About us
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
🎃🍂 Fall Farm Fest: Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze & Bonfire Under the Stars 🔥🌽
🎃🍂 Fall Farm Fest: Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze & Bonfire Under the Stars 🔥🌽
🔥🎃 Fall Farm Fun at Richardson’s Adventure Farm & Corn Maze + Bonfire Bash! 🍂🌽
Going back for our third year! Come join us for an earlier-than-usual fall adventure—this year we’re kicking things off in early October rather than our usual mid-October outing.
📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM–10:30 PM CT
📍 Richardson’s Adventure Farm & Corn Maze
909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove, IL
🍁🎃 Hey friends! Let’s kick off fall together with pumpkin-patch, corn-maze, and Halloween fun at Richardson’s Adventure Farm! 🌽👻
We’re spending the afternoon into the evening at the farm—exploring the pumpkin patch, tackling the world’s largest corn maze, hopping on hayrides, enjoying wine tasting, and capping it all off with our own private bonfire party. 🔥🍷✨
We had such a blast the past two years that we’re bringing it back for year three. I hope you’ll join us! 🙌
🍂🔥 PLEASE READ ALL THE WAY DOWN — LOTS OF INFO! 🔥🍂
I’ve rented a large bonfire site so we can gather around the fire, enjoy good food and drinks, and spend time together. Some of you I haven’t seen in a while, so I’m especially looking forward to catching up!
The farm has tons of activities, so bring your kids, adult kids, grandkids, and even your leashed, well-behaved dogs. 🐶 The more the merrier!
📍 Meet-up plan
- We’ll gather around 1:00 PM at the entrance near the ticket booths.
- Coming later? That is fine just call or text me at 312-835-4259 so I can tell you where to find us.
- Our bonfire site opens at 5:00 PM, so please keep supplies in your car until then.
- Give my name—Giovina Romandine—at the ticket booth, and staff will tell you our bonfire-site location.
🔥 Our bonfire rental
🕔 Bonfire time: 5:00–9:00 PM
- We have a large bonfire site with picnic tables and electrical outlets—yes, you can plug in crockpots.
- Please contribute $8 per person, paid directly to Giovina, to help cover some of the bonfire and party-rental costs.
- This $8 bonfire contribution is separate from farm admission.
- Bring a folding chair plus a blanket or warm jacket; it gets chilly after sunset.
- I’ll bring plates, cups, napkins, and silverware. Backup supplies are always welcome!
- We’re planning on s’mores. 🍫🔥 If you have long roasting skewers, please bring them.
- We officially have the bonfire site until 9:00 PM, though we may be able to linger while packing up until around 10:30 PM.
✨ Bonus: Friends of mine are renting the campsite next to ours, so we’ll have a joint gathering of approximately 30 people! 🎉
🎟️ Tickets and costs
- Bonfire contribution: $8 per person, paid directly to Giovina, to help cover some of the private bonfire-site rental costs.
- Farm admission is separate and must be purchased individually online or at the gate.
- Saturday admission prices:
- Ages 13 and up: $32
- Ages 3–12: $26
- Age 2 and under: Free
- Tickets are available online or at the gate. Most people will likely buy at the gate:
https://richardsonadventurefarm.com/shop/
- If I find any local coupons or discount codes, I’ll share them with the group.
🍽️ Food and drinks
- Bring a dish to share—picnic-style and easy to serve is best.
- Please sign up with what you are bringing so we can avoid duplicates:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DAFA62EA5F8C07-65845354-richardsons
- BYO drinks; alcohol is allowed. 🍷🍻
- Coolers and ice are always appreciated.
- The farm also has food stands, a wine bar, craft beer, sweets, a country store, and other snacks if you prefer to buy food or drinks on site.
🚗 Carpooling
Need a ride? Have extra seats in your car? Please leave a comment so we can connect people.
When posting, please include:
- Whether you are arriving later or leaving early
- Whether you plan to stay for the full event
- Your neighborhood, pickup area, or general part of the city
Last year we had six or seven cars—let’s keep the carpool tradition going! 🙌
🅿️ Parking
- Parking is free in a large on-site lot.
- You may have a short walk from your car to the entrance, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. 👟🍂
🎡 Farm fun
The farm is open from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Saturdays in October, so there is plenty of time to explore before and after the bonfire.
