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 18th for this lineup of writers and performers who will bring the boom-pow-crackle without violating noise ordinances: Diana Slickman is a 30-year veteran … Continue reading
Good news! Your neighbors have nearly burned through the seemingly endless supply of July 4th 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 a celebration! Preferably one without fireworks. Which is … Continue reading
Father’s Day, the day when all fathers get away from their families to throw a raging, dads-only keg party in the woods, is always followed the next day by the less-recognized-but-equally-important Hungover Dad Day, when dads sleep in, skip work, and eventually watch all their pending Snapchat stories from the Father’s Day kegger. After your … Continue reading
They say that April showers bring anxiety over your yet-to-be-filed taxes, a sure-to-be-disappointing baseball season, and derivative April Fools’ Day pranks on the internet. But they also bring another edition of Essay Fiesta. So rather than sitting around and getting drenched in droplets of despair, join your hosts Karen Shimmin and Willy Nast at The Book … 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
Essay Fiesta has become a Presidents’ Day institution. Last year, our President’s Day show drew praise from ex-prez Abe Lincoln, who called it “The finest American achievement since that time I dunked over James K. Polk.” This year, every single US President will be in attendance (in spirit). You should join us (in person) at … Continue reading
Instead of going to see the new Star Wars movie for the 14th time, how about you come see us on Monday night, January 18th, 7pm – at The Book Cellar. We have fewer special effects, but our fandom is even nerdier, and these writers will play some sweet jedi mind tricks on you: Stephanie … Continue reading
The new Star Wars movie was undoubtedly the single biggest event in entertainment in 2015, but its box office dominance is about to come to an abrupt end. Cinemas everywhere will sit empty and movie theater screens will go dark, as record crowds flock to The Book Cellar for 2016’s first edition of Essay Fiesta, … Continue reading
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
Essay Fiesta 