Chicago Community
We are not the only game in town, and are thrilled to be a part of the thriving Chicago Live Lit community. There are an awe-inspiring number of wonderful opportunities to hear (and even tell) stories in the city right now – you’d be crazy to miss out on them. Click on names to be taken to related website.
STORY LAB CHICAGO
Let the experiment begin. Our newest show goes down every 3rd Wednesday at The Black Rock Pub in North Center, when order Zovirax online newbie storytellers get their chance to shine. Grab a beer and a $5 burger and order Zovirax online join us by the fireplace in the intimate back room of this order Zovirax online classic neighborhood pub. Hosted by Scott Whitehair. FREE.
THIS MUCH IS TRUE
Our original show, which takes place at The Hopleaf in Andersonville on the second Tuesday of every month. Join us in the intimate upstairs lounge of the city’s favorite beer purveyor for memorable stories and delicious brew. Featuring a core group of storytellers joined by a selection of special guests. Hosted by Deanna Moffitt and Scott Whitehair. Want more details? Check out the site (Hint: you are currently on the site). FREE.
DO NOT SUBMIT
No frills. No judgement. No pressure. We are happy to present the city’s rawest open mic dedicated solely to the art of storytelling. Bring that piece you are absolutely sure doesn’t work, that rough draft that has no ending yet, or that anecdote you are hoping to flesh out. If you have been wanting to dip a toe into storytelling without facing a sold-out Moth Slam audience, this is the place to experiment. If you are an experienced writer/performer looking to hone your live lit skills, this is the place to put the work in. Hosted by Shannon Cason and Scott Whitehair. FREE.
GROWN FOLKS STORIES
A guaranteed good time, taking place the third Thursday of every month at The Silver Room in Wicker Park. Any audience member is welcome to throw his name into the bucket and, when selected, gets the mic for 5 minutes to tell any story she wishes. No notes allowed, no subject matter taboo, and no way you won’t enjoy yourself here. Cara Brigandi hosts. FREE.
STORY CLUB
Host Dana Norris presides over this stellar story series every first Thursday of the month at Uncommon Ground in Wrigleyville. Before the featured readers take the stage, an open mic kicks the night off in style (get there early to sign up – spots are limited). Not only a great way to hear some stories, but also the perfect place to share that story you have been dying to tell. FREE.
ESSAY FIESTA
At the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square every 3rd Monday, our friends Keith Ecker and Alyson Lyon bring together a cross-section of Chicago’s art and writing communities for a night of first-person, non-fiction essays. Also, a raffle is held to raise money for The Howard Brown Health Center. Listening to stories while helping to support a great charity? Win and win. FREE.
RUI: READING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
This popular series is now in its sixth year of taking over the space at Sheffield’s one Wednesday a month for an evening of readings, trivia, and shots of booze. Did we mention there are prizes for the trivia? This is a unique night out and lots of fun. TICKETS – $3
THE MOTH
The Chicago Moth Slam just crowned a Grand Slam champion for 2010, and carries into the new year it’s tradition of selling out Martyr’s in North Center on the last Tuesday of every month. Ten names are drawn from a bucket (anyone can sign up). Five minute stories are told. One winner is crowned by the audience. Each month features a new theme and is hosted by Brian Babylon. Get there early – this is the most popular story show in the city, and will sell out. TICKETS – $7 AT THE DOOR **The Moth has added a second monthly slam, at The Haymarket in the west loop. The event takes place the third Monday of every month and is hosted by WBEZ’s Don Hall.
WINDY CITY STORY SLAM
An early contender on the story scene, WCSS has hosted monthly slams and even its own yearly championship. Check their site for up-to-date info. Hosted by Bill Hillman. TICKET COST VARIES.
HERE’S THE STORY
This newcomer to the Chicago story community features a potluck dinner, open mic spots, and five featured storytellers each month in the space at Stage 773. Come check it out on the first Wednesday of the month. FREE.
REAL TALK LIVE
This monthly variety show which features literary performers across the genres of spoken word, poetry, theatre, music and comedy. Truly unique in their venue and presentation. $5 SUGGESTED DONATION
ILLINOIS STORYTELLING OPEN MIC
Illinois Storytelling Inc. does a lot of great work, and one of our favorites is this all-are-welcome evening of storytelling magic. Format is casual and un-themed, unless otherwise announced. Feedback given at storyteller’s request. FREE.
