What we’re about
HELP WANTED: No pay. Mostly thankless. Orphans preferred. (Be sure to click READ MORE for full info)::
Folks: For the upcoming, post-covid era would like to focus on smaller museums (the AIC, MCA, etc's are therefore excluded). Hopefully followed by a "after-party"/late lunch in the area?
There is NO limit on the museums/events we focus on (as long as there is a art factor): Art/Events? History/Art(NMMA)? Ethnic/Art? The War Between Dogs and Cats... in Art! haha.
Got ideas? Bonus points will go to those who would you like to be the event leader/host/docent. Let me know. NOTE: Hosting is really nothing more then being there "first" and saying "hi"!
jim
Our Mission Statement:
Everything about our group flows from our motto: "We are stranger's only once".
This group is for art, museum & live music lovers of all ilk's.
We call ourselves the Chicago Art Critic's Association - "CACA" for short. Its pronounced like a cat having a bad fur-ball moment. Why "critic's" you ask? All art, museum & music lovers are critics by default! Tell your friends and especially that "jerk at work" you are now a member-in-good standing of the Chicago Art Critic's Association! Watch their jaws drop.
1. Our mission is to attend gallery openings, fairs & cultural fests, museum's and music events in and around Chicago. Plus a few odd-lots Join us as we discover new talent, visit new & established galleries, munch our way through art fairs, visit museums, meet old and make new friends and - yes - have a wine or beer (or two) while exploring. What's not to like?
2. My background: As your organizer and fearless leader (coff, coff), I have been enjoying and collecting art since I was a kid - living in of all places: the art district of Santa Fe, NM, Historic Ocean Beach-San Diego, the Historic District of Pass-a-Grille, Fl (before it was discovered), Andersonville, Chicago (before it was discovered) and Europe (it was already discovered!) Bottom line: I've been kicked out of lots of cities, lots of state's, lots of countries and one very nice continent!
3. Have I bored you e'nuf about me? Good! Now I need to ask you for help. For 2022 do you have a SMALL museum idea? I would like to co-ordinate an event about once a month-ish (excluding November & December - due to the holidays). I'm a firm believer in the educational aspect of such events Hopefully with a docent?
I will keep an eye on cost's: An admission-donation fee of $5-20 is fine - not so for $50-100 - however there will be occasional exceptions. Lastly I will try as best as I can, to mix-up the event times (i.e.: weekday evenings, weekend evenings and weekend days.) When appropriate I will co-op with another group. Nothing is written in stone! Got something you wanna plug? Let me know.
4.. Finding me: In order to be spotted easily my standard outfit for most events, unless the event requires otherwise, will be a BLAZE ORANGE BASEBALL HAT and, usually, blue jeans. LOOK FOR THE HAT. Overall, it's not an exciting outfit, but it makes me feel pretty! My hair & mustache are koala grey (Some say "salt & pepper" - but they are mean, little people whose mothers don't love them.)
8. Here is a short article on "How To Buy Art" (Chicago Magazine - Sept. 2017): http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/September-2017/How-to-Buy-Art/
jim
Featured event
🎟️ 🎶Theater Week Stop 3: $30 tix-Trial in the Delta: Murder of Emmett Till🎭
🎟️ 🎶Theater Week Stop 3: $30 tix-Trial in the Delta: Murder of Emmett Till🎭
Chicago Theater Week 2026 Play #3 - $30 Tix- Trial in the Delta: The Murder of Emmett Till @Kimball Arts Center
Chicago Theater Week Play #3
🎶 Trial in the Delta: the Murder of Emmett Till
📅 Saturday Feb 14, 2025
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 The Kimball Arts Center | 1757 N. Kimball Ave, Chicago,
🎟️ General Admission Seating
Our 3rd & final stop for Chicago Theater Week is Trial in the Delta: The Murder of Emmett Till, a powerful, award-winning live docu-drama presented by Collaboraction in their brand-new House of Belonging in Humboldt Park.
