Photo: Holly Donovan

This will be our 2nd show at Beverly Arts Center, but we have a few new touches in store for you thanks to our production partners, the Beverly Area Arts Alliance.

Who are the readers?

Aaron Cynic
Writer, photographer, mithrandir, aspiring coot

Ronne Hartfield and Audrey Peeples
Sisters, executives, community creators

Kelly Wickham Hurst
Activist, educator, speaker, troublemaker

Nate Marshall
Writer, MC, South Side enthusiast

Amy Wiegert
Pastor, mom, writer

What’s the time?
730pm. But show up by 7-715pm to guarantee yourself a seat, chat with friends, get a drink from the bar, check out the art (see below) and settle in. We’ll close the balcony at BAC to keep things a bit more intimate and cozy.

Wait, there’s art?
Come early, grab a drink and enjoy photography from two local artists in The Blue Room, located just off the lobby at BAC. Curated by Beverly Area Arts Alliance co-founder Sal Campbell, The Blue Room will showcase photography by Preston Thomas and Holly Donovan (who is the resident house photographer at all The Frunchroom events).

Where do I park?
Beverly Arts Center has parking just west of the building.

How do I get there via transit?
Take the Metra Rock Island Line which departs from the LaSalle Street Station in the Loop. Get off at 111th Street. Head west up the hill for about three blocks. The BAC is the big red building on the corner.

Where can I eat?
Waldo Cooney’s is across the street for pizza. Manzo’s is on the other side of Western for burgers. Up the street is Open Outcry Brewing for Neopolitan pizzas, sandwiches and craft beer or farther up the street you’ll find Horse Thief Hollow for dinner and craft beer.

You mentioned drinks?
Beer, wine and liquor will be available at the cash bar before and during the show. The post-Frunchroom festivities will continue at Open Outcry Brewing.

What are the stories like?
Some are sincere, some are tongue-in-cheek. One may be a call-to-action, another might make you think. One might be historical, one might make you remember a place you haven’t been since childhood. Basically, like having a conversation with someone you haven’t seen in a while. This review from South Side Weekly really captures what we’re about.

Who’s helping you with this?
I’m producing this in partnership with The Beverly Area Arts Alliance (or The Alliance, for short).

A big thanks to Monica Wilczak, Sal Campbell, David Barsotti, Jane Zia, Chris Wilczak, Lizzy Benner, Chris Castaneda, Corinne Rose and Cicely Harris who’ve given this event material, financial and moral support. And a huge thanks to Beverly Arts Center for sponsoring the show.

See you there!

The Frunchroom is presented by The Beverly Area Arts Alliance and sponsored by Beverly Arts Center. 

Photos: Main image by Holly Donovan. Inset image by Preston Thomas. Read the caption to the above photo on Instagram.