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August
Wednesday/24
Christopher Boucher reads from his new novel “How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive” with Adam Levin (“The Instructions”). Quimby’s. 1854 W. North Ave. 7pm.
Saturday/27
Carrie McGarth reads from “So Sorry to See You Go,” her first poetry collection. Quimby’s. 1854 W. North Ave. 7pm. Free.
“The Club and Music Scene: Making Nightlife, Creating Community,” the second of three special gallery conversations that look at artist Mark Bradford’s work in relation to different social and cultural contexts, to be led by Joe Bryl, acclaimed DJ, music programmer and former Sonotheque owner; Travis, multidisciplinary artist and lead member of the music and performance group ONO; and Aay Preston-Myint, interdisciplinary artis. Museum of Contemporary Art 220 E. Chicago. 3pm. $12. Free with suggested museum admission.
Sunday/28
Stripped Stories, in which hosts Giulia Rozzi and Margot Leitman invite comedians, musicians, and guests to reveal hilariously honest stories about their sex lives, along with games, audience interviews, and hookups. Zanies, 1548 North Wells Street. 8:30pm. $15.
Sunday Salon Chicago, Chicago’s literary reading series, is joining forces for this month’s event with online literary magazine The Nervous Breakdown. TNB Fiction Editor Gina Frangello will curate “The Nervous Breakdown Literary Experience: Chicago,” including Cris Mazzar and Alex Shakar. Katerina’s, 1920 W. Irving Park Rd. 8 pm. Free.
Chicago writer J. Adams Oaks will be featured at Author Afternoon. He will discuss his young adult novel “Why I Fight,” and answer audience questions. Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago. 3 pm. Free.
The radio show You, Me, Them, Everybody Live!, hosted by Brandon Wetherbee and Esmeralda Leon, featuring Chicago Bar Project’s Sean Parnell, stand-up comedian Danny Kallas, and hip-hop artist Steinomite. The Whistler 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave. 21+. Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm. Free.
Monday/29
The radio show You, Me, Them, Everybody Live!, hosted by Brandon Wetherbee and Esmeralda Leon, Psalm One, Think Tank, a comedy sketch group, and a set of music by Anna Soltys. Hungry Brain 2319 W. Belmont Ave. 21+. Doors at 8pm, Show at 9pm. Free.
Tuesday/30
A release party for Anders Nilsen’s graphic novel collection, “Big Questions”. Lula Cafe, 2537 N. Kedzie. 7pm. Free.
September
Monday/1
Chicago Slam Works introduces the Encyclopedia Show’s presentation of SAINTS. Vittum Theatre, 1012 N Noble Street. 7:30p.m. CT. Tickets are sold at the door; $8 for adults and $5 for students.
Saturday/3
Cindy Crabb reads from her compilation of the zine Doris, “The Encyclopedia of Doris”. Quimby’s. 1854 W. North Ave. 7pm. Free.
Wednesday/7
Reading Under the Influence, featuring a book release party for author Geoff Hyatt’s brand-new second novel, “Birch Hills at World’s End,” readings and trivia by Hyatt, author James Finn Garner (“Politically Incorrect Bedtime Stories”) and local writers Nick Delehanty and Ilana Shabanov. This month’s theme is the apocalypse. Sheffield’s (back room), 3258 N. Sheffield Ave. 7pm. $3 cover.
Thursday/8
Granta Magazine celebrates the Chicago launch of its new issue, “Granta 116: Ten Years Later,” looking back at ten years after 9/11. Barbara’s Bookstore. 1218 S. Halsted St. 7pm. Free.
Friday/9
Various local contributors to the “American Wasteland” anthology will be performing, including Delphine Pontvieux (“ETA: Estimated Time of Arrest”) and Lawrence Santoro (“Just North of Nowhere”). Quimby’s Bookstore, 1854 W. North Ave. 7pm. Free.
Sunday/11
The Chicago Way literary series highlights Chicago authors with new books, including readings and interaction with Michael Burke, Geoff Hyatt, and Meagan Stielastra Hidden Shamrock (back room), 2723 N. Halsted St. 7pm. Free.
Monday/12
2nd Story, in honor of the 10 year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, and using this generational time marker, will explore stories from a post 9/11 America. Webster’s Wine Bar, 1480 W Webster.Doors open at 7pm, Stories start at 7:30. $12 online, $15 at the door.
Tuesday/13
2nd Story, in honor of the 10 year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, and using this generational time marker, will explore stories from a post 9/11 America. Webster’s Wine Bar, 1480 W Webster.Doors open at 7pm, Stories start at 7:30. $12 online, $15 at the door.
Wednesday/14
Here’s the Story, presents an evening of live, unscripted, theatrical storytelling along with a potluck. Stage773, 1225 W. Belmont. 7:30 Potluck, 8, Reading. Free.
Thursday/15
Rebekah Mercuri reads from her novel, “Weeding the Seeds of Deceit.” Quimby’s, 1854 W. North Ave. 7pm. Free.
Tuesday/20
Revolutions, a literary reading that experiments with the traditional reading form, utilizing new techniques in process and music, featuring Patricia Ann McNair and Dan Duffy. Brando’s Speakeasy, 343 S. Dearborn St.
Wednesday/21
Writer and self-ordained “gangly white girl and unicorn master” Laura Goode will read and rap selections from her debut novel, SISTER MISCHIEF (“the world’s first interracial gay hip-hop love story for teens”). Open Books 213 W. Institute Pl. 6:30pm. Free.
And more
