Oswego East High School Poetry Day
I’ll be heading back to Oswego East High School for their annual Poetry Day Celebration. I’d tell you more about it but you’ll just have FOMO because you can’t come unless you’re a student. Sorrrrrryyyyy!
100 Acts of Free Theatre Poetry Reading
I will be hosting a radical poetry reading at the Haymarket House as a part of Goodman Theatre’s “100 Acts of Free Theatre”. You’ll get to hear from me and awesome poets like IS Jones, Derrick Austin, and Diamond Sharp. It’s free and there is not a Cubs game that night so street parking aplenty.
Highwood Poetry Extravaganza
Joel Chmara has put together a humdinger of a show up in Highwood, IL. Come see me, newly minted Chicago Poet Laureate Mayda Del Valle, and a couple other folks at 28 Mile Distilling Co. $15, all ages.
2026 Hampton City Schools Conference
Taking my talents to Virginia with the Coolspeak Squad. I’ll be teaching a couple storytelling workshops. Private event unless you are a Hampton school student.
Uptown Poetry Slam
I’ll be taking over the reigns and hosting the May edition of the Uptown Poetry Slam at the Green Mill. $10 cover, 21 and up.
Tim Stafford and Friends @ the Loge
The Lucerne-Chicago City Partnership Association presents in cooperation with the Loge literary stage: Tim Stafford and Friends.
Y’all, I am finally heading back to home away from home, Luzern, Switzerland. Join me and some surprise Swiss guests for a night of spoken word at one of my favorite venues, The Loge. The show starts at 8:00pm but everyone is invited for a preshow apertif at 7:15pm.
Kiel Week Outdoor Slam
Back in Germany! I’ll be competing in the wonderful outdoor slam during the Kiel Week Festival. I’ll be going toe-to-toe with 7 of the best poets in Northern Germany. Will I understand anything? Probably not but im gonna have a great time anyway!
Husum, Germany Slam
Heading to the coast of the North Sea! Will I eat too much seafood before performing? You’ll have to check it out and see.
Kampf der Kunste Slam
Well this one should be a hoot. I don’t often perform in venues as fancy as this. I guess I’ll wear a shirt.
Bremen International Poetry Festival
Come see me at the Spoken Word Showcase as part of the International Poetry Festival in Bremen, Germany. More deets to come.
Feature @ The Poetry Den
My January booking was cancelled because of snowstorms but we’re back, baby! Come on out, sign up for the open mic, and let’s party!
Book Drop Reading Series
I’ll be reading with a couple of TBA poets followed by Q and A. I don’t drink but if they give me a drink ticket, its yours!
Tinley Park HS Writers Week
Heading back into the south suburbs to perform at the Writers Week event at Tinley Park High School. If you are a student, you can come. If you are not, sawwwwwwwwwwy.
Feature at the Poetry Den
I’m heading out to the Big City of Dreams: South Bend, Indiana! I’ll be featuring at the Poetry Den Poetry Slam so come on out!
Watershed Reading @ Art Lit Lab
Come see me in the Big Cheesey, Madison, Wisconsin. I’ll be reading alongside a couple other poets and doing a lil Q and A. The event is free! Let’s party!
Workshop @ CUNY Grad Center
Private Coolspeak Event: I will be running a storytelling workshop for the fine folks at CUNY in Manhattan. How many slices will I eat beforehand? Anyone’s guess.
Uptown Poetry Slam Holiday Extravaganza
My favorite show of the year! I will be co hosting the Uptown Poetry Slam Holiday Extravaganza along with Marc Smith and the Ghost of Christmas Expectations.
Bloomington Poetry Slam
I’ll be heading into the wilds of Indiana to feature at the Bloomington Poetry Slam. Come on out and sign up for the slam, buy my book, and then everyone will think you’re tops!
$5, 18 and over.
Coldspring-Oakhurst High School Poetry Slam
Me and the incomparable Natasha Carrizosa will be hosting a poetry slam at Coldspring-Oakhurst High School in Coldspring, TX. Presented by Coldspring-Oakhurst Gear Up.
Show and Tell Scary Story Night
Wanna hear a story about me and some dummies playing OUIJA board in an abandoned house connected to a cold-case murder of teenagers? Well have I got a show for you! I’ll be telling a story at the fabulous Writers Theatre in Glencoe. Suggested admission $15 but pay what you can.
