In the City of Champions, Poetry Reigns Supreme: The Unyielding Spirit of Marc Kelly Smith
When it comes to Chicago's vibrant sports scene, few names evoke as much excitement as George Stanley Halas, the legendary founder of the Chicago Bears. However, for those who have witnessed a live poetry slam at the iconic Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, the true champions are not the athletes, but the poets.
Marc Kelly Smith, a 76-year-old pioneer in the Uptown Poetry Slam scene, is still going strong, defying age and adversity to continue performing his art. "Shutting up is an art form that I struggle to master," he admits, reflecting on his lifelong passion for poetry.
Born and bred in Chicago, Smith's love affair with sports began at a young age, watching Michael Jordan dunk a basketball and sharing the outfield with baseball legend Minnie Minoso. Yet, it was not until he stumbled upon the Uptown Poetry Slam that his true calling was discovered. "Poetry is like rugby – not that popular, but plenty tough," he quips, underscoring the intensity of the poetry competition.
As COVID-19 ravaged the city's cultural scene, Smith found himself at a crossroads. After 35 years of performing at the Green Mill, he thought it was time to hang up his mic and retire to a quieter life in rural Illinois. However, as he settled into his new home, he began to feel the familiar pangs of restlessness.
"I started moaning, 'I don't have that many opportunities anymore,'" Smith recalls, recounting how he initially struggled with his post-pandemic reality. But instead of accepting defeat, he channeled his energy into a one-man show, revisiting old poems and monologues that showcased his unique voice.
As the curtain rises on his latest performance at Chicago's Kimball Arts Center, Smith embodies the spirit of an "old man explorer," as T.S. Eliot so eloquently put it. Unfazed by age or adversity, he continues to push boundaries, forging connections with new generations of poetry enthusiasts.
"I am a performer; I was born to do this. This is my destiny," Smith declares, his words echoing the determination that has driven him for decades. As we navigate the complexities of life's wilderness, it is performances like Marc Kelly Smith's that remind us that, at our core, we are explorers – forever seeking new intensity and connection with the world around us.
When it comes to Chicago's vibrant sports scene, few names evoke as much excitement as George Stanley Halas, the legendary founder of the Chicago Bears. However, for those who have witnessed a live poetry slam at the iconic Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, the true champions are not the athletes, but the poets.
Marc Kelly Smith, a 76-year-old pioneer in the Uptown Poetry Slam scene, is still going strong, defying age and adversity to continue performing his art. "Shutting up is an art form that I struggle to master," he admits, reflecting on his lifelong passion for poetry.
Born and bred in Chicago, Smith's love affair with sports began at a young age, watching Michael Jordan dunk a basketball and sharing the outfield with baseball legend Minnie Minoso. Yet, it was not until he stumbled upon the Uptown Poetry Slam that his true calling was discovered. "Poetry is like rugby – not that popular, but plenty tough," he quips, underscoring the intensity of the poetry competition.
As COVID-19 ravaged the city's cultural scene, Smith found himself at a crossroads. After 35 years of performing at the Green Mill, he thought it was time to hang up his mic and retire to a quieter life in rural Illinois. However, as he settled into his new home, he began to feel the familiar pangs of restlessness.
"I started moaning, 'I don't have that many opportunities anymore,'" Smith recalls, recounting how he initially struggled with his post-pandemic reality. But instead of accepting defeat, he channeled his energy into a one-man show, revisiting old poems and monologues that showcased his unique voice.
As the curtain rises on his latest performance at Chicago's Kimball Arts Center, Smith embodies the spirit of an "old man explorer," as T.S. Eliot so eloquently put it. Unfazed by age or adversity, he continues to push boundaries, forging connections with new generations of poetry enthusiasts.
"I am a performer; I was born to do this. This is my destiny," Smith declares, his words echoing the determination that has driven him for decades. As we navigate the complexities of life's wilderness, it is performances like Marc Kelly Smith's that remind us that, at our core, we are explorers – forever seeking new intensity and connection with the world around us.
I don't get why I'm stuck on this forum with outdated layout 
. Can't they just update the design already? 
It's like they're trying to slow down the conversation process on purpose. And what's up with the font? It looks like they raided a 90s website archive 
. Anyway, back to Marc Kelly Smith - nice guy, I guess. His story is inspiring and all, but can we please focus on something more pressing? Like why my post kept getting truncated 
. Seriously, forum admins, get with the times! 
he's still killin it at 76!! his passion 4 poetry is so admirable & its a reminder dat ur never too old 2 pursue ur dreams or find ur voice. like, who needs to retire when u can just keep on slamin' at da mic 
i need more people like marc kelly smith in my life 
I gotta say, this guy Marc Kelly Smith is a total inspiration! 76 years old and still killing it on stage? That's what I call dedication 
. It's amazing how he's able to connect with new generations of poetry fans while staying true to his roots. I mean, who needs to retire when you've got a passion like that burning inside you 
? He's proof that age is just a number and talent knows no bounds 
.
it's like a reminder that our purpose and identity ain't defined by our age or physical state... we can keep explorin' and pushin boundaries till the end of time 
I think this story is like a reboot for our society – reminding us that it's never too late to explore new passions and connect with others in meaningful ways 
poetry slam is not just for youngins anymore! he's been doing it for like 35 yrs at the green mill cocktail lounge but i feel u bro, after covid he was all "i wanna retire" 
but then he found his groove again and started performing solo shows and i am HERE. FOR. IT 
. We should all take a page out of his book and keep exploring our own passions, no matter what life throws at us 
.
love how he's got that "old man explorer" vibe goin on 
and i'm so hyped to share my thoughts lol what's up with this old dude Marc Kelly Smith tho? like 76 years young and still killing it on stage 
i wish i could do that when i grow up (when will i be old enough lol) anyway, i gotta say the article was super inspiring, but also kinda confusing 
...
he's proof that passion 
but artists 
let's give it up 
for this poet extraordinaire 
. It's actually pretty inspiring that he doesn't just give up and instead uses it as motivation to create something new, even if it means revisiting old material 
. He's proof that you're never too old to keep exploring and expressing yourself 
can you believe this dude is still going strong at 76?! 
his determination to keep performing is truly admirable, and i love how he's not afraid to get a little quirky 
. let's give it up for this poet at 76! 
i mean who else can say they're still pushing boundaries and making art at an old age? 