Join us 5/27 from 6:30-8 PM for our May workshop at @skunkcabbagebooks.bsky.social . RSVP at concentratingchaos.com.

but BEFORE ALL THAT I'm going to be featured at the next lit reading hosted by Raging Opossum Press! May 18th, 6pm, at Pizza Lobo (Logan Square)

Here’s the link to April’s shared poetry document: concentratingchaos.com/2026/04/28/4...

Happy National Poetry Month! Celebrate with us 4/29, 6:30-8 PM at @skunkcabbagebooks.bsky.social. Register at concentratingchaos.com .

Philip Sterwerf is our guide for this evening’s generative workshop, “The Fool’s Knapsack: Using the Tools of Tarot for Poetry”. Learn about Philip here: concentratingchaos.com/special-even...

Ten days until our tarot workshop: “The Fool’s Knapsack”. Learn more at concentratingchaos.com/special-even... .

Don’t be foolish! RSVP for our first generative writing workshop of 2026, led by Philip James Sterwerf. Registration is free but donations are appreciated. concentratingchaos.com .

Link for today’s workshop shared document: concentratingchaos.com/2026/02/24/2...

Let’s workshop your poems together! Register at concentratingchaos.com. Masks required.

Thanks for coming out tonight for our first workshop of 2026! Our next workshop will be 2/25.

Tomorrow is our first workshop of 2026. RSVP on our website, and post your poem on this month’s shared document here: concentratingchaos.com/2026/01/27/1...

Here’s our 2026 workshop calendar. Every third month is a generative writing workshop created a led by a local writer.

Happy New Year! Our first workshop of 2026 is 1/28, 6:30-8PM at Skunk Cabbage Books. Register at concentratingchaos.com . Look forward to a year of poetic and esoteric goodness!

And thus, our second year of CCPW comes to a close. Thanks to all who’ve attended and led workshops. We’re so grateful, and excited for a more esoteric year to come. 🔮

Thanks so much to all who attended this evening’s workshop. We hope it helped you end both your year and poems in a more focused, thoughtful, and connected way. 🪶

Don’t forget to bring a writing utensil, paper, and a poem you’d like to fiddle with to tonight’s workshop. 📝

Meet Madeline Blair, our guide for Wednesday’s workshop “All’s Well that Ends Well: Refining Poetry Endings”. Join us at Skunk Cabbage Books (@skubk.bsky.social ) on the 17th, 6:30-8 PM.

Co-hosting this charity reading on Thursday! Join us! There will be nine readers, hundreds of books from various presses, wine, tote bags, and much more. 100% of the proceeds benefit immigrant & refugee rights. Please amplify if you can ❤️

End the year with a workshop on poetry endings by Madeline Blair, editor-in-chief of Sabr Tooth Tiger Magazine! Register at concentratingchaos.com!

Hello, Chicago poets! Due to Thanksgiving, we will not be having a November workshop. We hope you all have a wonderful holiday. We’ll be back in December with our regularly-scheduled workshop AND an open mic to wrap up the year! Stay tuned. 🎤

Reminder: All donations this month will be going to ICIRR. Venmo and cash donations are much appreciated.

The dark door has been opened. Post your incantations. Or, if you desire, bring in 666 copies of your poem for your coven. Actually, just 6 copies should do. See you tomorrow. 👁️ concentratingchaos.com/2025/10/28/1...

In an effort to help protect our community against frigid losers, we’re giving away whistles. We’ll have some available at the workshop, but if you see Philip or Michelle around beforehand, please ask for one.

Concentrating Chaos is deeply concerned for the safety and integrity of the people of Chicago and everywhere, so we’re giving all donations this month to the Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Please help us help our community. Stay strong. We love you, Chicago.

Our next workshop is Wednesday, 10/29 at Skunk Cabbage Books from 6:30-8PM. Costumes highly encouraged. Register at concentratingchaos.com. All donations this month will go to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

Meet Molly Gemerchak, our pilates instructor for Pilates & Poetry Night! www.chicagorepertoryballet.com/blog/2025/8/...

