It’s our birthday! Our exact birthday. On Monday, November 16th, 2009, Keith Ecker and Alyson Lyon kicked off the very first Essay Fiesta. And on Monday, November 16th, 2015, at 7pm Willy Nast and Karen Shimmin will do a mostly satisfactory job of piloting the EF starship toward its 6th birthday celebration. Join us at … Continue reading
As the legend goes, on a brisk Monday evening in November 2009, Essay Fiesta sprung forth into the world from the mind-loins of Keith Ecker and Alyson Lyon. And lo, how they gazed upon their offspring with great fondness, until three years later, whereupon they grew tired of the damn thing and thrust it into the … Continue reading
Give yourself a break, Chicago. We know you’ve spent the weekend secluded in quiet contemplation, abstaining from pleasures of the flesh and green beer. But you deserve just a few hours of fun. Come out to The Book Cellar on Monday, March 16th at 7pm and let our readers show you a real good time. Natasha Tsoutsouris is a … Continue reading
The St. Patrick’s Day parade takes place on Saturday, March 14th, kicking off a weekend of solemn reflection and quiet religious observance in Chicago. This somber weekend is merely a precursor to Tuesday, March 17th, the actual St. Patrick’s Day, on which nary the hoot of laughter nor the holler of vomit can be heard … Continue reading
After what is sure to be a weekend spent in quiet, solemn meditation of how to be a better you, join us at The Book Cellar on Monday, March 17th at 7pm, for this saintly set of essay sayers: Jen Bosworth is a writer and performer from Evanston. Her solo show “Why Not Me…Love, Cancer … Continue reading
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
Because you all have been asking so nicely, we’ve decided to keep doing this Essay Fiesta thing every month for forever. Check out the lineup we have in store for you on Monday, May 20th – 7pm – The Book Cellar. Did we mention you look great today? Have you been working out? Go ahead … Continue reading
Mike Manship is a local writer/performer and drop-out of the Second City Training Center. In 2011, he published his first novel, Cambridge Street. His second book, Off Track, which chronicles his vegetable-oil-powered trek across the country, is due out this November. Keith Ecker is the creator and host of Guts & Glory, a bold and brash live … Continue reading
Essay Fiesta is kicking off the new year with plenty of new faces. Not only does our first show of 2013 feature new hosts (including a new spin on the Essay Fiesta theme song), but it also features three readers who are brand new to Essay Fiesta – and, as always, some (very) familiar faces. … Continue reading
Essay Fiesta had a packed house this past Monday! Thank you all for coming out and showing your support for the local live lit community and for 826CHI. We broke a new fundraising record! Good on you! Our next show is Sept. 17! Co-producer Alyson Lyon is being called away on make-up duty, so we’ll … Continue reading
Essay Fiesta 