Julia Borcherts is a 2nd Story company member, a co-founder and co-host of the literary series Reading Under the Influence and The Chicago Way, a fiction writing instructor at Columbia College Chicago, a theater columnist for the RedEye, and a frequent contributor to Time Out Chicago and the Windy City Times.

Julia will be reading as part of our mini-series featuring writers from the new 2nd Story anthology Briefly Knocked Unconscious by a Low-Flying Duck. Hear her and the rest of our outstanding readers on Tuesday, December 4, 7:30 pm, in the upstairs lounge at Hopleaf.

Come kick off the holiday season in style with your friends at Tuesday Funk, Chicago's eclectic reading series where good writing and good beer mix!

We're pleased to present the first in a series of readings featuring authors from the new 2nd Story essay anthology Briefly Knocked Unconscious by a Low-Flying Duck. Julia Borcherts and Andrew Reilly will be on hand to read their contributions, and we'll also have Jodi Eichelberger, Maggie Kast, and Stephen Markley with us. Throw in one of our patented Poems by Bill, not to mention your pick of cold beers from around the world, and you have the recipe for a fantastic hour or two of live literature.

The evening gets underway with your co-hosts Sara Ross Witt and William Shunn on Tuesday, December 4th, 2012, 7:30 pm, in the upstairs lounge at the newly expanded and renovated Hopleaf, 5148 N. Clark St., Chicago. Arrive early for a table and grab a beer from Mark at the cash-only bar. We start seating at 7:00 pm and no earlier. Admission is always free, but you must be 21 or older. And come early or stay late after for some great Belgian-style food downstairs. That's change you can believe in.

Please bring plenty of friends, and become a fan of Tuesday Funk on Facebook so you never miss an invitation to one of our readings. See you there!

This post was edited on November 26th to reflect late changes in the lineup of readers.

Last night was Election Night, and we know you've been waiting with bated breath to find out what happened. So without further ado, here's a recap of last night's events ... from the Election Night Edition of Tuesday Funk at Hopleaf Bar!

We started things off with a delightfully bloody tale of young were-beasts from repeat reader Kelly Swails. Next, B. E. Pinkham took us through the emotional process of coming to terms with a child's autism. And then our write-in candidate, host William Shunn, brought us some "Strong Medicine" from the environs of Washington, D.C., in the year 2037.

After a break for beer, we enjoyed some "Tasting Notes," this month's Poem by Bill. Then followed a second half that we cheekily called "The Jesus and Mary Chain," in which Mary Lorenz brought us a heartfelt and hilarious tale of her teenage flirtation with Christianity, followed by Mary Zemaitis's heartfelt and hilarious tale of her teenage flirtation with Christianity. I mean, what are the chances?

Oh, right, and then some guy named Barry won some election.

But if you weren't present last night to hear from your favorite candidate, don't despair. We'll be bringing you video clips from the evening over the days to come, after which we'll be back December 4th with a great lineup featuring Julia Borcherts, CP Chang, Maggie Kast, Stephen Markley, and Derek Silver. Don't miss it!

It's a real horse race tonight, and the stakes are huge! But no matter which team you're backing, you can take refuge from the stress of election returns tonight at Hopleaf, as your good friends from Tuesday Funk bring you our 51st big episode!

Our terrific Election Night Edition features a strong slate of candidates for literary excellence, including Mary Lorenz, B. E. Pinkham, Kelly Swails, and Mary Zemaitis, not to mention one of our patented Poems by Bill. And though we regret that Jac Jemc had to withdraw from tonight's race at the last minute, we'll also bring you a special write-in candidate with some strong medicine for what ails Washington, D.C.

So "like" us today on Facebook and get set to cast your ballot for "live lit" with hosts Sara Ross Witt and William Shunn. And remember to vote early and often—at the bar!

Hopleaf Bar is at 5148 N. Clark St. in Chicago. The reading begins at 7:30 pm in the upstairs lounge. The lounge opens at 7:00 pm. Arrive early if you want a seat.

As always, the upstairs lounge at Hopleaf is cash-only and 21 and over. Remember also that no food can be brought in from the restaurant.

Happy Halloween, Funkers! At our October 2nd horror program, The Colin & Ishmael Players brought us a Tuesday Funk first with their dramatic reading of "Colin and Ishmael in the Dark." You may need to turn the volume up a little, but as our Halloween gift to you, here are Laura Chavoen, Tom Underberg, and William Shunn...

And if you liked that, you won't want to miss our next event, Tuesday Funk's Election Night Edition, which will take place Tuesday, November 6, 2012, and will include readings from Jac Jemc, Mary Lorenz, B. E. Pinkham, Kelly Swails, and Mary Zemaitis. Vote with your feet. Vote Tuesday Funk!

Jac Jemc's first novel, My Only Wife, was released from Dzanc earlier this year. She is the poetry editor for decomP and a fiction web editor at Hobart. She blogs her rejections at jacjemc.com.

Please come see Jac and the rest of our talented readers at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 6, for our 51st edition of Tuesday Funk at Hopleaf's upstairs lounge.

At our October 2nd horror program, Cynthia (cina) Pelayo stopped by our microphone to chill us with another story from her collection Loteria, and it sounded a little like this...

And if you liked that, you won't want to miss our next event, Tuesday Funk's Election Night Edition, which will take place Tuesday, November 6, 2012, and will include readings from Jac Jemc, Mary Lorenz, B. E. Pinkham, Kelly Swails, and Mary Zemaitis. Vote with your feet. Vote for Tuesday Funk!

A New Orleans native, Mary Lorenz relocated to Chicago five years ago for a job and a mad craving for Rainbow Cone. A copywriter by day, Mary Lorenz spends her free time writing and performing in and around Chicago - oftentimes for actual audiences. These days, you can find her performing at Chemically Imbalanced Theater with the house team A Dozen Red Roses or as a cast member with Laugh Out Loud Theater in Schaumburg.

Please come see Mary and the rest of our talented readers at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 6, for our 51st edition of Tuesday Funk at Hopleaf's upstairs lounge.

Mary Zemaitis won her second-grade writing contest for the groundbreaking story "The Stolen Princess." The piece documented a sea princess's struggle against underwater witches. It is considered Mary's definitive work because her teacher laminated it. Pretty much downhill from there.

As an adult, Mary performs stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy around Chicago with Salsation and One Group Mind. She has been featured in Beast Women Cabaret, 100 Proof Comedy, and Mortified. Follow her on Twitter at @Zemidas_Touch.

Please come see Mary and the rest of our talented readers at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 6, for our 51st edition of Tuesday Funk at Hopleaf's upstairs lounge.

Kelly Swails is a writer who pays the bills by editing an online scientific journal. Her short fiction has appeared in several anthologies including "Predator and Prey 2" and "Boondocks Fantasy." She and her husband are in the process of moving to Chicago. When she's not working, writing, commuting, or packing, she knits and plays guitar. There's a rumor she sleeps on occasion, but that has yet to be proven. You can find her online at www.kellyswails.com.

Please come see Kelly and the rest of our talented readers at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 6, for our 51st edition of Tuesday Funk at Hopleaf's upstairs lounge.