May 9, 2026 - Carol Alfus & Terry Loncaric Reading + Poetry Open-Mic
Saturday, May 9, 2026
4 - 6 PM
@ Secret World Books
1774 Second Street, Highland Park, Illinois
Carol Alfus’ poetry is inspired by current events, personal memories and the natural world. Her poems have been aired on the radio, published online and in regional, national and international journals. Alfus’ poetry has received recognition from the Illinois State Poetry Society, Poets and Patrons, and Highland Park Poetry, and been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Her first chapbook of poetry, I Would Swim in Such a Sky, was recently published by Kelsay Books.
Terry Loncaric is the author of five books of poetry, her most recent being On the Other Side of a Heart Attack. She is a fixture at many Highland Park Poetry events. She hosts a monthly open-mic at Stage Left cafe in Woodstock.
Open-mic follows features. Come a few minutes early to sign up for the line-up. Poets may bring up to three short poems to share; however, Highland Park Poetry reserves the right to limit that number so that all participants have a chance to read.
The event takes place at Secret World Books, 1774 Second Street. There is free parking for up to three hours in the Port Clinton Underground Garage (entrance on Laurel Avenue, between First and Second Street).
There is no cover; however, we hope that you will support the authors and buy a book as well as support local Highland Park businesses that support us and poetry.
Upcoming Dates for Readings & Open-Mics at Secret World Books, 1774 Second Street, Highland Park, IL
June 13, 2026 - Selected poets from The Songs of Summer: Poems About Baseball edited by Tom Erickson & Ed Werstein
July 11, 2026 - Teresa Dzieglewicz & Joseph Kuhn Carey
August 8, 2026 - Lisa Low & Olivia Maciel
September 19, 2026 - Nancy L. Davis, 2026 Winner of Prairie State Poetry Prize & Monty Mittleman - Note new date - not our usual second Saturday.
October 10, 2026 - Charlotte Digregorio & Trudy Kleckner
November 14, 2026 -Jessica L. Walsh & Jennifer Dotson
December 12, 2026 - William T. Carey & Cynthia T. Hahn
If you are interested in becoming a featured poet, please reach out to inquire about dates for 2027.
Other Local Poetry Events & Opportunities
Some of these events are not hosted by Highland Park Poetry but we are pleased to share this information with our friends and followers.
Daily Poems from March 2026
Here are the poems posted on Highland Park Poetry's Facebook page from March 2026.
Thank you to our contributors to this special section: Carol Alfus, David Stanford Burr, Elizabeth K. Clark, Daniel Cleary, Gail Denham, Jennifer Dotson, jacob erin-cilberto, Michael Escoubas, Dana Fine, Melissa Huff, Julie Isaacson, Richard V. Kaufman, Joan Leotta, Terry Loncaric, Dr. Archan Mehta, Monty Mittleman, Khalid Mukhtar, John S. O'Connor, Carl "Papa" Palmer, Linette Rabsatt, David J. Rogers, Sarah Royer-Stoll, L. B. Sedlacek, Timothy Sroka, Michael W. Thomas, Peggy Trojan, Mark Turcotte, Mike Wahl, Anthony Ward Lynn West, and Lynn White. Please also enjoy our Muses' Gallery. Join us on Facebook and Instagram.
Highland Park Poetry seeks submissions of shorter poems for our Daily Poem posts. Collaborations are welcome as are poems in non-English languages when accompanied by an English translation. Send 1 - 5 short poems as text in an email with "Daily Poem Submissions + your name" in the subject line. If you must, send only a single attachment - either .doc or .pdf. We don't do Google docs. Send to jennifer[at]highlandparkpoetry.org.
Celebrate words and carry poetry in your heart!
Thank you to our contributors to this special section: Carol Alfus, David Stanford Burr, Elizabeth K. Clark, Daniel Cleary, Gail Denham, Jennifer Dotson, jacob erin-cilberto, Michael Escoubas, Dana Fine, Melissa Huff, Julie Isaacson, Richard V. Kaufman, Joan Leotta, Terry Loncaric, Dr. Archan Mehta, Monty Mittleman, Khalid Mukhtar, John S. O'Connor, Carl "Papa" Palmer, Linette Rabsatt, David J. Rogers, Sarah Royer-Stoll, L. B. Sedlacek, Timothy Sroka, Michael W. Thomas, Peggy Trojan, Mark Turcotte, Mike Wahl, Anthony Ward Lynn West, and Lynn White. Please also enjoy our Muses' Gallery. Join us on Facebook and Instagram.
Highland Park Poetry seeks submissions of shorter poems for our Daily Poem posts. Collaborations are welcome as are poems in non-English languages when accompanied by an English translation. Send 1 - 5 short poems as text in an email with "Daily Poem Submissions + your name" in the subject line. If you must, send only a single attachment - either .doc or .pdf. We don't do Google docs. Send to jennifer[at]highlandparkpoetry.org.
Celebrate words and carry poetry in your heart!
