Debriefings

A collection of 138 posts

Debriefings Reading #170

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

Debriefings Reading #169

April 2026 Debrief

The upstairs lounge at Hopleaf filled to capacity within 10 minutes of doors opening on April 7, as fans of Chicago's favorite eclectic reading series poured in. The 169th edition of Tuesday Funk was just that nice! Krystle Ratticus started us off with the tale of the backdoor

Debriefings Marley Elizabeth

March 2026 Debrief

We had another great show on March 3, and if you missed it, you missed out. Eliza Marley got us started with a story about a mysterious stain coming to life on an El train. Then Maria Kostas told a touching story, and Mar Romasco-Moore shared a disturbing piece about

Debriefings Reading #167

February 2026 Debrief

We love that Chicagoans don't let the bitter cold keep them home during the winter! The house was full for Tuesday Funk on Feb. 3, and our readers felt their warmth. Robin Billadeau led us off with some flash fiction and poetry. Next, Robert Loerzel gave us a

Debriefings Reading #166

January 2026 Debrief

We love a packed room at Tuesday Funk, and the upstairs lounge at Hopleaf was indeed filled to capacity for our 166th edition on January 6, 2026. A queue formed on the stairs ahead of the 7pm door time! Once everyone was settled in where they could, Dmitry Samarov got

Debriefings Reading #165

December 2025 Debrief

The upstairs lounge at Hopleaf was filled with good cheer on Tuesday, Dec. 2, as Chicago's favorite eclectic reading series they soon would hear. A full house turned out for the 165th edition of Tuesday Funk, and though we were short a reader — Edward Moses fell ill and

Debriefings Reading #164

November 2025 Debrief

November's Tuesday Funk happened on one of the first truly autumnal days of the year, with drizzle and blustery winds whipping the leaves around. But that didn't stop people from packing the upstairs lounge at Hopleaf! Bridget Gordon got things started with some of faer poetry.

Debriefings Reading #163

October 2025 Debrief

The 163rd edition of Tuesday Funk was on one the first cool nights we've had this fall, but the live lit kept us warm inside.

Debriefings Reading #162

September 2025 Debrief

Do you remember? The 2nd night of September? Tuesday Funk was changin' the minds of pretenders, while chasin' the clouds away... The 162nd edition of Chicago's favorite eclectic reading series brought a packed house to the upstairs lounge at Hopleaf, and our readers delivered for them.

Debriefings Reading #161

August 2025 Debrief

It feels like this summer has been flying by! Fortunately we have the rhythm of Tuesday Funk to help mark the time. Our show August 5 was standing room only, demonstrating just how much Chicago loves live lit! Courtney Justus got the evening started with a tale of dancing and

Debriefings Reading #160

July 2025 Debrief

It was downright hot on the first of July, but we stayed nice and cool in the upstairs lounge of Hopleaf, ready for the 160th edition of Tuesday Funk! Victoria Montalbano got things started with a funny story about being an in-store shopper for a now wildly successful college classmate.

Debriefings Reading #159

June 2025 Debrief

We had a packed room for our June 3 show — proving once again that Chicagoans love their live lit! And we had a really great show for them, too. Dayna Bateman started things off with a moving abecedarian essay about her indigenous Sámi ancestors to pass for white in the

Debriefings Reading #158

May 2025 Debrief

We had a wonderful turnout for Tuesday Funk on May 6. The upstairs lounge at Hopleaf was filled with folks ready for anything, and that's exactly what your favorite eclectic monthly reading series gave them! J. Rohr got things started with a lightly fictionalized story of a wild

Debriefings Reading #158

April 2025 Debrief

Thanks to everyone who joined us for Tuesday Funk on April 1 — y'all aren't fools! Our show ended up being one reader short, as Rachel Mennies was sick, but we had a great time anyway. Marc Fischer got us started with a collection of emails disclosing

Debriefings Reading #156

March 2025 Debrief

March came in like a lion with some fantastic live lit at Tuesday Funk! First, Kat Jercich told a story about a determined search for a special duck. Next, Andrew Cothren read a collection of flash fiction pieces. Then Keidra Chaney read an essay about the challenges and misconceptions about

Debriefings Reading #155

February 2025 Debrief

It might be winter in Chicago, but Tuesday Funk's audience gave everyone a super warm welcome! Chicago's favorite eclectic reading series played to a packed house February 4. Mare Swallow started us off strong with a story about doing cosplay for the first time at C2E2.

Debriefings Reading #154

January 2025 Debrief

Tuesday Funk started the year off right, with a full house and five great readers! Michelle Young told a story about buying her home and the safety it made her feel. Next, Carole Hodorowicz shared a story of a young woman reflecting on the Midwest during a night in the

Debriefings Reading #153

December 2024 Debrief

Chicago's favorite eclectic reading series closed out 2024 with a cozy night of great readings! Veronica Arreola started us off strong with an essay about women's sports. Next, Tanner McSwain shared a slightly surreal meditation. We took an intermission to refill our drinks, after which cohost

Debriefings Reading #152

October 2024 Debrief

There was a slightly somber and spooky vibe to the October edition of Tuesday Funk, as is appropriate to the season. Sondra Morin led things off with an essay and a couple of poems. Then Faisal Mohyuddin read a range of poetry, including a selection that were published October 2024

Debriefings Reading #151

September 2024 Debrief

Our September show brought together readers new and old. Dr. Ada Cheng shared a contemplative essay about aging and acceptance, followed by Kemi Alabi reading poems from their acclaimed book Against Heaven. Tuesday Funk co-founder Hallie Palladino read a personal essay about how she fell in love with — and began

Debriefings Reading #150

August 2024 Debrief

Our August show was lively and fun. If you didn't make it, here's what you missed! Kelly Swails led us off with an essay about exploring the city through visits to dive bars. Next, Rosamund Lannin read a portion of a short story that will be

Debriefings Reading #149

July 2024 Debrief

On the Tuesday before July 4, we celebrated our independence with a little Tuesday Funk! Kate Lechler got the show rolling with a delightfully dread-inspiring story of self-actualization. C. Russell Price then introduce us to a cowboy ghost and his blue ghost horse friend through the medium of poetry. Then

Debriefings Reading #148

June 2024 Debrief

We had a standing-room-only crowd for the 148th edition of Tuesday Funk on June 4, 2024 — and no wonder, with Eden Robins making her final appearance as cohost. Plus we had a stacked lineup! Chris Sweet started us off strong with a fun and funny essay about Bob Dylan and

Debriefings Reading #147

May 2024 Debrief

The 147th edition of Tuesday Funk seesawed from personal stories to pure fiction as our readers held their audience rapt in the upstairs bar at Hopleaf. Tuesday Funk founder Connor Coyne led things off with an excerpt from his novella Hollywood. Then Carmen Aiken read an essay about a summer

Debriefings Reading #141

September 2020 Debrief

Tuesday Funk on the first of September once again happened on our YouTube page, but that didn't slow down our readers. Maggie Kast started us off with a portion of a novella in her new book, Side By Side But Never Face To Face. Next Veronica Arreola read