It has many times been argued that Chicago is the poetry capital of the country, and rightfully so, there is so much to hear and read in the realm of poetry in this great city.
Check out poet/singer/teaching artist and Young Chicago Author's Artistic Director here.
Check out the poet/activist/musician here.
Check out the self-proclaimed, featured ex-artist of Chicago's female-run DIY space The Dollhouse.
StableDiffusionThis tradition is meant to drive away bad spirits of the past, but honestly, it's more like a free concert...your friends should really be paying you for your services if you decide to do this on New Year's Eve.
StableDiffusionIt's been sitting there since what, 8:00? You snooze you lose, and besides, no one's paying attention to you anyway.
StableDiffusionIf you were in Spain, everyone would be doing just this. One grape for every month of the year. It's supposed to be lucky and stuff.
Photo by Ian Schneider on UnsplashIt's really not that odd-- families in Ecuador burn scarecrows every year on New Year's Eve. It's a symbol of diminishing the negativity of last year. Perhaps preform this one outside though, just to be safe of course.
Photo by Lidye on UnsplashWe can thank the Irish for this bright idea, they use bread specifically though. Who knows why this is a tradition, but it certainly seems like it could be incredibly soothing, don't you think?
Photo by Melissa Askew on UnsplashThis isn't lucky or symbolic of anything, but it'll give you something to do at the stroke of midnight and you'll look god damn cool doing it.
rotary telephone
Photo by Vinicius "amnx" Amano on UnsplashWell, she did give birth to you. Midnight on New Year's Eve seems as good a time as any to thank her.
Photo by Kinga Howard on UnsplashAccording to South African tradition, it doesn't necessarily have to be a coffee table. It could be a futon, an ottoman, an armoire, really any piece of furniture that's old. It's for luck of course.
Photo by Chang Duong on UnsplashChannel your inner Beyonce, or Mariah, or whoever your Pop Star Diva Queen is and belt that tune. It'll be fantastic mood music.
Photo by Meghan Holmes on UnsplashMay as well start the New Year off by working on your inevitable resolution to drop some pounds. Why waste a single moment, you're likely forget the resolution by February anyway.
Photo by Brayden Prato on UnsplashAnother foreign tradition, this one is practiced by Germans. The kick of it is, you've got to do it while holding a lit torch. Again, who knows why this is a tradition, but its certainly sounds like a fun little challenge to ring in the New Year.
Photo by Duri from Mocup on UnsplashAnd by shot, naturally I mean a snapshot. Perhaps a group photo, a selfie, or even an unfortunate snipe of your best friend. You'll feel loads better knowing you'll have something to always remember the first moments of 2025 by.
