AUGUST
Poet, activist, and Temple University professor Sonia Sanchez won the American Book Award in 1985 for Homegirls and Handgrenades. Her new book of poems, Wounded in the House of a Friend, addresses the impact of adultery, rape, violence, and drugs on women’s lives–yet it focuses on redemption and self-fulfillment. She’ll read tonight as part of the DuSable Museum of African American History’s free Poetry in the Park event. Local poet and arts critic Rohan B. Preston will start things off at 6 on the front lawn of the museum, 740 E. 56th Place. Call 947-0600.
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SUNDAY 4
In her book The Politics of Motherhood: British Writing and Culture, 1680-1760, Toni Bowers uses novels, plays, sermons, portraits, engravings, and propaganda from the pre-Victorian period to examine popular conceptions of “virtuous” motherhood and how those ideals continue to set limits on women. Bowers, a University of Pennsylvania women’s studies and English professor, will discuss her work today at 3 in the bookstore of the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton. It’s free; call 255-3520.
For the last 27 years the social-service agency ASPIRA has provided educational services and leadership-development programs to some 2,000 Latino youths each year. Tonight it will hold a benefit concert at Ravinia in conjunction with the Latin Jazz Society, with a program that includes Tito Puente, Yolanda Duke, and the Eddie Palmieri Octet. Tickets cost $10 for lawn, $30 for theater seating. It’s at 7 at Ravinia, Green Bay and Lake Cook roads, Highland Park. Call 252-0970 for reservations.