This immersive production brings the 1955 murder trial of Emmett Till to life using the recently unearthed trial transcript, placing audiences inside the courtroom for a deeply human, radically honest examination of a case that changed America forever.
Actors sit among the audience, taking the stand as witnesses for both the defense and prosecution — including Mamie Till-Bradley — creating a stunning, immediate, and unforgettable experience.
New this year! Tickets are available on Hottix, no special codes needed!
🎟 Theater Week Deal via Hot Tix
• $30 tickets + fees (normally $55.00) — no special code
• Limited quantity — WILL sell out
👉 Buy here: https://hottix.org/shows/collaboraction-in-the-kimball-arts-center/trial-in-the-delta-the-murder-of-emmett-till/
✔️ Select 2/14/25 General Admission – 7:30 PM | The Kimball Arts Center
-reg price $55.00 for $30! so $25.00 savings!
Any issues calls Hot tix helpdesk at Phone: (312) 977-9483 or Email: help@chicagoplays.com
⚠️ Important Ticket Rules
· You must buy your own ticket
· DO NOT RSVP YES until ticket is purchased
· GA seating — we’ll meet in the bar & sit together
· High probability of value-priced tickets selling out!! - buy asap!
I’ll arrive around 7:00 PM to grab seats as general admission. I may grab a meal nearby earlier & I will post a comment of where I will go for those who wish to meet & grab a bite. Check back for updates
🍷 Food & Drinks
• No food served and no outside food allowed
• Full bar available (wine, spirits, non-alcoholic drinks allowed in theaters)
• If you want to eat, plan to do so before the show — many nearby options
• Some of us may grab a bite. I’ll post updates closer to the date
Trial in the Delta: the Murder of Emmett Till
🎶 About the Production
On September 20, 1955, testimony began in the murder trial of two members of Emmett Till’s lynch mob. What happened during that trial — and in the weeks and months surrounding it — would help ignite the Civil Rights Movement.
Written by Willie Round & G. Riley Mills, directed by Anthony Moseley & Dana Anderson, this production is drawn directly from The State of Mississippi vs. Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam trial transcript. It plays as a live courtroom reenactment, featuring top Chicago actors seated among the audience.
Join us as we witness this vital story — and stay to discuss its impact and legacy.
🏛️ About Collaboraction & the Kimball Arts Center
Collaboraction celebrates 30 years of innovative, socially conscious theater and opens its new House of Belonging in Humboldt Park.
The space includes:
• 🎭 99-seat flexible studio theater
• 🍷 50-seat cabaret with café/bar
• 🏙️ Located next to the 606 Trail, where Logan Square meets Humboldt Park
Collaboraction’s work is grounded in KEDA — Knowledge, Empathy, Dialogue, and Action — theater for social change.
Kimball Arts Center
Kimball Arts Center is a hub of Chicago creativity located next to the 606 Trail, where Logan Square meets Humboldt Park. Home to a collection of independent businesses for over 15 years. Always inclusive. Always open-minded.
🚗 Parking: Metered street parking nearby; SpotHero/ParkWhiz recommended
🚇 CTA accessible https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
❗ No-Show Policy
3 no-shows without RSVP updates = 3-month event freeze.
🎭✨ This is a true Theater Week steal — grab your ticket before it’s gone!