Reserve tickets at: writerstheatre.org
The Elderly Hardcore Kids Book Club
Join me and John Hoffman (author of Oil Spill, lead singer of Weekend Nachos) as we have a chat about books, hardcore music and whatever else our host Dave Hoffa comes up with. This is a free, all ages event.
804 Lit Salon
My first time reading in Washington D.C. and I shall be reading at the 804 Lit Salon. I’ll be reading with a few other amazing poets so come on out and say hi! The event is free but you can reserve a space here:
In Bed by Ten
Woah, Woah-oah Downers Grove! Hey y’all, I’ll be taking my talents to Dupage County as a part of the comedy show In Bed by Ten. Unless you’re a WILCO fan, yo
West Texas Reading Symposium
Well howdy partner, I’ll be taking the show to El Paso, Texas. I will be providing a couple of workshops for educators about how to bring poetry into their curriculum. Hope to see y’all there!
Broke Stay Broke Reading
I will be reading at the awesome bookstore/bar/cafe Riffraff in Providence, RI. I get to read alongside a couple of local banger poets, Charlotte Abotsi and Astrid Drew. Let’s party Providence!
Poetry Night at the Golden Sardine
In San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, a stone’e throw from City Light Booksellers, myself, Joaquin Zihuatanejo, and Natasha Carrizosa will be doing a show at the lovely Golden Sardine. Listen to good poetry while drinking great wine.
NCCEP/GEAR UP National Conference
Myself, Joaquin Zihuatanejo, and Natasha Carrizosa will be reading poems on a boat in the San Francisco Bay. If I don’t get seasick, this should be a good one. It’s a private event tho. Sorrrrrryyyyy.
Reading @ Indy Type Shop
Join me and Dan Sully Sullivan at the best lil typewriter shop in Indianapolis. We’ll be reading poems, sharing stories, and making fun of each other’s facial hair.
Uptown Poetry Slam
Oh snap, I’ll be running the show! Come watch me host the Father’s Day edition of the Uptown Poetry Slam. Your feature will be your favorite storytelling poet in Chicago, multi Moth Grand Slam winner Jitesh Jaggi.
Funny Ha-Ha
I will be reading along with some other great writers, comedians, etc at the legendary Hideout. Only come if you like to have fun and party and want everyone to know you are super cool.
BROKE STAY BROKE Book Launch Party!
Come celebrate the release of my new book, Broke Stay Broke at Star Lounge on Sunday May 4th. I’ll be joined by my favorite Chicago transplant, Dayvon Clark and the legendary Mayda Del Valle. Hosted by the indomitable JW Basilo. It’s free, all ages, and it will be rad. Books will be on sale. Tell all your friends!
Nequa Valley Lit Fest
This is a private event for the students of staff of Nequa Valley High School. I’m reading the poems, I’m teaching the workshops, I’m eating a complementary Subway sandwich. Good times.
Uptown Poetry Slam
Put on your finest Easter gear and join me as I feature at the legendary Uptown Poetry Slam. I’ll be previewing my new book
Bloomington Poetry Slam
Feature at the Bloomington Poetry Slam in Bloomington, IN. Hosted by Dan “Sully” Sullivan
Broke Stay Broke Book Signing AWP
If you are attending AWP, come find me at the Write Bloody Booth #960 where I will be signing copies of my new book, Broke Stay Broke. Come on over!
Write Bloody AWP Showcase
Join me and fellow Write Bloody authors at our AWP off-site reading at the luxurious Los Angeles Athletic Club.
Tinley Park High School Lit Fest
Tim Stafford is for the children! Private poetry reading for the Tinley Park HS Community.
Show and Tell Storytelling: Get Me Out of Here!
Join me as I tell a story about nearly signing up for the Marine Corps but being saved by the power of musical theatre. Tix are pay what you can
The Witching Hour
The 11th Annual Story Sessions Campfire Presents: The Witching Hour
Gather around the campfire while me and some awesome storytellers tell you true scary stories that may or may not make you crap your pants. No promises.
Gear Up VA Story Slam
I will be hosting a story slam for the Gear Up Virginia Annual Conference alongside my Coolspeak homies Carlos Ojeda Jr, Chris Collins, and Natasha Carrizosa.