Mustaches for Kids' Growing Season Begins

Today marks the start of Mustaches for Kids' Growing Season. Mustaches for Kids is a charitable group partnered with DonorsChoose.org, wherein volunteers solicit donations while growing mustaches and meeting weekly at Schuba's (3159 North Southport Avenue) to check up on stubble-progress. The season culminates in the grand Stache Bash on Dec. 18. For more information on how to get involved, check out their website or Facebook page.

Essay Fiesta @ Book Cellar

This month marks two years of Essay Fiesta! Come out to the Book Cellar to help celebrate with stories by co-hosts Keith Ecker and Alyson Lyon, and special guests that include: Write Club Overlord Ian Belknap; This Much Is True and StoryLab Producer Scott Whitehair; The Kates producer Kelsie Huff; 2nd Story's Andrew Reilly; and Chicago Story Collective co-founder Jen Bosworth. As always, the show includes a raffle with all proceeds going to the youth literacy organization 826 Chicago. Show starts at 7pm at the Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln), and is free. For more information visit Essay Fiesta.

Spirit Dinner @ Mercadito

Mercadito is opening up their Mexican sauna-esque private room downstairs for a series of Spirit Dinners. Four course sharing menus are developed by infusing the "spirit of the evening" into each dish, then pairing it with a cocktail using the same spirit. Get the walk through of the spirit's development from a local rep and sip yourself to better knowledge of Hennessy Cognac tonight.

Tickets are $55 each. For reservations call: (312) 329-9555. Mercadito is located at 108 W Kinzie Street.

The Moth StorySLAM @ Haymarket Pub

The Moth StorySLAM is at the Haymarket Pub and Brewery, 737 W. Randolph St., tonight; doors open at 5pm, show starts at 8:30pm. Watch people tell true stories up on stage -- and possibly even join them. The theme this time is "Influence." Tickets are $8 at the door. 21+

Chicago Book Expo

Today, the Chicago Book Expo fills what was formerly the Uptown Borders book store (4701 N. Broadway). The work of Chicago Writers House and Uptown United, the event features over 40 publishers of fiction and poetry displaying their author's works, and free events such as a reading series, a non-profit book fair, author's readings, children's workshops, and more. Ticketed events include Chicago Architecture Foundations Tours and a performance by rock band Joan of Arc.

For hours, additional locations, and more, head here.