'The Frunchroom' Speakers Include Alderman, CPS Speechwriter

CHICAGO, IL - "The Frunchroom," the South Side's storytelling series based in the Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood, returns this Thursday with a full lineup of speakers. The quarterly speaker series, now in its third year, will offer free admission to anyone who dines at Ellie's Cafe that night before the show.

Hosted by Morgan Park resident Scott Smith, The Frunchroom has increased in popularity from its start three years ago. Initially it was held in the back room of O'Rourke's Office, then to a room at Beverly Woods restaurant and now, as a project of the Beverly Area Arts Alliance, fills much of the first level and some of the balcony at the Beverly Arts Center.

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“With spring finally here, we want people to think of Frunchroom as an opportunity to spend a night out enjoying local dining and entertainment,” Smith said. “Recent reports have said the Beverly Area Arts Alliance’s work contributes to economic benefits like healthy real estate prices and increased small business sales and we want to keep that going.”

The next show will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 19 at the BAC, which is located at 2407 W. 111th St. near 111th and Western. It will feature new speakers. Here's who will read their stories:

• Colleen Hart-Kozubowski, chief speechwriter and associate director of communications for Chicago Public Schools and director of the St. Cajetan Children's Choir
• Tamar Manasseh, founder and president of Mothers/Men Against Senseless Killings
• Edward McClelland, author of the forthcoming Folktales and Legends of the Middle West as well as "Young Mr. Obama" and "How To Speak Midwestern"
• Ricardo Muñoz, Chicago 22nd Ward alderman
• Claire Zulkey, co-creator and host of the storytelling series Funny Ha-Ha and author of "An Off Year."

Anyone arriving early can partake in a pre-show lounge and pop-up art gallery in the BAC’s “Blue Room," where work from three artists from the Beverly Hills Marketplace will be on display.

Admission for Thursday's show is $5, but attendees can get in for free by bring their meal receipt from Ellie's Cafe that night. Last month, Ellie's was the victim of a break-in in which cash was stolen from the register. More recently, a "cash mob" was organized to help them make up for the financial loss.

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Photo courtesy of The Frunchroom