As the resident and perhaps even interloping poet-blogger for CAA, I would be remiss, or at least ashamed of myself, if I didn’t mention a couple peripheral poetry events happing during or around CAA.

This week is a loaded deck. First, TONIGHT is the 31^st installment of The Dollhouse Reading Series. Dollhouse, founded by curator Dolly Lemke and former curator Stephen Danos (the two later co-founded Pinwheel magazine), is currently curated by Dolly, Holly Amos, and Ryan Spooner.

Dollhouse was the first reading I attended in Chicago, September 22, 2012, at the then recently relocated venue in Lincoln Square. The lineup was Jesse Malmed, Jenny Zhang, and Zachery Schomburg. The night sticks out as one of the best readings I’ve ever been to. And even more, what was so great about it was the feeling of community, support, and intimacy in the salon style house reading. DH is inviting and familiar, BYOB, and always full of poetry that will gut you, fill you with something weird and beautiful, and then piece you back together. Although I know I will always see my friends here, there is always a vigorous scissoring of raised hands when the group is asked if any first-timers are in attendance. Tonight, Dollhouse will be featuring Peter Davis, Sarah Fox, Tony Trigilio, and Hoa Nguyen.

Dollhouse Curators

Although CAA brings in folks from all over the country, there are a couple bomb events next week that any lingerers or Chicagoans need to keep on their radar. While one is at the super-visible Poetry Foundation, the other is hosted by a new DIY series that will take place at Lula Cafe in Logan Square.

Next Tuesday, February 18th at 7:00pm, the PoFo’s Open Door series will feature poets and scholars Quraysh Ali Lansana, Lisa Fishman, Keith S. Wilson, and Amy Limpman. According to the Poetry Foundation’s website, “The Open Door series presents work from Chicago’s new and emerging poets and highlights the area’s outstanding writing programs. Each hour-long reading features two Chicagoland college and graduate writing program instructors and two of their current or recent students.” Here‘s a short bit about a recent poetry/editorial experience I had at the Poetry Foundation.

And finally, next Thursday, February 20th at 10:30pm, The Swell will feature their fourth Set at Lula Cafe. Curated by Tara Boswell, Patrick Samuel, and myself, The Swell {an art cooperative} is a Chicago-based reading and performance series that seeks to bridge gaps between genre, medium, and representation by creating a public space for sharing, challenging, and celebrating art and poetry within the community.

For Set 4, poets and performers Andre Price, Claire Arctander, Colleen O’Connor, and Kristin Lueke will take the stage at Lula Cafe. Come early, stay late, the bar will be open. Kristin has threatened to read only love poems (which would be awesome), and I am certain Claire will not leave us unaffected.

Photo from Claire’s website

Alright, CAAers, strap on your boots and make it out to these great readings. I hope I’ll see you there!