Today marks one year since I began the urban explorer adventure. I hope you have enjoyed accompanying me as much as I have enjoyed sharing. I am incredibly thankful for your inspiration, encouragement, and exploration companionship! Cheers to our future travels!
[pumpkin cupcake via bleeding heart bakery]
[chicago skyline as viewed from north avenue beach]
Posted in chicago, exploring, lincoln park, west town, writing
Tagged anniversary, bleeding heart bakery, chicago, chicago skyline, exploring, lincoln park, west town, writing
Chicago is shining today, and the crisp white tents lining Printer’s Row point upward as if suspended by strings from the cerulean sky. The South Loop streets no longer harbor the hum of the city’s publishing industry or the clamor of commute at Dearborn Station, but they draw 125,000 visitors nonetheless. Each June, the Printer’s Row Lit Fest attracts booksellers, bibliophiles, publishers, authors, performers, and organizations to the historic neighborhood for a celebration of all things literary.
The largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest packs Dearborn and Polk streets with stacks and shelves. There are so many words to consume in the new books with freshly inked signatures and stiff bindings, well-worn paperbacks, deliciously dusty volumes, plastic wrapped rarities, posters, prints, magazines, and manuals. It’s a struggle, but I limit myself to a handful of finds – one can only carry so many books on the train after all. I purchase another edition of A Confederacy of Dunces, this one a copy from 1980, the year of its first publication. “Ah excellent selection,” nods the vendor, “it’s one of my favorites.”
The volunteer t-shirts proclaim “Get Lit,” and I feel veritably drunk on contentment. I sway between booths, run my fingers over leather-bound stacks, discover new Chicago publishers, and enjoy the common bliss of so many book lovers. Spanning seven stages, the fest events include readings, signings, discussions, children’s storytelling, and musical performances. A breeze wafts through the tent as I take in a reading of David Baker’s poetry, and I let his words wash over me, soaking in them as I am the late afternoon sunlight. Down the street at the Hotel Blake, Elynne Chaplik-Aleskow transports us to Israel in a reading chronicling an incredible experience of friendship spanning 40 years, the power of technology, and several countries.
Over all of this, the sentry of the Dearborn station tower gazes on, its stopped clock a reminder of temporal futility and the tenuous timing of print media. Yet this is no museum. Under the station’s watch, Chicago’s devout yearn for literature, enlightenment, and expression. Now is the time – to read, to write, to learn, and to explore. I leave Lit Fest with not too many books, a list of many more, several new contacts, a sense of fulfillment, and so much inspiration. It’s a moveable feast indeed.
For Further Exploration:
Story Week: Chicago Classics
Prowling Powell’s Bookstore
Posted in arts, chicago, events, impressions, printer's row, reading, south loop, writing
Tagged arts, books, chicago, chicago tribune, poetry, printer's row, printer's row lit fest, reading, south loop, writing
What’s on tap to love at the West Loop’s Haymarket Pub & Brewery?
Succulent Suds
The lauded Pete Crowley, a Rock Bottom Brewery veteran, is at the helm of the deliciousness going on in Haymarket’s brewery. We sample the bright and hoppy Speakerswagon Pilsner, the darker Mother Jones Trappist-style Dubbel, offering hints of nut and raisin, and the citrusy IPA cum Hunter S. Thompson homage, Fear. If mere exposure translated to expertise, I’d claim connoisseur. Instead, I offer my inexpert imbibing opinion – it’s really, really good. The Thompson companion beverage, Loathing, is due out soon, though I’m certain that won’t be my response when I return to try it along with the ten or so other home brews. Haymarket’s drafts are brewed on premises, behind glass so you can watch the magic unfold just as fast as you can drink it in.
Pizza Anarchy
“I can never go back to regular pizza,” my companion admits. “There are just too many incredible options in Chicago with unique toppings.” Enter pulled pork. The Riot is the pizza version of Haymarket’s signature sandwich. The spicy Italian sausage and giardinera balanced with mozzarella and the epiphany of pulled pork glazed with sweet BBQ is full of heat and flavor. Admittedly, we haven’t expanded our sampling of the menu, which includes house-cured bacon, but with a Riot like this on our hands we don’t have to.
