Access gallery and in Chicago. \nHe is generally interested in the African diaspora\, especially in the visual iconography and its evolution over time. His preferred medium is mixed media which includes the use of colored pencil\, permanent marker\, recyclable materials\, and fabric.   \nHasani is also a musician and a dancer being a drummer for Chicago based dance company Najwa Dance Corp along with drumming in Chicago band Family Junket. He is also a member of the Studiofreelove art collective since 2023. During his undergraduate college career\,  he was heavily involved and a student leader of the Art Student League\, Afrobeat Dance Crew\, and African Student Association. You can follow his instagram @realhasanicannon to follow his artistic endeavors. \n\n \n  \nGUITARIST: Marcus Darling\nMarcus Darling (b. 1989) is a genre-defying\, multi-hyphenated soulfully relentless artist who fuses revolutionary rock with a DIY lofi aesthetic. Their sound—a self-described “black-folk music”—blends electronic soul\, R&B\, psychedelic rock\, jazz\, and folk into something both intimate and expansive; R&Beyond. Known for their collaborations with Manesseh and ABOLISHVICTORY!\, a band with a politically charged style\, Marcus Darling captivates audiences with what they call “mystical and empathetic presence.” Their music balances nostalgic grooves with modern experimentation\, creating a quirky\, cerebral sound that resonates deeply.
URL:https://guildcomplex.org/event/musicality-of-poetry/
LOCATION:Epiphany Center for the Arts\, 201 South Ashland Ave.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60647\, United States
CATEGORIES:Musicality of Poetry
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260531T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260531T203000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174220
CREATED:20260517T221034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260527T220402Z
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SUMMARY:Write That Down! Show & Tell
DESCRIPTION:Write That Down! is having another Show & Tell at Elastic Arts in Avondale/Logan Square!\nWTD!’s Show & Tell series is possible through our partnership with Chicago’s Guild Literary Complex. \nCome by and SHOW a keepsake that’s dear to you\, a favorite bit of junk\, or a cute knick knack. TELL a story about your artifact and its meaning\, a new poem\, or some speculative fiction you’ve been working on. \nThe evening will begin with an open mic and archiving session\, followed by a presentation from a past (and/or future) contributor. Attendees are encouraged to bring ephemera and memorabilia that they would like scanned/archived for inclusion in the magazine’s upcoming issue. BYOB. \nRSVP HERE. \n  \nAbout Write That Down!\nWrite That Down! is an archival project and magazine capturing the particulars of our current moment\, both here in Chicago and in the world at large. The goal is to gather everyday artifacts that tell stories about what is important to us and our communities. There is no memento too big or local story too small for these pages. If it matters to you\, write it down!
URL:https://guildcomplex.org/event/wtd5/
LOCATION:Elastic Arts\, 3429 W. Diversey Ave.\, Chicago\, Illinois\, 60647\, United States
CATEGORIES:Press Room
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260607T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260607T163000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174220
CREATED:20260316T071712Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T040600Z
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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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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260614T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260614T220000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174220
CREATED:20260316T071713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260605T034928Z
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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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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260618T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260618T200000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174220
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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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260629T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260629T203000
DTSTAMP:20260615T174220
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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