Erik Esckilsen’s nonfiction began appearing in print in 1988, starting with an article in the defunct but fondly remembered Vermont Vanguard under the editorial guidance of the late, legendary, and fondly remembered Peter Freyne. Some Vanguard staffers now publish Seven Days, the legendary alt-weekly in which Erik’s work has appeared since 1997. Select stories for Seven Days and other publications are below (chronologically from most recent). Other pieces are collected here.
2021
“Bend It Like Bhabha: Videogame Development as Third Space,” Journal of Media Education — Web
2019
“A Vermont Dad Reflects on His Annual Tradition of Building a Backyard Skating Rink,” Seven Days — print/Web
This story from 2019 generated strong response from readers who recalled their own outdoor rink memories. The 2020-2021 season would see a resurgence in backyard rinks throughout North America as people sought safe ways to combat COVID cabin fever.
ILLUSTRATION: Sarah Cronin
2015
“The Legend of the Pothole Bandit,” Seven Days— print/Web, video, interactive story map
2015
On Playwright Stephen Goldberg, Seven Days — print/Web, video slideshow
PHOTO: Matthew Thorsen
2002
“A Puppet Performance of Unusual Philosophy,” Boston Globe — print
Add puppet theater to the body of scholarly works evoking the life and times of Walter Benjamin.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Sandglass Theater
1989
“Sound Reactions — Phish,” The Beat — print
In 1989, after Boston’s alt-weekly of record, the Phoenix, turned down a pitch about a group that the mainstream music press would later call one of the most important bands of the 1990s, the scrappy Allston, Mass., fanzine The Beat published one of Phish’s first reviews.