Hey Chicagoans, print your own sign using this link: www.handsoffchicago.com#takeaction #handsoffchicago

We’ve teamed up with Logan Square Pilates + Core Studio for September’s workshop: Pilates & Poetry Night. 📝🌙 Join us 9/26 (Friday) at LSQP from 7-9 PM. Register at concentratingchaos.com!

The link to share your poem for this month’s workshop is live! See you Wednesday! concentratingchaos.com/2025/08/24/8...

We’re back this month on August 27th, 6:30-8 PM at Skunk Cabbage Books!🌻The workshop is free, but capacity is limited. Register at concentratingchaos.com . @skunkcabbagebooks.bsky.social

Check out our new logo! Created by the skilled Alex Robinson. www.alexr.design

In light of these changes, we will no longer require masks for visitors beginning on August 8. Masks will continue to be required for events in the store and our staff will continue to wear KN-95 or better respirators while on the clock to support each other's health and safety.

We've recently completed the installation of a Far-UVC disinfectant system throughout all public spaces in the store. Far-UVC is a type of UV light that is highly effective at killing airborne pathogens while remaining safe for human exposure

Bring 6 total printed copies to today’s workshop, or post it to the shared doc here: concentratingchaos.com/2025/07/29/7...

Got a poem you want workshopped? Join us today for our July workshop at @skunkcabbagebooks.bsky.social , 6:30-8 PM. Bring 6 printed copies of your poem or share it on the online doc.

🔁 Ongoing action item: Daily protests outside of the immigration court at 55 E. Monroe, weekdays from before 9am until 3pm, unless we shut them down early. Come help protect your #Chicago neighbors from being kidnapped by #ICE! ✊

Thank you to @zacharykocanda.bsky.social for his skill and insight, and to everyone for coming to our workshop last night! 🖼️✍️

This could be us, but you haven’t registered for today’s poetry workshop. 😔 Register at concentratingchaos.com .

Join @rosesarespread on Wednesday, July 2nd for an evening of cane and rollator redistribution and decorating! Bring your own mobility aid along to decorate, or pick one up and bedazzle with us. Gently used mobility aids will be available along with arts and crafts supplies.

This Wednesday is “Ekphrastic Poetry: Writing About Art,” a generative writing workshop by Zachary Kocanda (@zacharykocanda.bsky.social).

This month is our second in-person generative writing workshop: “Ekphrastic Poetry: Writing About Art,” led by @zacharykocanda.bsky.social . 🎨🖌️ Join us 6/25, 6:30 PM CT at @skunkcabbagebooks.bsky.social . RSVP required at concentratingchaos.com . Donations highly recommended. Masks required.

You’re invited to the Concentrating Chaos Midsummer Mixer! 😎⛱️ Join us June 21st, 4 PM at Catherine Chevalier Woods. RSVP and find more info on the Special Events page of our website. 🔗 concentratingchaos.com/special-even...

May’s workshop is tomorrow! Time to post your poem! Below is the doc link. Please reach out if you need assistance. concentratingchaos.com/2025/05/21/5...

Tonight! 🍸📝

Tonight! Doors 👉 6 Words 👉 6:30 Jazz 👉 9

This month’s workshop is on a Thursday! Join us May 22nd at @skunkcabbagebooks.bsky.social from 6:30-8 PM. Register at concentratingchaos.com.

Using AI is basically crossing a digital picket line, and treating authors who use it like scabs feels appropriate. If you care about your rights and the rights of other creatives, you don't use generative AI under any circumstances (marketing, editing, drafting, outlining, artwork, narration, etc.)

🚨 Camioneta de ICE visto cerca de la blue line Irving Park estación. 🚨 ❗️ ICE van spotted near the Irving Park blue line station. ❗️

the rumors are true: this is NEXT WEDNESDAY

Proton Drive is a bit persnickety. Give yourself extra time to post your poem. Let us know of any issues ASAP, please.