We had a great crowd for the 129th edition of Tuesday Funk on July 2, and those in attendance got a serious treat -- emphasis on serious.

Norman Doucet got everything started with a funny story that wove a legendary boxing match with glimpses into the personalities of the three parental figures in his life. Next, Cameron McGill read poems that painted desolate landscapes populated by lovers, family members and memories. Then Sahar Mustafah shared an excerpt from her forthcoming novel, The Beauty of Your Face, giving us a look at the movements and motivations of a school shooter.

Cohost Andrew read a couple of rather angry haiku, and we took a break to refill drinks and decompress.

Cohost Eden brought us back from intermission with part of an essay about her experiences living for two weeks on a scientific research boat in the Gulf of Mexico. Then Kalisha Buckhanon read an excerpt from her new book Speaking of Summer, and finally Kenji Kuramitsu delivered an essay reflecting on Japanese resettlement in Chicago after the World War II internment camps and their relevance today.

Keep an eye on our YouTube page for video of the show, and put Tuesday, August 6 on your calendar now. We'll be featuring readings by Sara Ross Witt, H. Melt, Sophie Amado, Vojislav Pejovic and Jill Howe. You won't want to miss it!

Some nights just feel right. June 4 was one of those nights, when everything just came together and your favorite eclectic monthly reading series simply hummed.

James Finn Garner set the mood with a snappy bit of clown-detective noir. Next, Mare Swallow told a story about wanting to be the bad girl for once, and its repercussions. Then Erin Watson read a collection of poems, including a few about baseball's dad.

Intermission arrived and we refilled our drinks, and cohost Andrew Huff read some of his topical haiku. Bill Savage roused the crowd with an impassioned recounting of how order came to Chicago's street names. And finally, Elizabeth Gomez shared an essay about how important self identity is, especially as it's being formed.

Yep, you missed a good one. But don't worry, Tuesday Funk will be back on Tuesday, July 2, with readings by Sahar Mustafah, Kenji Kuramitsu, Kalisha Buckhanon, Norman Doucet and Cameron McGill! Hope to see you there.

What a wonderful show we had on May 7! The crowd was standing room only in the upstairs bar at Hopleaf, and the stellar lineup had everyone rapt. Kathryn Kruse led us off with two sad-and-funny short pieces. Next, Jenn Rourke told a story about being a "bad Catholic" who ended up playing a nun in a high school musical. Tracy Harford-Porter took us into the intermission with a beguiling bit of sci-fi fantasy involving mermaids.

We refilled our drinks and talked about what we'd heard, and then Megan Maile Manley read a distressingly funny POV story about parking lot drama, and Jocelyn Geboy closed out the show with a series of lamentations about modern life in the city.

If you missed out, there's another opportunity to see Chicago's favorite eclectic reading series next month. On June 4, we'll feature readings by Bill Savage, Erin Watson, Mare Swallow, Elizabeth Gomez and James Finn Garner. Hope to see you there!

The April edition of Tuesday Funk was on election night, and we appreciate the folks who elected come out for some live lit! And as April is National Poetry Month, the show was loaded with poets.

Levi Todd got the show started with a collection of poems, followed by Elizabeth Tamny, who shared an essay about her love of Doris Day ahead of her 97th birthday. Stuti Sharma closed out the first half with a combination of poems and stand-up comedy.

We took a break to refill our drinks, and cohost Andrew Huff read a few topical haiku for election day. Next, Amar Taylor delivered some explosive poetry. Last but not least, Nestor "The Boss" Gomez shared a story about helping his mother fix a few things around the house -- with associated mischief.

If you missed it, don't worry. Tuesday Funk will be back in the upstairs lounge of Hopleaf on Tuesday, May 7, when we'll feature readings by Jenn Rourke Elizondo, Jocelyn Geboy, Tracy Harford-Porter, Megan Manley and Kathryn Kruse. Hope to see you there!

Well, March predictably came in like a lion, but Tuesday Funk fans withstood the miserable weather and came out for a great show on March 5, 2019. Lindsay Eanet warmed the upstairs lounge at Hopleaf up with an essay that brought together astrology, "American Ninja Warrior" and The Hunger Games, then Lori Barrett (filling in for the ill Tracy Harford-Porter) shared a story about getting used to living in a foreign country -- and the noises one's neighbors make. Next, Robbie Q. Telfer read poems that were at once funny and poignant.

We took a break to refill our drinks, after which cohost Andrew Huff shared a couple of topical haiku and introduced Faisal Mohyuddin, who read several poems of his own. Last but not least, Kelly Swails told a story about nearly falling off a cliff and being saved by a cool-headed friend.

Tuesday Funk returns on April 2, when we'll feature readings by Kenji Kuramitsu, Elizabeth Tamny, Stuti Sharma, Amar Taylor and Levi Todd. Hope to see you there!

