American Writers Museum

Join us at the American Writers Museum for a special live reading of a new play in production from Painted Pistachio Productions, Cold Was the Ground. Enjoy a full staged reading with the cast (80 mins), followed by a discussion and Q&amp;A with playwright Doug DuBrin, director Eileen Tull, and Dr. Andrew Johnston, VP of Museum Experience at the Adler Planetarium.
About Cold Was the Ground:
The play’s title is derived from the seminal early 20th-century blues artist Blind Willie Johnson’s tune “Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground.” The song itself is one of the numerous cultural ambassadors from Earth to the cosmos engraved on both Voyager spacecrafts’ Golden Record.
In the play, a boy, Tanner, shortly after enduring extraordinary trauma, starts to mumble seeming gibberish in his sleep and elsewhere. His single, similarly traumatized father, Sean, frantically, gradually, begins to decipher that the “gibberish” has a legitimate source: The Golden Record of the Voyager II. What follows is the untangling of the mystery.
CAST:
Sean: Stef Brundage Tanner: Aurie Henry Dr. Roy: Rory Jobst Monica: Amanda Winston Chad: Jonathan Crabtree
Assistant Director: Jo Hoagland

Local Event: Live Reading: “Cold Was the Ground”

Cook County

Chicago

Illinois

Live Reading: “Cold Was the Ground”

Join us at the American Writers Museum for a special live reading of a new play in production from Painted Pistachio...

Join us for a free poetry reading featuring Chicago poets in honor of National Black Poetry Day! Admission is free for this program, which includes access to all of our exhibits at no additional cost.
October 17 is annually recognized as National Black Poetry Day to celebrate the contributions of Black poets and writers throughout this country’s history. It is celebrated on this day to honor the birth date of Jupiter Hammon, the first Black poet to be published in the United States in 1760. <a href="https://americanwritersmuseum.org/black-poetry-day-resources/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Learn more here</a>.
Presented in partnership with the Guild Literary Complex, local Chicago poets will present readings from their favorite Black poets, emceed by Faylita Hicks. Additional readers include:
<ul><li>Wesley Frazier Keys</li><li>Kenyatta Rogers</li><li>Kira Tucker</li><li>Lotus Fulton</li></ul>
This program is offered to coincide with the <a href="https://loopchicago.com/news-events/events-in-the-loop/loop-arts-fest/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Loop Arts District Festival</a>. The AWM will be present during the festival, where we will explore the legacy of Black poets and engage with their work through interactive activations based on current and past exhibits, most notably <a href="https://exhibits.americanwritersmuseum.org/exhibits/dark-testament/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Dark Testament: A Century of Black Writers on Justice</a>.
RSVP today to reserve your spot!

Local Event: Black Poetry Day Readings & Reflections

Black Poetry Day Readings & Reflections

Join us for a free poetry reading featuring Chicago poets in honor of National Black Poetry Day! Admission is free for this...

Something's bubbling in our cauldron! Join us for Get Lit: Witch Please, a spooky celebration of all things witches, magic, and the macabre!
Grab your broomstick and get ready for a night of magic, mischief, and mayhem at <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/get-lit-witch-please-tickets-1995951030261?aff=oddtdtcreator&amp;keep_tld=true" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Get Lit: Witch Please!</a> From wicked spellcasters and mysterious enchantresses to misunderstood outsiders and powerful women, witches have cast a long shadow over American stories and popular culture.

Local Event: Get Lit: Witch Please

Get Lit: Witch Please

Something's bubbling in our cauldron! Join us for Get Lit: Witch Please, a spooky celebration of all things witches, magic, and...