Activities include:
- 🌻 Sunflower field, when in bloom, plus pumpkins and mums for sale
- 🌽 The “World’s Largest” Corn Maze
- 🚜 Wagon rides and train rides
- 🐷 Pig races and a small petting zoo
- 🎠 Antique carousel and giant slides
- 🧗 50-foot observation/climbing tower and zip line
- 🚲 Pedal bikes, trikes, and other play areas
- 🍷 Wine bar, craft beer, food stands, sweets, and country store
- 🎉 More than 30 family-friendly activities overall
🐾 Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed and get along well with others.
🍁 See you there!
People will be coming and going throughout the day—some early birds, some night owls, and some joining for the full afternoon-and-evening adventure. Whether you can stay for a little while or the whole event, it will be great to connect.
🌞🎶 Expect cozy fall vibes, good food, pumpkin-patch fun, plenty of laughs, and a bonfire night under the stars. Let’s hope the weather cooperates! 🌤️🍻
Upcoming events
3
🎃🍂 Fall Farm Fest: Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze & Bonfire Under the Stars 🔥🌽
Richardson Adventure Farm & Corn Maze, 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove, IL, US🎃🍂 Fall Farm Fest: Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze & Bonfire Under the Stars 🔥🌽
🔥🎃 Fall Farm Fun at Richardson’s Adventure Farm & Corn Maze + Bonfire Bash! 🍂🌽
Going back for our third year! Come join us for an earlier-than-usual fall adventure—this year we’re kicking things off in early October rather than our usual mid-October outing.
📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM–10:30 PM CT
📍 Richardson’s Adventure Farm & Corn Maze
909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove, IL🍁🎃 Hey friends! Let’s kick off fall together with pumpkin-patch, corn-maze, and Halloween fun at Richardson’s Adventure Farm! 🌽👻
We’re spending the afternoon into the evening at the farm—exploring the pumpkin patch, tackling the world’s largest corn maze, hopping on hayrides, enjoying wine tasting, and capping it all off with our own private bonfire party. 🔥🍷✨
We had such a blast the past two years that we’re bringing it back for year three. I hope you’ll join us! 🙌
🍂🔥 PLEASE READ ALL THE WAY DOWN — LOTS OF INFO! 🔥🍂
I’ve rented a large bonfire site so we can gather around the fire, enjoy good food and drinks, and spend time together. Some of you I haven’t seen in a while, so I’m especially looking forward to catching up!
The farm has tons of activities, so bring your kids, adult kids, grandkids, and even your leashed, well-behaved dogs. 🐶 The more the merrier!
📍 Meet-up plan
- We’ll gather around 1:00 PM at the entrance near the ticket booths.
- Coming later? That is fine just call or text me at 312-835-4259 so I can tell you where to find us.
- Our bonfire site opens at 5:00 PM, so please keep supplies in your car until then.
- Give my name—Giovina Romandine—at the ticket booth, and staff will tell you our bonfire-site location.
🔥 Our bonfire rental
🕔 Bonfire time: 5:00–9:00 PM- We have a large bonfire site with picnic tables and electrical outlets—yes, you can plug in crockpots.
- Please contribute $8 per person, paid directly to Giovina, to help cover some of the bonfire and party-rental costs.
- This $8 bonfire contribution is separate from farm admission.
- Bring a folding chair plus a blanket or warm jacket; it gets chilly after sunset.
- I’ll bring plates, cups, napkins, and silverware. Backup supplies are always welcome!
- We’re planning on s’mores. 🍫🔥 If you have long roasting skewers, please bring them.
- We officially have the bonfire site until 9:00 PM, though we may be able to linger while packing up until around 10:30 PM.
✨ Bonus: Friends of mine are renting the campsite next to ours, so we’ll have a joint gathering of approximately 30 people! 🎉
🎟️ Tickets and costs
- Bonfire contribution: $8 per person, paid directly to Giovina, to help cover some of the private bonfire-site rental costs.
- Farm admission is separate and must be purchased individually online or at the gate.