Upcoming events
6
✨🎷 Smooth, Soulful & Swingin’: Elaine Dame Live @ Gateway Lounge 🍸🎶
Copernicus Center, 5216 West Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, IL, US✨🎷 Smooth, Soulful & Swingin’: Elaine Dame Live @ Gateway Lounge 🍸🎶
Live Jazz with Elaine Dame @ Copernicus Center – Gateway Lounge
A Jazz Lounge Collection with Celebrated Vocalist Elaine Dame ✨🎷
🗓 Friday, January 23, 2026
⏰ Show: 7:30 PM | Doors Open: 6:30 PM
👨👩👧👦 All Ages Welcome - ticket required- can pay at the door
📍 Copernicus Center – Gateway Lounge
5216 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago (Jefferson Park)
🎟 Tickets: Online $25 + fees - purchase below
👉 https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/94915724/a-jazz-lounge-collection-with-celebrated-vocalist-elaine-dame-chicago-gateway-lounge
🎟️ Can also buy tickets at the door for $30
***
🎶 About the Performance
Join celebrated Chicago jazz vocalist Elaine Dame for an evening of hip, soulful, and swinging jazz in the intimate Gateway Lounge at the Copernicus Center. This special Jazz Lounge Collection features fresh reimaginings of jazz classics and hidden gems, performed with warmth, sophistication, and unmistakable swing, supported by a talented jazz ensemble.
Elaine Dame sings — and people stop and listen.
Since 1996, the woman Time Out Chicago calls “a jazz dynamo” and “a gem in the city’s vocal jazz scene” has captivated audiences coast to coast. Drawing on her background in Chicago’s theater scene, Elaine brings storytelling, nuance, and emotional depth to every performance.
The Chicago Reader praised her “winning stage presence and chameleon-like vocal flexibility,” while Grammy Award–winning jazz critic Neil Tesser wrote:
“Dame has risen to the top ranks of Chicago jazz singers… centered intonation, enviable rhythm, and a translucent but powerful instrument.”
***
🏛 About the Venue: Copernicus Center
The Copernicus Center is one of Chicago’s true hidden gems — a premier cultural and event center serving the city since 1971. Operated by the nonprofit Copernicus Foundation, the Center hosts concerts, theater, community events, workshops, and multicultural programming year-round and is home to the Taste of Polonia Festival, the largest Polish music festival in the U.S.
Located in the heart of Jefferson Park, the venue offers excellent acoustics, historic charm, and easy accessibility from anywhere in the city.
***
🚗 Parking & Transit
✔ Free parking lots + free street parking (watch for permit-only signs; arrive early)
✔ CTA accessible via Jefferson Park Blue Line & multiple bus routes
✔ CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
***
⚠️ NO-SHOW POLICY (PLEASE READ)
• 3 no-shows without updating RSVP = 3-month suspension from events
• RSVP cut-off = event start time
• If late, message the host directly
• Failure to check in counts as a no-show
• Continued no-shows may result in removal from the group
***
🎷✨ Come early, grab a drink, and enjoy a night of world-class Chicago jazz in an intimate lounge setting! 🎶💙4 attendees
✨⛪ Guided Church Tour: Faith, Art & Architecture @ Holy Trinity Cathedral🏛️
Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, 1121 N Leavitt St, Chicago, IL, US✨⛪ Guided Church Tour: Faith, Art & Architecture @Holy Trinity Cathedral 🏛️
🌿 An Inspiring Afternoon Inside a Louis Sullivan–Designed Chicago Landmark ✨
Join us for a special guided visit to Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a designated Chicago Landmark and one of the city’s most extraordinary sacred spaces. Designed by legendary architect Louis Sullivan — often called the “father of skyscrapers” — this church is one of his few religious commissions and a true architectural treasure.
This immersive experience explores Orthodox faith, symbolism, immigrant history, and Sullivan’s architectural vision, all within a richly decorated, awe-inspiring interior.
This is a stationary guided church visit — no walking route or neighborhood stroll — allowing us to slow down and truly absorb the art, architecture, iconography, and spiritual atmosphere of this remarkable landmark.
