Posted by Keith Ecker

Goodbye Keith & Alyson!

Essay Fiesta is about to celebrate its 3rd year. And it will be a bittersweet birthday as we say farewell to our hosts and producers Keith Ecker and Alyson Lyon. The show’s creators are heading off into the sunset, but the show will remain. That’s right, Keith and Alyson are handing the reigns to two … Continue reading

Essay Fiesta Announces September Line-Up

Essay Fiesta had a packed house this past Monday! Thank you all for coming out and showing your support for the local live lit community and for 826CHI. We broke a new fundraising record! Good on you! Our next show is Sept. 17! Co-producer Alyson Lyon is being called away on make-up duty, so we’ll … Continue reading

Essay Fiesta Turns Up the Heat in August

Hey Essay Fiesta fans! Our August show is right around the corner. Come out on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. to the Book Cellar so you don’t miss seeing: Stand-up comic Kristin Clifford Neofuturist and BoyGirlBoyGirl members Diana Slickman Hubris Production’s resident director Dennis Frymire Bust Magazine blogger Samantha Vincenty Writer and storyteller Tom Wolferman As always, we’ll be raising money for 826CHI! And there … Continue reading

Update: Essay Fiesta Submissions

Hi Essay Fiesta folks! Keith and Alyson wanted you to know, that as our 3rd-year anniversary approaches in November, we are putting reading submissions on hiatus until December. Currently all shows from now through the anniversary show are in the process of being booked. So to give us a break, we’re going to wait until … Continue reading

Essay Fiesta Announces August Line-Up

Hey Essay Fiesta fans! We’ve got another great show lined up for you in August. Hosts Keith Ecker and Alyson Lyon have invited some pretty talented folks to share their personal stories with you. Mark your calendars for Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Book Cellar so you don’t miss seeing: Stand-up comic Kristin … Continue reading

Essay Fiesta Loves America!

Essay Fiesta would like to take a moment to say we hope everyone had a joyous and safe 4th of July! We hope you tossed a burger on the grill, threw back a brewski and had a good ol American’ time. If you still have some leftover fireworks, be very careful for goodness sake. Those things are the … Continue reading

Essay Fiesta Announces July Line-Up!

If you missed Essay Fiesta’s celebration of Chicago’s 175th birthday last week, you truly missed out. The performers brought their A games. We had tales of sweaty summers, Blago trials, stabbings and more! Did we mention this whole shindig is free? Aaaaand it supports 826CHI! Keith and Alyson are pleased as pickles to announce July’s … Continue reading

Get to Know Essay Fiesta’s June Performers

Essay Fiesta’s special tribute to Chicago is just around the corner! On June 18, your favorite Chicago live lit event will be honoring the Windy City’s 175th birthday with a Chicago-themed show. Come out to the Book Cellar to witness the amazing literary feats of our esteemed performers: Bitches Gotta Eat blogger Samantha Irby. This woman … Continue reading