Drinking & Writing Theater
While the pub’s front room is more West Loop formal, the rear room houses Haymarket’s “Drinking & Writing Theater.” Heaven, is that you? Imagine my excitement! I know I needn’t explain the symbiotic marriage of the activities to you, sympathetic readers; however, I can’t imagine Charles Bukowski lounging within its sleek wood-lined walls, although his poster hangs here. Freshly freed office workers and the casually cool hang in the gorgeous and maybe too-clean space. Despite the disappointment of one half-hearted bookshelf, the room serves its purpose well as I manage to get some writing done before the arrival of my friend, and definitely while drinking.
“Exploring the Connection between Creativity and Alcohol“
This is the mission statement of, Drinking and Writing, the performance troupe behind the aforementioned theater. Pestering my waitress, I learn that the rear room of the brew pub is indeed a space for events and performances geared toward inspiration and inebriation. The group also performs on stage, hosts a radio program, and an annual festival, which I regrettably missed on May 7. I learn, “They have performed with the Neo-Futurists for years, and some of them are brewers here.” A toast to my potential new best friends!
Haymarket Pub & Brewery
737 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60661
Posted in 4 favorite things, chicago, drinking, eating, performing, west loop, writing
Tagged belgian, chicago, craft brew, drinking, eating, four faorite things, haymarket, IPA, performing, pizza, pork, west loop, writing
Don De Grazia reads "Chicago Poem" by Lew Welch
Columbia College’s 15th annual Story Week Festival of Writers culminated in an event entitled Chicago Classics. Around 20 members of Chicago’s literary, academic, and media communities read a selection from the works of their favorite Chicago authors.
Quraysh Ali Lansana shares "when you have forgotten Sunday" by his mentor Gwendolyn Brooks
A packed house at Lincoln Hall enjoys the event, hosted by Chicago writer and radio personality, Rick Kogan. “You are all here because you love reading and writing, whether or not it makes you any money,” Kogan notes on the palpable kinship in the crowd. The chosen readings are animated by the authors’ personal reflections, and positive or contentious, an intimate portrait of Chicago is painted in their readings.
Jonathan Messinger reads from Stuart Dybeck's "We Didn't"
“This event is incredible because I have been reminded of so many Chicago authors I haven’t read in ages and am being introduced to many I have never encountered before,” Kogan exclaimed, stating my sentiment perfectly. I leave with a long list of so many authors to explore. From Chicago staples like Studs Terkel, Saul Bellow, and Nelson Algren to new finds like A.K. Ramanujan and Stuart Dybeck, my next book store trip will be weighty.
Catherine Halley shares "The Motive of the Magazine" by Poetry magazine founder Harriet Monroe
In an atypical bit of luck, I even win one of many prizes raffled off at the event, a subscription to Chicago-based Poetry magazine! I greatly look forward to seeing Chicago Classics become an annual Story Week event. Aside from discovering many incredible Chicago-authored works, the event affirms my feelings about the practice of writing, the local literary community, and although not Chicago born, the choice to throw my lot in with Chicago.
My Poetry magazine prizes and just desserts for the Story Week finale.
Posted in arts, events, lincoln park, performing, reading, writing
Tagged arts, columbia college, event, festival of writers, lincoln hall, lincoln park, performing, reading, story week, writing
I know it’s already mid-week, but we are approaching the good half. Why not make it even better with a FREE literary event lineup?
For the 15th year, Columbia College Chicago presents its Story Week Festival of Writers. This year’s theme, “Class Acts,” centers on class issues’ role in creative works and the changing publishing environment. You can catch readings, performances, discussions, and signings through Friday, March 18.
Although disappointed at missing Joe Meno’s Monday afternoon appearance and tonight’s Literary Rock & Roll reading at Metro, I am gearing up for Friday’s Chicago Classics finale. Join me at Lincoln Hall to hear a host of Chicago literati reading from their favorite Chicago-authored works. For the tweet-savvy among you, Dan Sinker, the recently self-outed author of @MayorEmanuel‘s tweets contributes to Wednesday and Thursday panel discussions. Oh, did I mention Sinker is also a longtime Chicago author, publisher, and Columbia journalism professor?
Check the full event schedule and get yourself some Story Week fo FREE.
Posted in arts, chicago, events, performing, reading, writing
Tagged arts, chicago, columbia college, festival of writers, free event, performing, reading, story week, writing
