Events

In 2009, Bob Dylan described John Prine’s songwriting as “pure Proustian existentialism. Midwestern mind trips to the Nth degree.” This conversation will look at how the songwriting of John Prine — the first Honorary Poet Laureate of Illinois — exemplifies many of the qualities found in the Midwestern literary tradition by writers as wide-ranging as Kurt Vonnegut, Lorrie Moore, James Wright, Thorton Wilder, and Sherwood Anderson — a minimalist approach to language, outsider narratives that reflect the insularity of small town life, surrealist portrayals of harsh realities, and wry humor. Texas singer-songwriter Alejandro Escovedo and novelist Silas House join Mark Guarino in a conversation about how John’s songwriting reflects the world he came from in Chicago, and the ways songwriters use biography to create their most powerful work. Alejandro will close the evening with a special set of music.

Join us for a pre-event reception celebrating the kickoff of our week! Proceeds benefit the Hello in There Foundation:

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/souvenirs2026/event/gman/

For panel tickets, click here: 
https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/83244675/

The Prine Family will present a special screening of How Lucky Can One Man Get, a concert documentary directed by Jim Shea that features previously unreleased footage from John Prine's May 2010 benefit concert at his hometown high school.

Tickets on sale August 31 2026.

Join Oh Boy Records for a special POP UP SHOP at Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, on Thursday 10/8 from 10 AM - 1 PM. 

The Oh Boy Pop Up Shop is your official headquarters for all things John Prine! Stop by for some sweet new JP merchandise!

Film Screenings @ 6 PM and 8:30 PM

The Prine Family will present a special screening of How Lucky Can One Man Get, a concert documentary directed by Jim Shea that features previously unreleased footage from John Prine's May 2010 benefit concert at his hometown high school.

Tickets on sale August 31, 2026.

John Prine was born in 1946 in Maywood, a blue collar suburb of Chicago. Twenty-four years later he was writing songs and performing. Where did those songs come from? How did Chicago during that time period impact the character of his music? A conversation will look at the social upheaval in Chicago at the time and, more specifically, the streets, schools, teachers, events, and community of songwriters he knew so intimately and that would both shape his perspective and nurture his songwriting throughout his life. Curated and led by journalist and author Mark Guarino.

ON SALE NOW: PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Events from 10 AM - 6 PM

Artist Jon Langford will unveil a mural honoring John Prine at the Old Town School, the institution central to John's early development and Chicago's folk music community. The dedication will be followed by a day of celebrations for John, featuring Chicago artists and songwriters, grounding the celebration in the scene that shaped John's voice. The school will also host an art show with John Prine pieces created by local artists, with proceeds benefitting the Hello in There Foundation. The art show will be free and open to the public. 

Maywood, Illinois will host a morning of celebration honoring John Prine in the village where he grew up, to share the streets and neighborhood that shaped his earliest songs. The day will include trolley tours through Maywood's Prine landmarks, paired with self-guided walking tours for those who want to wander at their own pace. 

In addition to our trolley tours and self-guided walking tour of the places that shaped John, we'll partner with Maywood's Housing Forward for a supply drive and letter writing campaign on Sunday, October 11th. Warm coats, boots, and winter accessories are all welcomed for drop off. We'll have some breakfast treats on hand to share.  Trolley tours are ticketed (and are now sold out), but this event is otherwise free and open to the public.

A John Prine 80th Birthday Weekend Hang at Hattie B’s Wrigleyville
3649 N Clark St, Chicago, IL

Sunday, October 11 | 3–7 PM

Handsome Johnny Special
John Prine Look-Alike Contest
Food Specials
Hop Butcher's John Prine Beer
John Prine Tunes
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John Prine Look-Alike Contest at Six O'Clock
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You might just end up on the Six O'Clock News.