POETRY READINGS IN CHICAGO Where to find chicago poetry venues

It takes a village to create commUNITY and that’s what Poetry in Chicago is about!

Thank you to the many poets who contributed to this list! Notably, Andrea Change (Guild Complex), Lynn Fitzgerald, Gregorio Gomez (author and Emcee Emeritus of Weeds), Adrienne Sunshine Nadeau, Jerry Pendergast and Faith Rice (member of The Poetica, author of “She, Dragon,” and librarian). Please send me an email at poetryinchicago@gmail.com to list any readings I might have missed!

...Warning, in music-words devout and large, that we are each other’s harvest: we are each other’s business: we are each other’s magnitude and bond.

- Gwendolyn Brooks from "Paul Robeson"

Click Here To See 2024 Poetry Readings In Chicago On Google Maps

La Bruquena, 2726 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622 4th Wednesday of every month at 6 pm

City News Cafe, 4018 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL 60641 Every 3rd Sunday at 1:30 PM hosted by Snežana Žabić

Billy Tuggle (pictured here) and Peter Wolfe Winninger host the poetry venue In One Ear since 1998.

In One Ear, at Flatts & Sharpe, 6749 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL. 60626 8:30 pm doors open, show starts 9 pm, every first Friday, first Wednesday (virtually) and third Friday of the month. Hosted by Billy Tuggle and Pete Wolf Winninger, in One Ear began in 1998, and celebrated 25 years in Chicago on December 15th, 2023.

Vittorio Carli is the founder and host of the New Poetry Show at Intangible Books. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier July 7, 2023)

The New Poetry Show, Tangible Books, 3324 S. Halsted St. Coming soon! Gregorio Gomez!

Wes is the host of the Gallery Cabaret as well as the author of Busking Blues: Recollections of a Chicago Street Musician and Squatter. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier, April, 2023)

THE POETRY OPEN MIC, THE GALLERY CABARET, 2020 N. OAKLEY, CHICAGO, IL The first Saturday of the month at 5:00 PM.

Grandma’s House, at The Martin 2515 W. North Avenue. Last Thursday of every month. Doors at 7:30, Open mic sign up at 7:45, Show at 8:00. hosted by Caroline Watson.

SPOKEN WORD EVENT THE ART CENTER HIGHLAND PARK, 1957 SHERIDAN RD, HIGHLAND PARK, UNITED STATES

Cathleen Schandelmeier is the featured poet for Women's History Month on March 23, 2024.
C. Schandelmeier and Janea Harris, at the Highland Park Art Center where Harris was the poetry feature, September 30, 2023. (Photo by Lynn West 2023)
Marc Kelly Smith is the founder and host of the Uptown Poetry Slam at the Greenmail Lounge. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier, February 18, 2024).
Marc Kelly Smith is the founder and host of the Uptown Poetry Slam at the Greenmail Lounge, pictured here with Greg #3. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier, February 18, 2024).
Marc Kelly Smith banters with an adoring fan at the Uptown Poetry Slam at the Greenmail Lounge. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier, February 18, 2024).

Uptown Poetry Slam at the Greenmill, 4802 N. Broadway.

Robert Edwards is a member of the Coastguard and a CPS teacher. He is the founder and host of the Levee.

The Levee, 4035 West Fullerton. Usually the 2nd Thursday of the Month at 7:30 pm. Varies. Hosted by Robert Edwards, a Chicago Public School teacher and a debate team coach.

Thanks to Faith Rice, author of “She Dragon” and Harold Washington Public Library, llibrarian and organizer for this information! (Photo by C. Schandelmeier, November 16, 2023)

Harold Washington Public Library, 400 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605

April 27th is when the Harold Washington Public Library holds their National Poetry Month Celebration!