May 2026 Debrief

We don't book Tuesday Funk with themes in mind, but they often emerge organically. At the 170th edition of Chicago's favorite eclectic reading series on May 5, 2026, the theme the theme that emerged was "identity." Vince Omni got us started with a story about a teenager away from home seeing a future for himself in basketball. Next, Victoria Montalbano shared her perspective on how modern romance novels helped her get comfortable with her sexuality. Then Benjamin Goluboff read several poems about the city and the experiences of bicycling within it.

We took a break to refill our drinks, and cohost Andrew Huff eased us back in with a few topical haiku, then Deborah Shapiro read an excerpt from her book about how she came to view life through "Columbo." Cohost Erin Watson made a highly specific toast, and Kate Lechler closed us out with a portion of her novel in progress about a female pirate and her very particular fashion choices.

It was a fantastic show; if you weren't there, you really missed out. But you're in luck: we will return to the upstairs lounge at Hopleaf on Tuesday, June 2 with readings by Mary Winn Heider, Jitesh Jaggi, Mary Lorenz, Anca Szilagyi and Joy Wright. Hope you can join us!