Only a few days left until Icelandic Independence Day! Come celebrate with your hosts Willy Nast and Karen Shimmin, as well as these talented flytjendur, at The Book Cellar on Monday, June 17th.
Jill Howe lives to tell and loves to listen. Inspired by her urban tribe of creative friends, Jill co-produces Story Sessions, a monthly storytelling show in Lake View at The Dogs Bollox. She has told her tales at Story Lab, Lady Tales, Vocalo radio for Stories + Music, Arlene Malinowski’s Speak Easy-Speak Hard, That’s All She Wrote, Reading Under the Influence, Mortified, Chicago Solo Theatre, and Ignite Chicago at the 1871 tech lab.
Ashley Keyser returned to Chicago after a several-year stint in Ukraine. During that time, she decided she never wanted to be cold again. So, she cast aspersions toward Florida, where she will begin an MFA in Poetry this autumn. At the moment, she interns at 826CHI while generally having the best time ever.
Tom Wolferman is a copywriter and sometimes writes funny. He often is mistaken for someone you think you know. His essays, features and satire have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Reader and Chicago Sun-Times. Tom shared his first story right here at Essay Fiesta!
Kendra Stevens is a Chicago-based writer, Live Lit performer, comic, rapper and (maybe?) obsessed pet owner. She has performed her original work with the kates and Beast Women since their inceptions, and has also been featured at Story Club (winning Audience Favorite Story December 2012), Chicago Women’s Funny Festival, The Funny Story Show, among others, will be at Tuesday Funk July 2 at Hopleaf. She is also one-fourth of Chicago’s All-Female Beastie Boys Tribute, She’s Crafty, spitting rhymes as Ken D. Find her online at www.kendrastevens.com and www.shescraftychi.com, and on Twitter @kendra_stevens.
Alyson Lyon is the co-founder of Essay Fiesta! She served as co-host and co-producer from 2009-2012. She writes screenplays, works as a makeup artist (check out alysonheartsfaces.com) and she recently started teaching yoga. Alyson directed Jen Bosworth’s solo show “Why Not Me” which is headed to the New York Fringe Festival this August. Alyson will be the opening act for Ms. Bosworth in NYC. Otherwise, if you’re in a mall this summer, keep a lookout for Alyson on giant screens demonstrating various makeup techniques for RMG Networks.
Essay Fiesta 