Last Sunday at Steppenwolf, several Chicago teachers (including Toni Asante Lightfoot, Bill Ayers, Amanda Klonsky, Avery R. Young … and a cheesecake brownie) told stories — to kick off Bob Boone’s Teacher Tales project, and also to raise money for Young Chicago Authors.

Young Chicago Authors provides free student-centered, artist-led workshops to youth in schools and communities throughout Chicago. At the fundraiser, they also provided macaroni and cupcakes, which makes them even awesomer in my book. Cheese and frosting > crackers and broccoli.

The best came last, when youth performance artists did a small set (to an unfortunately smaller crowd). Melanie “George” Decelles’ performance was particularly bright, thanks in part to her electrically purple hair. She read about Israel: personally, politically, and eloquently, too. That’s a hard mix. Adam Gottleib called, hilariously and cheekily, for more PDA at Northside. And I was struck by Esther Ikoro, who dedicated her piece to “all the teachers who say I have selective hearing,” then slammed into a smart, smart piece about blood diamonds.

All the youth will be performing at Brave New Voices, the national youth poetry slam, in DC this July. Break six legs!