- Saturday admission prices:
- Ages 13 and up: $32
- Ages 3–12: $26
- Age 2 and under: Free
- Tickets are available online or at the gate. Most people will likely buy at the gate:
https://richardsonadventurefarm.com/shop/
- If I find any local coupons or discount codes, I’ll share them with the group.
🍽️ Food and drinks
- Bring a dish to share—picnic-style and easy to serve is best.
- Please sign up with what you are bringing so we can avoid duplicates:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DAFA62EA5F8C07-65845354-richardsons
- BYO drinks; alcohol is allowed. 🍷🍻
- Coolers and ice are always appreciated.
- The farm also has food stands, a wine bar, craft beer, sweets, a country store, and other snacks if you prefer to buy food or drinks on site.
🚗 Carpooling
Need a ride? Have extra seats in your car? Please leave a comment so we can connect people.
When posting, please include:- Whether you are arriving later or leaving early
- Whether you plan to stay for the full event
- Your neighborhood, pickup area, or general part of the city
Last year we had six or seven cars—let’s keep the carpool tradition going! 🙌
🅿️ Parking
- Parking is free in a large on-site lot.
- You may have a short walk from your car to the entrance, so comfortable shoes are a good idea. 👟🍂
🎡 Farm fun
The farm is open from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Saturdays in October, so there is plenty of time to explore before and after the bonfire.
Activities include:- 🌻 Sunflower field, when in bloom, plus pumpkins and mums for sale
- 🌽 The “World’s Largest” Corn Maze
- 🚜 Wagon rides and train rides
- 🐷 Pig races and a small petting zoo
- 🎠 Antique carousel and giant slides
- 🧗 50-foot observation/climbing tower and zip line
- 🚲 Pedal bikes, trikes, and other play areas
- 🍷 Wine bar, craft beer, food stands, sweets, and country store
- 🎉 More than 30 family-friendly activities overall
🐾 Dogs are welcome as long as they are leashed and get along well with others.
🍁 See you there!
People will be coming and going throughout the day—some early birds, some night owls, and some joining for the full afternoon-and-evening adventure. Whether you can stay for a little while or the whole event, it will be great to connect.
🌞🎶 Expect cozy fall vibes, good food, pumpkin-patch fun, plenty of laughs, and a bonfire night under the stars. Let’s hope the weather cooperates! 🌤️🍻
25 attendees
🖨️🏙️ Ink, Iron & Industry — A Printer’s Row Walk! 🚶♀️📚
Monadnock Building, 53 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60604, USA, Chicago, IL, US🖨️🏙️ Ink, Iron & Industry — A Printer’s Row Walk! 🚶♀️📚
Brand-New Tour! A South Loop Architecture & History Walking Tour
✨ Brand-new tour alert! Join us for a Sunday-morning stroll through one of Chicago’s most fascinating historic districts—where books, newspapers, catalogs, advertisements and ideas once rolled off the presses and traveled across the country.
Have you ever walked through Printer’s Row and wondered about the stories behind its towering brick lofts, early skyscrapers, old publishing houses and railroad buildings? Now is your chance! 😊
We’ll begin at the magnificent Monadnock Building and walk south through the historic South Dearborn and Printer’s Row corridor. Along the way, we’ll explore Chicago School architecture, the rise of metal-frame skyscrapers, printing and publishing, Linotype technology, industrial loft buildings, adaptive reuse and the railroad connections that helped make Chicago a national center of commerce and culture.
Come walk, learn, explore and meet fellow history and architecture lovers! 🌇
🎤 Led by your passionate, ever-curious guide — that’s me! 😊
Perfect for architecture lovers, history buffs, book lovers, photographers and anyone who enjoys being a tourist in their own city!
***
📍 TOUR DETAILS
🗓️ Sunday, October 4, 2026
⏰ 10:45 AM–approximately 1:15 PM
🚶 Approximately 1.5–2 miles at a casual pace
📍 Start: Monadnock Building 53 W. Jackson Blvd.
🏁 End: Dearborn Station 47 W. Polk St.
💰 $20 per person — due at the start of the tour
💵 Cash preferred (exact change appreciated) | PayPal, Zelle & Venmo also accepted
🌦️ Outdoors • Casual pace • Rain or shine🚗 Parking note: This is a one-way walk. Dearborn Station is approximately 6 blocks south of the Monadnock Building—about a 12–15 minute walk back to the start, depending on your route and pace. If you are driving, consider parking somewhere between Jackson Boulevard and Polk Street so you are not too far from your car afterward.
