RUI: Reading Under the Influence

Read this Chi-Town Daily News story or this Gaper's Block article to get an idea of what RUI is like from a guest's point of view.

RUI is a reading series  - originally a fundraiser for another reading - developed by Chicago writers Amanda Snyder, Carly Huegelmann, Rob Duffer, Joe Tower and Julia Borcherts. The writers (which include a monthly rotating roster of RUI regulars and outside guests) read a short piece of original work. They also read a few lines written by famous authors that revolve around a particular theme each month. (Past themes have included Chicago writers, suicidal authors, war, sex and banned books.) Each reader also reads a couple of pages of his or her original work, too.

Before reading the "famous" work, the reader orders a shot (in truth, it don't have to be alcoholic), toasts the audience, downs the shot and then reads. A bit of trivia ensues after that: Who wrote this passage? What book is it from? Sometimes the questions have wee little to do with the actual reading (like say, "When did Franz Ferdinand's new album come out?"), but hey, you'll be drinking and you won't care. We promise.

The person who gets the most correct answers about that particular reading wins a book and maybe some other prizes. It's not at all scientific - our trivia - so you've been warned.

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO! Trivia from the August 2007 RUI, when the theme was RISK:

 

Round 48: July 1, 2009 The theme: Abraham Lincoln

Thanks to a partnership with Chicago Public Library, we celebrated the 200th anniversary of Honest Abe's birth with a FREE Reading Under the Influence featuring Chicago Public Library 2009 21st Century Award-winner Patrick Somerville ("The Cradle"), Featherproof Books founder and Time Out Chicago books columnist Jonathan Messinger ("Hiding Out") and RUI's own Jesse Jordan and Rob Duffer. We also debuted a two-round format with four readers.

Round 47: June 3, 2009 The theme: Call Me Daddy

We celebrated Father's Day a few weeks early with book-release readings by Billy Lombardo ("How to Hold a Woman") and Jamie Freveletti ("Running From the Devil"), along with fab short stories by Robert McDonald ("A Field Guide to Gay and Lesbian Chicago"), Maggie Ritchie, Ashley Kjos and RUI's Julia Borcherts. We also toasted the June 2 birthday of Billi Duvalier, who has made it to 45 out of 47 RUIs.

Round 46: May 18, 2009 The theme: Pilcrow Lit Fest

In honor of the week-long series of events celebrating independent media and small presses, National Story Prize finalist and Nelson Algren Award-winner Joe Meno read from his new novel, "The Great Perhaps," local writer John Berger made his RUI debut and RUI's Gabriel Levinson, Rob Duffer, Jesse Jordan and Pilcrow Lit Fest founder Amy Guth read brand-new and published-in-indie-lit-journal stories.

Round 45: April 1, 2009 The theme: Cubbie Blues

We ushered in the baseball season with readings from "Cubbie Blues: 100 Years of Waiting till Next Year" by contributors Rick Kaempfer (JustOneBadCentury.com), Christine Sneed, Mary Beth Hoerner, Sheffield's owner Ric Hess, Windy City Story Slam founder Bill Hillmann and RUI's Julia Borcherts. "No love for Cubs" hosts were Amy Guth (sporting, so to speak, a Boston Red Sox T-shirt) and Jesse Jordan (resplendent in a light-up White Sox hat and a "F**k the Cubs" T-shirt).

Round 44: March 11, 2009 The theme: RUI Goes to Story Week

At our pre-event celebration of Columbia College's Story Week, Columbia College Fiction Writing professor Eric May, author Brian Costello ("The Enchanters vs. Sprawlburg Springs") and 2008 Schultz-Shiflett Scholarship winners Melanie Datz and David Peak rocked the mic, along with RUI's Rob Duffer and Jesse Jordan.

