Upcoming Events For Literary Folk

By Betsy Mikel in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 18, 2010 7:20PM

Keith Ecker and Alyson Lyon host Essay Fiesta.

• Tonight: The Essay Fiesta reading series will be featuring a lot of comedians this month. Robert Buscemi, Kelsie Huff, Bryan Bowden and Adam Guerino will join novelist and essayist Mary T. Wagner and creative writing instructor Janna Sobel at 7 p.m. at The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square. Entrance is free, and raffle proceeds go to benefit the Howard Brown Health Center.

• Tuesday: Temple Grandin will be discussing and signing her new book "Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals" at Harold Washington Library Center. Grandin builds upon her past work with autism and animals and her years of research and experimentation to discuss how we can best interact with animals and give them the best life. Event starts at 6 p.m.

• Wednesday: Our top pick this week is the 826CHI Opening Hair-emonies, which will be taking place at 826CHI headquarters at 7 p.m. For the fourth consecutive year, the non-profit writing and tutoring center will be inviting anyone and everyone to step before its moustache tribunal to prove their cleanshavenness before the moustache growing begins. Subsequent weekly check-ins at Sheffield's will follow. The competition is open to both organic growers and prosthetic growers, and judges do accept bribes. Check 826CHI's Flickr page for some inspiration for your 'stache. The event raises about $10,000 per year for 826CHI's programs, which are offered free of charge to Chicago-area students.

• Ongoing: Many Chicago Writers' Workshop classes start this week or next week, so check the schedule soon and sign up ASAP if you're interested. There's everything from Writing Children's Books to an MFA Prep Program. Classes run $195 - $500.