Time is running out to get tickets for “A Lit Summer Night: Story Slam Fundraiser,” Literary Cleveland’s signature summer event, taking place Thursday, June 5, at 6:30 p.m. at Ariel International Center, 1163 E. 40th St.

Ticket sales close tonight, Wednesday, May 21, at midnight.

The evening will feature personal stories inspired by the theme “Rise Always with Wonder,” drawn from the writing of Akron native Rita Dove. Sharing their work are poet and MacArthur Fellow Hanif Abdurraqib, author of “There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension”; Cleveland Arts Prize winner Stephanie Ginese; and writer and instructor Annmarie Kelly-Harbaugh.

Ken Schneck, editor of The Buckeye Flame and FreshWater contributing writer, will host the program, which also includes live music by Moises Borges, appetizers, drinks, and a silent auction.

Proceeds will help close a $25,000 funding gap for Literary Cleveland’s free Inkubator Writing Conference, held each September alongside Cleveland Book Week. The shortfall follows cuts from the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, which recently pulled back grants from organizations nationwide, including Literary Cleveland.

Tickets are $125 and include food, two drink tickets, and free parking. Discounted half-table and full-table packages are also available.

Guests are encouraged to wear creative cocktail attire, with bonus points for aviation-themed flair.

Funds raised during the event will also support Literary Cleveland’s free community programming, including open mics, library workshops, veterans writing groups, and the Gordon Square Review.

Those unable to attend are encouraged to donate online.