Think Dungeons and Dragons, except way sexier: If performing a poem for a live audience is scary, then doing so as a scantily clad Vaudevillian—essentially, role-playing a character while baring one’s soul—makes it less so. Or so goes the thinking of the Chicago Poetry Brothel, an ongoing series of poetry readings and general carousing, replete with burlesque and musical acts, held in the House of Blues’ Foundation Room. Our photographer was onsite Saturday to catch the latest literary intrigue. Browse our photos below.

Photography: Jeff Schear