Longtime independent bookstore owner and AWM Founding Board Member Roberta Rubin stops by to discuss her new memoir Turning Pages: The Life and Times of a Bookseller. For more than thirty years, Rubin owned and ran The Book Stall at Chestnut Court in Winnetka, Illinois—one of the nation’s most admired independent bookstores. In this warm and inspiring memoir, she reflects on the journey that transformed a neighborhood shop into a nationally respected cultural destination and a beloved cornerstone of community life.
Rubin will be interviewed by writer Richard Reeder. Books will be available for purchase and Rubin will sign them following the program.More about Turning Pages:
A leader in independent bookselling, Rubin championed emerging and established writers, cultivated generations of passionate readers, and steered her bookstore through every challenge the shifting literary landscape presented—from big-box competition to the rise of online retail. Her story is filled with engaging anecdotes about the authors, publishers, colleagues, and customers who shaped her world, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the relationships and determination that sustained an independent bookstore through decades of change.
Both a deeply personal account of a life devoted to books and a source of inspiration for booksellers and independent shop owners, this memoir reflects the same energy, warmth, grit, and unwavering commitment to books that defined her oversight of the store. It testifies to the power of independent retailers to build community, spark curiosity, and bring people together—and to Rubin’s ongoing advocacy for the enduring value of bookstores and the written word.
ROBERTA RUBIN owned and ran The Book Stall at Chestnut Court for more than three decades, turning it into one of the most influential independent bookstores in the country. The store, in Winnetka, Illinois, won accolades including Publishers Weekly’s Bookstore of the Year in 2012. Rubin helped chart a course for indie bookstores to survive and thrive against the rise of big chain bookstores and Amazon, emphasizing author visits, community outreach and personalized service. She is also a member of the founding board of the American Writers Museum, where a room is named in her honor. She currently lives in Evanston, Illinois.RICHARD REEDER was born and raised in Chicago and continues to live in the Chicago area with his wife Anne. Educated in the Chicago public schools, he has two degrees from Roosevelt University. His multifaceted career included working as a caseworker, elementary school teacher, employment counselor, research assistant, and as an executive in both government and social service and educational organizations. Richard remains active as a consultant, writer, and adult education facilitator and instructor.

Local Event: Author Talk: “Turning Pages” by Roberta Rubin

Author Talk: “Turning Pages” by Roberta Rubin

Longtime independent bookstore owner and AWM Founding Board Member Roberta Rubin stops by to discuss her new memoir Turning...

What if you could shrink yourself down to the size of a bug? Build your own droid? Travel through space with nothing but science to keep you alive? Or use quantum physics to outsmart an eavesdropper? We’re exploring the science behind it all and having a little fun along the way. Join us for Get Lit: Weird Science, a night of trivia, hands-on activities, and experiments inspired by the strangest, silliest, and most spectacular science found in books, movies, and our wildest imaginations.
Test your science and sci-fi smarts, create your own binary-code bracelet, get quantum-entangled, explore the future of robotics, and discover the chemistry behind what’s in your glass. Explore the chemistry behind what’s in your glass with beer, wine, and our specialty cocktail,&nbsp;THE GOO. Prefer to skip the booze? Non-alcoholic options will be available, too.
In partnership with&nbsp;Argonne National Laboratory, discover how real scientists are turning seemingly impossible ideas into reality.
Whether you’re a science nerd, a sci-fi superfan, or just curious about the wonderfully weird world around us, Get Lit is the place to get curious, get creative, and get a little weird.
This is 21+ event. Attendees must show a valid photo ID at the door to enter.

Local Event: Get Lit: Weird Science

Get Lit: Weird Science

What if you could shrink yourself down to the size of a bug? Build your own droid? Travel through space with nothing but...

Minister, gospel artist, and scholar Charrise Barron visits the American Writers Museum to discuss her new book The Platinum Age of Gospel: The Years When Crossover Music Changed Everything, which tells the story of how Black gospel music crossed over, reshaped American popular music, and transformed the culture at large. Books will be available for purchase and Barron will sign them following the program.
This is an in person program at the American Writers Museum. This program will also be livestreamed, and you can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/american-prophets-the-platinum-age-of-gospel-online-tickets-1993948596929?aff=WebsiteListing" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">register for the link to the online broadcast here</a>.
This program is presented in conjunction with the AWM’s special exhibit&nbsp;<a href="https://awmamericanprophets.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture</a>, a powerful new exhibit that takes you on the ultimate exploration through spirituality and storytelling.&nbsp;American Prophets&nbsp;is supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative.

Local Event: American Prophets: The Platinum Age of Gospel (IN PERSON)

American Prophets: The Platinum Age of Gospel...

