It’s a tough call this week. Most days feature two fantastic events happening concurrently. Choose wisely!
Sunday 11/17: Sunday Salon features its monthly prose reading series at Black Rock Pub. Features include Don De Grazia, Tony Trigilio, Catherine Theis, and Tyler Mills. 7 PM, Free, Black Rock Pub.
This week’s Uptown Poetry Slam features Katie Wirsing. As usual, stop in for the open mic, featured poet, and the poetry slam, all in one evening. 7 PM, $7, The Green Mill.
Monday 11/18: Essay Fiesta has an impressive lineup this month. This month’s show features Shannon Cason, Keith Ecker, Stephanie Douglass, Natasha Tsoutsouris, and Zach Duffy. 7 PM, Free, but donation to 826CHI requested, The Book Cellar.
A little further south, LitMash is at it again. They’re pitting storytellers (Lily Be and Carly Oishi) against poets (Shelley Elaine Geiszler) against comedians (Caitlin Checkeroski) against hip hop artists (Plus Sign). This competitive evening of wordsmithery is uniting the various factions of live lit in Chicago, with the help of some tasty brews. 8 PM, $8, Haymarket Pub and Brewery.
Tuesday 11/19: Story Club: South Side has it’s normal blend of open mic and curated storytellers wooing the audience down in Bridgeport. It’s BYOB, and it’s a darn good time. 7:30, $5 suggested donation, Co-Prosperity Sphere.
Further north, Ian Belknap is hosting WRITE CLUB. 3 rounds of opposing ideas, each defended by a talented writer. This is your second chance this week to catch Keith Ecker as he’s pitted against Sam Irby. Also reading: Dave Stinton, Chris Bower, and Lindsay Muscato. 7 PM, $10, The Hideout.
Wednesday 11/20: Today marks opportunity #3 to see Keith Ecker, and chance #2 to catch Sam Irby as they host popular reading series Guts & Glory together. Featured readers include Diana Slickman, Ian Belknap, Katie Prout, Jen Anne Coffeen, and Jeremy Owens. 7 PM, Free, Powell’s.
If you’re looking for some faces fresh to storytelling, I suggest that you drop in for StoryLab. Host Scott Whitehair has spent the last month coaching newcomers on the writing and delivery of their stories, often with fantastic results. Stop in to see Jake Cowan, Misty Emmons, Mare Swallow, Amy Krzyzek, Amy Dittmeier, and Kelly Butler read. 7:30, Free, Black Rock Pub.
Thursday 11/21: Pulitzer prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin will be reading from her latest book, The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism. 6 PM, Free, Harold Washington Library.
If you’re looking for something a little more fast-paced, check our Grown Folks Stories. Host Cara Brigandi leads an evening full of open mic submissions through a note of no-notes storytelling. 8 PM, Free, The Silver Room.