February showed its teeth on the night of the first Tuesday Funk in 2019 (we took January off because the first Tuesday of the month was the first of the year, remember?), with a warning of freezing rain rattling the city. The freezing rain didn't arrive in Andersonville that night, and plenty of intrepid folks made it to Hopleaf to see their favorite eclectic monthly reading series.

We started the night with Mike Puican, whose insightful and often funny poems put is in the right mood. Next, Jasmine Davila shared an essay connecting celebrity crushes and personal illness. Then cohost Eden Robins read an excerpt from her unpublished novel.

We took a minute to drink it all in and refill our glasses with Leah behind the bar.

Unfortunately, the weather was worse in the suburbs, which resulted in reader Sahar Mustafah having to cancel, but cohost Andrew Huff gamely stepped in to read a short piece of fiction instead, in addition to a couple of topical haiku. (We'll be seeing Sahar later in the year instead.) And last but not least, Molia Dumbleton shared two short pieces selected by her teenage daughter.

If the weather warnings scared you away, you'll have another chance to see Tuesday Funk on March 5, when we'll feature readings by Kelly Swails, Lindsay Eanet, Robbie Q Telfer, Tracy Harford-Porter and Faisal Mohyuddin. Hope to see you there!

The last Tuesday Funk in 2018 was a lot like the year itself: a roller coaster of emotions. We got started with Funk founder Connor Coyne, who read an excerpt from his new book Urbantasm featuring a once-in-a-teenaged-lifetime laser show. Next, Dayna Bateman shared a touching story about her father and finding quiet places. Then Cesar Torres read a portion of one of his books, featuring a rather unusual form of artificial intelligence.

We took a break to refresh our drinks, then cohost Andrew Huff shared a few seasonal haiku, followed by an essay from Rosamund Lannin. Finally, James Gordon told a story about racism ruining a good deal.

Miss it? Video will be up soon. In the meantime, join us at the next show on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2019, when we'll feature readings by Molly Dumbleton, Mike Puican, Sahar Mustafah, Jasmine Davila and our very own cohost, Eden Robins! See you there!

The weather turned more wintry on November 6, but Tuesday Funk remained cozy in its upstairs lounge at Hopleaf, ready to hear some great live lit. Alec Nevala-Lee got the evening started with a recently published essay on how Isaac Asimov's Foundation series mirrors current politics. Next, Tom Haley read a bit of dystopian sci-fi set in a future when we've given up the right to vote. Cohost Andrew Huff read a couple of his topical haiku, then Lily Be took us into the break with a story of how the selfish behavior of little boys turns into the entitlement of grown men.

Bartender Alex refilled our drinks, we talked about what we'd heard, and then settled back in for the second half. Cohost Eden Robins led it off with an essay about how the film The Witches of Eastwick is still relevant today, then Britt Julious told a harrowing story about her battle to overcome a debilitating health condition. Finally, Chelsea Fiddyment read — and sang — several experimental pieces to cap off the evening.

We'll be back for our last show of 2018 on Tuesday, Dec. 4, with readings by James Gordon, Dayna Bateman, Amar Taylor, Cesar Torres and Tuesday Funk founder Connor Coyne. You don't want to miss it!

Autumn began its blustery descent on Chicago in October, but we were warm and cozy in the upstairs lounge at Hopleaf for Tuesday Funk on Oct. 6. The evening started with a selection of poems by Dipika Mukherjee. Next, Henri Harps shared a portion of a short story about a music teacher and a changing neighborhood in Brooklyn. Then Jenny Hatchadorian read a funny story about a girl dealing with delayed puberty while at camp.

We took a break to refill our glasses, and then cohost Andrew Huff read a couple of his topical haiku to get us back in the mood. Hannah Gamble then shared a couple of poems and a short essay, and Angel Simmons closed out the show with a mental walking tour of her Englewood neighborhood.

Join us on Tuesday, November 6 for the next edition of Tuesday Funk, featuring Lily Be, Chelsea Fiddyment, Alec Nevala-Lee, Tom Haley and Britt Julious. Hope to see you there!

Thanks to everyone who made it out for Tuesday Funk's special Lit Crawl Chicago episode! Sandwiched in between Junior Varsity and The Skewer in our usual room at Hopleaf, we did an abbreviated show on a lovely Saturday evening.

Annabel Lang got us started with a funny, bittersweet story about being "the only dyke in the wedding party." Next, Jan English Leary read two short pieces of fiction from her collection Skating on the Vertical. Then Kimberly Dixon-Mays shared a selection of poems, and Gina DeLuca closed out the show with a hilarious character sketch of a woman looking forward to celebrating her honeymoon taking Instagram photos in Paris.

If you missed it, don't worry, we'll have video up on our YouTube channel soon. And you'll have another chance to join us at Tuesday Funk very soon! We'll be back in the upstairs lounge at Hopleaf on Tuesday, Oct. 2, for readings by Jenny Hatchadorian, Henri Harps, Dipika Mukherjee, Angel Simmons and Hannah Gamble. Hope to see you there!