The day after Labor Day can be kind of subdued -- the summer is "over," school's back in session, and summer work hours are gone. But the crowd at your favorite eclectic monthly reading series was large and engaged.

The show started off with cohost Andrew Huff reading an excerpt of his novel in progress. Next, Tiffany Gholar shared pieces from her book, The Sum of its Parts: Artwork, 2014-2018. Then Tony Breed told a funny story about his first trip to Europe as a college student.

We took a break to refill our drinks, then Edward Moses read three short pieces about his life. And Kate Harding closed out the show with a thrilling tale of a neighborhood mayoral race -- for pets.

We'll admit it, it was all pretty great. You should see for yourself by coming to the next show! We'll be back at Hopleaf on Tuesday, Oct. 1, where we'll feature readings by Ann C. Logue, Scott Smith, F. Amanda Tugade, Sarah Steimer and Gint Aras. Hope to see you then!

The 130th edition of Tuesday Funk was a rollercoaster of emotions, and we're so glad you joined us for it. The full house in the upstairs lounge at Hopleaf was treated to a trio of short related pieces by Sara Ross Witt, then Vojislav Pejovic took us on a historic journey through poets from the former Yugoslavia. Next, Sophie Amado mused about the meaning of "now" and time in general, and then it was time for a drink.

Cohost Andrew Huff read a couple of his patented topical haiku to bring us back from the intermission, and then H.Melt shared poems from their recent and forthcoming books. Last but not least, Jill Howe told a story about connecting with a challenging student, and the repercussions of that decision.

Tuesday Funk will be back soon! Join us Tuesday, Sept. 3 for readings by Kate Harding, Tony Breed, Tiffany Gholar, Edward Moses and cohost Andrew Huff. Hope to see you there!

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!