What we’re about
"Culture, Cuisine, Cocktails, Coffee & Convos = Community"
http://www.socialfundation.com for the full calendar.
This is a Chicago-Suburban meet-up group designed for people who enjoy the cinema, fine cuisine and more. Most evening events will consist of a movie, dinner, or a combination of both. Others may include a matinee followed by a film discussion afterwards at a local cafe. From time to time there will also be a foreign film, Indie or Classic movie scheduled, or even live theater.
We will have dining venues which will include diverse cuisines from around the world or around the block. In addition, other fun activities such as music venues, bowling, wine tastings, outdoor music fests/concerts, and more! Join us for ongoing dinner events like Porkapalooza, an exploration of area BBQ places; and BurgerTime, the same concept, but with Burgers. Check out the Pages section for where we've been and where we're going. Please let us know if there's some thing/some place you'd like to try, or if you'd like to host an event.
Please note: While all are welcome, consistent no-shows and those who use e-mail/Meetup to disparage other members will be removed from the group.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Comedy Show @ Lincoln LodgeThe Lincoln Lodge, Chicago, IL
I'm visiting the Windy City to do a show at Lincoln Lodge, and I've booked some local Chicago favorites on the lineup. See comedians from Comedy Central, HBO, Hulu, and more, all for the very low ticket price of $10. Come have a drink and check it out! It promises to be a good time.
- $5 First Fridays Stand Up Comedy Shows at Chicago's best venue!Laugh Factory, Chicago, IL
The Laugh Factory in Lakeview (Broadway & Belmont) is open for comedy and we all could use some laughs! We always get A LOT of people to attend these shows. Often times over 100 Meetup members!
If you attend by yourself or with friends and want to be seated in the Meetup group section, simply request this when you check in at the ticket booth! Then just say hi to those around you :)
Every First Friday of the month we get $5 TICKETS to their shows at 7:00, 9:15 & 11:30 pm. They're ALWAYS hilarious!
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Get your $5 tickets ASAP before the quantity they give us get sells out. And with our "laugh or get a refund" policy (that has never in 4 years been requested), I know you'll enjoy your MUCH NEEDED night out! This event is posted in lots of different Meetup groups, so the RSVP # won't show how many are actually attending.
READ THE DESCRIPTION OF EACH SHOW AND GET YOUR $5 TIX HERE: https://tinyurl.com/firstfridayslaughfactory
*You can purchase tickets for several people and multiple shows this night through the link. No physical tickets will be issued. Your name will be on a list at the door and all tickets will be under the purchaser's name. Groups of up to 6 people can be sat together if arriving together.
Please Note: These shows are for ages 18+ w/ ID. If you show up after start time you will not be able to enter. There is a 2 drink minimum per person per show (non-alcoholic or alcoholic). Drinks are reasonably priced, and a comedy show is funnier with a few drinks, so this shouldn't be an issue with how cheap our tickets are :) Also, an 18% service fee (aka gratuity) will be applied to all drink tabs at payment to be given directly to service staff.
No refunds or exchanges but tickets can be transferred.
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Is there parking? Street parking and some garages are available throughout the area. However, public transit, ridesharing apps, and taxi services are highly encouraged.
What is the dress code? There is no dress code. Be comfortable!
READ THE DESCRIPTION OF EACH SHOW AND GET YOUR $5 TIX HERE: https://tinyurl.com/firstfridayslaughfactory
Enjoy the laughter!
-Ben
- Special Tour of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in BridgeportMonastery of the Holy Cross , Chicago, IL
This is the final church tour of the season as we transition into outdoor walking activities! Join us for an exclusive private tour of the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Bridgeport, led by a knowledgeable guide. Immerse yourself in the captivating stories and insights that bring this beautiful landmark on the south side to life. Join us for a unique journey through faith and community!
The Monastery of the Holy Cross, formerly known as the Immaculate Conception Parish Church, is a prominent example of high German Gothic Revival architecture with historical connections to Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Established in 1908 as a German "national parish," Immaculate Conception served a diverse immigrant community until 1990. The church has remained largely intact, with minimal alterations to the original sanctuary, and a monastic choir has been added to the nave. Since 1991, it has operated as a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery belonging to the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation, making it the only urban monastery in the country. The monastery feels like an oasis, whether you are religious or not. Every day, the monks sing the entire liturgy during Mass in both Latin and English, using Gregorian chant.
We will have a private docent-led tour through the church. Before the tour, we are allowed to walk around and take pictures. Since we are getting a private guided tour, there is a $10 fee per person. I will collect $10 from everyone and give it to the Monastery of the Holy Cross in appreciation of the tour. Please bring CASH for the donation! If necessary, I can accept Zelle, Venmo & PayPal so I can give one big group donation after the tour. All need to check in with me at the start of the tour & pay me directly~
The tour promises to be an enlightening event on a Saturday morning. It is an event that brings multiple meetup groups together! Although it's not exclusively a photo tour, there will be ample chances to snap pictures! Also, at the end of the tour, we are invited to watch the monks do a short [10 minute] chanted prayer service centered on the Psalms
After the tour, some of us will get lunch at one of the many nearby places:
Zaytune Mediterranean Grill 3129 S Morgan St. https://order.zaytunegrill.com/
Bridgeport Coffeehouse 3101 S Morgan St, http://www.bridgeportcoffee.net/
3 Little Pigs 964 W 31st Street https://www.eat3lp.com/
El Taco Azteca 3355 S Morgan St https://www.ordereltacoaztecabrifport.com/All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH, AS SOME VENUES DON'T ACCEPT SEPARATE CHECKS!
The Monastery of the Holy Cross is an important early work by architect Hermann J. Gaul, a distinguished ecclesiastical architect from the early 20th century. Built between 1908 and 1909 for the German-speaking national parish of the Immaculate Conception, the church features a complex high-vaulted ceiling. It exemplifies the German Gothic Revival style, incorporating high Gothic design elements such as a high gabled triple-arch entrance, expressive gargoyles, and 14 intricately decorated Gothic-arched Stations of the Cross. The church is also recognized for its remarkable acoustic qualities. It was inspired by Germany’s Cologne Cathedral, the most significant religious structure in the hometown of the church’s architect, Hermann J. Gaul
In 1990, the parish was closed, and the following year, the Benedictine monastic community was invited to transform the building into a unique urban monastery. Although some of the original furnishings were lost after the closure, the monks have enriched the space by adding religious treasures, including altarpiece icons created in the traditional Byzantine egg tempera method by the internationally acclaimed iconographer Vladislav Andrejev.
**A Community of Contemplative Benedictine Monks in the City** The Monastery of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic Benedictine monastery belonging to the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation. Continuing a centuries-old tradition, the monks live according to the Rule of St. Benedict, seeking God through lives of prayer, silence, work, and hospitality.
As the only urban monastery in the country, the Monastery of the Holy Cross is home to ten Benedictines—nine monks (four of whom are also priests) and one novice. The monastery took over a parish that closed in 1989 when the Archdiocese of Chicago shut down dozens of churches and schools to reduce costs. Unlike most monasteries, which are located in rural areas where monks can farm or raise animals, the monks in Chicago had to find alternative means of supporting themselves.
Retreat visitors who appreciated their overnight experiences encouraged the monks to provide better, more permanent accommodations. In addition to selling simple wooden coffins made by fellow monks in rural Indiana, the Chicago monks now operate two bed-and-breakfast apartments and a retreat house. https://chicagomonk.org/
If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
If you are driving, there is parking on 31st Street, Morgan, or 32nd Street with plenty of free side street parking. Just watch for permit-only areas.
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
