{
"$type": "site.standard.document",
"bskyPostRef": {
"cid": "bafyreicxmsx2qvqcck5bjip736ez3o7ddtzkxf34tzax224esyrwcr7gui",
"uri": "at://did:plc:ha7wpngv4f2qwrk5hta4ktbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhbetcnmzhi2"
},
"coverImage": {
"$type": "blob",
"ref": {
"$link": "bafkreifdnbqu334ynbeovraix62322kjco4e7v3ylyvqcbbhhbhzakm6dy"
},
"mimeType": "image/jpeg",
"size": 169099
},
"path": "/arts-and-culture/2026/03/17/padma-lakshmi-veronica-roth-xochitl-gonzalez-michael-pollan-2026-chicago-humanities-fest",
"publishedAt": "2026-03-17T15:00:00.000Z",
"site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
"textContent": "<p><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/art/2025/10/08/macarthur-genius-grant-winners-2025-tonika-lewis-johnson-englewood-folded-map-project-tommy-orange\" >Tonika Lewis Johnson,</a> the artist behind the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.foldedmapproject.com/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Folded Map Project</u></a>, NPR’s Peter Sagal, “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi and author Xochitl Gonzalez will give talks at this year’s <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&pf=1&ai=DChsSEwjW1sHqm6WTAxV5LtQBHZBcMrEYACICCAEQABoCb2E&co=1&ase=2&gclid=CjwKCAjw1N7NBhAoEiwAcPchp6x_lJxAMVAtOjWxi61b3c0pG4Zucy7HsDldJk-5hC2vtEA-fVKMJRoCDuoQAvD_BwE&cid=CAASWuRoQv7g_lIE9lGiUwB55AiznnsFeQioEmtyZ4oudbxfhPuujenQnh7o1qZDznH5F9KVB12jYEguS4xetvLquMJmKs8tj2rA1j4A7PW3eJDBNR_YpAqBujZXzQ&cce=2&category=acrcp_v1_32&sig=AOD64_3fL-Ng9Ndz8yNrGqlR4JFUvs2KEA&q&nis=4&adurl=https://www.chicagohumanities.org?gad_source%3D1%26gad_campaignid%3D200613192%26gbraid%3D0AAAAAD-5FkYhwFiDtK1iFBGv0tLZxAKu7%26gclid%3DCjwKCAjw1N7NBhAoEiwAcPchp6x_lJxAMVAtOjWxi61b3c0pG4Zucy7HsDldJk-5hC2vtEA-fVKMJRoCDuoQAvD_BwE&ved=2ahUKEwiY47zqm6WTAxX54MkDHcEZBHUQ0Qx6BAgTEAE\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Chicago Humanities</u></a> Spring Festival, the non-profit organization announced Tuesday.</p><p>Tickets go on <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicagohumanities.org/events/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>sale to the public</u></a> Thursday.</p><p>The festival, running from March 24 to June 28, offers events throughout the city and features a wide array of conversations from notable artists, musicians, politicians, authors and television hosts. The lineup this spring also travels to three different neighborhoods.</p><p>Bridgeport Day on April 18 features a variety of programs centered on racial justice, including a discussion about the “Great Replacement” theory with <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/ibram-x-kendi-chain-ideas/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Mayor Brandon Johnson and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi</u></a> at the Ramova Theatre. Yann Martel, the author of “The Life of Pi,” will discuss his new book in the same venue.</p><p>Northwestern Day will take place at various venues on the Evanston university campus on May 17 and include a visit with three of <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/casa-kahlo/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Frida Kahlo’s great-nieces</u></a>, who opened <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://museocasakahlo.org/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Museo Casa Kahlo</u></a> in Mexico City late last year.</p><p>For Lake View Day on May 9, architecture photographer and writer Will Quam will lead walking tours of the neighborhood, while David Axelrod, the former political advisor to former President Barack Obama, and New York Times columnist David French discuss politics.</p><p>Several notable Chicagoans are also participating in programming, including chef <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/food-drink/2025/07/31/curtis-duffy-book-fireproof-chicago-restaurants-ever-grace\" >Curtis Duffy</a> and musician Charles Joseph Smith, as well as historian Sherman “Dilla” Thomas and scholar Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-3f0000\" name=\"image-3f0000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a09e540/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb0%2F08%2F4fcb1059420d858c40b348682ac2%2Fmacarthur25-10xx25-013.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eeb0726/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb0%2F08%2F4fcb1059420d858c40b348682ac2%2Fmacarthur25-10xx25-013.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/99fab4c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb0%2F08%2F4fcb1059420d858c40b348682ac2%2Fmacarthur25-10xx25-013.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Chicago artist and activist Tonika Lewis Johnson will join scholars Amanda Williams and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor for a discussion about housing justice on Bridgeport Day during this year's Chicago Humanities Spring Festival.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/99fab4c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb0%2F08%2F4fcb1059420d858c40b348682ac2%2Fmacarthur25-10xx25-013.