Building on the momentum of a powerful series of fall kick-off events, the Chicago Humanities Festival is excited to announce the full lineup for its 30th Fall 
Festival. Veep star Julia Louis-Dreyfus, author Jonathan Safran Foer, historian Ibram X. Kendi, comedian and The New York Times Magazine’s “judge” John Hodgman, poet Nikki Giovanni, Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins, and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) will all be part of CHF’s endeavor to explore Power this fall. Returning Festival favorites including poet and musician Patti Smith, novelist Salman Rushdie, and historian Sarah Vowell will return to Chicago this fall. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is this year’s Chicago Tribune Literary Prize recipient.
The 30th anniversary Fall Festival will also bring a number of presenters who have continued to see their national profile rise since their first festival appearance. These presenters include the Chicago Tribune’s Heartland Prize winners for Fiction and Nonfiction—Rebecca Makkai and Sarah Smarsh, respectively—as well as poet Reginald Dwayne Betts. #BlackLivesMatter co-founder Alicia Garza, already a towering figure in activism, has joined forces with Cecile Richards (formerly of Planned Parenthood) and Ai-jen Poo (the National Domestic Workers Alliance) to co-found the women’s action coalition Supermajority. Former Marilynn Thoma Artistic Director Lawrence Weschler will return to CHF and Chicago to discuss his hybrid memoir-biography of physician Oliver Sacks.
“This year, as we reflect on the staying power of the Chicago Humanities Festival, it’s fitting that we consider Power. It is hard to imagine an era more beset by a queasy ambivalence toward power, marked as this moment is by conflicting realities,” said Marilynn Thoma Artistic Director Alison Cuddy. “A moment like this one triggers many questions. Does art have any power? What are institutions, strong or fragile, for? We don’t seek answers, we seek more questions. Our programs offer deeper opportunities for reflection and spaces for dialogue, debate, and community, not just in Chicago, but around the world.”
On Thursday, October 3, the 30th Anniversary Gala will feature an intimate conversation with Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. The gala will honor Norman and Virginia Bobins, recipients of the Humanists of the Year award, as well as ITW, recipient of the Civic Leadership Award. Tickets for the event remain available. Visit supporthchf.org to learn more.
This year also includes the inaugural R. Scott Falk Memorial Program, created to honor the contributions and memory of CHF Board Chair Scott Falk who passed away unexpectedly over the summer. The Falk Memorial Program will feature National Review columnist Richard Brookhiser, speaking on how to draw strength and inspiration from the nation's founding texts.
The Fall Festival will consider the theme of Power through a multitude of lenses and perspectives. From a conversation with architect Liz Ogbu discussing the power of public spaces and the people in them to bring about social change to a pair of programs on nuclear power after Chernobyl and the testing of atomic bombs, the Festival’s wide array of offerings capture the breadth of Power—how it's garnered, and how it's utilized.
Power will also find expression and local context during the Festival's four days neighborhood programming. Bronzeville Night will feature a conversation about the history and legacy of the Chicago Defender, which shuttered earlier this year. South Shore Night will include a conversation about soul music with artists and DJs including Ayana Contreras, host of Vocalo Radio’s Reclaimed Soul, as well as a multidisciplinary performance by Damon Locks and the Black Monument Ensemble.
“Whether you’ve been coming to the Chicago Humanities Festival for 30 years, or this is the first you've heard of us, I know there is at least one event in this Festival tailor-made for you and your interests,” said Executive Director Phillip Bahar. “We developed our season to explore a diversity of ideas and topics that shine a light on our contemporary moment and consider our history with new eyes. What makes the Festival such an incredible institution is on full display this fall."
Tickets to CHF members go on sale Tuesday, September 24 at 10 a.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, October 1 at 10 a.m.
Visit chicagohumanities.org to learn more and purchase tickets.
CHF PRESENTS FALL 2019
Saturday, September 14
Creative Chicago: Art and the City
12:00 p.m.—5:45 p.m.
Venue SIX10
610 S Michigan Avenue
CHF Fallfest Member Preview
5:30 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
Venue SIX10
610 S Michigan Avenue
Wednesday, October 2
Ta-Nehisi Coates: The Water Dancer
7:00 p.m.—8:15 p.m.
UIC Dorin Forum
725 W Roosevelt Road
Friday, October 11
George R. R. Martin and Eve Ewing
7:30 p.m.—9:00 p.m.
Symphony Center
220 S Michigan Avenue
Saturday, October 12
Rachel Maddow
7:30 p.m.—8:45 p.m.
