Tagged with alyson lyon …

Essay Fiesta Around Town (and Beyond)

Hi Essay Fiesta fans! If you can’t bare to only see Keith and Alyson do their thing once a month, fret not. The duo frequently perform throughout this fair city and beyond. In fact, Keith just performed at the 43rd Annual Chicago Biggest Liar Contest. Although he lost to formidable opponents Kristen Studard and Don … Continue reading →

Announcing Essay Fiesta’s April Readers

April is set to be an amazing Essay Fiesta. Join us on April 16 at 7 p.m. at the Book Cellar for a night of stories and charity where you can feast your hungry ears on these little Easter eggs of literary wonder: Stand-up comic Cameron Esposito Director and teacher Matthew Miller Moth Grandslam champ Shannon Cason Author … Continue reading →

So You Think You Can Lie: The Biggest Liar Contest

A lying contest in a funeral home?! Who wouldn’t want to see 10 of Chicago’s biggest and best liars (and storytellers) go head to head in a usually somber setting? That’s exactly what’s going down at the 43rd Annual Chicago’s Biggest Liar Contest! Produced by Essay Fiesta alumni Scott Whitehair, the show will feature a variety of … Continue reading →

What a Day That Was: Essay Fiesta Recap

Hello friends of Essay Fiesta. This past literary extravaganza was a swell shindig indeed. Great prizes were won. Wonderful readers performed their work. Baristas slung coffees and beers. People absorbed art. We have to say it was a smashing success. Our good buddy Monte (who is also an Essay Fiesta alumni) was kind enough to … Continue reading →

Get to Know: Robyn Okrant

In the immortal words of Rebecca Black: “It’s Friday.” And thank goodness for that. Right? That means we are just a silly weekend away from the next Essay Fiesta. And boy oh boy have we got a show for you. I mean, we have the endearing Robyn Okrant. Robyn is a writer, performance artist and … Continue reading →

Get to Know: J.W. Basilo

Hump day has passed, which means it’s pretty much smooth sailing to the next Essay Fiesta. The next performer we’d like to introduce is our friend and Essay Fiesta alumni J.W. Basilo. J.W. is known for his moxie on and off the stage. The professional poet (yes, you read that right) has performed his unique … Continue reading →

Get to Know: Vinnie Lacey

Last night Essay Fiesta producers Keith and Alyson actually got to show off their essay know-how to the brilliant kids at 826CHI. Seriously, people. These kids are smart. We also learned that references to the Wonder Years and Doogie Howser don’t really go over well on people born in 1995. That said, we’d like to … Continue reading →

Get to Know: Sheri Reda

Happy Tuesday, everybody! This evening Keith and Alyson of Essay Fiesta will be teaching a personal essay workshop to Chicago public school students at 826CHI. Exciting stuff! In the meantime, we’d like to introduce you to one of our March readers: Sheri Reda. Sheri is a writer, editor and performer. Sheri has served as a dramaturg … Continue reading →

Get to Know: Zoe Zolbrod

Hi Essay Fiesta fans! Just one short week away until we celebrate the March show. It’s going to be a doozy. We have a stellar line-up and some great raffle prizes. Plus, we are making some changes this go-around to the way we do the raffle. And guess what? Everyone gets a ticket! Come to … Continue reading →