This is primarily an exterior architecture and history walk. We are not planning to go inside buildings, although a brief stop inside Grace Place/Grace Chapel may be possible if access is available.
***
🔎 TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
🏛️ Chicago School architecture and early skyscrapers
🧱 The Monadnock, Fisher, Old Colony and Manhattan buildings
🖨️ Chicago’s printing, publishing and typesetting history
🔠 Linotype technology and the revolution in printing
📚 Printer’s Row’s historic loft buildings and book culture
🏢 R. R. Donnelley, Lakeside Press and national publishing
🚂 Railroads, freight and historic Dearborn Station
🏙️ Historic preservation and adaptive reuse in the South Loop📸 Not a dedicated photo walk — but you'll definitely want your camera!
Stops may change depending on time, weather and the pace of the group.
***
**🏛️ SOME OF THE STOPS (**Stops and order are subject to change.)
🏛️ Monadnock Building
🏢 Fisher Building
🏢 Old Colony Building
🏛️ Manhattan Building
🖨️ Caxton Building
🏢 Old Franklin / Conkey Building
🏙️ Morton Building
🔠 Peterson Linotype Building
🖨️ Regan Printing House
📚 Printers Block / Plymouth Court
🔠 Mergenthaler Linotype Building
🏢 Moser Building
🏢 Pope Building
📖 Lakeside Press Building
🚂 Transportation Building
⛪ Grace Place / Grace Chapel
📚 Rowe Building / Sandmeyer’s Bookstore
🖨️ Donohue Building
🧱 Donohue Annex
🏢 New Franklin Building
🏭 Borland Manufacturing Buildings
🚉 Dearborn Station — our ending point***
🌟 WHY PRINTER’S ROW?
Printer’s Row is one of Chicago’s great historic districts — a neighborhood shaped by the city’s explosive growth, architectural innovation and its role as a national center for printing, publishing and transportation.In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, printers, publishers, typesetters, paper dealers and related businesses filled the blocks south of the Loop.
The buildings they left behind give Printer’s Row its distinctive character: tall brick façades, enormous windows, industrial details and some of Chicago’s earliest skyscraper architecture.
Today, Printer’s Row remains a special place for readers, writers, architecture lovers and anyone who appreciates a great Chicago street story. 📚🏙️
💟 WHAT TO BRING
👟 Comfortable walking shoes
💧 Water bottle
🌤️ Weather-appropriate clothing
☂️ Umbrella or rain jacket if needed
📸 Camera or phone
💰 $20 tour fee — cash preferred; exact change appreciated***
🚇 GETTING THERE
🚇 The Monadnock Building is near the Jackson CTA stations, with access to the Blue Line, Red Line and several CTA bus routes.
🚗 Street parking and paid garages are available nearby, but parking availability and rates vary. Please allow extra time for traffic, parking and walking to the starting point. Parking can be tricky here so SpotHero or ParkWhiz are good options
🚇 CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
💡 Arrive a few minutes early so you’re ready to go at 10:45 AM!***
***
🍽️ OPTIONAL LUNCH AFTER THE WALK
Want to keep the conversation going after the tour? Join us for an optional bite after the walk! Depending on group interest, we may check out one of these nearby spots:
🥪 Half Sour
🌮 Flaco’s Tacos
☕ Meli Café
Post-walk food is completely optional, and everyone pays for their own meal.***
📱 RSVP & CONTACT
👋 Please check in with Giovina when you arrive!
📲 Lost or running late? Call or text Giovina at 312-835-4259.⚠️ Please update your RSVP if your plans change.
❌ Three no-shows without updating your RSVP = 3-month restriction from group events.
🚫 Continual no-shows may result in removal from group events.***
🖨️🏙️ Come explore BRAND NEW Printer’s Row with us!
Discover the skyscrapers, printing presses, publishing houses, railroad history and fascinating Chicago stories hiding behind the buildings of this historic South Loop neighborhood.
