A Poet’s Guide to Visiting Chicago
For decades, poetry played an invaluable role in Chicago’s literature and arts scenes. The city produced and published some of the genre’s most famous authors before they became household names. Poets in the Windy City continue to redefine the art of written and spoken-word poetry. The scene still thrives and evolves today. Whether an expert in verse or a poetry novice, these are the hot spots every poet must visit while in Chicago.
1. Poetry Foundation
Building, Library
2. Carl Sandburg House
Building
3. Ernest Hemingway’s Birthplace and Museum
Museum, Park
5. Poems While You Wait
Pop-up Store
Historical sites are definitely worth the trip, but nothing beats a heat-of-the-moment artistic interaction. Poets Kathleen Rooney, Eric Plattner, and Dave Landsberger co-founded Poems While You Wait in 2011. The three still write poetry for the group and have since added more writers to their crew. Here’s how it works: patrons offer up a specific topic to a poet, along with a suggested $5 donation. After leaving the poet to his or her typewriter for 15 to 20 minutes, patrons come back to receive their one-of-a-kind, brand-spankin’ new poem. Be sure to check the team’s schedule to know where to find them next.
6. American Writers Museum
Library, Museum
Recently voted the Best Illinois Attraction by The USA Today/10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards, the American Writers Museum is full of literary history. The museum opened its doors in 2017 after nearly a decade of planning. Its mission is to engage audiences in the world of literature and the spoken word, exposing visitors to a wide variety of artists from around America. The Surprise Bookshelf Series is a poetry enthusiast’s best bet; these events celebrate the many forms writing takes, including journalism, poetry, and graphic art. Visitors can also participate in a collective storytelling exhibit in which anyone can add a new line of text to one giant piece of writing.
7. Word Play
Building, Theater
If you’re lucky enough to be in Chicago during the world’s largest youth poetry festival, you’ve hit the jackpot. Louder Than a Bomb features 120 teams of slam poets from high schools, middle schools and communities around the country over the course of several weeks. Part of the Young Chicago Authors organization, LTAB is continuously one of the most hyped and electric arts events that the city has to offer. According to poet and YCA’s marketing manager José Olivarez, it’s also a place where one can end up with young people from all over Chicago in the same room, bonding over a single art form. If you miss LTAB, have no fear. YCA hosts a weekly open mic and poetry performance perfect for poetry enthusiasts. Every Tuesday night, a workshop takes place at 6 pm, followed by an open mic at 7 pm when students and young adults perform their work. At 8:15 pm, featured artists take the stage. Some big names (Chance the Rapper, anyone?) have come through this open mic, and each week features brand-new material from a diverse range of poets. Do not miss this.
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