| Introduction | Book/Author Events | Discussion Groups |
| Participating Organizations | Children's and Family Events | Carl Sandburg Award Dinner |
| Sponsors | Other Happenings | One Book, One Chicago |
Other Book Festival Happenings
The Book Bike
Saturdays and Sundays, throughout October
Various Chicago parks – for up-to-date listings of book giveaways go to www.somethingtoread.net
This custom-built bicycle is a roving—and free—bookstore. Go online to see where it will be on any given Saturday, passing out brand new books donated by publishers.
John Hospodka
Bohemian Pupil Press
South Side Trilogy: John Hospodka
on-line throughout October at www.bohemianpupil.com
(773) 383-1122
The free on-line, multi-media “literary picture show” South Side Trilogy features a collection of fictional works and also utilizes sound and images.
Lifeline Theatre
Treasure Island
September 24 - November 1; Thursdays and Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays, 4:00 p.m.
6912 N. Glenwood Ave.
(773) 761-4477
www.lifelinetheatre.com
In this exciting adaptation, a treasure map leads Jim on an expedition to recover a fortune in plundered gold. Fair winds and favorable seas give way to mutiny and the evil machinations of the scoundrel Long John Silver.
Newberry Library
Workshop: Exploring Our Stories of War & Service
Thursday, September 24, October 1, and October 8, 5:45 - 7:45 p.m.
60 W. Walton St.
(312) 255-3700
www.newberry.org; www.vetartproject.com
This workshop, produced in conjunction with the Vet Art Project, encourages the exploration of a story in your own life, the life of a loved one, or of an historical or fictional character that can help us understand various perspectives on war and the affect it has on soldiers. Led by Lisa Rosenthal.
Open Books
Fall Harvest Book Drive and Open House
Friday, October 2, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
213 W. Institute Pl., Suite 305
(312) 492-4076
www.open-books.org
Open Books is looking for your new or gently used books! Bring them by; learn more about our organization, our new bookstore opening in 2009 and how to help us promote the joy of reading and writing!
National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum
Workshop: What Civilians Need to Understand About Homecoming
Saturday, October 3, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
1801 S. Indiana St.
(312) 326-0270
www.nvvam.org; www.vetartproject.com
This writing workshop, created with the Vet Art Project, is for civilians who want to understand the homecoming process—transiting from the combat zone to the home front. Led by Dr. John Mundt, Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Day Hospital, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center.
Eclipse Theatre Company
Free First Rehearsal and Read Through: Democracy by Romulus Linney
Monday, October 5, 7:00 p.m.
The Greenhouse Theater Center, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave.
(773) 325-9655
www.eclipsetheatre.com
Linney's theatrical adaptation of two novels mixes Henry Adams' tales of love and ambition in Washington with scandals from the Ulysses S. Grant administration. This insightful vision of American democracy is scathing, funny and surprisingly relevant.
Chicago Public Library
Bezazian Branch
Speed Reading Workshop
Saturday, October 10, 11:00 a.m.
1226 W. Ainslie St.
(312) 744-0019
Learn to read faster and improve you comprehension and recall! Taught by the Iris Organization (www.irisreading.com).
Playwright Tanya Saracho
Steppenwolf Theatre Company/Steppenwolf for Young Adults
The House on Mango Street
October 13 – November 1: Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 3:00 & 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 3:00 p.m.; Weekday matinee performances are available for school groups only (Tuesdays- Fridays at 10 a.m.)
Steppenwolf Upstairs Theatre
1650 N. Halsted St.
(312) 335-1650
www.steppenwolf.org
Based on the novel of the same name by celebrated Chicago writer Sandra Cisneros, playwright Tanya Saracho’s The House on Mango Street is the touching and humorous story of a young girl growing up in one of Chicago’s culturally diverse neighborhoods. Esperanza Cordero dreams of a new life in this classic coming-of-age story.
