Evanston History Center and RHINO Poetry to Host Poetry Reading

Event celebrates National Poetry Month with local poets on April 30

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:41pm

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An extremely blurred, impressionistic photograph showing a warm, cozy interior scene with soft, glowing pools of light and color, conveying a sense of comfort and belonging.The upcoming poetry reading event at the Evanston History Center will bring the community together to celebrate the power of verse and explore the multifaceted concept of 'home'.Evanston Today

The Evanston History Center and RHINO Poetry are hosting a special evening of poetry readings on April 30 to close out National Poetry Month. Featured poets from RHINO, all with connections to Evanston, will read selections centered around the theme of 'home' - both as a physical dwelling and an emotional concept of belonging, safety, and comfort.

Why it matters

This event highlights the vibrant literary community in Evanston, bringing together local poets to celebrate the power of poetry and its ability to explore themes of identity, place, and personal experience. It also provides an opportunity for the public to engage with and support the arts in their community.

The details

The poetry reading will feature seven RHINO poets - Kimberly Dixon-Mays, Richard Hamilton, Gail Goepfert, Jacob Saenz, Marcy Rae Henry, John McCarthy, and Chris Solis Green - all of whom have ties to Evanston. The readings will focus on the theme of 'home' and its multi-faceted meanings.

  • The event will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
  • The readings will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The players

Evanston History Center

A local organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Evanston, Illinois.

RHINO Poetry

A poetry organization that publishes the RHINO Poetry journal and hosts literary events in the Evanston area.

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What they’re saying

“This event highlights the vibrant literary community in Evanston, bringing together local poets to celebrate the power of poetry and its ability to explore themes of identity, place, and personal experience.”

— Kimberly Dixon-Mays, RHINO Poet

What’s next

Attendees can RSVP for the free event on the Evanston History Center's website.

The takeaway

The poetry reading event at the Evanston History Center provides an opportunity for the community to engage with and support local literary talent, while also exploring universal themes of home, identity, and belonging through the lens of poetry.