Second Sunday Unslam — Monthly Chicago Poetry Meetup — August 2026

Join us for 45 minutes of quiet poetry reading/writing time, followed by our non-competitive, zero pressure poetry reading every second sunday in the back room. Whether you write for the page or the stage, your words are welcome here!

• People who really aren't sure how they feel about poetry but who are curious to learn what it's all about
• People who like to read or listen to poetry
• Poets who primarily write for the page
• Performance poets who want to practice their slam or spoken word piece for a chill audience

• 4pm-4:45pm - Join us in the back room and find a seat. Settle in with a book from our poetry books collection, out for everyone to browse, read some poetry you brought with you, or spend some time writing or revising your own poems. There will be optional prompts available.
• 4:45pm-5pm - Break time! Stretch your legs and grab a beverage from the bar or a snack.
• 5pm-6pm - Time for Unslam, our non-competitive, zero pressure poetry reading. Reading is optional, and listeners are welcome. Read a few of your own poems, a poem you found in a book and loved, or a poem you brought with you.

Hope to see you there!