WRITE CLUB CHICAGO
Not so much a storytelling night as it is a bare knuckled live lit throwdown, Write Club pits writers against each other in a winner-takes-all bout of opposing ideas, with the victor getting a percentage of the door for his or her chosen charity. Ian Belknap oversees the proceedings with a scowl and a hammer. TICKETS -$8
We are aware that there exist some series we either overlooked or that have been launched since this list was created. Know of a story event you think should be added here? Let us hear about it – thismuchistruechicago@gmail.com
STORY LAB CHICAGO
Let the experiment begin. Our newest show goes down every 3rd Wednesday at The Black Rock Pub in North Center, when order Zovirax online newbie storytellers get their chance to shine. Grab a beer and a $5 burger and order Zovirax online join us by the fireplace in the intimate back room of this order Zovirax online classic neighborhood pub. Hosted by Scott Whitehair. FREE.
THIS MUCH IS TRUE
Our original show, which takes place at The Hopleaf in Andersonville on the second Tuesday of every month. Join us in the intimate upstairs lounge of the city’s favorite beer purveyor for memorable stories and delicious brew. Featuring a core group of storytellers joined by a selection of special guests. Hosted by Deanna Moffitt and Scott Whitehair. Want more details? Check out the site (Hint: you are currently on the site). FREE.
DO NOT SUBMIT
No frills. No judgement. No pressure. We are happy to present the city’s rawest open mic dedicated solely to the art of storytelling. Bring that piece you are absolutely sure doesn’t work, that rough draft that has no ending yet, or that anecdote you are hoping to flesh out. If you have been wanting to dip a toe into storytelling without facing a sold-out Moth Slam audience, this is the place to experiment. If you are an experienced writer/performer looking to hone your live lit skills, this is the place to put the work in. Hosted by Shannon Cason and Scott Whitehair. FREE.
GROWN FOLKS STORIES
A guaranteed good time, taking place the third Thursday of every month at The Silver Room in Wicker Park. Any audience member is welcome to throw his name into the bucket and, when selected, gets the mic for 5 minutes to tell any story she wishes. No notes allowed, no subject matter taboo, and no way you won’t enjoy yourself here. Cara Brigandi hosts. FREE.
STORY CLUB
Host Dana Norris presides over this stellar story series every first Thursday of the month at Uncommon Ground in Wrigleyville. Before the featured readers take the stage, an open mic kicks the night off in style (get there early to sign up – spots are limited). Not only a great way to hear some stories, but also the perfect place to share that story you have been dying to tell. FREE.
ESSAY FIESTA
At the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square every 3rd Monday, our friends Keith Ecker and Alyson Lyon bring together a cross-section of Chicago’s art and writing communities for a night of first-person, non-fiction essays. Also, a raffle is held to raise money for The Howard Brown Health Center. Listening to stories while helping to support a great charity? Win and win. FREE.
RUI: READING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
This popular series is now in its sixth year of taking over the space at Sheffield’s one Wednesday a month for an evening of readings, trivia, and shots of booze. Did we mention there are prizes for the trivia? This is a unique night out and lots of fun. TICKETS – $3
THE MOTH
The Chicago Moth Slam just crowned a Grand Slam champion for 2010, and carries into the new year it’s tradition of selling out Martyr’s in North Center on the last Tuesday of every month. Ten names are drawn from a bucket (anyone can sign up). Five minute stories are told. One winner is crowned by the audience. Each month features a new theme and is hosted by Brian Babylon. Get there early – this is the most popular story show in the city, and will sell out. TICKETS – $7 AT THE DOOR **The Moth has added a second monthly slam, at The Haymarket in the west loop. The event takes place the third Monday of every month and is hosted by WBEZ’s Don Hall.
WINDY CITY STORY SLAM
An early contender on the story scene, WCSS has hosted monthly slams and even its own yearly championship. Check their site for up-to-date info. Hosted by Bill Hillman. TICKET COST VARIES.
HERE’S THE STORY
This newcomer to the Chicago story community features a potluck dinner, open mic spots, and five featured storytellers each month in the space at Stage 773. Come check it out on the first Wednesday of the month. FREE.
REAL TALK LIVE
This monthly variety show which features literary performers across the genres of spoken word, poetry, theatre, music and comedy. Truly unique in their venue and presentation. $5 SUGGESTED DONATION
ILLINOIS STORYTELLING OPEN MIC
Illinois Storytelling Inc. does a lot of great work, and one of our favorites is this all-are-welcome evening of storytelling magic. Format is casual and un-themed, unless otherwise announced. Feedback given at storyteller’s request. FREE.
WRITE CLUB CHICAGO
Not so much a storytelling night as it is a bare knuckled live lit throwdown, Write Club pits writers against each other in a winner-takes-all bout of opposing ideas, with the victor getting a percentage of the door for his or her chosen charity. Ian Belknap oversees the proceedings with a scowl and a hammer. TICKETS -$8
We are aware that there exist some series we either overlooked or that have been launched since this list was created. Know of a story event you think should be added here? Let us hear about it – thismuchistruechicago@gmail.com
