The Frunchroom is back at the Beverly Arts Center for its 8th Anniversary Show this Thursday, April 13th at 730pm.

Co-produced by the Beverly Area Arts Alliance, The Frunchroom features the best storytelling about the South Side of Chicago.

Hosted by Scott Smith, The Frunchroom features five stories about the South Side of Chicago.

They’re the stories that don’t often make headlines but represent the point of view of people who live here. The Frunchroom features writers, readers, artists, and performers who are from the South Side or have something to say about it through personal stories, sharp commentary or historical perspective.

(Clockwise from top left: Michelle “Chellee” Rashad, Tina Jenkins Bell, Erika L. Sánchez, Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, Megan Stielstra.)

Our storytellers are:

Tina Jenkins Bell
Writer, Journalist, Editor

Michelle “Chellee” Rashad
Englewood hero and radical rester

Erika L. Sánchez
Lover of Italian beefs. Dipped. 

Megan Stielstra
Competitive axe-thrower

Shermann “Dilla” Thomas
Chicago urban historian

A $5 donation is requested at the door, which benefits the BAC and the Beverly Area Arts Alliance.

The unique mix of art, cocktails, and stories is presented in partnership with The Beverly Area Arts Alliance, the organization responsible for local arts events like the Beverly Art Walk and the Uprising Craft Market. 

The Frunchroom has played to packed houses since it began in April 2015 and has called the Beverly Arts Center home since October 2017.

Previous readers include local residents and business owners; radio and podcast hosts, teachers, poets, politicians and artists. In addition, the show has featured reporters and anchors from the Chicago Tribune, South Side Weekly, Bloomberg News, WBEZ-FM, and WGN-TV.