Events › An Evening with Chicago's Next Poet Laureate: Mayda Alexandra del Valle

Join Chicago Public Library, DCASE and the Poetry Foundation as we celebrate Chicago's new Poet Laureate, Mayda Alexandra del Valle! The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicago Public Library and Poetry Foundation are pleased to invite you to an evening celebrating Chicago’s next Poet Laureate.  

Mayda del Valle is the author of A South Side Girl’s Guide to Love and Sex and The University of Hip-Hop, winner of the 2016 Drinking Gourd Chapbook Poetry Prize from Northwestern University Press. She launched her career at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, where she became the 2001 Grand Slam Champion before also winning the National Poetry Slam within the same year, becoming the youngest poet and the first Latine person to do so. She has appeared on six episodes of HBO’s "Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry," and was a contributing writer and original cast member of the Tony Award-winning "Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam" on Broadway. 

Del Valle’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, Urban Latino, Latina Magazine, Mass Appeal and The Source. Smithsonian Magazine named her one of America’s Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences, and O, The Oprah Magazine included her in its inaugural O Power List, which recognized women making an impact in business, politics and the arts. She has performed across the United States and internationally, including a 2009 appearance at the White House by invitation of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

The evening will feature remarks from City leaders, performances, a conversation with the laureate, and light food and drink. This will be the first event of the laureate’s two-year tenure. We look forward to celebrating this exciting moment for the city, for Chicago poetry, and the new year with you!

5:30 p.m. - Doors open
6 - 7:30 p.m. - Program
7:30 - 8 p.m. - Informal Reception & Mingling

For more information, visit Chicago.gov/PoetLaureate.


How to Attend:
Registration is required. Doors to the G.A.R. Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center open at 5:30 p.m., and seating is first come, first served.

Accessibility

ASL and CART captioning will be provided.