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 20th). Join hosts Willy Nast … Continue reading
Pretty much every April, we use jokes about April showers as an excuse to sear this image of clear raincoats firmly into your brain. This April, Chicago has seen both rain showers and snow showers, so why mess with tradition now? Will hosts Karen Shimmin and Willy Nast wear these beautiful outfits to The Book … 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
Look, we don’t want to rain on the parade that is World Puppetry Day, but there’s something that the puppetry Illuminati doesn’t want you to know about puppets: they are dead, soulless inanimate objects. So instead of staying at home and playing with your sad, motionless facsimiles of real people, how about you come on … Continue reading
We know, we know. We’re absolutely crazy to schedule the next Essay Fiesta on March 21st, which is the much-anticipated World Puppetry Day. Most of you will be binge-watching episodes of Thunderbirds or Sifl & Olly before heading out to boogie down at your favorite creepy puppet dance party. How can we compete? But just in case … Continue reading
The big wheel of Essay Fiesta cheese is a-rolling into town. Come on down to The Book Cellar tonight – Monday, July 20th at 7pm – for this sharp, nutty lineup : Erin Diamond grew up in Arlington Heights in a legendary neighborhood that is filled with stories. She’s now an Uptown Girl. Erin is … Continue reading
On July 20, 1801, a community of devout Baptists in Connecticut combined their powers to create a 1,235-pound wheel of cheese, which they sent down the eastern shore via sailboat and sleigh to Washington D.C., where President Thomas Jefferson awaited the gift. According to newspaper accounts, Jefferson “stood in the White House doorway, arms outstretched, … Continue reading
The New Year may have arrived, but the New Year of Essay Fiesta doesn’t begin until Monday, January 19 at 7 pm. Willy Nast will be out of town, so come keep Karen Shimmin company at the The Book Cellar, as she raises some fancy, new 2015 money for 826CHI with the help of these precious jewels: Erin Diamond grew up in Arlington Heights in a … Continue reading
They said that 2014 was the year of the essay. 2015 will be the year of Essay Fiesta. Or, at least, a year of Essay Fiestas. Which means this year will be a lot like last year, and the previous few years before that. Huh. Anyway, join Karen Shimmin and super special guest host Nathalie … Continue reading
Essay Fiesta 