PAST EVENTS & POETRY
by and with Elgin’s 3rd Term Poet Laureate Aron Ryan
The Elgin Poet Laureate Project is committed to serving the needs of our community. Events will be subject to the Poet Laureate’s availability, will be subject to COVID-19 restrictions and accommodations. Any organization or individual may request participation by the 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:
- more perfect patterns (pdf)
- Ophelia, Please listen to me now, (pdf)
- self-portrait (pdf)
- still (pdf)
- soulmate #1 (pdf)
Songs by Axl Chupungco:
Saturday June 1
Pride Parade & Festival: 11am – 5pm
Poetry Performance: 2:10pm
Festival Park, Elgin
Elgin Pride Fest – Poet Laureate Performance
Aron Ryan composed and performed their poem Bloom, celebrating Elgin’s 2nd Pride Parade at the very rainy Elgin Pride Festival!
April 11, 2024
Gail Borden Public Library
Poetry Alive
Poet Laureate Emeritus Gareth Mann, Poet Laureate Aron Ryan, and other local poets celebrated National Poetry Month, reading their original work.
March 19, 2024
Gail Borden Public Library
Infinities @ GBPL’s 150th Anniversary
Aron Ryan read his poem Infinities, celebrating Gail Borden Public Library’s 150th Anniversary at the library’s 150th Birthday Party.
March 14, 2024
Elgin Community College
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 in ECC’s Palmer Arts contest, soon to be published in Spire.
March 3, 2024
Gail Borden Public Library
Poetry Galore @ GBPL’s Poet Laureate Reception
Aron Ryan led a reception and poetry reading in the library’s lovely River Room.
February 24, 2024
Elgin History Museum
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.
Read Aron’s poem Timekeepers (pdf)
PAST EVENTS & POETRY
by and with Elgin’s 2nd Term Poet Laureate Gareth Mann
ONGOING
LOVING ELGIN
YOU MAY STILL SUBMIT POEMS!
You are invited to write a poem celebrating any aspect of Elgin that you love. We will post your poem on our Loving Elgin Poem page. All ages are welcome, novice or experienced poets. Email your poem to elginpoetlaureateproject@gmail.com
March 22, 2022
The Feminine Perspective in Poetry
In recognition of Women’s History Month, listen to poems by famous as well as local women poets. This event was held in conjunction with Gail Borden Public Library.
April 10, 2022
Poetry Alive
Gareth Mann and other local poets celebrated National Poetry Month, reading their original work. This event was held in conjunction with Gail Borden Public Library.
May 15, 2022
Elgin Master Chorale Anniversary Concert
Gareth Mann was invited to share a poem at this 75th anniversary concert.
May 30, 2022
Bluff City Memorial Day Celebration
Gareth Mann was invited to share a poem at Elgin Memorial Day celebration held at Bluff City Cemetery.
Read Gareth’s poem In Celebration of the United States Airforce (pdf)
June 18, 2022
Celebration of Mike Alft
Celebration of the life of noted Elgin residents Mike & Fran Alft. The River Room at the Gail Borden Public Library is to be named after them. Gareth Mann performed her creation among Alft family and friends.
September 12, 2022
Poet Laureate Reception
Reception Elgin’s 2nd Poet Laureate, Gareth Mann, and an evening of fine poetry.
November 9, 2022
Meet the Poet
ED HERDRICH
November 20, 2022
Interfaith Thanksgiving Program
December 10, 2022
Meet the Poet
ELIZABETH KING
February 12, 2023
Loving Elgin Poetry
Participating poets: Ed Herdrich, Ken Jackson, Marcia Gutierrez, Dave Roller, Aron Ryan, Patty Harkin, Reverend Denice Tracy, Danise Habun, Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein, Kathryn Long, Cynthia Firtik, Clare Ollayos, Jenny Gordon, Mitch King, Joy Wener Bang,Corey Dixon, Elizabeth King.
March 14, 2023
March 14, 2023
Meet the Poet
CYNTHIA FIRTIK
March 29, 2023
Women’s History Month Program
Powerful poetry reading led by Gareth Mann, assisted by talented local readers.
April 24, 2023
Exhibit formerly at Gail Borden Main Library
Violins of Hope
Celebrating the amazing violins that survived the Holocaust, and Avshi Weinstein, who restored these violins and their stories. Sponsored by JCC Chicago, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, and the Seigle Foundation.
Read Gareth’s poem Violins of Hope (pdf)
April 26, 2023
Gail Borden Main Library
Poetry Alive
Celebrating National Poetry month with Gareth Mann and other local poets.
April 29, 2023
Gail Borden Main Library
Get to Know an Elgin Poet
Marcia Gutierrez shared her work & talked about her writing process.
May 29, 2023
Bluff City Cemetery
Memorial Day
Gareth Mann’s tribute to the 75th anniversary of the Integration of United States Forces