Event—Public Programming

Bughouse 2020: Voting!

This year, Bughouse Square—a historic epicenter of speechifying in Chicago—is wherever you are.

Bughouse 2020, hosted by the Newberry Library and co-sponsored by the Society of Smallness, GCE Lab School, and the Washington Square Park Advisory Council, was held virtually the afternoon of July 22. Throughout the afternoon, a series of speakers got on their virtual soapboxes to hold forth on the theme of VOTING.

Watch the Facebook Live recording of this event.

Program

  • Introductions: Elizabeth Cummings, Sarah Wilson
  • Early History of Bughouse Square: Paul Durica
  • Bughouse Reborn: Rick Kogan
  • Youth Soapbox hosted by the GCE Lab School. Speakers: Shay Guerra, Gimena Servin, Hiu To.
  • The Society of Smallness: Georgina Valverde
  • Open Soapbox, moderated by Dud Lawson and Jorge Mújica
  • Musical Interludes throughout, introduced by Cate Harriman; musicians Phillip Armstrong and Greg Woods of Mosaic Soul Ensemble, playing retro music recorded in Washington Square Park.

Your generosity is vital in keeping the library’s programs, exhibitions, and reading rooms free and accessible to everyone. Make a donation today.

Pre-Bughouse Soapbox Series

Leading up to Bughouse 2020 on July 22, GCE Lab School and the Newberry are hosting a soapbox series that provides a platform for youth voices. Each soapbox event tackles a different theme with a different lineup of speakers.