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/62b7c00/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb0%2F08%2F4fcb1059420d858c40b348682ac2%2Fmacarthur25-10xx25-013.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/99fab4c/2147483647/strip/true/crop/8192x4598+0+433/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fb0%2F08%2F4fcb1059420d858c40b348682ac2%2Fmacarthur25-10xx25-013.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Chicago artist and activist Tonika Lewis Johnson will join scholars Amanda Williams and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor for a discussion about housing justice on Bridgeport Day during this year’s Chicago Humanities Spring Festival.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p></p><h3>Here is a full calendar of 2026 Humanities Fest events.</h3><h3></h3><p><b>March 24 </b>Bassist <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/night-bassist-melissa-auf-der-maur/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Melissa Auf der Mau</u>r</a> at Three Top Lounge</p><p><b>April 11</b> “Yellowface” author <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/rf-kuang/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>R.F. Kuang</u></a> at First United Methodist Church</p><p><b>April 15 </b>James Beard Award-winning author of “How to Change Your Mind” <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/michael-pollan-a-world-appears/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Michael Pollan</u></a> at Francis W. Parker School</p><p><b>Bridgeport Day, April 18 </b>features a talk about housing justice with <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/housing-justice-johnson-williams-taylor/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Tonika Lewis Johnson, Amanda Williams and Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor</u></a>, neighborhood bus tours led by <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/bridgeport-bus-tour-dilla-early/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Shermann “Dilla”” Thomas</u></a> and a performance from Chicago composer <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/charles-joseph-smith/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Charles Joseph Smith</u></a>.</p><p><b>Also happening on April 18:</b><br></p><ul class=\"rte2-style-ul\" id=\"rte-95729240-2175-11f1-8c72-b50dab1a2b0a\"><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/infrastructure-compassion-public-health/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta & Dr. Gregg Gonsalves</u></a> discuss public health in the era of fentanyl at Ramova Theatre Loft</li><li>Walking tours of Bridgeport with <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/brick-of-chicago-tour-bridgeport/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Will Quam</u></a></li><li>Photographer <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/sandra-steinbrecher/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Sandra Steinbrecher</u></a> on re-imagining The Salt Shed at Co-Prosperity</li><li>Bestselling author <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/ibram-x-kendi-chain-ideas/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Mayor Brandon Johnson</u></a> in conversation at Ramova Theatre</li><li>Author of “Life of Pi” <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/yann-martel/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Yann Martel</u></a> talks about his upcoming novel, “Son of Nobody,” at Ramova Theatre Loft</li><li>Letterpress printer and typographer <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/amos-paul-kennedy/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.</u></a> speaks at Co-Prosperity</li><li>Peace activists <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/abu-sarah-inon/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon</u></a> speak at the Ramova Theatre</li><li>Arts writer <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/andy-beta-alice-coltrane/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Andy Beta</u></a> talks about legendary jazz composer Alice Coltrane at Co-Prosperity</li><li>Iconic comic artist <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/art-spiegelman/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Art Spiegelman</u></a> at Ramova Theatre</li></ul><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-f40000\" name=\"image-f40000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/b16dfad/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F8c%2Ff7%2F7f02a54945e0bb2c21a0b3bfcf27%2Friverswim-260313-19.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7c2b7f5/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F8c%2Ff7%2F7f02a54945e0bb2c21a0b3bfcf27%2Friverswim-260313-19.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6b2c531/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F8c%2Ff7%2F7f02a54945e0bb2c21a0b3bfcf27%2Friverswim-260313-19.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Mayor Brandon Johnson will speak with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi at the Ramova Theatre in a discussion about the “Great Replacement” theory on April 18.