Minister, gospel artist, and scholar Charrise Barron visits the American Writers Museum to discuss her new book The Platinum...

American Prophets: The Platinum Age of Gospel (IN PERSON)

Minister, gospel artist, and scholar Charrise Barron visits the American Writers Museum to discuss her new book The Platinum Age of Gospel: The Years When Crossover Music Changed Everything, which tells the story of how Black gospel music crossed over, reshaped American popular music, and transformed the culture at large.
This is the livestream of an in person program at the American Writers Museum. When you register for this event, you will receive access to the livestream link. If you would like to <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/american-prophets-the-platinum-age-of-gospel-in-person-tickets-1993946817607?aff=WebsiteListing" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">attend the program in person at the AWM, get your tickets here</a>.
This program is presented in conjunction with the AWM’s special exhibit&nbsp;<a href="https://awmamericanprophets.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">American Prophets: Writers, Religion, and Culture</a>, a powerful new exhibit that takes you on the ultimate exploration through spirituality and storytelling.&nbsp;American Prophets&nbsp;is supported by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative.

Local Event: American Prophets: The Platinum Age of Gospel (ONLINE)

American Prophets: The Platinum Age of Gospel (ONLINE)

Get into the holiday spirit and jumpstart your shopping at <a href="https://americanwritersmuseum.org/program-calendar/2026-santas-book-fair/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Get Lit: Santa’s Book Fair,</a> a holiday twist on the original grown-up book fair!
Join the American Writers Museum and local, independent Chicago bookstores for this special holiday event. Enjoy beer, wine, and the night’s specialty cocktail, The Red Nose, a delicious winter cocktail. Plus, be on the lookout for the big man in red for photos and holiday stories!
This is 21+ event. Attendees must show a valid photo ID at the door to enter.

Local Event: Get Lit: Santa's Book Fair

Get Lit: Santa's Book Fair

Get into the holiday spirit and jumpstart your shopping at Get Lit: Santa’s Book Fair, a holiday twist on the original grown-up...

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Lincoln Park

Bucktown-Wicker Park

Lakeview

North Center-Roscoe Village

Hyde Park

West Side

Lorraine Swanson

South Side

Lincoln Square

Oak Park-River Forest

Forest Park

Macy's

Join Wacoal for Fit for the Cure®, a special in-person event that combines expert bra fittings with meaningful impact in the fight against breast cancer.
Receive a complimentary bra fitting. For every guest who gets fit and purchases a regular-price Wacoal or b.tempt’d bra at the event, Wacoal will donate $5 to Susan G. Komen®, supporting breast cancer research, patient services, and critical education programs.
Whether you’re overdue for a fitting, refreshing your top drawer, or simply looking for a meaningful way to give back, this is an easy way to do something good for yourself and your community.
Bring your daughters, friends, sisters, and neighbors. Make it a girls’ day with purpose!
The event runs all day; check your location for availability. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome, and the event is open to all.

Local Event: Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer...

Join Wacoal for Fit for the Cure®, a special in-person event that combines expert bra fittings with meaningful impact in the...

Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Bloomingdale's

Fourth Presbyterian Church

Camerata Chicago, led by the chamber orchestra's founder and music director Drostan Hall, opens its 23rd concert season with a program featuring Felix Mendelssohn’s music for William Shakespeare’s <a href="https://www.cameratachicago.org/category/concert-series/2026-10-midsummer/?utm_source=patch&amp;utm_medium=event_calendar&amp;utm_campaign=2627_midsummer&amp;utm_content=season_listing" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,”</a> Op. 61; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds in E-flat Major, K. 297b; and the world premiere of Chicago-area composer Tony Payne’s “Fantasy on English Melodies,” commissioned by Camerata Chicago. All three are new to Camerata Chicago’s repertoire.
Mendelssohn’s music for Shakespeare’s romantic comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Opus 61, comprises the overture Mendelssohn wrote as teenager and the incidental music he composed nearly two decades later.
The work includes the resplendent “Wedding March,” one of the most famous pieces of classical music, traditionally heard at the conclusion of the ceremony as the newlywed couple walks out in joyous celebration.
Hall, who was born in Norwich, England, and retains his “plummy” British accent, will narrate excerpts from the play, set in an enchanted forest, as well as conduct Mendelssohn’s witty and colorful, atmospheric score conjuring bird songs, buzzing insects, rustling leaves, and rippling creeks.
Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds in E-flat major, K. 297b, is a charming and melodious three-movement orchestral work. The soloists are four of Camerata Chicago’s principal players: Grace Hong, oboe; Elizandro Garcia Montoya, clarinet; Vincent Karamanov, bassoon; and Lee Shirer, horn.
“We are thrilled to feature our superb principal wind players for the first time with the programming of this marvelous concerto,” Hall says.
“Audiences who are used to hearing the Mendelssohn and Mozart played by a symphony orchestra can savor these more intimately scaled performances for the musical detail they reveal,” Hall says.
“Both are examples of works that were originally written for orchestras the size of Camerata Chicago,” he says, “as were many other important works in the classical repertoire we feature.”
Camerata Chicago, Hall says, “is about chamber-music intimacy on a larger stage.”
Hall describes Payne’s ““Fantasy on English Melodies” as “beautifully cast in the mold of Ralph Vaughan Williams, who turned English folk tunes into wonderful, spiritually uplifting compositions.” 
The “Fantasy,” which Payne dedicated to Hall, includes the folk ballad “Lovely Joan,” a tribute to Hall’s late mother, Joan.
Tickets and information
Single tickets are $50 adults, $40 seniors 65 and over, $10 students, $2 children 14 and under. VIP tickets are $75.
Using online code CCPR provides a 15% discount.
Tickets and information are available at CamerataChicago.org and by phone 312-799-0916. Email: andiamo@cameratachicago.org.

Local Event: Camerata Chicago — Mendelssohn's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

Camerata Chicago — Mendelssohn's 'A Midsummer...

Camerata Chicago, led by the chamber orchestra's founder and music director Drostan Hall, opens its 23rd concert season with a...

Camerata Chicago — Mendelssohn's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

1521 S. Linn White Dr., Northerly Island, Chicago, IL 60605

FEATURING ELDERBROOK LIVE AT SUNSET
The Wellness Retreat is taking over Chicago’s Northerly Island for one unforgettable day of movement, music, mindfulness and connection.
Move alongside leading instructors. Discover fresh ways to feel your best. Recharge by the lake, connect with your people and close out the day with a live sunset performance by Elderbrook.
This isn’t wellness as usual. It’s immersive, energizing and meant to be experienced out loud—together.
AND THAT’S JUST THE BEGINNING.

For more information, <a href="https://speakeasygo.com/the-wellness-retreat/the-wellness-retreat-chicago?eid=EVE-I2830I" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">click here.&nbsp;</a>

(Photo Credit: © 2026 The Wellness Retreat. All rights reserved.)

Local Event: The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet

The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind,...

FEATURING ELDERBROOK LIVE AT SUNSET
The Wellness Retreat is taking over Chicago’s Northerly Island for one unforgettable day of...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Posting Activity

Live Reading: “Cold Was the Ground”

OCT

16

6:00 PM

American Writers Museum, 180 North N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

Black Poetry Day Readings & Reflections

OCT

17

1:00 PM

American Writers Museum, 180 North N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

Get Lit: Witch Please

OCT

20

5:30 PM

American Writers Museum, 180 North N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

Author Talk: “Turning Pages” by Roberta Rubin

NOV

3

6:00 PM

American Writers Museum, 180 North N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

Get Lit: Weird Science

NOV

10

5:30 PM

American Writers Museum, 180 North N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

American Prophets: The Platinum Age of Gospel (IN PERSON)

DEC

3

6:00 PM

American Writers Museum, 180 North N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

American Prophets: The Platinum Age of Gospel (ONLINE)

DEC

3

6:00 PM

American Writers Museum, 180 North N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

Get Lit: Santa's Book Fair

DEC

9

5:30 PM

American Writers Museum, 180 North N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL

Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness

Camerata Chicago — Mendelssohn's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

The Wellness Retreat: A Festival Where Mind, Body, and Music Meet