# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA) 2026 Finals
- **Event Start and End Date**: Thu, 01 Oct, 2026 at 06:00 pm – Thu, 01 Oct, 2026 at 07:30 pm (-05:00)
- **Event Description**: Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA) 2026 Finals
Presented By Guild Literary Complex
Guest Judge - Itiola Jones

Date: Thursday, October 1st, 2026

Doors: 5:00PM to Venue | 6:30PM to Chase House

Showtime: 7:00PM

Tickets:
21+ Advanced - $15
21+ Day of Show - $20
17+ Advanced - $20 (Includes 1 Complimentary Soft Drink)
17+ Day of Show - $25 (Includes 1 Complimentary Soft Drink)

About:

The Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA), founded by Gwendolyn Brooks and presented annually by Guild Literary Complex, celebrates outstanding original poetry by Illinois writers. Finalists selected by guest judge I.S. Jones will perform their work live for a chance to win a $500 audience prize, publication in RHINO Poetry, and an invitation to read at the Evanston Writers Workshop’s 2026 conference.

Golden Hour at Epiphany:

Stop by Epiphany for our live music series concerts, and be sure to hit Golden Hour before-hand for drinks and lite-bites! Doors open at 5pm Thursday - Saturday for Golden Hour with 1/2 priced bottles of wine, BOGO cocktails, and other specials!

Come early to EXPLORE and DISCOVER your own EPIPHANY… our art galleries are open and there is free entertainment before the show!

Please note that outside food or beverages are not permitted in the venue.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/chicago/gwendolyn-brooks-open-mic-awards-gboma-2026-finals/200030585900947
- **Event Categories**: art, open-mic, literary-art, music, entertainment, concerts, workshops, live-music, business, conferences
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 9

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Chicago
- **state**: IL
- **country**: United States
- **location**: 201 S. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL, United States, Illinois 60607
- **lat**: 41.87868
- **long**: -87.66626
- **full address**: 201 S. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL, United States, Illinois 60607

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA) 2026 Finals
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events4/banners/44f85ec7a3af44c755dfd5134346396987f872ae252a17a251e3f8705c82cb09-rimg-w1200-h675-dc080808-gmir?v=1787171805

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA) 2026 Finals being held?
  - **A:** Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA) 2026 Finals takes place on Thu, 01 Oct, 2026 at 06:00 pm to Thu, 01 Oct, 2026 at 07:30 pm at 201 S. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL, United States, Illinois 60607.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA) 2026 Finals?
  - **A:** Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA) 2026 Finals is organized by Epiphany Center for the Arts.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA) 2026 Finals is ideal for aspiring performers, spoken word artists, budding comedians, and audiences who love discovering raw, unpolished talent in an intimate and supportive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Chicago, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Gwendolyn Brooks Open Mic Awards (GBOMA) 2026 Finals sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast.

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