Date: 
Fri, 10/11/2019 - 7:00pm to 10:00pm

The Chicago Humanities Festival is pleased to announce that it will host A Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin on Friday, October 11 at 7 p.m. at Symphony Center. Education sociologist, writer, poet, and Ironheart author Dr. Eve L. Ewing will join Martin in conversation. The event includes a special performance by the Spektral Quartet.

Martin is one of the world’s most prolific fantasy writers and the author of the A Song of Fire and Ice series, which inspired HBO’s television program Game of Thrones. His novels, and the subsequent television series, have been read and viewed by millions and have spawned legions of fans around the world. Martin will be receiving the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Carl Sandburg Literary Award on October 10th.

During the conversation with Ewing, Martin will discuss his career, his profound impact on culture, and the unique ability of fantasy to capture the realities of power. Ewing, who will receive the Library Foundation’s 21st Century Award on October 10th, has been featured at many CHF events. Ewing recently contributed a poem to The New York Times’ 1619 Project and her latest poetry collection, 1919, revisits the 1919 Chicago Race Riot through speculative and Afrofuturist lenses.

“One of the central questions we’re exploring this year is how the humanities – literature, visual media, fantasy – help us to understand how power operates across all realms of life,” said Marilynn Thoma Artistic Director Alison Cuddy. “It will be thrilling to hear Eve L. Ewing and George R. R. Martin have that conversation and we’re delighted to host the Library Foundation’s 2019 honorees.”

Tickets are on sale to CHF members now. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, October 1 at 10 a.m.

“We’re excited to be hosting this rare opportunity to hear from George R. R. Martin in person. The best way for fans of Game of Thrones to give themselves a chance to attend is to become a CHF member,” said Executive Director Phillip Bahar.

Tickets are now on sale for fall CHF Presents kickoff events with Ta-Nehisi Coates and Rachel Maddow. Visit chicagohumanities.org to buy tickets and learn more. To become a member and celebrate CHF’s 30th anniversary, visit supportchf.org. The full lineup for the 2019 Fall Festival will be announced in mid-September.

CHF PRESENTS FALL 2019

Friday, September 13
30th Anniversary Fall Festival lineup announced

Saturday, September 14

Creative Chicago: Art and the City
12:00 p.m.—5:45 p.m.
Venue SIX10
610 S Michigan Avenue

CHF Fallfest Member Preview
5:30 p.m.—7:00 p.m.
Venue SIX10
610 S Michigan Avenue

Wednesday, October 2

Ta-Nehisi Coates: The Water Dancer
7:00 p.m.—8:15 p.m.
UIC Dorin Forum
725 W Roosevelt Road

Friday, October 11

George R. R. Martin and Eve Ewing
7:30 p.m.—9:00 p.m.
Symphony Center
220 S Michigan Avenue

Saturday, October 12

Rachel Maddow
7:30 p.m.—8:45 p.m.
Arie Crown Theater
McCormick Place
2301 S Lake Shore Dr

Tuesday, October 15

Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey: She Said
7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.
The Vic Theatre
3145 N Sheffield Ave

SOLD OUT

Major Festival Supporters

Festival Supporters

Partners

Media Partners