Tonight is the night! Monday, April 20th! Do Smokey the Bear proud and come out to The Book Cellar at 7 pm. (Bring s’mores. And Doritos. Plus a couple pizzas and a bag of Funyuns. Thanks.) We’ll be passing around the bucket to raise money for 826CHI and our smoking-hot readers will be passing around some smoking-hot stories. Rebecca … Continue reading
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
We’re mere hours away from our doggone-est Essay Fiesta yet! Come on down to the Book Cellar tonight (August 19th) at 7pm and throw these dogs a bone. (Or something.) Scott Whitehair is the producer and host of long running storytelling series This Much Is True, and creator of Story Lab Chicago, which has given … Continue reading
They’re here: those terrible days when you simultaneously curse the heat of summer and mourn its impending demise. Cussing, you peel away the clothes that have adhered to your skin with sweat-glue, meanwhile keeping an eye on the puffy winter coat in the back of your closet. You’ll need that coat (and the gloves, and … Continue reading
Hello bookish boys and gals! Last Essay Fiesta was a homerun! Our readers really brought it, and you really helped fund a great cause with a sizable amount of donations for 826CHI. Good work, team! Summer is here, which means the smell of literature is in the air. “Huh?” you say. That’s right. It’s the … Continue reading
Printer’s Row Lit Fest 2012, the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest, is approaching! And fast! The momentous event will take place Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10 right in historic Printers Row. (That’s on Dearborn Street, from Congress to Polk streets.) And guess what? ESSAY FIESTA will be performing! That’s right! As part … Continue reading
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
Hello Essay Fiesta fans! This past show was a spectacular tapestry of storytelling, from Claire Zulkey’s piece about living next to a dead body to Jason Economus sharing his love publicly for all the women of his 20s. A funny, touching and magical night! But just because Essay Fiesta is over doesn’t mean the stories … Continue reading
‘Tis the season for fabulous and fun readings! Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, there are an abundance of great lit shows to attend. Here’s what’s on Essay Fiesta’s list: Story Club will feature Shannon Cason and Scott Whitehair. The show is Thursday Dec. 1 at Uncommon Ground on Clark. It starts at 8:15 p.m. and is hosted … Continue reading
Hey Essay Fiesta peeps! If you like your readers amazing (and I think we all do), then you have got to check out Tuesday’s edition of This Much Is True. Host Scott Whitehair, Chicago Story Collective’s Jen Bosworth and Essay Fiesta’s Keith Ecker will be featured amongst others. The reading true stories that will most … Continue reading
Essay Fiesta 