Round 43: Feb. 11, 2009 (yes, we skipped January); The theme: RUI vs. AWP: Battle of the Acronyms

We welcomed newest regular member Gabe Levinson (somethingtoread.net) and fab author/Pilcrow Lit Festival founder Amy Guth. We also broke our usual format and 11 hosted writers and editors from publications in attendance at the AWP Conference, including Michael Czyzniejewski,  Matt Bell and Kyle Minor (Dzanc Books); John Wang and Lindsay Walker (Juked); and Dave Clapper, Kim Chinquee, Sean Lovelace, Darlin' Neal, Gail Siegel, and Donna D. Vitucci (Smokelong Quarterly).

Round 42: Dec. 3, 2008; The theme: Bombshells Away

We said goodbye to two RUI regulars, Amanda Snyder (to Brazil) and Carly Huegelmann (to give birth). Other readers included Nancy Conger (it was her birthday!), Steven Beier and RUI's Jesse Jordan and Rob Duffer.

Round 41: Nov. 5, 2008; The theme: Red States, Blue States

We celebrated President Elect Obama's win with a night of politics-themed readings. Readers included Ben Tanzer, Bill Hillman, Cynthia Vargas, Simon Smith and RUI's Jesse Jordan and Amanda Snyder.

Round 40: Sept. 30, 2008; The theme: Hope & Despair

We had to kick what would be our normal October night (Oct. 1) back one night because of the Cubs playoffs (who had the nerve to lose!). The lovely Allison Amend ("Things That Pass for Love") was our featured guest. Other guests included Arnie Raiff, C.P. Chang and Adam Cloe. Regulars Rob Duffer and Carly Huegelmann held down the fort.

Round 39: Sept. 6, 2008; The theme: Sin

Six contributors from the book, "Sin: A Deadly Anthology," by The Chicago Contingent read in September:  Andre Frieden ("Tranquility Denied"), Marc Paoletti ("Scorch" and "The Last Vampire"), Patricia Pinianski Rosemoor ("The Last Vampire"), Darwyn Jones, Sheffield's owner Ric Hess and RUI's Julia Borcherts.

Round 38: Aug. 6, 2008; The theme: Music

The rockin' Stephanie Kuehnert - author of "I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone" - was our August guest. First time RUI readers Cortez Bryson and Dana Wood read, along with RUI veteran Darwyn Jones, and regulars Rob Duffer and Jesse Jordan.

Round 37: July 2, 2008; The theme: Patty Templeton

We said goodbye to the best door gal in the world, our own Patty Templeton. Readers included Brian Costello, David Peak and Andrew Reilly (of Ghost Factory), Marc Paoletti (who read from his kick-ass new novel, "Scorch"  ), Ric Hess and of course, Patty.

Round 36: June 4, 2008; The theme: True Life Tales

Margot Bordelon and J. Adams Oak, curators of the Re:Action Reading Series were our featured guests. Writer Brian Smith read, along with Jesse Jordan, Rob Duffer and Carly Huegelmann.

Round 35: May 7, 2008; The theme: Holy Shit! The Sun!

Ingrid Rojas from Manual Labor and the lit journal Lying Down with Full Stomachs was our May guest. Other readers included Elliot Crop, Alex DeBonis, Julia Borcherts and Amanda Snyder.

Round 34: April 2, 2008; The theme: Fool for Love

Returning guest Jenny Seay - host of the Tamale Hut reading series - read, plus Arnie Raiff, Brian Costello, Adam Cloe and RUI's Jesse Jordan and Rob Duffer.

Round 33: March 5, 2008; The theme: Greatest Hits, Vol. 3

Our third anniversary! All six regulars read. Really, we had a great time. You shoulda been there.

Round 32: Feb. 6, 2008; The theme: Massacre

The lovelies Claire Cooney and J9 Vaughn from Kate the Great's Book Emporium were our featured guests this month. Daniel Laloggia and Grant Woods also read.

Round 31: Jan. 2, 2008; The theme: Hangovers

Happy 2008! Paul Barile - a returning guest - (of the n.u.f.a.n. ensemble and Monodogs of War event) was our featured reader. Other readers included Marianna Swallow, Nick Ladendorf, C.P. Chang and RUI regulars Julia Borcherts and Carly Huegelmann.

