hosted by C. Schandelmeier since 1990
July 7th: Clou9aiya (Naiya Davis), Lynn Fitzgerald, Adam Gottlieb
Leone Beach at Loyola Park is a family-friendly venue, complete with the Blue Jay Cafe, easy access to bathrooms, and the Beach Poets on a Sunday afternoon. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier) 
Chiron Kingfish, Mr. Gottlieb (Adam Gottlieb’s father, standing), Mrs. Gottlieb (Gottlieb’s mother, seated) and Diana, Adam Gottlieb’s partner. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier) 
Adam Gottlieb and his father. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier) 
(Left to right) Mrs. Gottlieb, Diana, Douglas Binkley, Patrick Hurley, and his child enjoy the Beach Poets 7-7-24. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier)
The Beach Poets made it happen with a magical afternoon on the Lake. Adam Gottlieb began the reading with his vibrant and inspiring work. Clou9aiya (also known as Naiya Davis, talent agent, poet, and spoken word artist) gracefully flowed with her poetry, which began during a light sprinkling of rain and continued through a torrential downpour as a sacred circle of community gathered under the Beach Poets tent. Lynn Fitzgerald wrapped up the event, regaling the poets gathered with her poetry combined with tales of the beginnings of the Guild Literary Complex. She was there when it began as a brick-and-mortar bookstore near Lincoln and Sheffield in the Wrigleyville area. Her strong poetry was followed by many people reminiscing about Lee Groban, author of The Cure for Insomnia, and how a party wasn’t a party unless he was there.
July 14th: Transformation with Charli Christine Marker
Charli Christine Marker delighted poets with her vibrant poetry and dynamic presence while lounging gracefully in an avocado-green swimsuit.
Back row: Left to right: Angel and Tony, Ian, Mary, James Stewart III, Tim Anderson, Michael Dean, Dan Weinberg, ChiRon Kingfish, Emilio Maldonado, Josue, Front row, left to rigth: Doug Binkley, Maria, Alanis Zoe Castillo Caref, Nakiyah T. M. Jordan, Sheila A. Donovan, Natalie Frank, Anabelle Echo, FRONT CENTER Cathleen Ann Schandelmeier and Louie with the groovy bag. (Photo by Katie Bartels 7-21-24 used with permission).
Michael Dean performed lake-themed poetry. 
Nakiyah T. M. Jordan, read poetry and prose based on recent experience as a nanny, like her ancestors before her. Michael Dean read his lake-themed work Alanis Zoe Castillo Caref read poetry inspired by Frida Kahlo. 
Alanis Zoe Castillo Caref brought her lizard to the Beach Poets. It is the first time in 34 years that anyone has brought their pet lizard to the event. He was very well behaved and seemed to enjoy soaking up the sun. 
Nakiyah T. M. Jordan, Alanis Zoe Castillo Caref and Michael Dean in front of the Beach Poets sign painted by the infamous grafitti artist, Reame, who is one of the X-Men Crew. (Photo by C. Schandelmeier) 
Cathleen Schandelmeier, Nakiyah T. M. Jordan, Alanis Zoe Castillo, and Michael Dean are applauding silently for the July 21, 2024 Beach Poets experience. (Photo by Emilio Maldonado, used with permission). 
Maria, the mother of Alanis Zoe Castillo Caref, is far left, Alanis Zoe Castillo Caref with her two brothers, Tony and Angel.
Exhibit B: A Literary Variety Show with Alanis Zoe Castillo Caref, Michael Dean and Nakiyah T. M. Jordan performed their original work, both poetry and prose at the Beach Poets on Sunday, July 21, 2024. The strong writing that has come to be the hallmark of Exhibit B came flowing from the poets as the song of birds, the whisper of grass, and the waves of the lake gently bubbled up on the beach.
Some things are meant to be lived. Beach Poets happens in real time. It was a gorgeous day full of inspirational work. According to James Stewart III, co-founder of Exhibit B, in an interview with WZRD on July 20th, their next event will be “The Poets Platform” on August 16th at Co-Prosperity, 3219-21 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60608.
July 28th: The Poetica with Kaytee Thrun, and Faith Rice
August 11th: Poetry to Free Gaza with Lynn Fitzgerald and Kao Ra Zen
August 18th: End of the Beach Poets Celebration with Damiana Andonova, Janet Kuypers and Emily Maciel.
I host the Beach Poets which I founded in 1990. Prior to that, I hosted Sheffield’s School Street Cafe, where the first poetry feature I booked was Patricia Smith, who was recently honored with the Fuller Lifetime Achievement Award from the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame at the Poetry Foundation on July 11, 2024.
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