The largest of its kind in the world, Louder Than A Bomb - Return to the Craft is the 13th Annual Chicago Youth Poetry Festival, an Olympic-style poetry competition with slam preliminaries and semi-final bouts running February 16 - March 3, followed by Team Finals at The Cadillac Palace Theater, 151 W. Randolph, on Saturday, March 9, 2013. A friendly competition that emphasizes self-expression and community via poetry, oral storytelling, and hip-hop spoken word, Louder Than a Bomb is a community – a bridge – for young people from all neighborhoods, socio economic statuses, race and culture to come together and better understand one another.

The public is welcome to attend all rounds of competition, with tickets available in advance or at the door. See below for full details.

As author and Festival co-founder Kevin Coval describes, “For three minutes at a time the students speak about their lives. For the other eighty-seven minutes, they are listening to the lives and stories and dreams of others. Kids that don’t look like them and come from a different neighborhood. In listening, the city shrinks.”

To hear performances by past Louder Than a Bomb poets, click here.

Click here to visit the Louder Than a Bomb Ticket Store

As you read this, students throughout the city are gathering after school, pens are moving gracefully across the page, their stories eagerly waiting to be told…

Thirteen years ago, Kevin Coval and Anna West in collaboration with Young Chicago Authors created the platform for these stories. Today this platform has expanded to over ten cities and states across the nation, including South Africa. It has been featured in a globally acclaimed documentary and given thousands of youth the opportunity to share their voices on stage.  Please join us to celebrate Chicago throughout the stages of Louder Than a Bomb 2013.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Please check back as additional Festival events will be added to this schedule.

Thursday, February 19 - Saturday, March 2 (various times)
Louder Than a Bomb 2013 Prelims
Columbia College Chicago and Chicago Cultural Center (various locations)
$5 for adults/$3 for students/free to registered participants
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR*
*group sales are available in advance by contacting Young Chicago Authors; contact information above

Saturday, February 23 at 6PM
Louder Than a Bomb All City Release Party
An Anthology Release Party featuring YCA Teaching Artists
Columbia College (618 South Michigan Avenue)
FREE

Saturday, March 2 at 8PM
Louder Than A Bomb 2013 College Individual Finals
Columbia College Chicago (Stage 2 at 618 S. Michigan)
$10 for adults/$5 for students/free to registered participants
Click here for tickets

Sunday, March 3 at Noon, 1:30PM, 3PM and 4:30PM
Louder Than a Bomb 2013 Semi-Finals
Lincoln Hall/Victory Gardens Theatre (2433 North Lincoln Avenue)
Note: This ticket is good for all Semi-Final Rounds taking place Sunday, March 3. Limited seating available. First come first served.
$8 for adults/$3 for students/free to registered participants
Click here for tickets (daytime Semi-Finals only)
Special Offer: $10 for adults/$5 for students all-day pass
Click here for tickets (daytime Semi-Finals PLUS evening “Mix Tape Release Concert”)

Sunday, March 3 at 7PM
Louder Than a Bomb MixTape Release Concert
Lincoln Hall (2424 North Lincoln Avenue)
$10 for adults/$5 for students/free to registered participants
Click here for tickets

Wednesday, March 6 at 7PM
Louder Than a Bomb 2013 Individual Poet Finals
Chicago Cultural Center (Preston Bradley Hall at 78 E. Washington)
FREE - Click here to RSVP and reserve your seat

Saturday, March 9 at 6PM
Louder Than a Bomb 2013 Team Finals
Cadillac Palace Theater (151 West Randolph Street)
$20 for adults/$10 for students
Click here for tickets

Louder Than a Bomb is co-presented by Columbia College Chicago and Vocalo 89.5FM/WBEZ 91.5FM.