Round 29: Dec. 5, 2007; The theme: Big Shoulders

We hosted a release party for the local lit mag Other Voices with readers Megan Stielstra, Lisa Stolley and Michael Newirth. Erika Mikkalo and RUI regulars Rob Duffer and Jesse Jordan also read.

Round 28: Nov. 7, 2007; The theme: Women on Top

Our featured guest for November was Tina Jens, creator of the Twilight Tales reading series. Other guests included Molly Each, Jessica Young, RUI door queen Patty Templeton, and RUI regulars Carly Huegelmann and Amanda Snyder.

Round 27: Oct. 3, 2007; The theme: That Which is Hidden

Jonathan Messinger from Featherproof books was our featured guest for October. Writers Gary Poplawski, Allison Spangenberg and Christopher Woods also read.

Round 26: Sept. 5, 2007; The theme: The Factory

David Peak, editor of Ghost Factory Magazine was our September guest. Max Glaessner read his piece from the mag. Local writers Stephanie Kuehnert and Paul Howard and RUI regulars Julia Borcherts and Rob Duffer also rocked the mic.

Round 25: Aug. 1, 2007; The theme: Risk

Don Evans, author of "Good Money After Bad," was our featured August guest. Other guests included Arnie Raiff and Jenny Seay. RUI regulars Amanda Snyder, Jesse Jordan and Rob Duffer also read.

Round 24: June 6, 2007; The theme: RUI Goes Gay

Kathie Bergquist, co-author of "A Field Guide to Gay and Lesbian Chicago" was our featured guest for June. Joining Kathie were Aileen Keown Vaux, Byron Flitsch, David Harvey, Dana Kaye Litoff and Darwyn Jones.

Round 23: May 2, 2007; The theme: Bondage

John McNally was our featured guest. Julia, Rob, Joe and local writers Steven Beier and Erin Walter told tales, and we all nearly ended up in handcuffs when former RUI special guest Brian Costello's band, Johnny and the Limelights, took the stage and the neighbors called the cops.

Round 22: April 4, 2007; The theme: Virgins

Our five first-time readers--Alexis DeBonis, Cristina Cabrera, Chia-Pei Chang, Marc Paoletti and Jessica Young--were broken in not-so-gently by our sixth reader, Frank Crist, who made his second RUI appearance.

Round 21: March 7, 2007; The theme: The Terrible Twos

The Terrible Twos marked our second anniversary. We can hardly believe it. In honor of the night, all of the regulars - Carly, Rob, Julia, Jesse, Joe and Mandy - read.

Round 20: Feb. 7, 2007; The theme: The All-Male Revue

Round 19: Jan. 3, 2007; The theme: Obsession

Our guests for obsession were Andre Frieden, John Crone and Rick Krimbel. It was also Ira's birthday. And Ira and Molly gave out copy's of No Touching Magazine. It was nice.

Round 18: Dec. 6, 2006; The theme: Giving & Receiving

We got in the holiday spirit with readings by Ira Brooker, Felicia Schneiderhan, Allison Spangenberg and featured guest Paul Barile, of the n.u.f.a.n. ensemble.

Round 17: Nov. 1, 2006; The theme: Day of the Dead

Our ghoulish RUI in November was visited by guest Brian Torney and was the welcoming party for our newest regular, Jesse Jordan.

Round 16: Oct. 4, 2006; The theme: Love/Hate

In honor of Sweetest Day - that other Valentine's Day - all of the published selections related to the subject of love and hate. The featured guest was Megan Stielstra. There was also original work from Jesse Jordan, Patty Templeton, Tim Weaver and RUI regulars Rob Duffer and Carly Huegelmann.

Round 15: Sep. 4, 2006; The theme: Labor

September celebrated LABOR - both working and birthin' babies. Our guests were Todd Dills, Dana Litoff, Zak Mucha and Margaret Sullivan. RUI regulars Julia Borcherts and Amanda Snyder also read.

