Saturday, June 6th— Celebrating the largest LitFest in the Midwest, the Printers Row Lit Fest, 826CHI went on its own mini-literary tour on Saturday.
Starting at the Harold Washington Library, Dave Eggers joined Alda, John, Reina and Chandler as these students captured the audiences with pieces easily described as “whimsical, beautiful, practical, spirited, passionate.”
Later in the afternoon, we held the official book release for our newest publication, the 826CHI Compendium Vol. 1, in a tent filled with book lovers, parents, and volunteers.
Many thanks to our many readers who read like pros and did those in attendance the favor of autographing their latest work to boot!
Friday, June 5th— Congratulations to 826 founder, Dave Eggers, on the receipt of the Harold Washington Literary Award!
Not only did the rapt Union League Ballroom witness Dave’s acceptance of the award and hear him speak to the importance of literature but they also heard 826CHI student Sarah read one of her quiet, beautiful poems, while another 826CHI student, Mason, gave the audience a two-for-one: not only reading his piece about dancing with a robot but acting it out as well.
Congratulations Dave on the award! And congratulations kids for braving the fancy feasting crowd and reading so well!
Monday, June 1st— THE JUNE SPY OF THE MONTH IS SCHILLER SCHOOL!
WHAT?
A SCHOOL?
FOR REAL?
BUT WHY?
THIS SOUNDS …
INTRIGUING.
Thursday, May 28th— Attention Internet! 826CHI is proud to announce the publication of our newest book, the 826CHI Compendium Vol. 1! The Compendium is an anthology highlighting student pieces created through our different programs over the past few years.
Written by more than 50 young authors (kindergarten-12th grade), the Compendium was edited by students as well and includes stories about an inflammable super dog, a fear of milk and hammerhead sharks, and the Kafkaesque transformation of a sweet little girl named Jessica, among others.
To celebrate the release, please join us at the Center Stage of the Printers Row Lit Fest on SATURDAY June 6th at 1pm for readings from this new masterpiece by the authors themselves! The writers will be on hand to sign copies of the book after the reading as well. Pick up your book ahead of time at the Boring Store or get it downtown that day!
Saturday, May 16th— Our pre-release screening of AWAY WE GO was fantastic.
Thank you to the fine folks at Focus Features and the Lake Theatre , to the moviegoers and to our very special guests Dave Eggers, Vendela Vida, and Sam Mendes for making the night so Away-zing.
All proceeds from the evening went straight to 826CHI so we can continue our free programs for the thousands of Chicago students we serve!
Tuesday, May 5th— Tickets for the pre-release screening of AWAY WE GO, followed by Q&A with director Sam Mendes and writers Vendela Vida and Dave Eggers, at the beautiful Lake Theatre in Oak Park, on Friday, May 15th have SOLD OUT ! [Note: If you purchased tickets, they are being held at will call!]
We have put three pairs of VIP tickets (the last of the last!) up for auction on ebay. The starting bid is face value. The VIP tickets include admission to the screening, Q&A, and a VIP cocktail reception following the screening at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple, located just across the street from the theatre! There are three separate auctions (ending Friday, Sunday, Next Tuesday). We bid you good luck!
Friday, May 1st— The May Spy of the Month is LAUREN BRAUN!
Lauren is a fantastic tutor who devotes many, many hours to helping our students. And that, for sure, is great.
But! Lauren is also mysterious. We hear she has an impressive collection of something and that this collection is so large that its numbers can’t be counted on one hand, though, they may be able to be used on one hand!
Read on and perhaps she’ll divulge some of her secrets.
Monday, April 27th— 826CHI is proud to announce that tickets are on sale now for a Pre-Release Screening of AWAY WE GO at the beautiful Lake Theatre in Oak Park, IL [just off the Green Line!] at 7:30 pm on Friday, May 15th.
The screening will be followed by Q&A with director Sam Mendes and writers Vendela Vida and Dave Eggers!
VIP tickets can be purchased as well and include admission to the screening, Q&A and VIP after-party at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple , just across the street from the theatre!
The theatre’s address: 1022 Lake Street Oak Park, IL.
Get your tickets quickly!
All proceeds will support 826CHI’s free writing and tutoring programs for Chicago youth!
!!!SOLD OUT!!!
Wednesday, April 15th— 826CHI PROM 2009!
The PROM will be APRIL 25th at 8PM at the absolutely beautiful and easily accessible via public transportation Pulaski Park Fieldhouse!
Just like your high school prom, we have a theme: ROBOT ARMAGEDDON. Dress is second hand formal and/or robot attire.
Admission includes refillable robo-cup for robo-beer and robo-wine, food, music, a very special guest and dancing that will hopefully keep the robo-destruction at bay.
Must be 21+.
Tickets ($40) available at the door!
[And, yes, this evening benefits 826CHI!]
Wednesday, April 1st— THE APRIL SPY OF THE MONTH IS PAUL LASK!
One of the coolest things we could hope for is to have students look up expectantly at their desk when they hear 826CHI volunteers are there to work with them on writing activities in their classroom for a few hours. And one of the most heart-warming things we get to hear at Schiller each week is, “Hey, Paul! Can I work with you?”
That’s heartwarming and all, but can this man, this mere mortal, walk on his hands?
Click here to find out.
