An event coinciding with the 2007 Modern Language Association Convention, this mammoth reading—sponsored by the Poetry Foundation and the School of the Art Institute’s writing program—features more than fifty poets in all. Highlights include appearances by Joel Craig, Elizabeth Cross, Chuck Stebleton, Jennifer Karmin, Chris Glomski, Ray Bianchi, Robert Archambeau (who co-curated the event), Kristy Odelius and Simone Muench. The reading spreads for two and a half hours—a bit long in the line break as far as poetry readings go—but it’s a worthy event during what is a notoriously dead week for the arts, and, basically, a marathon of language. Plus, it’s free, for those of you who reached well beyond your means for the holidays. (Tom Lynch)
The Chicago Marathon Reading is December 28 at the School of the Art Institute Ballroom, 112 South Michigan, at 7pm.