As everyone knows, March 17th marks Chicago’s annual Festival of Sobriety and Solemnity. On this day, brewers cork their barrels and local taverns close their doors to celebrate the purity of body, spirit, and liver. On March 17th, there is no song, no revelry, no urinating openly on the sidewalk. Instead we calm our troubled … Continue reading
Unfortunately, Bob’s eyeball is preventing him from attending. But he told us that he wants everyone take a break from watching curlers faceplant to join us at The Book Cellar on Monday, February 17th at 7pm. We’ll be raising money for 826CHI and draping medals around the necks of these essay champions. Paul Luikart is going to finish his Master of … Continue reading
Where would you rather be on Monday, February 17th at 7pm? In an unfinished hotel in Russia, catching a nasty eye infection from Bob Costas? Or at The Book Cellar, sipping on beer and/or wine and listening to world-class writers and storytellers? Why spend your monthly salary on tickets to stand outside in the cold … Continue reading
Join us at The Book Cellar Monday, January 20th at 7pm for our first show of the new year. Nestle in the warm bosom of Essay Fiesta for a night of awesome stories in support of 826CHI. Go ahead and nuzzle up to any of our talented readers. They won’t mind. Tania Richard is a writer and actress … Continue reading
It’s cold. Too cold to make dumb jokes about how cold it is. But it’s warm at The Book Cellar. And there’s no better way to warm your heart than an evening of stories that also raises money for 826CHI. So join hosts Karen Shimmin and Willy Nast on Monday, January 20th at 7 pm, along with a lineup that … Continue reading
Are you in Essay Fiesta withdrawals? We sure are. Luckily, Willy and Karen produce a literary podcast and this week’s episode features three stories told at Essay Fiesta this year. Hop on over to All Write Already! to hear from Kelsie Huff, Chris Bower, and Erin Diamond on green cars, quarter heists, and a really big … Continue reading
Oh gosh. Here it comes. We are starting to feel really, really festive. Join us at The Book Cellar this Monday, November 18 at 7pm for our 4th birthday and, as always, a night of awesome stories in support of 826CHI. These talented folks will be helping us celebrate: Natasha Tsoutsouris is a writer and solo performer. She has had the … Continue reading
Essay Fiesta is getting old. November is our 4th birthday, which is about 72 in live lit years. We can hardly believe it’s been four whole years since Alyson and Keith started the show, and one year since they handed it over to Willy and Karen. But we do love an excuse to celebrate and … Continue reading
Fall is here and it has brought with it pumpkin beer! Eye-popping foliage! Talking decorations at the drug store! Fall has also supplied the bountiful harvest of these talented writers. So don your tastefully sexy Halloween costume and come on down to The Book Cellar this Monday night at 7pm for a great night of … Continue reading
Fall is in the air! There are steins of German beer and to-go cups of pumpkin spice coffee drinks and pots of mulled cider. Men are wearing cardigans. Toddlers are wearing flannel. Everyone you know is Instagramming their apple picking trips to the suburbs. But nothing says fall like an evening of stories at The Book … Continue reading
Essay Fiesta 