The launch of the Fear No Art Podcast earlier this month reinforced the world’s constant ask for info on-the-go. We’re busy people, Chicagoans are, with places to go and buses to catch. And although podcasts are nothing new (P.S. check out ours!), we’re intrigued by the idea of an art podcast. Because a lot of art is visual, right? more ›

Fear No Art Chicago launched a podcast series yesterday with a major get. Host Elysabeth Alfano sits down for a chat with David Sedaris, where they talk about his years in Chicago, advice Sedaris offers to young authors and liberal plugs of his new book, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary more ›

David Sedaris first caught the public's attention with his famed appearance on National Public Radio in 1992 reading his hilarious essay, The Santaland Diaries. He quickly ascended to fame with his tales of growing up in a, shall we say, eccentric family environment, with books like Me Talk Pretty One Day and Holidays on Ice. It is really no surprise to us that he would decide pen yet another holiday themed comedy being that he has done two already. This time around he recruited his, shall we say, completely wacked-out sister, Amy Sedaris of Strangers with Candy fame, to collaborate on this particular piece, The Book of Liz. more ›

Here's a trio of literary events - two happening tonight and one still a few months - that caught our attention. more ›

Could you use some extra money, tickets to see David Sedaris, or some connections to Hollywood producers? Well then you should enter a writing contest. Here's a short list of some local contests with fast-approaching deadlines. more ›

Don’t be fooled by the trademark nasal North Carolina accent—David Sedaris owes a lot to his stint in Chicago. Discovered while reading his diary in a Chicago club by another famous nasal voice—Ira Glass—Sedaris went on to National Public Radio fame, five essay collections, numerous New Yorker essays, and legions of adoring literary groupies. more ›

Lit more ›

Michael Ian Black has started a "feud" with ex-Chicagoan (now Frenchman?) David Sedaris to promote Black's new book My Custom Van. Black will be in town July 21 to sign copies. more ›

Best-selling memoirist/essayist and frequent This American Life contributor David Sedaris has a new book, When You Are Engulfed In Flames (out today), and is visiting Chicago next week for a pair of appearances. First is an appearance at Border's in Evanston on Wednesday, June 11 where he'll be reading from and signing the new book. The store will begin passing out free wristbands for the signing portion of the event at 2 p.m. the day of the appearance. Then, on Thursday June 12, Sedaris will be doing a lecture and signing at Barbara's Bookstore's UIC location. Tickets are required for the lecture portion of the event but are free with the purchase of Engulfed. There's a limit of two tickets per person and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis as seating is limited. The signing portion of the event, however, will be open to anyone who purchases any Sedaris release from Barbara's (with proof of receipt). more ›

It's the first Friday of the month which means The Dollar Store Show, a series of readings and performances based on purchases for a buck, returns to the Hideout. This month's readers include writers James Kennedy and Jonathan Messinger as well as theater performers Sarah Haskins and Diana Slickman. Hideout, Friday, 7 p.m. $1 We can't decide which under-appreciated literary group to support on Saturday so we'll list two and hopefully hop between them. First,... more ›

This is a really simple, informational post. There is a website called SwapSimple.com, where you can trade books, DVDs and video games with people. You open up a free account, you list your stuff, and you trade for other people's stuff. We checked it out, and you have to pay for the shipping and handling (via USPS), but other than that, you can change out your collection nearly for free. more ›

When we start getting a little crazy from family overload we find it is best to get out, go to a show or meet up with some friends. We thought we would make it a little easier for you this weekend, here a few things going on around town. As always, feel free to add more events in the comments section. On Christmas Eve, entrance into the Museum of Science and Industry is free. Their... 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 ›

Through Dec. 26 more ›

What Chicagoist loves about David Sedaris is that the stories of his messed up childhood and family not only make us laugh hysterically, but they make us feel like ours aren't really that bad. We've read most everything David has written - his books, his Slate diary, his Esquire articles, we even love Dave's brother's website and the fact that Dave's sister makes cupcakes and sells them in NYC. We're crazy for everything Sedaris. Chicagoist bought mp3s of Live at Carnegie Hall and listened to them on our commute, trying not to laugh outload and appear to be a raving lunatic on the el. So we were so excited when a reader wrote in and told us that David is going to be in Chicago this weekend to promote his new book, "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim". Let the stalking begin! more ›