Solo in the Second City Takes A Humorous Look At Being Single In Chicago
By Maggie Hellwig in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 14, 2012 9:20PM
In April 2011 Carly Oishi and Melinda McIntire combined their writing and dating talents to create the blog Solo in the Second City. Single life in the city isn't a new topic. We can trace it back through the years on television, from The Mary Tyler Moore Show to Sex and the City, the successful young woman scuffles through life, maintaining a steady job, trying to find a man worthy of her prowess and intelligence.
We can't help but think, however, that the cards have changed a bit.
With the economy struggling, most young professionals maintain several jobs. Sometimes, we can only maintain a search for a job. And so the dating situation has become tangled in complexity. The former definition of a successful relationship—as if it weren't complicated enough—is now slapped with waves of occupational aggravation. Solo in the Second City is a fair representation of this prevalent roller coaster. There is something all-inclusive about their humorous rants, that says to us, "We are just as pissed off as thou art."
Back in February, Oishi and McIntire partnered a reading series to go along with their stories. The third installation, "Summer Lovin'," will be held June 19 at the Cobra Lounge. To add a zing to the mix, the ladies have invited three men to share their own take on single life in Chicago.
Among them will be former Chicagoisto and A.V. Club-ber Marcus Gilmer. You needn't dig very far into our archives to know that he'll tell a story sure to have you in stitches. Nico Lang, of In Our Words will also be reading. In Our Words, a fantastic queer activist and literary salon, was co-founded by Lang to promote the voices of all individuals within the queer community. Its a fun, and needless to say funny, site. Chris Bower has had his poetry and fiction published in lit magazines such as Annalemma and The 2nd Hand. He also founded Ray's Tap Reading Series in Logan Square.
Join McIntire, Oishi, and Cobra Lounge's Blake Dinwiddie, as they present these three male professionals and dare to ask: "How's your love life?"
June 19, Cobra Lounge, 235 N. Ashland, 8 p.m., 21+, FREE