An Evening to Honor Gene Wolfe

Legendary Sci-Fi Author Gene WolfeSupporters of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame and members of Chicago’s literary and arts communities will gather at the incredible Sanfilippo Estate on March 17, 2012, to present Gene Wolfe with the first “Fuller Award,” acknowledging an outstanding lifetime contribution to literature. 

The Master of Ceremonies for the award presentation and performance will be Gary K. Wolfe, Professor of Humanities and English at Roosevelt University and award-winning editor and critic. Neil Gaiman, Michael Dirda, Luis Urrea, Michael Swanwick, Peter Straub, Jody Lynn Nye, Patrick O’Leary, Audrey Niffenegger, and David G. Hartwell are just a few of the many luminaries set to pay tribute to the writer whose body of work, including the Chicago-set Free Live Free, distinguishes him as one of our city’s finest literary treasures.        

Guests can purchase tickets through Eventbrite to attend the performance and award presentation, which includes a staged reading of one of Gene’s short stories, adapted by Chicago writer Larry Santoro and performed by members of Terra Mysterium. After the reading, guests will be treated to a concert by R. Jelani Eddington, one of the world’s most accomplished pipe organists on Sanfilippo’s 80-rank, 8,000 pipe organ. 

Those who purchase a Dinner Ticket will head to the Carousel Pavilion following the performance to enjoy a meal featuring delicacies from Barrington’s own chef Jeramie Campana of Wild Asparagus. 

Peter Sagal, host of NPR’s news quiz show ‘Wait Wait ... Don’t Tell Me!” will be the toastmaster during dinner, introducing Special Guests as they offer up speeches and toasts in honor of Gene Wolfe.

After the meal, guests are welcome to explore the Carousel Pavilion and visit with Special Guests while enjoying the dessert table, gourmet coffee station, and specialty cordials. 

If you wish to be seated with friends, we encourage you to purchase a table together (tables seat 10 people). Otherwise we will determine the seating based on your answers to the questions we have included in your registration. 

Proceeds from the event will go toward a permanent home for the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, currently housed at the Cliff Dwellers Club of Chicago. More information can be found here. 

Attire is business casual (or steampunk if you are so inclined.) No tickets will be available at the door. 

Directions to the Private Estate will be included with your ticket purchase. The estate is about 45 minutes from Downtown Chicago. 

Contact: Valya Dudycz Lupescu (valyadl@gmail.com), Chicago Literary Hall of Fame.