Every April 20th, Americans celebrate the legacy of Smokey the Bear by lighting many small, controlled blazes of their own and subsequently feasting on campfire staples such as s’mores, hot dogs, and Doritos Locos Tacos. So after you wake from your Taco Bell-induced nap, come on down to The Book Cellar (where they have cupcakes and scones … 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
Presidents’ Day is the day on which we observe the birthday of every US president. It’s totally weird that all presidents were born on the same day. Doesn’t anyone else think this is an odd coincidence? No one? Huh. Come on down to The Book Cellar on Monday, February 16th at 7 pm, for a Presidents’ … 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
Happy Festivus, one and all! Come to the The Book Cellar on Monday, December 15 at 7pm for the annual airing of grievances – er, we mean raising money for 826CHI. We’ll be joined by these five Festivus miracles: Lily Be is a momma, a nanny, a friend, and a storyteller. She’s a wise Mexican badass from Humboldt Park with a … Continue reading
Are you still nursing injuries sustained in a Black Friday melee? Have you grown tired of the consumer and religious aspects of the holidays? Do you have grievances that need airing? Do you find tinsel distracting? Then get your Festivus poles out of your crawlspaces and come on down to The Book Cellar at 7pm on … Continue reading
We are 5 now. That means we are REALLY OLD. Like any other 5 year-old child, we can now count ten or more objects, peddle a tricycle, and speak clearly using more complex sentences. We are also better able to express our emotions. And we have so many emotions. It’s been 5 years since co-founders Alyson Lyon and … Continue reading
It’s Bela Lugosi’s 132nd birthday and ve vant to celebrate it vith you. Come to Ze Book Cellar at 7:00 pm on October 20th, 2014. Get ready to sink your fangs into stories from this vonderful lineup: David Boyle recently performed his original solo play “An Accidental Organist” at the inaugural Elgin Fringe Festival. He is the artistic director … Continue reading
Baseball games are often called off for bad weather, but on September 15th, 1946, a baseball game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Cubs was called in the 5th inning due to “an invasion of gnats.” Your hosts, Karen Shimmin and Willy Nast, want to assure you that on September 15th, 2014 at 7 pm, Essay Fiesta … Continue reading
Essay Fiesta 