Arie Crown Theater
McCormick Place
2301 S Lake Shore Dr
Tuesday, October 15
Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey: She Said
7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
The Vic Theatre
3145 N Sheffield Ave
SOLD OUT
CHF Fall Festival 2019
October 26 to November 10
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Patti Smith: Year of the Monkey
October 26, 2019
10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Symphony Center, Armour Stage
220 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60604
Caitlin Doughty: Will The Cat Eat My Eyeballs?
Caitlin Doughty in conversation with Mark Bazer
October 26, 2019
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Field Museum | James Simpson Theatre
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Alison Roman: Nothing Fancy
Alison Roman in conversation with Samantha Irby
October 26, 2019
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Venue SIX10 | Feinberg Theater
610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Simon Critchley: Tragedy, the Greeks, and Us
October 26, 2019
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Art Institute of Chicago, Fullerton Hall
111 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Ben Lerner: The Topeka School
Ben Lerner in conversation with Srikanth Reddy
October 26, 2019
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Chicago Architecture Center | Gand Lecture Hall
111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
Robert R. McCormick Foundation Program
Anabel Hernández: Dangerous Investigations
Anabel Hernández in conversation with Patrick Radden Keefe
October 26, 2019
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Field Museum | James Simpson Theatre
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Gary Janetti: Do You Mind If I Cancel?
October 26, 2019
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Venue SIX10 | Feinberg Theater
610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Beyond the Binary
Alex Iantaffi in conversation with emem obot
October 26, 2019
2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Chicago Architecture Center | Gand Lecture Hall
111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
Richard J. Franke Program
David Blight on Frederick Douglass
October 26, 2019
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Field Museum | James Simpson Theatre
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Beer History with the Brewseum
Theresa McCulla, Liz Garibay, and Marilynn Thoma Artistic Director Alison Cuddy
October 26, 2019
4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Chicago Architecture Center | Gand Lecture Hall
111 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
VS Live with Patricia Smith
Patricia Smith, Franny Choi, and Danez Smith
October 26, 2019
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Venue SIX10 | Feinberg Theater
610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Revisiting Candyman: Chicago, Fear, and Public Housing
Lisa Yun Lee and Michael Orange
October 26, 2019
7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Gene Siskel Film Center | Theater 1
164 N State St. Chicago, IL 60601
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Morris and Dolores Kohl Kaplan Northwestern Day
Thank you to the Dolores Kohl Education Foundation, the Alice Kaplan Institute for the Humanities, Northwestern University, and the multitude of departments and offices that make Northwestern Day in Evanston possible.
Jill Abramson: Merchants of Truth
October 27, 2019
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cahn Auditorium
600 Emerson St, Evanston, IL 60201
2019 Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize for Nonfiction: Sarah Smarsh
Sarah Smarsh in conversation with Mary Schmich
October 27, 2019
12:30 pm to 1:30 p.m.
Ryan Center for the Music Arts | Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall
70 Arts Cir Dr, Evanston, IL 60208
Daniel Immerwahr: How To Hide An Empire
October 27, 2019
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Norris University Center | McCormick Auditorium
1999 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208
Anita and Prabhakant Sinha Program
Amitav Ghosh: Gun Island
October 27, 2019
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Norris University Center | John J. Louis Room
1999 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL 60208
Jonathan Safran Foer: We Are Weather
Jonathan Safran Foer in conversation with Monica Eng
October 27, 2019
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cahn Auditorium
600 Emerson St, Evanston, IL 60201
Madeline Miller: Circe
Madeline Miller in conversation with Greta Johnsen
October 27, 2019
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ryan Center for the Music Arts | Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall
70 Arts Cir Dr, Evanston, IL 60208
Jennifer Lackey: Incarceration and Education
October 27, 2019
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Norris University Center | McCormick Auditorium
1999 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL 60208
Patrick Radden Keefe: Say Nothing
Patrick Radden Keefe in conversation with Alex Kotlowitz
October 27, 2019
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Norris University Center | John J. Louis Room
1999 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL 60208
2019 Chicago Tribune Heartland Prize for Fiction: Rebecca Makkai
Rebecca Makkai in conversation with Rick Kogan
October 27, 2019
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Ryan Center for the Musical Arts | Mary B. Galvin Recital Hall
70 Arts Cir Dr, Evanston, IL 60208
Debbie Cenziper: America’s Hidden Nazis
October 27, 2019
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Norris University Center | McCormick Auditorium
1999 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL 60208
Indignant Women
Zahra Glenda Baker, Emily Hooper Lansana, Imani Perry, and Angela Jackson with Hicks D. Gregory
October 27, 2019
4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Norris University Center | John J. Louis Room
1999 Campus Dr, Evanston, IL 60208
Elaine and Roger Haydock Humor Series
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
October 27, 2019
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cahn Auditorium
600 Emerson St, Evanston, IL 60201
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Paul M. Angell Family Foundation Program
Sister Helen Prejean: Dead Man Walking
Sister Helen Prejean in conversation with Mary Mitchell, performance by Lyric Opera
October 31, 2019
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, Sanctuary
77 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
Jared Yates Sexton and Henry Rollins on Masculinity
October 31, 2019
8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, Sanctuary
77 W Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
Friday, November 1, 2019
The Chicago Community Trust Neighborhood Night: South Shore
South Shore Night recognizes the many contributions made to our community by The Chicago Community Trust.
