Metro Founder, Immigrant Rights Activist In 'Frunchroom' Lineup

CHICAGO, IL — "The Frunchroom," the South Side's storytelling series based in the Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood, returns next 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 one neighborhood eatery in particular that night before the show.

The Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St. will host the next edition of the series beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 26. Five speakers will take the mic. They are:

• Lily Be, host and producer of storytelling series 'The Stoop' and former Second City instructor
• David Daruszka, writer and retired locomotive engineer
• Sahar Mustafah, author of Code of the West, which centers on native and immigrant Palestinians
• Joe Shanahan, founder of Metro and Smartbar
• Celina Villanueva, Civic & Youth Engagement Manager for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

“The worst-kept secret about The Frunchroom is that it’s intended to speak to whatever cultural moment we’re in, whether through stories, art or the feeling of holding space,” said Scott Smith, host and producer of The Frunchroom. “We don’t generally do themes, but I think you’ll see each story fits together in a certain way.”

RELATED ON PATCH: Beverly Arts Center Now Permanent Home Of 'The Frunchroom'

Previous readers in The Frunchroom series include local residents, business owners, radio and podcast hosts, teachers, poets, politicians and artists as well as reporters and anchors from the Chicago Tribune, South Side Weekly, Bloomberg News, WBEZ-FM and WGN-TV.

A $5 donation to benefit the Beverly Area Arts Alliance is requested, but anyone who dines at Ellie's Cafe, 10701 S. Hale Ave. and brings their meal receipt that evening will forego the donation request.

A pre-show lounge and pop-up art gallery curated by Beverly Arts Alliance co-founder Sal Campbell in the BAC's "Blue Room" will be open to guests who arrive early.

Photo courtesy of The Frunchroom