DISPATCH: Connecting Threads (Solidarity Studios, Chicago), Sabr Tooth Tiger and Chicago Irish for Palestine

Inside Sabr Tooth Tiger Magazine’s “Connecting Threads,” a Chicago night of poetry, music, and solidarity

By Ridah Syed

The comfy, low-lit vibes of Solidarity Studios on 3323 N Pulaski Ave was the perfect venue for Sabr Tooth Tiger Magazine’s “Connecting Threads” event hosted in March. With an unassuming front door, it’s easy to miss, at least for me. Carrying in a borrowed HEPA air filter from Clean Air Club (one of the sponsors of the event), I had to double check the faded unit numbers atop of the door to make sure I was in the right spot.

It was only then that Ahmad Gharib, a volunteer of Solidarity Studios, helped me to carry the hefty filter in, just as other team members from the magazine began filing in to help set up. I took in the space -- an amalgamation of décor smattered the walls from a full-size Palestinian flag to Chicago-specific signage, with couches and graffiti-covered tables pushed up to the wall. One of which managing editor Gillian Adkins manned to collect donations (proceeds going towards The Sameer Project) and sell copies of Sabr Tooth Tiger’s issue one lit mag.

Soon, the space was transformed to have chairs oriented towards a low stage, set minimally with an adjustable mic. People settled into their seats, grabbing beers and Capri-Suns from a vending machine in the back, just as Madeline Blair, editor-in-chief of Sabr Tooth Tiger, took the mic to kick off the evening.

She introduced the event’s theme as Connecting Threads, bringing local Chicago talent of writers and musicians with an international guest from Dublin, Ireland, in celebration of the magazine’s second issue.

First up for the poetry reading was Imani Warren, who read an excerpt from her chapbook, “Viola, Gloria, & Nina,” three letters she wrote to her great-grandmother, grandmother and mother. Immediately, Warren’s cadence lulled me into a sense of ease. Each line hit harder after the other, showcasing her raw and vulnerable emotions bled into the ink. She was simply so entrancing to listen to, and the poems might have choked a tear or two out of me.

Next up was Tori Rego, whose poem submission in Sabr Tooth Tiger’s issue one is still a standout to me. She read an excerpt of that very work titled, “Bedtime Prayer.” Referencing a guardian angel “that keeps her secrets,” she builds a gorgeous narrative arc of this angel in the preceding poems. Even as a comedically-timed “this device has been disconnected” from the Bluetooth speaker momentarily breaks up her flow, Rego laughs it off and breezes on effortlessly.

Sam Plauché was welcomed to the mic next with loud applause, a well-known name in the Chicago literary scene as the editor-in-chief of Raging Opossum Press. He also read his submission piece to issue one (and also another favorite of mine) titled, “Declaration of Love.” He then switched gears and read an excerpt of a prose piece, published in his first book, “As The Rain Falls.” Only an excellent writer such as Plauché could captivate an audience so rapt and leave off on a cliffhanger, just waiting to hear what happens next.

Next was Patrick T. Reardon, who is actually the first submission to be accepted into Sabr Tooth Tiger magazine’ issue two. His reading of “O, brothers” reiterated, at least in my mind, why his work was chosen to join the ranks of other mystics and saints in the magazine. Funny enough, he also read a poem themed around the Archangel Michael. Perhaps there was a guardian angel somewhere in the audience that brought these talent’s together.

Finally, to round out the first section of poetry readers, Blair returned to the stage to share three of her works. In her final poem, she references a mysterious lover and cheekily hints at one of the guests reclining on the back couch.

During a 15-minute break of attendees taking photos with a 35mm film camera and writing poetry on cards (a standing tradition for the magazine events), Blair went around soliciting sign-ups for the open mic. Not that she had to try very hard since the list filled up within a matter of minutes.

It’s always nerve-wracking to be the first person to perform, especially at an open mic where there’s not much time to prep beforehand. And yet, the first person to go up, Chris Brooks, broke the ice easily. His poem, “Morning Routines” brought laughs from the audience after he spoke of waking up in the early morning and the “super chill thoughts” he has.

Sonali Madahar signed up for the latter half of the open mic section, admitting this was their first time doing a reading. But you truly couldn’t tell with the confidence they exuded and how assuredly they read their writing, which in their words was “a bit rough.”

Although this was an event celebrating writing, the real treat of the evening, at least for me, was the musical entertainment to close out the event. In line with the theme of “Connecting Threads,” came Chicago Irish for Palestine. While the band set up their instruments, Peter Hume addressed the crowd with what they called an “unrelated” poem, a beautifully interpersonal work reflecting on their past self.

They transitioned into introducing Chicago Irish for Palestine, promoting the activism work they do in solidarity with Palestinians locally and virtually. More importantly, the next “related” poem Hume read was inspired by the book, “Perfect Victims” by Mohammed El-Kurd.

“If you’re so used to justifying someone’s humanity based on how good they are, then you live with a gunman in your head,” Hume said on why they related so strongly with the book and of Palestinian poetry in general.

Brighid the Bard, helmed by Saoirse Rose, took the stage next bridging the threads of poetry and music with their self-composed songs. The composition that resonated with me the most was a re-imagining of an Irish ballad about a Selkie (a mythological creature that shapeshifts from human to seal by putting on their seal skin) but with a trans woman twist on the story. I simply loved the ballad style of storytelling and how Rose reinterpreted the lyrics with their own experience.

The final act of the night, Seán Walsh, hailing from Dublin, Ireland brought a much more stripped down acoustic vibe. Keeping a can of beer close to hydrate between songs, Walsh’s music style was extremely pared down with ballad-esque lyrics and a toe-tapping melody. One of his originals that he “can’t remember what I called it” was a standout, singing of a lover that “he will never let go.” A very cute call back from an earlier reading.

Being in community with different forms of art and solidarity made for such a heartwarming evening, warmed not just by the closeness of the crowd sitting together but the cacophony of praises and smiles behind N-95 masks. It’s a joy to be connected by the threads of our humanity.

Ridah Syed is a journalist based in Chicago, IL who is passionate about community building and activism. She works for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel but in her free time works with several mutual aid groups in the city, helping organize community kitchens, grocery deliveries and more. Her other interests include fantasy romance novels, k-pop concerts, and an afternoon matcha latte.