Back on 8/8/08, local writer Amy Krouse Rosenthal asked people to gather at The Bean to "make something." This is what they made, and it's pretty damn great. more ›

Writer Amy Krouse Rosenthal has already done 17 things pretty much all on her own, but she’s looking to the people of Chicago to help her accomplish the next item on her list. Being that tomorrow is 8.8.08, she invites us to join her at precisely 8:08 p.m. tomorrow night at the Bean in Millennium Park to celebrate all that is great about 8. There’s nothing particularly historic or meaningful about this date and time, it’s just one of life’s little coincidental quirks that's sometimes fun to revel in. We’ve always been a fan of the number 4, so maybe this will be twice the fun. No matter what, it’s got to be more jubilant than 6.6.06. more ›

The quarterly comedy writing and performance showcase Funny Ha-Ha rumbles into the Museum of Contemporary Art tonight, the December offering of the MCA’s Literary Gangs of Chicago series. Chicagoist was lucky enough to catch up with the Funny people last spring and was treated to host Claire Zulkey’s Cosmo Quiz satire, Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s musings on everyday life, a revival of Aaron Friedman's before-our-time ‘Council Wars’ routine, and comedy troupe Schadenfreude’s equal-opportunity hating on FM radio personalities. more ›

We here at Chicagoist just get all tickled inside, if a little bit conflicted, when we get to tell you about multiple great literary events happening in the same evening. Tomorrow night gives the local literatista (why yes, we do love making up words!) not one but two opportunities for some non-traditional literary edification--both lubricated with a little bit of beer and and a lot of the sweet, sweet pleasure of philanthropy. more ›

Holy son of a gun, there is a lot going on in Chicago this weekend. And it is going to be HOT. And if you're anything like Chicagoist--lacking A/C in the ay pee tee--you may be thinking: "hmmm, McCormick Place may not be such a bad place to spend my weekend." In that case, lucky you, because the American Library Association will be there, hosting its 2005 Annual Conference. more ›

Hey, remember those elementary school book fairs, when you got to skip math for the day and go to the library to stock up on the Berenstain Bears and, later, Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume? Chicagoist does, which is why we’re so excited for this weekend’s Printer’s Row Book Fair. Billed as the “largest free literary event in the Midwest,” the Printer’s Row Book Fair is the ultimate book fair for grown-ups and kids... more ›

Stop by the Hideout at 8pm tonight where Claire Zulkey and NPR's John Green will be hosting Funny Ha Ha II, a second night of Chicago's funniest performers and writers. more ›