Illinois Libraries Present is bringing Love and Laughs with Michelle Buteau to the Forest Park Public Library this January. The show will be streamed online, with Michelle Buteau delivering her signature relationship humor—perfectly timed as the new year begins and Valentine’s Day approaches.
ILP, a nonprofit, statewide collaboration of 213 public libraries, coordinates bringing nationally acclaimed speakers, authors, journalists, chefs, graphic novelists, and performers to library audiences. These events, streamed for free to communities, make high-profile cultural and educational experiences accessible.
“They really do bring in fabulous, really outstanding speakers who are beyond the ken of what any individual library could do because of speaker fees and the desirability of the speakers. So, together, we have more power,” said Skye Lavin, manager of adult services at Forest Park Public Library. Lavin explained that participating libraries sign up for a season or annual subscription to ILP’s programming.
“It’s Forest Park Public Library’s fourth season with ILP, a collaboration that has been going on for four years,” Lavin added. “They are brilliant and really popular folks that have nationwide prestige, and our patrons, our communities may not otherwise have an opportunity to hear them speak.”
“This is the first time Forest Park is hosting Michelle Buteau, and it’s also a first for Illinois Libraries Present,” Lavin noted.
Buteau is an actress, producer, and the creator, writer, and star of Survival of the Thickest, a Netflix series inspired by her autobiographical book of essays with the same title. The New Jersey-born comedian, whose parents are of Caribbean descent, won the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Comedy Special for Welcome to Buteaupia.
According to the event’s page on the Forest Park Public Library website, Michelle Buteau will be hosted by Greta Johnsen, an interviewer and podcast host known for her 11-year tenure with WBEZ’s Nerdette podcast. Johnsen is also a contributor to podcasts such as Pop Culture Happy Hour and City Cast.
Keep an eye on ILP and Forest Park Public Library’s calendars for more events like this.
When you register for Love and Laughs with Michelle Buteau, you’ll receive a Zoom link to attend the show. If you’re registered but unable to attend live, you’ll gain access to a recording of the event, available for 30 days, offering added flexibility. This event takes place Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. You can register at Forest Park Public Library’s Event Calendar or directly at bit.ly/ILP_MichelleButeau.