It’s our birthday and we’re 5 and that means we can do whatever we want. And what we want is for you to join us at The Book Cellar this Monday, November 17 at 7pm. We want to raise a bunch of money for 826CHI, while listening to a night of awesome stories from these awesome people:
Megan Stielstra is the author of Once I Was Cool, an essay collection. Her work is included in The Best American Essays, Poets & Writers, The Rumpus, and elsewhere, and her story collection, Everyone Remain Calm, was a Chicago Tribune Favorite of 2011. She is the Literary Director of the 2nd Story storytelling series and teaches creative writing at Columbia College Chicago.
Tiffany Wong is a graduate of Northwestern’s creative writing program. She is currently living the 20-somethings post-grad American dream, working in software consulting. She loves traveling to new cities and french fries. This is her first performance at a live lit show.
David Stuart MacLean‘s memoir The Answer to the Riddle is Me came out in January of this year. When reviewing the book, the New York Times called him “an extremely entertaining psychotic.” David teaches Creative Non-Fiction at Columbia College and the University of Chicago. He had a Fulbright. He’s allergic to penicillian.
Keith Ecker is a creator of Guts & Glory and Essay Fiesta. He is also the co-producer of the WBEZ podcast PleasureTown, a fiction-based audio serial that blends the storytelling of classic radio and the moodiness of contemporary television dramas.
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE! We will have some funky hotness from Funky Hot Grits, an eclectic Chicago soul band. Funky Hot Grits recently released its debut EP “Runaround.” The group formed in 2011 and has performed at various venues around Chicago including at the Double Door, Mayne Stage, Hard Rock Cafe, Elbo Room, and Court Theater. Their sound draws inspiration from musical traditions along the Mississippi and her tributaries – Memphis soul, New Orleans Funk, Chicago rhythm and blues – to create a fresh cohesive voice. (You can preview their music below. Bring your dancing shoes.)
Essay Fiesta 