On Feb. 14, a sold-out crowd packed Aloft Circus Arts in Logan Square, 3324 W. Wrightwood Ave., to experience DEVOTION, The Poetry Brothel Chicago’s immersive Valentine’s Day spectacle.
The two-hour vaudeville show featured stage poetry, aerials by Teatro Zinzanni Chicago circus artist Lindsay Culbert-Olds, burlesque performances by Blazing Belladonna and Vera Sporadica, with Missy St. Marie as emcee.
Producer and Madam Candace Angelica Walsh described the experience as an “immersive literary cabaret” that operates as a choose-your-own-adventure. Guests could stay with the main program or book private poetry sessions, tarot readings and magic tricks happening downstairs.
“Where the show really shines,” said Walsh, “is in those intimate moments between the poets and the guests.” The private readings, offered for a fee, play with the brothel metaphor while centering consent, artistry and connection.
“We take the brothel name very seriously,” Walsh said. Ten percent of proceeds support GLITS, a Black trans-led advocacy group fighting systemic discrimination in New York City and beyond. Walsh is also donating 10% of her producer proceeds to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
The DEVOTION headliner was Grammy-nominated poet Faylita Hicks, winner of the Chicago Writers Association Poetry Book of the Year for A Map of My Want and a Lambda Literary Award finalist for Bisexual Poetry.
A queer Afro-Latinx activist, writer, multidisciplinary artist and cultural strategist, Hicks has spent more than 20 years using their intersectional experiences to advocate for the rights of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities.
“This is a dream come true for me,” Hicks said before taking the stage, marking a return to performing their poetry.
Hicks referenced their fiancé’s death in 2010 and how death and grieving are part of love. They moved seamlessly between descriptions of mourning and desire.
“Who’s getting laid when you go home?” Hicks asked, to whoops of enthusiasm.
“I’m single,” Hicks teased.
Lisa Marie Farver, a Poetry Brothel veteran, delivered a creative number about the innuendo-laced sweetness of candy.
“And just like it’s says in the M&Ms ad: You should melt in my mouth, NOT in my hand,” Farver cooed.
Newcomer Astra D’Lux made their debut by surprising their partner of six years, Jonah, with a love poem that ended in a sweet kiss.
Mo opened their set with a tantalizing poem about panties, while Wax Shadows performed a poem in Urdu, inviting the audience to assign their own meaning, whether the rush of first love or the sting of a breakup.
Chris Guzaitis, Director of Grants and Awards at the Poetry Foundation, noted that the event was a wonderful way to reach audiences who don’t typically attend poetry readings.
“I’m seeing people here that I’ve never seen at other poetry readings,” Guzaitis said.
Poetry Brothel began in New York City 17 years ago and has since expanded to multiple cities, including Chicago. After the Chicago chapter went dormant, Walsh revived it in December 2024 with a show at Kashmir. DEVOTION marked the group’s fourth production in just over a year.
“It is important for us to create space in our shows where people feel at home and can be their truest self, both on and off the stage. We want our guests to feel that they are part of our co-creation,” Walsh said. oo
“Poetry is for all of us, and we need it, we always have, and we always will.”
The event was made possible in part through the support of The Poetry Foundation, Chocs N’ Boxes, Pleasure Chest and ONE Condoms.
Poetry Brothel Chicago will present a Pride show in June.
