Poetry at the Pavillion

From Gwendolyn Brooks to avery r. young and Mayda Del Valle, and from Langston Hughes to Jamila Woods and Angela Jackson, Chicago is a city of poets. This summer, meet us on the Arts Lawn at golden hour for Poetry at the Pavilion, a monthly celebration of Chicago’s contemporary poets and the South Side writers who inspired them. 

Each month, the evening begins with two poets or spoken word artists offering an intimate reading of their own work, followed by selections from a Chicago legacy artist of their choice. Then it’s your turn, as the poets lead a guided writing session on the Lawn. Whether you’re a season writer or brand new to crafting a stanza, this creative space is open to all. 

Come listen, get inspired, and put your own pen to paper under the summer sky.

July features poet E'mon Lauren. Our other poet will be announced soon!