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6b2c531/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F8c%2Ff7%2F7f02a54945e0bb2c21a0b3bfcf27%2Friverswim-260313-19.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/eeaa29d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F8c%2Ff7%2F7f02a54945e0bb2c21a0b3bfcf27%2Friverswim-260313-19.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6b2c531/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6122x3436+0+324/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F8c%2Ff7%2F7f02a54945e0bb2c21a0b3bfcf27%2Friverswim-260313-19.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Mayor Brandon Johnson will speak with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi at the Ramova Theatre in a discussion about the “Great Replacement” theory on April 18.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p><b>April 20</b> Travel writer <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/rick-steves/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Rick Steves</u></a><b> </b>talks about his career at Francis W. Parker School</p><p><b>April 23</b> “Olga Dies Dreaming” author<b> </b><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/xochitl-gonzalez/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Xochitl Gonzalez</u></a> appears at Three Top Lounge</p><p><b>April 23</b> The team behind NPR’s <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/planet-money/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Planet Money</u></a><b> </b>speaks<b> </b>at the Athenaeum Center</p><p><b>May 3</b> Author <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/joe-abercrombie/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Joe Abercrombie</u></a><b> </b>(“The First Law” and “The Age of Madness” trilogies) speaks at Francis W. Parker School</p><p><b>May 8</b> Host of NPR’s “Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!” <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/peter-sagal-constitution-sessions-1/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Peter Sagal</u></a> brings his U.S. Constitution Sessions to the Athenaeum Center</p><p><b>Lake View Day, May 9 </b>features talks from political analyst<b> </b><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/david-axelrod-david-french/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>David Axelrod and New York Times columnist David French</u></a> at the Athenaeum Center. “Top Chef” host <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/padma-lakshmi-spring-2026/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Padma Lakshmi</u></a> and the creator of <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/abrumrad-barry/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Radiolab</u></a> will also appear.</p><p><b>Also appearing on May 9 at the Athenaeum (unless otherwise noted):</b><br></p><ul class=\"rte2-style-ul\" id=\"rte-95729241-2175-11f1-8c72-b50dab1a2b0a\"><li>NPR host <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/peter-sagal-constitution-sessions-2/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Peter Sagal</u></a> holds his U.S. Constitution Sessions</li><li>Historian <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/gregory-dreicer/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Gregory Dreicer</u></a> talks Chicago skyscrapers and infrastructure</li><li>Walking tours of Lake View <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/brick-of-chicago-tour-lakeview-early/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>with Will Quam</u></a></li><li>Acclaimed historian and Columbia Journalism School professor <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/jelani-cobb/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Jelani Cobb</u></a></li><li>Scholar of Critical Race Theory <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/kimberle-crenshaw/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Kimberlé Crenshaw</u></a></li></ul><p><b>Northwestern Day, May 17 </b>Chef<b> </b><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/chef-curtis-duffy/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Curtis Duffy</u></a>, of Chicago restaurants Ever and Grace, will be at the Block Museum of Art, while Rep.<b> </b><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/lauren-underwood-spring-2026/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Lauren Underwood</u></a> gives a talk at the Norris Center Louis Room on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston.</p><div class=\"Enhancement\" data-align-center> <div class=\"Enhancement-item\" data-crop=\"\"> <figure class=\"Figure\"><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-d30000\" name=\"image-d30000\"></a> <picture data-crop=\"medium\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/cf5bb75/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5464x3067+0+2563/resize/490x275!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6c%2F59%2Fa964ac974cdfbc96a06459e753b5%2Fduffy-0731250030.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/3c9c2f8/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5464x3067+0+2563/resize/980x550!