Bring your comfortable shoes, your curiosity and your camera — and come be a tourist in your own city! 😊
1 attendee
🌆🍂 Early Fall on The 606: Chicago’s Elevated Escape! 🌿🚶♀️
Walsh Park, 1722 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL, US# 🌆🍂 Early Fall on The 606: Chicago’s Elevated Escape! 🌿🚶♀️
🍂🌿 Celebrate The 606 with an Early Fall Evening Walk!
The 606 celebrated its 11th anniversary in June 2026, so we’re a little late to the party—but hey, why not keep the celebration going? 😄🎉
Let’s take advantage of the beautiful early-fall weather and walk the entire 2.7-mile 606 Trail, taking in gardens, public art, neighborhood views, and four Chicago neighborhoods along the way! 🌳🎨🏙️
📆 Monday, October 5 2026
⏰ 5:00–8:30 PM
🍽️ Optional dinner/drinks afterward
📍 Start: Walsh Park
1722 N. Ashland Ave.
🏁 End: Ridgeway Trailhead
Next to McCormick YMCA
1834 N. Lawndale Ave.
🚶 Distance: ~2.7 miles — the full length of The 606
🍂 Early fall walk | Casual pace | Rain or shine | Drop out anytime***
### ✨ ITINERARY
🕔 5:00 PM — Meet at Walsh Park entrance/trail access point
🚶♀️ 5:00–6:45 PM — Walk the entire 2.7-mile 606 Trail
🍹 7:00–8:30 PM — Optional bites & drinks
⭐ Planned stop: Wolf & Company!***
### 🍸 OPTIONAL POST-WALK STOP
⭐ Wolf & Company is right along The 606, making it an easy place to continue the evening after our walk.
🍸 Wolf & Company
📍 1752 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60647
🌐 https://wolfandcompanychicago.com/If you don't want to walk the entire trail, you can drop out along the route and meet us at Wolf & Company around 7:00 PM. You can also drive and meet us there for drinks—just use the address above to look for nearby street parking.
Depending on the group's mood, we may also consider:
🍷 Outside Voices
📍 3204 W. Armitage Ave.
https://www.outsidevoiceswine.com/
🍔 The Moonlighter
📍 3204 W. Armitage Ave.
http://www.themoonlighterchicago.com/***
### 🌿 ABOUT THE 606
The 606 is Chicago's 2.7-mile elevated trail and park, connecting Wicker Park, Bucktown, Humboldt Park and Logan Square.
Built on the former Bloomingdale Line railroad, the trail opened in June 2015 after decades of planning and community advocacy.Today, The 606 combines walking and biking trails with gardens, public art, neighborhood views and access to some of Chicago's most vibrant communities. 🌳🎨🏙️
More than a decade after opening, it's become one of Chicago's most recognizable urban green spaces—and there's no better way to experience it than on foot! 👟✨
***
### 💡 GOOD TO KNOW
⚠️ This is a one-way walk. We won't finish where we started.
🚗 If driving, consider parking near the middle/end of the route or plan how you'll return to your car.
🚇 Public transportation is a great option.
🚶♀️ You can drop out at several points along the route if you don't want to complete the entire walk.🍽️ Our optional food/drink stop is near the trail, but you can also exit to the street whenever you'd like.
👟 Comfortable walking shoes recommended!
💧 Bring water.
🧴 Sunscreen & sunglasses are still a good idea.
🧥 Bring a light layer—September evenings can get cool!***
### 🚇 GETTING THERE
🚇 CTA service is available near multiple points along The 606.
🗺️ CTA Trip Planner:
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Street parking is available but limited. Read all signs carefully for meters, permit parking and restrictions.***
### 🔗 LEARN MORE
🌿 The 606 — Official Website:
https://www.the606.org/***
📱 LOST OR RUNNING LATE?
Call or text Giovina at 312-835-4259.
👋 Please check in with Giovina when you arrive!***
### ⚠️ RSVP REMINDER
✔️ Please update your RSVP if your plans change.
✔️ RSVP changes should be made before the event begins.
❌ Three no-shows without updating your RSVP = 3-month event restriction.***
🌆🍂 Come walk The 606 with us—elevated views, neighborhood history, public art, early-fall scenery and good company! 🌿🎨🚶♀️✨
📸✨ See you on the trail!
5 attendees
Past events
438