Round 14: Aug. 2, 2006; The theme: Roadtrips

August 's RUI featured readings about great roadtrips by Jotham Burrello, Drew Bazini, Darwyn Jones and Allison Spangenberg and RUI regulars Rob Duffer and Carly Huegelmann.

Round 13: July 5, 2006; The theme: American Authors

We heard fantastic readings by local authors Frank Crist, Nicholas Ladendorf, Jenny Seay, Charlie Vlahogiannis, Beth Dugan and RUI's own Rob "I love it when you call me Big Poppa" Duffer.

Round 12: June 7, 2006; The theme: Sex

Everyone got a little hot and bothered at one of the best RUIs ever, when our guest was the SEXy Gina Frangello, author of "My Sister's Continent."

Round 11: April 5, 2006; The theme: Opening Day

Our guests this month were writers/editors Ira Brooker and Molly Each. Their mag is called No Touching. Check it out.

Round 10: March 1, 2006; The theme: Anniversary Open Mic

We turned one year old! Complete with pizza and 19 open mic readers. Regulars Julia Borcherts, Rob Duffer and Amanda Snyder managed to do some rounds of trivia between the readings, so we still gave stuff away. Which is always nice.

Round 9: Feb. 1, 2006; The theme: First Novels

Round 9 welcomed back our Iowa-onian (Iowegian? Iowian?) Mr. Joe Tower (that's Mr. Canned Ham to you) and our guest was Brian Costello, reading from his own first novel, "The Enchanters vs. Sprawlburg Springs." You can get more info - and even buy it - at Featherproof Books.

Round 8: Jan. 4, 2006; The theme: Writings of the Equator

To warm up 2006, we read writings from tropical locations. Readers this month were regulars Julia Borcherts, Carly Huegelmann and Amanda Snyder. Our guests this month were poet Bill Allegrezza and writer Bobby Biedrzycki.

Round 7: Dec. 7, 2005; The theme: Holiday Blues

Our guest Patty Templeton rocked us out reading from her new zine XMAS EVIL.

Round 6: Nov. 2, 2005; The theme: Banned Books

The smashing Beth Dugan - whose work has been seen in Time Out and UR Chicago - was our kickin' round six guest. She read from Slaughterhouse Five. We love her. Round 6 marked the return of Ms. Carly Huegelmann from the Land of Pregnant Ladies.

Round 5: Oct. 5, 2005; The theme: WAR!

WAR! What is it good for? (Absolutely nothin'!) Round 5 superstars were: Julia Borcherts, Rob Duffer, Amanda Snyder and Joe Tower. Guests this month were fellow writer and Sheffield's owner Ric Hess and Joe Deir, editor of the lit mag Inkstains. The audience heard selections written by Fidel Castro (nope, not a typo), Joseph Heller, Tim O'Brien and others.

Round 4: Sep. 7, 2005; The theme: Chicago Authors

We read from hometown writers this time around - L. Frank Baum, Sandra Cisneros, Stuart Dybek, Nelson Algren and others.  And on top of it all, we raised $114 for the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts! Round 4 superstars were: Julia Borcherts, Rob Duffer, Amanda Snyder, Joe Tower and newbies Keith Hernandez and The Dollar Store's Jonathan Messinger.

Round 3: July 20, 2005; The theme: Suicide

Round 3 was our first attempt at both trivia and a theme for the evening - suicide. (Thanks, Rob!) All the published work we read were from authors that offed themselves in one way or another. Morbid? Sure. We read selections from: Sylvia Plath, Hunter S. Thompson, Ernest Hemingway, John Kennedy Toole and Jack London.

Round 2: May 8, 2005; Round 1: March 20, 2005

RUI: Rounds 1 and 2 were developed as fundraisers for a reading we held at the HotHouse on June 10, 2005. (Check out the website for that here.) We read from Hemingway, Tolstoy, Dorothy Parker, Bukowski and others - but hadn't incorporated trivia yet. All it took to win a prize was knowing the author or book title. Too easy.