Expect vivid murals, traditional Orthodox icons, gold accents, incense, and powerful stories of faith and immigration — all shared in a respectful and informative setting. ✨
***
🕰️ Schedule, Meeting Info & Cost
📅 Saturday, January 24, 2026
⏰ 1:00 PM – 3 PM
📍 Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral 1121 N. Leavitt St.,
⏱️ Visit length: ~90 minutes
💰 Cost: $15 per person
💵 Cash strongly preferred
(Zelle / Venmo / PayPal accepted if needed so I can submit one group donation)
⚠️ All attendees must check in with me at the start of the tour and submit payment directly to me so I can give to the church
📸 Photography is typically allowed — please be respectful of the sacred space and follow any onsite guidance.
🎤 Private guided experience arranged for our group.
***
🌟 What We’ll Experience
⛪ The stunning sanctuary designed by Louis Sullivan
🎨 Traditional Orthodox iconography and hand-painted murals
🕯️ Candles, incense, and sacred ritual elements
📜 The history of the parish and its immigrant roots
🏛️ Architectural details that blend Orthodox tradition with Sullivan’s design philosophy
This visit takes place entirely inside the church and its immediate grounds.
***
📖 About Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church
Founded in 1903, Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church is one of Chicago’s oldest Orthodox parishes. The building was designed by Louis Sullivan, a pioneering American architect best known for shaping modern architecture and mentoring Frank Lloyd Wright.
Unlike Sullivan’s commercial work, Holy Trinity reflects his ability to adapt architectural form to religious meaning. The church’s simple exterior contrasts dramatically with its richly ornamented interior, emphasizing spirituality over spectacle — a deliberate and powerful design choice.
Designated a Chicago Landmark, Holy Trinity stands as both a sacred space and an architectural masterpiece. It represents the perseverance of immigrant communities who preserved their faith, culture, and traditions while shaping the city’s cultural landscape.
Today, the church continues to serve a diverse Orthodox congregation and remains one of the most visually striking and historically significant religious buildings in Chicago.
***
🍽️ Optional Coffee or Lunch After the Visit
Those interested are welcome to join me afterward for coffee or lunch at a nearby neighborhood spot.
🍽️ Options will be shared closer to the date.
⚠️ Please bring cash — some venues may not split checks.
***
👟 What to Bring
• Camera (if permitted)
• Respectful attire
• $15 tour fee (exact change appreciated; cash preferred but Zelle, Venmo, PayPal accepted)
***
🚇 Getting There
Public transportation is easy and encouraged.
Use Google Maps or CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Parking
• Free and metered street parking nearby
• Generally easy to find during daytime hours
• Always check posted signs
***
📝 RSVP & No-Show Policy
✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated
✔️ Cancel promptly if your plans change
❌ Repeated no-shows may result in removal from future events
***
✨⛪ Join us for a rare opportunity to experience a Louis Sullivan–designed Chicago Landmark — where faith, immigration, and architecture come together in one unforgettable space. ✨✨⛪ Faith & Legacy: A Guided Tour of the Mother Cabrini Shrine ✨🙏
🌿 An Inspiring Morning at Chicago’s National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini ✨
Join us for a special private, docent-led tour of the National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, a serene and historically rich sacred space nestled in the heart of Lincoln Park. This immersive experience explores the life, legacy, and mission of Mother Cabrini, America’s first canonized saint, whose work transformed Chicago’s immigrant and Catholic communities forever.
This is a stationary guided church tour — no walking route, no neighborhood stroll — allowing us to slow down, reflect, and truly absorb the stories, artwork, architecture, and spiritual significance of this remarkable site.
Expect beautiful sacred art, historic artifacts, relics of Mother Cabrini, and powerful stories of compassion, service, and perseverance — all brought to life by a knowledgeable docent. ✨
***
### 🕰️ Schedule, Meeting Info & Cost
📅 Saturday Afternoon 1/17/26 @ 12pm
📍 National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini – 2520 N Lakeview Ave, Chicago
⏱️ Tour length: ~90 minutes
💰 Cost: $15 per person donation
💵 Cash strongly preferred
(Zelle / Venmo / PayPal accepted if needed so I can submit one group donation)
⚠️ All attendees must check in with me at the start of the tour and submit payment directly to me so I can give to the church
📸 Photography is allowed — please be respectful of the sacred space.
