EVENTS CALENDAR
Check out these events for writers and storytellers in Elgin and beyond!
The Elgin Poet Laureate Project is committed to serving the needs of our community. Events will be subject to the Poet Laureate’s availability. Any organization or individual may request participation by the Poet Laureate.
Monday October 14
Door open @ 7:00 PM
Performances begin @ 7:30 PM
Side Street Studio Arts
15 Ziegler Ct
Elgin, IL 60120
Community Showcase: Spooktober
Showcase begins at 7:30pm
First Mondays
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Gail Borden Public Library
& on ZOOM
Main Library: Grove Room
270 N Grove Ave, Elgin, IL, 60120
Poetry Writers Workshop
Budding & Seasoned Poets Welcome!
Share your love of poetry! Poets share their work in a supportive environment facilitated by Elgin Poet Laureate Emeritus Gareth Mann.
PAST POET LAUREATE EVENTS
Saturday September 28
Event from 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Performance @ 3:15 PM
Rakow Branch
Gail Borden Public Library
2751 W Bowes Rd
Elgin, IL 60123
Renaissance Family Faire: Poet Laureate Performance
Aron Ryan celebrated the Renaissance Family Faire at the Gail Borden Public Library’s Rakow Branch, performing his poem All’s Faire in Love and Libraries.
Read Aron’s poem All’s Faire in Love and Libraries
Monday September 9
Doors @ 7:00 PM
Performances @ 7:30 PM
Side Street Studio Arts
15 Ziegler Ct
Elgin, IL 60120
Community Showcase: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Each month, we celebrate a new theme. September’s theme was Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, showcasing creative work by Hispanic and Latinx poets and musicians. Axl Chupungco kicked off the celebration with a showstopping performance of his original songs. Aron Ryan shared poetry composed by renowned Hispanic and Latinx poets, each poem encapsulating the theme of the words we use to tell our stories. Angelica Holguin gave a stellar performance for the event’s grand finale, sharing her story, her music, and her kindhearted spirit. Led by Aron Ryan, Elgin Poet Laureate.
Poetry shared by Aron Ryan:
Songs covered by Angelica Holguin:
Monday August 5
Doors @ 7:00 PM
Performances @ 7:30 PM
Side Street Studio Arts
15 Ziegler Ct
Elgin, IL 60120
Community Showcase: Kids Read!
Each month, we celebrate a new theme. August’s theme was Kids Read, showcasing creative work by kids and teens! Six young writers shared their poetry and prose. Led by Aron Ryan, Elgin Poet Laureate.
Monday July 1
Doors @ 7:00 PM
Performances @ 7:30 PM
Side Street Studio Arts
15 Ziegler Ct
Elgin, IL 60120
Community Showcase: Celebrating Pride Month!
Community members performed poetry and music at Side Street Studio Art’s first community showcase! Led by Aron Ryan, Elgin Poet Laureate.
Each month, we celebrate a new theme. July’s theme was Pride Month, showcasing work by LGBTQ+ authors, artists, musicians, and creators in our community!
Scheduled performers included Aron Ryan, Axl Chupungco, and erin st breen.
Poetry by erin st breen:
Saturday June 1
Pride Parade & Festival: 11am – 5pm
Poetry Performance: 2:10pm
Festival Park, Elgin
Elgin Pride Fest – Poet Laureate Performance
Thursday April 11
6:30 – 7:30 pm
Gail Borden Public Library
Main Library: Elgin Room
270 N Grove Ave, Elgin, IL, 60120
Poetry Alive
Poet Laureate Emeritus Gareth Mann, Poet Laureate Aron Ryan, and other local poets celebrated National Poetry Month, reading their original work.
Tuesday March 19
4:00 – 5:30 pm
Gail Borden Public Library
Main Library: Lobby
270 N Grove Ave, Elgin, IL, 60120
Gail Borden Library’s 150th Birthday Celebration
We celebrated the Library’s 150th birthday with cupcakes, giveaways, performances, and more! Performers included Elgin Poet Laureate Aron Ryan, the Elgin Master Chorale, the Fox Valley Harmonizers Barbershop Quartet, along with several surprises to commemorate the day the library first opened its doors to the community on March 19, 1974.
Read Aron’s poem Infinities (pdf)
March 14, 2024
7:30 – 9:00 pm
Elgin Community College
Building B: Alumni Room
1700 Spartan Dr, Elgin, IL 60123
Student Showcase @ Elgin Community College
This event highlighted upcoming selections from Spire (ECC’s literary and arts magazine) and the Palmer Arts Contest. Speech students and creative writing students brought these literary pieces to life through compelling performances, offering a dynamic preview of the talent that will soon be featured in Spire. Hosted by Elgin Community College’s Writers Center. Aron performed his poem Shapeshifter as the final poem of the celebration. Shapeshifter won first place for poetry in ECC’s Palmer Arts contest, soon to be published in Spire.
Sunday March 3
1:00 – 2:00 pm
Gail Borden Public Library
Main Library: River Room
270 N Grove Ave, Elgin, IL, 60120
Welcome Elgin’s Newest Poet Laureate
Aron Ryan!
Elgin Poet Laureate, Aron Ryan, led a special reception featuring fine poetry and light refreshments in the library’s lovely River Room.
Read Aron’s poem Elgin City of Light (pdf)
February 24, 2024
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Elgin History Museum
360 Park St, Elgin, IL 60120
Timekeepers @ EHM’s We Love Volunteers
Aron Ryan read his poem Timekeepers, celebrating Elgin History Museum’s volunteers at the museum’s annual volunteer appreciation event We Love Volunteers.