Blue Hour, financial advice, free store, and concerts

The Chicago Poetry Center kicks off another season of Blue Hour tonight. Blue Hour is an in-person series of readings by poets, largely Chicago-based, followed by community gathering time. The readings are preceded by a limited space one-hour guided writing workshop using an exploratory prompt drawn from themes of the work of one of the evening’s featured writers. Tonight’s 6 PM workshop is already booked up, but sign up at Eventbrite if you want a spot on the waiting list (a $10 donation to CPC is suggested). There’s a separate Eventbrite to reserve a spot in the audience for the free reading event at 7:30 PM; featured readers are queer Afro-Latinx activist, interdisciplinary artist, and author of HoodWitch Faylita Hicks and Oak Park poet and editor Hila Ratzabi. Everything takes place at Haymarket House (800 W. Buena). (SCJ)

How do you plan for saving while looking at the realities of a recession? Maybe you’re making a little bit of money now—so how do you spend it? And what’s all this “volatile markets” stuff anyway? If you’re not quite ready to chuck it all and build a tree fort on public lands yet, consider attending tonight’s FinGym on the Road: Chicago Edition (6 PM at the Dandy Crown, 694 N. Milwaukee). The Financial Gym is a startup offering online financial planning services, and founder Shannon McLay and her financial trainer colleagues will offer conversation and financial literacy training, along with some free drinks and snacks. Register at Eventbrite to attend, and don’t forget to tip your wait staff—they have financial futures to plan for too! (SCJ)

Are you or someone you know looking for more ways to find free stuff online? Then check out this free class hosted through People Over Profit and HP Solidarity Network at the Casa Hernandez Community Space & Free Store (3519 W. North). All you need is a laptop or smart device, and from 7:30-9 PM, a volunteer who’s an expert in digital scavenging will share all their latest and greatest tips for getting sick stuff at no cost. (MC)

A few concerts tonight featuring musicians and ensembles we’ve previously enjoyed . . . at 8:30 PM, longtime Chicago experimental stalwarts Mako Sica open for Amsterdam’s Mauskovic Dance Band. Cabeza De Chivo rounds out the bill at Empty Bottle (1035 N. Western; tickets at Eventbrite). Chicago cellist Helen Money performs as part of Constellation’s (3111 N. Western) ONEderful series, which features artists in short sets with minimal set-up. Bassist and vocalist Katie Ernst and woodwind improviser Emily Beisel are also on the bill, which starts at 8:30 PM (tickets available at See Tickets). At 9 PM, Chicago indie-rock band Girl K is on the bill supporting the Winnipeg band Living Hour; Toosh opens, and tickets are available through Sleeping Village’s website (they’re at 3734 W. Belmont). And the longtime New York postpunk band Live Skull hits the Hideout tonight. Local supergroup Lilac (featuring occasional Reader contributor Anya Davidson) and Chicago punks Geezer Senior open. The show starts at 9:30 PM at 1354 W. Wabansia. (SCJ)

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