Ta-Nehisi Coates, Jodi Kantor, And Megan Twohey Join CHF's 30th Anniversary Fall Kickoff Series

The Chicago Humanities Festival is pleased to announce that three of today's most powerful writers will be part of its 30th anniversary Fall series. Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of the National Book Award-winning Between the World and Me, will speak at UIC Forum on Wednesday, October 2 at 7 p.m. Two weeks later, on Tuesday, October 15 at First United Methodist Church at 7 p.m., CHF will host New York Times investigative reporters Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, who together brought decades of sexual assault allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein to light.

Coates, the acclaimed author and journalist who restarted a national conversation about reparations, will discuss his debut novel, The Water Dancer, a gripping tale of one man's flight to freedom from slavery. In addition to his non-fiction work, Coates has written comics for Marvel including Black Panther and Captain America. During his conversation, Coates will discuss the importance of historical memory in contending with contemporary conversations around race.

Kantor and Twohey will discuss the story behind their investigation into Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Their reporting, which revealed Weinstein's decades of sexual abuse, manipulation and cover-up, resulted in his eventual prosecution and brought the reality of the #MeToo movement to millions of people around the world. Kantor and Twohey's investigative work continues, including recent pieces on Jeffrey Epstein and on E. Jean Carroll's assault allegation against President Donald Trump.

"Our 30th anniversary Fall season is a testament to the growth, dynamism, and power of the Chicago Humanities Festival. We present programs that consider some of the most challenging issues of our day, as well as some of the most powerful voices of our time, " said Executive Director Phillip Bahar.

Prior to CHF's events with Coates, Kantor and Twohey, and MSNBC host Rachel Maddow (Saturday, October 12, 7:30pm), CHF will host Creative Chicago: Art and the City. Taking place Saturday, September 14 at Venue Six10, the free, day-long program of panel discussions and interactive experiences will pick up a key question from last year's Creative Chicago: Interview Marathon, asking "What does Chicago need?" and answering it through the lens of arts and creativity in our city.

Participants include a wide range of our city's most accomplished curators and artists, including Folded Map Project creator Tonika Johnson, Borderless studio founder Paola Aguirre, director and Lake Forest College theatre professor Chloe Johnston, Honey Pot Performance Artistic and Managing Director Meida McNeal, and Field Foundation Arts Program officer Tempestt Hazel.The day will be moderated by Tracie Hall (Director, Cultural Program, The Joyce Foundation) and Deana Haggag (President and CEO, USArtists).

The goal of Creative Chicago is to develop a set of actionable recommendations to broaden access to the arts in Chicago and to foster connections between Chicagoans. A document drafted after the event will be presented to the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

"Over the past year our city has seen enormous change, both at City Hall and across the cultural scene, said Marilynn Thoma Artistic Director Alison Cuddy. "We're excited to come together and talk about the future of Chicago and how artists and citizens can work together to create a more empathetic and creative city."

CHF's annual member preview event will be held at Venue Six10 immediately following Creative Chicago: Art and the City.

On September 22, the Terra Foundation for American Art and CHF will celebrate the release of a new publication documenting the 2018 Creative Chicago Interview Marathon. The book is a compilation of the interviews conducted by Serpentine Galleries Artistic Director Hans Ulrich Obrist, with such Chicago creatives as Eve Ewing and the late Stanley Tigerman. Stunning photographs of the event, including the stage designed by Barbara Kasten, are included alongside images of the more than 20 participants.

Tickets for the events with Ta-Nehisi Coates as well as Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey will go on sale to CHF members on Tuesday, August 20 and to the public one week later on Tuesday, August 27. Creative Chicago: Art and the City is free and open to the public with an RSVP. Visit chicagohumanities.org to buy tickets and learn more. To become a member and celebrate CHF's 30th anniversary, visit supportchf.org. The full line-up for the 2019 Fall Festival will be announced on Friday, September 13.

CHF PRESENTS FALL 2019

Friday, September 13

30th Anniversary Fall Festival line-up announced

Saturday, September 14

Creative Chicago Revisited

11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Venue SIX10

610 S Michigan Avenue

CHF Fallfest Member Preview

5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Venue SIX10

610 S Michigan Avenue

Sunday, September 22

Creative Chicago Book Release

Presented by CHF and the Terra Foundation for American Art

EXPO Chicago

Wednesday, October 2

Ta-Nehisi Coates: The Water Dancer

7 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

UIC Dorin Forum

725 W Roosevelt Road

Saturday, October 12

An Evening with Rachel Maddow

7:30 pm

VENUE TBA

Tuesday, October 15

Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey: She Said

7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple

77 W Washington