🎤 Private docent-led tour arranged exclusively for our group.
***
### 🌟 What We’ll Experience
⛪ The beautifully restored chapel and shrine spaces
🎨 Religious artwork, stained glass, and devotional details
📜 Exhibits highlighting Mother Cabrini’s life and mission
🕊️ Stories of faith, immigration, service, and social justice
🙏 Time for quiet reflection and appreciation of the space
This is not a walking tour — everything takes place inside and on the immediate grounds of the Shrine.
***
### 📖 About the Mother Cabrini Shrine
The National Shrine of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini honors the life and legacy of Mother Cabrini (1850–1917), founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Responding to the needs of immigrants, especially Italian newcomers, she established schools, hospitals, and orphanages across the United States — including several in Chicago.
The Shrine stands on the former grounds of Columbus Hospital, one of Mother Cabrini’s most important institutions. Today, it serves as a place of prayer, education, and inspiration, continuing her mission of compassion, dignity, and service to others.
Mother Cabrini’s legacy resonates far beyond Catholic history — her work shaped Chicago’s social services, healthcare systems, and immigrant advocacy at a pivotal moment in the city’s growth.
***
### 🍽️ Optional Lunch After the Tour
After the tour, those interested are welcome to join for lunch at a nearby Lincoln Park restaurant.
🍽️ Options will be shared closer to the date.
⚠️ Please bring cash — some venues may not split checks.
***
### 👟 What to Bring:
• Camera for photo ops
• Water bottle
• $15 tour donation (exact change appreciated; cash preferred but Zelle, Venmo, PayPal accepted)
🚇 Getting There
Public transportation is easy and recommended.
Use Google Maps or CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Parking
- Free and metered street parking nearby
- Generally easy to find during daytime hours
- Always check posted signs
***
### 📝 RSVP & No-Show Policy
✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated
✔️ Cancel if your plans change
❌ Repeat no-shows may result in removal from future events
***
✨⛪ Join us for a meaningful, enriching visit to the Mother Cabrini Shrine — a space filled with history, faith, service, and inspiration. ✨
***14 attendees
🎸🎤Cash for Kids! 21st Annual Johnny Cash Festival-Music & Fun for a Cause🍀🎶
Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N Knox Ave, Room 311, Chicago, IL, US🎸🎤 Cash for Kids! 21st Annual Johnny Cash Festival – Music & Fun for a Cause 🍀🎶
Cash for Kids! 21st Annual Johnny Cash Festival @ Irish American Heritage Center
We’ve done this for over 6 years and it’s always a ton of fun! Great music in a variety of genres — not just tribute bands playing Johnny Cash tunes. It’s so much more! Held at a cool northwest side location, the Irish American Heritage Center, now back on its original January date. All proceeds go to a great cause — the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.
📅 Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
📍 Location: Irish American Heritage Center – 4626 N. Knox Ave, Chicago, IL
🎟️ Tickets: $25 online / $30 at the door (must have ticket)
🔗 Tickets & Info:
***
🎶 About the Festival
- Chicago’s only Johnny Cash Festival, raising funds for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
- Music on 3 stages with 8+ bands
- Genres include country, folk, rockabilly, blues, and more
- Celebrate The Man in Black and the Carter Family’s contribution to American music
🎸 2026 Performers (subject to change)
- The Waco Brothers
- Iron Horse
- Alaina Stacey
- The John Allen Green Band
- Mike Gianinni & The Rhythm Rangers
- In Spite of Ourselves
- State of the City
- The Rock Islanders
- Lawrence Peters
***
🏛️ About the Venue: Irish American Heritage Center
- 86,000 sq. ft. cultural center dedicated to Irish arts, culture & traditions
- Features:
- 658-seat theatre
- Library & museum
- Art gallery
- Authentic Irish pub
- Dance studios
- Meeting & banquet rooms
- Wheelchair accessible
- Multiple bars & food available (fish & chips, corned beef sandwiches, patty melts, hot dogs)
🔗 Learn more:
***
🚗 Parking & Transit
- 2 free parking lots + street parking (watch for permit-only signs; arrive early!)