South Side Soul
Ayana Contreras, Tone B. Nimble, Ruben Molina, and Mario Smith
November 1, 2019
6 p.m. to 6:50 p.m.
South Shore Cultural Center, Solarium
7059 S South Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60649
Carlo Rotella on South Shore
Carlo Rotella in conversation with Lolly Bowean
November 1, 2019
6 p.m. to 6:50 p.m.
South Shore Cultural Center, Dining Room
7059 S South Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60649
Damon Locks and the Black Monument Ensemble
November 1, 2019
7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
South Shore Cultural Center, Paul Robeson Theatre
7059 S South Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60649
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Hyde Park Day
Hyde Park Day is made possible through the generous support of Bank of America.
The Ajmani Family Program
Eric Foner: Reconstruction and the Constitution
November 2, 2019
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, Performance Hall
915 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Caitlin Zaloom on Student Debt
Caitlin Zaloom in conversation with Jerome McDonnell
November 2, 2019
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
International House, Assembly Hall
1414 E 59th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Sean Carroll: Many Worlds
November 2, 2019
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Oriental Institute Museum | Breasted Hall
1155 E 58th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Sasha Sagan on Finding Meaning
November 2, 2019
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts | Performance Hall
915 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Rebecca McDade Program
Ibram X. Kendi: How To Be an Antiracist
Ibram X. Kendi in conversation with Jamilah King
November 2, 2019
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
International House, Assembly Hall
1414 E 59th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Sarah Knott: Mother Is a Verb
November 2, 2019
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Oriental Institute Museum | Breasted Hall
1155 E 58th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Tanisha C. Ford: Dressed in Dreams
November 2, 2019
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts | Performance Hall
915 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Ghost Work
Mary L. Gray in conversation with Natalie Foster
November 2, 2019
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
International House, Assembly Hall
1414 E 59th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Katherine Franke on Reparations
November 2, 2019
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Oriental Institute Museum | Breasted Hall
1155 E 58th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Spatial Justice
Maria Gaspar, Liz Ogbu, and Susana Vasquez
November 2, 2019
5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts | Performance Hall
915 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Suketu Mehta: An Immigrant's Manifesto
November 2, 2019
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
International House, Assembly Hall
1414 E 59th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Anne Anlin Cheng: Ornamentalism
November 2, 2019
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Oriental Institute Museum | Breasted Hall
1155 E 58th St, Chicago, IL 60637
Sunday, November 3, 2019
2019 Chicago Tribune Literary Award: Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. in conversation with Bruce Dold
November 3, 2019
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
205 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Beth Macy: Dopesick
Beth Macy in conversation with Monica Davey
November 3, 2019
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Field Museum | James Simpson Theatre
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Lawrence (Ren) Weschler on the Legacy of Oliver Sacks
Marilynn Thoma Artistic Director Emeritus Lawrence Weschler in conversation with Riva Lehrer
November 3, 2019
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Venue SIX10 | Feinberg Theater
610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
2019 Kohl Education Prize
Gary Tinterow on Inclusive Museums
Gary Tinterow in conversation with Angelique Power
November 3, 2019
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago | Edlis Neeson Theater
220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Music of the 1970s: John Corbett & Vivien Goldman
November 3, 2019
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Columbia College Chicago | Stage Two
618 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
John Hodgman: Medallion Status
John Hodgman in conversation with Greta Johnsen
November 3, 2019
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Field Museum | James Simpson Theatre
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Christian Smith on the Power of Religion
November 3, 2019
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue SIX10 | Feinberg Theater
610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Kwame Onwuachi: Notes from a Young Black Chef
Kwame Onwuachi in conversation with Ji Suk Yi
November 3, 2019
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago | Edlis Neeson Theater
220 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
David Opdyke: This Land
November 3, 2019
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Columbia College Chicago | Stage Two
618 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Elaine and Roger Haydock Humor Series
Mobituaries with Mo Rocca
Mo Rocca in conversation with Peter Sagal
November 3, 2019
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
205 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601
Leslie Jamison: Make It Scream, Make It Burn
November 3, 2019
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Columbia College Chicago | Stage Two
618 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Monday, November 4, 2019
Walter E. Heller Foundation Program
Salman Rushdie: Quichotte
November 4, 2019
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Vic Theatre
3145 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
William and Greta Wiley Flory Concert
Power Couples
Doug Peck, Rob Lindley, and a full cast
November 4, 2019
8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Francis W. Parker School | Diane and David B. Heller Auditorium
330 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Eli Saslow: Rising Out of Hatred
Eli Saslow in conversation with Andrew Marantz
November 6, 2019
7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Francis W. Parker School | Diane and David B. Heller Auditorium
330 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
Friday, November 8, 2019
The Chicago Community Trust Neighborhood Night: Bronzeville
Bronzeville Night recognizes the many contributions made to our community by The Chicago Community Trust.
