The Punany Poets' Black Date Night Chicago (Early Show)

Jessica Holter, Founder of The Punany Poets, curates perfect dates with sensual poetry and romantic games between adults. B.Y.O.B., if you please.

This Sweetest Day Weekend, fall in love again—boldly, playfully, unapologetically. Step into Coffy Box Rom~Com, an immersive romantic theater experience where poetry seduces music and intimacy takes center stage. This soulful celebration invites lovers and seekers to elevate connection through laughter, touch, and truth.

We’re celebrating 30 years of The Punany Poets and paying tribute to D’Wayne Wiggins, Son of Soul and beloved Music Director for The HIP Team, whose legacy of mentorship and music inspires this unforgettable night. Expect a soul-stirring soundtrack that moves your body and opens your heart—because every great love story deserves a score.

🗓️ Friday, October 17th 📍 Bughouse Theater, Chicago 🕖 Two Shows: 7:00 PM & 9:30 PM 🍷 B.Y.O.B | Adults Only

From the moment you arrive, the energy is electric. Chill your libation at the Chi City Café Ice Station, grab your gift bag, and mingle with fellow romantics. Then, let the night unfold…

💋 Flirtatious games tease the senses and test your connection:

• Identify your lover blindfolded by scent, touch, or heartbeat.
• Share a secret, a fantasy, or a truth waiting to be spoken.
• Pucker up for the kissing competition—passion wins prizes.
• Match answers in the Love Language Game and see how well you really know each other.

🎤 Guest poets, comedians, and musicians take the stage with performances that stir the soul and deepen the vibe. 📚 Jessica Holter closes the night with selections from her classic The Head Doctor Show and her latest work, Truth is a Trap House—a raw, poetic journey through history, heartbreak, and healing.

Together, we’ll write new chapters in our love stories—set to a soul-stirring soundtrack inspired by the legacy of D’Wayne Wiggins, Son of Soul.

This isn’t just a show—it’s an electric church of soul-speak and prayer, trust-stretching, and hand-holding. A celebration of Black intimacy and community connection. A poetic intervention for pain addiction. A fine-tuning of our kinetic bonds—the invisible threads that hold us together, even when the world tries to pull us apart.

How well do you know your partner? Let’s find out.

🎟️ Tickets are limited. Reserve yours now—bring your ID and your open mind. This event is for adults only. B.Y.O.B., if you please.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

BUGHOUSE THEATER, 1910 West Irving Park Road, Chicago, United States