(WBBM NEWSRADIO) – Broken hearts got their time to shine on Valentine’s Day.
For the second year in a row, the American Writers Museum celebrated rejection on Valentine’s Day with its “Down with Love” themed Get Lit event. A rejection open mic allowed attendees to tell their own rejection stories, or read the letters from some of America’s greatest writers responding to their own rejection.
The rejection letters started out strong with Hunter S. Thompson’s response to William McKeen’s biography of him.
“McKeen, you s--- eating freak. I warned you not to write that vicious trash about me. Now you’d better get fitted for a black eyepatch in case one of yours gets gouged out by a bushy-haired stranger in a dimly-lit parking lot,” the letter reads.
Other people took to the mic to talk about previous relationships and missed job opportunities. After addressing the crowd, the letters were then shredded. The rejection open mic was really the event that resonated with attendees last year.
“People loved this new take on Valentine’s Day and celebrating that rejection that we all face at one point in our lives,” said Matt Masino, community engagement manager.
This year, the event also included shooting down Cupid with a foam dart gun or bow and arrow, smashing plates, and writing un-Valentine’s cards.
Every month, the museum hosts a happy hour Get Lit event to bring people in after hours and experience the museum in a new way.
“You know, it's not often that you're able to walk around some of the greats of American writing with a cocktail in your hand and, you know, smashing plates in the next room,” Masino said.
For March, the museum is gearing up for St. Patrick’s Day with a Pub Night. The activities will include pub style trivia, making your own pub coaster, and a specialty cocktail.
Get Lit events take place on the second Tuesday of every month (the Valentine’s Day celebration was an exception). Tickets and more information is available on the American Writers Museum website.
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