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Essay Fiesta Announces August Line-Up

Our Essay Fiesta August show is coming up fast. On Aug. 15, Keith and Alyson will welcome the following talented readers to the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square: Actor, writer and director Diana Slickman . . . . . . Storyteller and resident director at Hubris Productions Dennis Frymire . . . . . Chicago Magazine’s Scott … Continue reading →

Interview with Mike O’Connell

Thank you everyone who came out to last night’s Essay Fiesta. We had a blast, and we hope you did too. We heard stories of Santa, prison dancing, comic books, Facebook, dentistry, bar brawls and smugness. Plus, we raised some pretty good dough for 826CHI. High five! In other news, poet and Essay Fiesta alumnus … Continue reading →

Get To Know: Cameron Esposito

Only a weekend separates you from Essay Fiesta! Mondays have never looked so good, especially when you have a guest reader like the extraordinarily talented Cameron Esposito. Cameron is one of the top stand-up comics in Chicago. She has performed throughout the country at a variety of venues and comedy festivals. She is also the … Continue reading →

Get To Know: Johanna Stein

Hello friends of Essay Fiesta! We are just days away from our next installment of the zaniest narrative non-fiction series in town. And here to make it that much zanier is writer Johanna Stein. Johanna is a very accomplished writer, director, producer and comedian. She has written for the New York Times about her experience as … Continue reading →

Get To Know: Deanna Moffitt

Essay Fiesta loves the vibrant reading community we have here in Chicago. Not only do we enjoy attending other shows and reading at other shows, we enjoy welcoming other show representatives to our show to showcase their shows. And this gal, Deanna Moffitt, runs one of the best shows around. Deanna is one of the … Continue reading →

Get To Know: Shannon Cason

The July Essay Fiesta show is less than a week away! Can you feel the excitement? Can you? We are pleased as spiked punch to welcome storyteller extraordinaire Shannon Cason back to the mic. Shannon is a masterful storyteller who is best known as The Moth’s GRANDSLAM champion of Chicago. He’s also a regular on … Continue reading →

Get To Know Monte LaMonte

Yo! Essay Fiesta fans! Did you know we have a show in a week? We do! And it’s going to be super fantastic fun times for all! And one man that is sure to bring the fun is our man Monte LaMonte. Monte is a stand-up comic and television personality. Yes, a real television personality! … Continue reading →

Get To Know Mike O’Connell

This week in Chicago is the Just For Laughs Festival. The citywide event welcomes all kinds of personalities from the comedy world, from established veterans such as Steve Martin and Martin Short to local up-and-comers like Dan Telfer and Cameron Esposito. As fate would have it, L.A. comic and friend of Essay Fiesta Mike O’Connell … Continue reading →

Get To Know Dana Norris And Molly Each

We here at Essay Fiesta like old friends just as much as we like the new. That’s why we’re pleased as punch to welcome back readers Dana Norris and Molly Each. Dana Norris runs the hit lit open mic Story Club. She is also a founder of the Chicago Story Collective along with Essay Fiesta’s … Continue reading →