Essay Fiesta is right around the corner…on Monday. And this is such a great line-up that Alyson and Keith are doing jumping jacks just to get out all our anxious energy in advance. As always, we’ll be benefiting 826CHI and giving away prizes from our wonderful sponsors like Southport Grocery & Cafe, Murder Mystery Maniacs and Chicago Underground Comedy.
So mark your iPhones for 7 p.m. (location: the Book Cellar) so that you can be amazed by the great, the wonderful and the weird talents of:
Director and Second City instructor Jen Ellison
Actor, writer and teacher Arlene Malinowski
Poet and playwright Chris Bower
Co-creator of In Our Words Nico Lang
Writer, editor and teacher Chris Terry
The night went without a hitch and 826 exceeded their monetary goal. This is fantastic news! The service they provide for Chicago’s young writers is invaluable: it supplements and enhances what they get at school. The support and enthusiasm for 826′s work was palpable; the room was filled with educators, parents and students. Highlights of the night included: a reading by Molly Ringwald (Yes! Of The Breakfast Club fame), storytelling by Luis Alberto Urrera and 826 student Rocky Sanchez, and music by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy. It was something special, indeed!
