Chicago Literary Hall of Fame to conduct Founding Induction November 20
The new Chicago Literary Hall of Fame will induct its first six members at a ceremony on November 20, 2010 at Northeastern Illinois University Auditorium.
Poet Gwendolyn Brooks, playwright Lorraine Hansberry, and authors Nelson Algren, Saul Bellow, Richard Wright and Studs Terkel are all literary luminaries who lived in and often wrote about Chicago. Believing that Chicago would benefit by having a home to honor its literary history, members of the Chicago Writers Association undertook the the mission to create a place and space for this tradition to be honored. Children of the first inductees will be accepting their parent's awards.
Emceed by Chicago journalist and radio personality, Rick Kogan. current and nationally-known writers Audrey Niffenegger, Sara Paretsky and Stuart Dybek will also appear at the celebration. Marc Smith, a Chicago presence noted for his involvement in the poetry slam movement, will also attend. Photos as well as a the history of Chicago writers will be on exhibit.
Although once considered an industrial city, Chicago's literary scene blossomed after the World's Columbian Exposition held in the city in 1893 as small reading and writing salons and clubs sprouted on both the South and North sides of town. Over the years, local authors penned works covering everything from race relations to life on skid row to oral histories from working-class Americans. Among them, Richard Wright's Native Son, Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, or Nelson Algren's Man With A Golden Arm.
A mission of the CLHF, is to not only collect and exhibit literary documents but to also hold current literary evens and to recognize new and upcoming writers. It's permanent home will be at the historic Cliff Dwellers Club that was founded in 1907 and is located in the city at 200 S. Michigan Ave.
Established by grassroots organizing and expressing the importance of literature in society, the CLHF promises to also be an educational center for schools and universities. For an in-depth history of Chicago's literary history, see the Encyclopedia of Chicago under Literary Cultures.
The fete runs from 7 p.m. To 9 p.m. Tickets are $45 and $35 for members of the Chicago Writers Association and students. For details see their website by clicking here. Northeastern Illinois University's Auditorium is located at 3701 N. Bryn Mawr Ave. in Chicago.
Posted by Lori Rotenberk
