Estrojam.

Tonight begins Estrojam, a four-day women's music and arts celebration. There's a concert at The Vic which starts at 4:00, and features a power-packed lineup which includes local musicians Panda Panda and Nomy Lamm. The lineup for future evenings includes at least one Chicago blogger, Edith Frost (Friday night at the Park West). Check the Estrojam Website for a complete schedule.

14th National Poetry Slam

The 14th National Poetry Slam begin today. Three-day passes will be sold by the Chopin Theater, and cover can be paid at any of the individual venues the throughout the event.
Marc Smith, a construction worker in Chicago, started an audience-participated open mike poetry slam at the Green Mill in 1986. The format spread throughout the world. Now, all the top winners are going to be descending on Chicago beginning the first full week in Chicago to see who can give the best...um...oral slam down.