City Lit Theater Company
Promethean Theatre Ensemble
The Last Unicorn
October 16 - November 14, Thursday and Friday, 8:00 p.m., Saturday, 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Sunday 3:00 p.m. (No matinee October 17)
City Lit Theater
1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.
(773) 305-2897
www.prometheantheatre.org
Peter S. Beagle's beloved fantasy novel is adapted to the stage and directed by Ed Rutherford in a grown-up fairy tale. When a unicorn hears from a pair of hunters traveling through her forest that she is the last of her kind, she sets off on a quest to discover what has become of her lost brothers and sisters. This world premiere incorporates original music, puppetry and masks.
Chicago Neighborhood Tours
Literary Chicago Special Interest Tour
Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
78 E. Washington St.
Reservations required: (312) 742-1190
www.chicagoneighborhoodtours.com
Tease out tantalizing tales about well-known authors, playwrights and poets. Discoveries first unfold at the Chicago Cultural Center, the original Chicago Public Library (now a noted landmark) and a beaux-arts beauty. The plot thickens at the de facto headquarters for Chicago’s early 20th-century literary culture, the Fine Arts Building on South Michigan Avenue. Tread the same Chicago neighborhoods that served as the muse for many popular writers.
Lunch at a local restaurant included; $50 adults/$45 seniors (65+) and students with ID.
Newberry Library
Workshop: Activate Your Writing Ambitions
Saturday, October 17, 1:00 -4:00 p.m.
60 W. Walton St.
(312) 255-3700
www.newberry.org
Being a writer is about making space in your life for creativity, giving yourself permission to activate your creative energy, and harnessing your creative imagination. This writing workshop is led by writing coach Lisa Rosenthal.
Chicago Public Library
Bezazian Branch
Books on the Chopping Block
Saturday, October 17, 3:00 p.m.
1226 W. Ainslie St.
(312) 744-0019
This Readers Theater production, presented by City Lit Theater Company, offers a live concert reading of excerpts from the top ten most frequently challenged books of 2008.
The Chicago Storytelling Guild
Telling Tales Out Loud: Fall Tales, Tall Tales, a Whirl of Tales for an Autumn Night
Tuesday, October 20, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Oriental Institute Museum
1155 E. 58th St.
(773) 288-7217
www.storytelling.org/guilds/chicago
Gather ‘round as you listen to professional and emerging storytellers regale you with tales of the season, perhaps throwing in a bit of fright for a late fall night!All story lovers, storytellers and listeners are welcome. Learn about professional venues for storytelling and the November celebration of Stories called "Tellabration!"
Chicago Public Library
Wrightwood-Ashburn Branch
Teen Volume Reader’s Theatre Performance
Thursday, October 22, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
(312) 747-4780
Ages 14 and up
Reader’s Theatre is a series of teen programming featuring dramatic readings by teens from Teen Volume books for teens. We’re taking words off the page and making them real!
National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum
Open Rehearsal of New Art about War
Saturday, October 24, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
1801 S. Indiana St.
(773) 301-5366
www.nvvam.org; www.vetartproject.com
These Vet Art Project performances honor Veterans Day, featuring dance, drama, poetry, and more. Witness the stories unfolding or view the art in the galleries of the museum that tell their own stories.
Instituto Cervantes
Workshop with Laura Freixas: Spanish Feminine Literature
Friday, October 30, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 31, 10:00 a.m. - Noon
31 W. Ohio St.
www.chicago.cervantes.es
Spanish author Laura Freixas (Love or Whatever It Is, Adolescencia en Barcelona) has taught and lectured in Ireland, Great Britain and the U.S. on Spanish literature.
Chicago Dramatists
Saturday Play Reading Series: Stephen’s Psalm
Saturday, October 31, 2:00 p.m.
1105 W. Chicago Ave.
(312) 633-0630
www.chicagodramatists.org; www.vetartproject.com
A father tries to reconnect to his estranged son before his son goes off to Iraq. The father travels to the source of his grief—the site where he lost his brother in the Vietnam War when he was just 15—to find the key to unlock his son’s heart. Created in the Vet Art Project.