The Hello In There Foundation Presents: The Literary Heart of John Prine: A Performance and Conversation - Featuring Alejandro Escovedo and Silas House, Moderated by Mark Guarino presented with special support from Chicago Humanities

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/