Work for the Weekend with The Windy City Story Slam

By Melissa Feldsher in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 30, 2009 3:40PM

No doubt the art of oral storytelling has been around since even before Beowulf, but in Chicago’s own history no figure has loomed larger than Studs Terkel. From 1952 to 1997, Terkel broadcasted his conversations with writers, politicians, labor organizers, and artists on “The Studs Terkel Program,” chronicling a shifting narrative of the city’s structure. This Friday, May 1rst, The Windy City Story Slam celebrates Terkel, his modern day progeny . . .and the month of May.

Windy City storytellers offer a look into a particular time, place and subculture in Chicago’s history, and this time the topic is work. Honoring the hard times of the working class, Donna Seamon will read from Terkel’s Working, while Chicago-based BBU will moonlight as the hardest working men in show business straight from their Abbey Pub gig with DC go-go extraordinaire Wale. Word Play’s Tim Stafford, Ghost Factory Magazine editor David Peak, and local author Luis Tuebens enter the ring along with other Chicago workers to compete for $50 bucks and a shot at the city-wide title.

Story Slam founder William “The Butcher” Hillmann encourages crowds to heckle, so clock out and head over to the Metro Friday night.

The Windy City Story Slam May Day Celebration, Metro, 3730 N. Clark Street, Doors 8:00 PM, VIP tables $100 (4 tickets/4 seats), General seating $5, 18+.