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6c%2F59%2Fa964ac974cdfbc96a06459e753b5%2Fduffy-0731250030.jpg 2x\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <source width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/42153f3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5464x3067+0+2563/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6c%2F59%2Fa964ac974cdfbc96a06459e753b5%2Fduffy-0731250030.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" srcset=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" /> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Chicago chef and author Curtis Duffy will speak during Northwestern Day in this year's Chicago Humanities Spring Festival.\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/42153f3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5464x3067+0+2563/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6c%2F59%2Fa964ac974cdfbc96a06459e753b5%2Fduffy-0731250030.jpg 1x,https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/55e0af2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5464x3067+0+2563/resize/980x550!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6c%2F59%2Fa964ac974cdfbc96a06459e753b5%2Fduffy-0731250030.jpg 2x\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" data-src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/42153f3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5464x3067+0+2563/resize/490x275!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2F6c%2F59%2Fa964ac974cdfbc96a06459e753b5%2Fduffy-0731250030.jpg\" data-lazy-load=\"true\" src=\"data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIyNzVweCIgd2lkdGg9IjQ5MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=\" > </picture> <div class=\"Figure-content\"><figcaption class=\"Figure-caption\"><p>Chicago chef and author Curtis Duffy will speak during Northwestern Day in this year’s Chicago Humanities Spring Festival.</p></figcaption><span class=\"line\"></span><div class=\"Figure-credit\"><p>Manuel Martinez/Manuel Martinez/WBEZ</p></div></div> </figure> </div> </div><p><b>Also happening on May 17:</b><br></p><ul class=\"rte2-style-ul\" id=\"rte-95729242-2175-11f1-8c72-b50dab1a2b0a\"><li>Historian <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/mary-beard-talking-classics/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Mary Beard</u></a> at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall</li><li>Bestselling author <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/griffin-mcelroy/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Griffin McElroy</u></a> at Norris Center, Louis Room</li><li><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/ezekiel-emanuel/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel</u></a> on the Wellness Industrial Complex at Norris Center, McCormick Auditorium</li><li>Bestselling biographer <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/walter-isaacson-greatest-sentence/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Walter Isaacson</u></a> at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall</li><li>NPR host <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/peter-sagal-constitution-sessions-3/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Peter Sagal</u></a>’s U.S. Constitution Sessions at Norris Center, Louis Room</li><li>Filmmaker <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/john-waters-screeplays/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>John Waters</u></a> at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall</li><li>Bestselling author <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/veronica-roth/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Veronica Roth</u></a> (also an alumnus of Northwestern University) at Norris Center, Louis Room</li></ul><p><b>May 20</b> \"Culture Therapist\" columnist <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/megan-ogrady/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Megan O’Grady</u></a> will speak at Three Top Lounge</p><p><b>June 9</b> Bestselling author <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/matt-haig/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Matt Haig</u></a> (“The Midnight Library,” “The Humans”) at Athenaeum Center</p><p><b>June 10</b> Pulitzer Prize finalist writer <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/dave-eggers/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Dave Eggers</u></a> (“A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius”) at the Old Town School of Folk Music</p><p><b>June 11 </b>American jazz pianist <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/marilyn-crispell/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Marilyn Crispell</u></a> at the Art Institute of Chicago, Griffin Court</p><p><b>June 28</b> Bestselling author <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://www.chicagohumanities.org/events/attend/ann-patchett/\" target=\"_blank\" ><u>Ann Patchett</u></a> (\"Bel Canto,\" \"The Patron Saint of Liars\") at Athenaeum Center</p>",
"title": "Padma Lakshmi, Veronica Roth, Xochitl Gonzalez, Michael Pollan to appear at 2026 Chicago Humanities Fest",
"updatedAt": "2026-03-17T15:00:01.321Z"
}