- CTA accessible: Montrose Blue Line + buses
- CTA Trip Planner
***
⚠️ No Show Policy
- 3 no-shows without updating RSVP = 3 months ineligible for future events
- Cut-off: event start time
- Message host if late / missed check-in
- Continual no-shows may result in removal from the group
💜 All proceeds benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, supporting children & families battling brain tumors.
20 attendees
🎭🥛 Chicago Theater Week Kickoff: $10 Creamboy Show @ iO Theater 😂
iO Theater, 1501 North Kingsbury Street, Chicago, IL, US🎭🥛 Chicago Theater Week Kickoff: $10 Creamboy Show @ iO Theater 😂
Chicago Theater Week 2026 Play #1 - $10 Tix-The Creamboy Show @iO theater
📅 Thursday February 5, 2025
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 iO Theater | 1501 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60642
🎟 General Admission Seating
We’re kicking off Chicago Theater Week with The Creamboy Show, the flagship iO House Team known for fast, funny, fully improvised comedy. Cast members have appeared on Deli Boys (Hulu), The Second City, The Annoyance, and more. Every show is completely different — and one lucky audience member may be crowned 👑 Cream of the Week!
✨ New this year! Tickets are available through Hot Tix — no special codes needed.
***
### 🎟️ Theater Week Ticket Deal (Hot Tix)
• $10 tickets + fees (normally $17.80 — save $7.80!)
• Limited quantity — very likely to sell out
👉 Buy tickets here:
https://hottix.org/shows/io-theater/the-creamboy-show-2/
✔️ Select 2/5/25 – 7:30 PM
✔️ Choose iO Theater – GA Seating
📞 Hot Tix Help Desk: (312) 977-9483
📧 help@chicagoplays.com
***
### ⚠️ IMPORTANT TICKET RULES — PLEASE READ
• You must buy your own ticket
• DO NOT RSVP YES until you have purchased your ticket
• General Admission seating — we’ll meet in the bar and sit together
• High probability of value-priced tickets selling out — BUY ASAP!
I’ll arrive around 7:00 PM and plan to order food during the show.
***
### 🍕🍸 Food & Drinks at iO
iO Theater serves food and drinks and partners with Candlelite Pizza, offering cracker-crust pizza, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
🍽️ Kitchen opens daily at 4:00 PM
🍹 Full bars with craft cocktails, local brews, and non-alcoholic options
👉 You may eat before the show or order during the performance
🔗 https://ioimprov.com/food-and-drinks/
💵 Cash preferred if dining with the group
• No split checks for large groups
• Please add 32% total (20% tip + 12% Chicago tax)
***
### 🎭 About The Creamboy Show
Perfect for date night, girls’ night, or a work outing people will actually enjoy. Fast, funny, and frothy, this entirely improvised show features a different guest opener every week. Ideal for improv fans, Tina Fey lovers, and even your cousin visiting from Kansas.
Cast includes: Sage Huston, Jake Prizant, Conner Stumm, Claire Noone, and Matty Vergun.
***
### 🏛️ About iO Theater
The home of long-form improv since 1981 and Chicago’s comedic epicenter. iO has trained generations of America’s top comedy talent and hosts shows across four stages, five nights a week.
🔗 https://ioimprov.com/
***
🚗 Parking: Metered street parking nearby; SpotHero & ParkWhiz recommended
🚇 CTA Accessible: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
***
❗ No-Show Policy
• 3 no-shows without updating RSVP = 3-month event freeze
🎭🥛 This is one of the best Theater Week deals — grab tickets ASAP!3 attendees
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