OTL: Episode #497- Chicago Pen Show preview, Bad Poetry Night, Rebooting tap dance

Mike Stephen talks with:   Chicago Pen Show partner Paul Conterato about their mutual love of pens and the popularity of writing utensils;   Chicago Writers Conference founder Mare Swallow about what to expect from this year’s spectacular Bad Poetry Night event; and   jorsTAP Chicago artistic director and founder Kendra Jorstad about pushing the creative barriers in tap dancing and their new show Abstraction.   Meanwhile, we discuss Mike’s experience speaking at the NISPA (Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association) Conference yesterday.   This week’s local music is provided music provided by Ryland Foxx.   Future OTL host Mike Stephen proudly displays a small portion of his vast pen and mechanical pencil collection. [circa 1989 or 1990]   To subscribe to the OTL podcast, please visit our iTunes page or RSS feed.

OTL: Episode #442- The Glass Slipper Project, RHINO Poetry, The Secret History of Chicago Music: Meade “Lux” Lewis

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (broadcasting on the “glass slipper” radio station WGN-AM 720) Mike Stephen learns how The Glass Slipper Project helps thousands of girls attend their proms in style, discuses the local poetry scene with an editor of RHINO, and gets the story of Chicago Bluesman Meade “Lux” Lewis.   Amy Ross–  Board President of the Glass Slipper Project Prom season is upon us.  We learn about this organization that helps deliver prom dresses to deserving high school girls in Chicagoland.       Ralph Hamilton– Editor of RHINO We get the lowdown on one of the most prestigious poetry journals around and it’s based in Chicagoland.   The Secret History of Chicago Music– Local music historian and artist Plastic Crimewave (aka: Steve Krakow) profiles 20th century Blues musician Meade “Lux” Lewis in this week’s Chicago Reader.  He gives us the lowdown on his musical contribution to Chicago.       OTL #442 local music provided by Unplugged and Reborn…

OTL: Episode #388- First Tuesday Roundtable, Team Englewood’s poem, The other side of “Chicagoland”

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “poetry is powerful” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen talks to Mick Dumke about his new show at The Hideout, chats with the poetry coach at Team Englewood about his team’s local popularity recently, and analyzes CNN’s “Chicagoland” with the Chicago Justice Project.   Mick Dumke– Senior Writer at the Chicago Reader We all know Mick is a great reporter, but now he gets his chance to co-host a political roundtable called First Tuesdays at The Hideout (1354 W. Wabansia) every first Tuesday of the month starting April 1st.   Dave Stieber– History teacher and poetry coach at Team Englewood Community Academy Last week we heard students from Englewood perform a group poem that talks directly to the mayor about their neighborhood vs. the other Chicago.  This week we hear from the students’ poetry coach.     Students from Englewood performing at Metro   Tracy Siska– Executive Director of the Chicago Justice Project CNN is airing it’s series called Chicagoland.  The CJP has taken issue with some of the information (or lack thereof) has been presented.  We get the details.     OTL #388 local music provided by Cousin Dud…  

OTL: Episode #387- Louder Than a Bomb poetry slam, Mayor Emanuel needs to hear from the kids, Story Club Chicago

TO HEAR THE SHOW, PRESS THE “PLAY” BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST… (podcasting from the studios in the OTL Bunker, somewhere in Chicago) (broadcasting on the “Louder Than a Bomb” radio station WLUW-FM (88.7) Chicago) Mike Stephen visits the Louder Than a Bomb 2014 Semi-Finals at The Metro, airs a pointed critique of Mayor Emanuel from high school students, and learns about Story Club Chicago.   Louder Than a Bomb– An amazing teen poetry slam We go inside the LTAB poetry slam semi-finals that took place last weekend and hear the voices of the incredible youth that made it happen.   A message for Mayor Emanuel – From some high school students in Englewood Students from Englewood perform a group poem that talks directly to the mayor about their neighborhood vs. the other Chicago.     Students from Englewood performing at Metro   Dana Norris– Founder of Story Club Story Club is a nonfiction storytelling show that aims to mix the spontaneity of an open mic with the experience of live theater.  Also, check out the new Story Club Magazine.     OTL #387 local music provided by Organ Wolf…