The Legacy of the Chicago Defender
Myiti Sengstacke-Rice in conversation with Brandis Friedman
November 8, 2019
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Blanc Gallery
4445 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60653
Cooking with Cannabis
Joline Rivera, David Yusefzadeh and Mike Sula
November 8, 2019
6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Peach’s Restaurant
4652 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60653
Doris Conant Lecture on Women and Culture
Supermajority: Ai-jen Poo, Alicia Garza, and Cecile Richards
Ai-jen Poo, Alicia Garza, and Cecile Richards in conversation with Laura Washington
November 8, 2019
7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Harold Washington Cultural Center | Performing Arts Center
4701 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60653
Saturday, November 9, 2019
David E. Sanger: War in the Cyber Age
David E. Sanger in conversation with Chris Bury
November 9, 2019
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Field Museum | James Simpson Theatre
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Program
Daniel Parolek: Thinking Big, Building Small
November 9, 2019
11 a.m to 12 p.m.
Venue SIX10 | Feinberg Theater
610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Jonathan Calm on the Green Book
November 9, 2019
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago | SAIC Ballroom
112 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
R. Scott Falk Memorial Program
Richard Brookhiser: Give Me Liberty
November 9, 2019
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Field Museum | James Simpson Theatre
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Allstate Insurance Program
Jesselyn Silva: In The Ring
Jesselyn Silva in conversation with Cheryl Pope
November 9, 2019
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Venue SIX10 | Feinberg Theater
610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Terra Foundation Series on American Art
Harold Holzer on Daniel Chester French
November 9, 2019
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago | SAIC Ballroom
112 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Desk 88: Senator Sherrod Brown and Connie Schultz
November 9, 2019
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Field Museum | James Simpson Theatre
1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605
Terra Foundation Series on American Art
Emmet Gowin: Photographing Nuclear Sites
November 9, 2019
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Venue SIX10 | Feinberg Theater
610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Mikki Kendall on Powerful Women
Mikki Kendall in conversation with Jill Hopkins-Olewnik
November 9, 2019
3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago | SAIC Ballroom
112 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Ari Seth Cohen on Style Over 60
Ari Seth Cohen and Judith Boyd in conversation with Marilynn Thoma Artistic Director Alison Cuddy
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
November 9, 2019
Venue SIX10 | Feinberg Theater
610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Bill and Penny Obenshain Program on Global Affairs
Nuclear Power after Chernobyl
Kate Brown, Gregory B. Jaczko, and Adam Higginbotham in conversation with Emma Belcher
November 9, 2019
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago | SAIC Ballroom
112 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603
Reginald Dwayne Betts: Felon
November 9, 2019
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Poetry Foundation
61 W Superior St, Chicago, IL 60654
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Ellen Stone Belic Presents: In Her Infinite Wisdom:
Jane Elliott: The Anatomy of Prejudice
November 10, 2019
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Venue SIX10 | Feinberg Theater
610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni in conversation with Tiff Beatty
November 10, 2019
1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Venue SIX10 | Feinberg Theater
610 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
Sarah Vowell: Past and Present
November 10, 2019
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Francis W. Parker School | Diane and David B. Heller Auditorium
330 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
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