After you watch the solar eclipse and feel the need for an even more impressive astronomical phenomenon, come to The Book Cellar at 7pm on Monday, August 21st for this lineup of writers and performers whose brightness you can stare directly into without going blind: Amy Sumpter has been doing stand-up for 10 years. She … Continue reading
On August 21, a major astronomical event will hit the United States – the first coast-to-coast total solar eclipse in almost a century – it’s just too bad that Essay Fiesta will be eclipsing the eclipse in beauty and wonderment and awe. Join your hosts Karen Shimmin and Willy Nast at The Book Cellar on Monday, … Continue reading
Now that July Fourth is two weeks gone, you’ve exhausted your fireworks stockpile down to a few piddly sparklers. But don’t despair! Come to The Book Cellar at 7pm on Monday, July 17th for this lineup of writers and performers who will bring the boom-pow-crackle without violating noise ordinances: Joy M. Ellison is a writer, … Continue reading
Good news! By the time the third Monday in July comes around, your neighbors will have burned through the seemingly endless supply of fireworks they purchased in Indiana. You and your dog will soon be able to sleep through the night without veterinary Xanax (two for you, one for the dog). This is cause for … Continue reading
Garfield has been hating Mondays for 39 years, but if he knew about Essay Fiesta, we’re sure he’d make an exception for third Mondays. So get out of bed, eat an entire pan of lasagna (maybe don’t do that), and head down to The Book Cellar on Monday, June 19th at 7pm for this lineup … Continue reading
On Monday, June 19, 1978, the first Garfield comic strip made its debut in 41 newspapers. Since its inception, the cutting-edge comic has never been afraid to shy away from controversial topics like Mondays, naps, and lasagna, so it’s no wonder that Garfield sprawled to over 2,500 newspapers and spawned a billion-dollar-a-year merchandising enterprise. (Yes, … Continue reading
We don’t care that Monday is a school day, okay? Run away to the Book Cellar Cafe. Order a cafe au lait or a glass of cabernet (or beaujolais) and watch this lineup put on an essay display: Archy Jamjun is a storyteller and writer from Chicago. He has participated in many shows around the … Continue reading
Once again it is May. No way, you say? We say way. So put a beret on your toupee and eat a parfait at the gourmet buffet. Don’t let a case of Monday Dismay keep you away from the Book Cellar Cafe on the third Monday in May (that’s May 15th). Join hosts Willy Nast … Continue reading
April in Chicago began with a variety of midwestern half blizzard/half hurricanes, but now that we’ve had about 48 hours of delightful weather, we’ve all completely forgotten that this city is more often than not a meteorological hellscape. The weather is supposed to be 70 degrees and sunny, so you have no reason not to … Continue reading
April showers are all about renewal (which is why we “renewed” this April showers concept that we used in 2016 and 2014), and we’re certain that the next Essay Fiesta, like an April rain, will leave you feeling recharged. So rather than sitting around and getting drenched in droplets of despair, join your hosts Karen … Continue reading
Essay Fiesta 