
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
Upcoming events
2

🎁✨ Holiday Magic After Dark-Lightscape Show at Chicago Botanic Garden!🎄🍸
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, IL, US🎁✨ Holiday Magic After Dark-Lightscape Show at Chicago Botanic Garden! 🎄🍸
🎄✨ Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden – Adults Only Night! 🍸🌟
📅 Thursday, December 4, 2025 | ⏰ 7:00–9:00 PM
📌 Hosted by: Mary Kinas
Join us for one of the most magical holiday experiences in Chicagoland — Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden! We’ve chosen Adults Only Night (21+) for an evening filled with breathtaking lights, music, and special handcrafted drinks just for the grown-ups.
Please buy your ticket very soon because these nights and time slots sell out! I would hate for you to miss it!
🥂 Pre-Dinner at PF Chang’s (Northbrook)
- We’ll meet at 5:15 PM at PF Chang’s, 1819 Lake Cook Rd., Northbrook (near Northbrook Court Mall).
- If you can’t make it right at 5:15, just join when you can!
- After dinner, we’ll carpool to the Garden for our 7:00 PM entry to Lightscape.
🌟 How to Get Your Ticket (PLEASE READ ALL THE WAY THRU):
1️⃣ Go to the Chicago Botanic Garden Lightscape page
2️⃣ Choose “Lightscape 21 and Over Only.”
3️⃣ Select Thursday, Dec 4 – 7:00 PM entry time
4️⃣ Tickets: $36 (nonmembers)
5️⃣ Parking: $18 per car (members park free)
Here is the direct ticket link for Adults Night on 12/4/25 Make sure to hit Lightscape 21 and Over Only:
https://secure.chicagobotanic.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=2050&c=12165
🚗 Transportation:
If you have a car and can offer a ride, please comment below!
Some members will carpool from the city, while others will meet at PF Chang’s to carpool from there and split parking costs at the Garden.
🚗 Carpooling Info
Need a ride? 🚘 Got a car with extra seats? 🪑 Drop a comment here so we can match people up!
👉 When posting, please include:
- 🚀 If you’re coming early for dinner or just for the light show portion at the Botanical Gardens
- 🕒 If you’ll stay for the whole event
- 📍 What part of the city are you located in / pickup area
✔️ RSVP only after you’ve purchased your ticket
🚫 Please update your RSVP if plans change
👯♀️ Guests are welcome — bring a friend and let’s make it a magical night!
🎉 With multiple Meetup groups joining in, it’s the perfect chance to mingle, make new friends, and enjoy some holiday magic together!
✨ Don’t miss this festive adults-only Lightscape adventure!11 attendees
🎄✨ Jingle & Mingle Redux: Chicago Holiday Hotel Lobby Tour ❄️🏨
Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago, 163 E Walton St Chicago, IL 60611, Chicago, IL, US🎄✨ Jingle & Mingle Redux: Chicago Holiday Hotel Lobby Tour ❄️🏨
🌆 A Festive Guided Stroll Through Chicago’s Most Beautiful Holiday Lobbies ✨
Back by popular demand — our sparkling Holiday Hotel Lobby Tour returns for a second round of festive magic! 🌟✨
If you missed the first one this past week (or just want more holiday cheer!), join us as we wander through Chicago’s most beautifully decorated hotel lobbies — twinkling trees, glittering ornaments, towering wreaths, elegant floral displays, and all the cozy, glamorous holiday ambiance you can imagine. 🎄📸
Wear something warm, festive, and comfy for our leisurely downtown stroll. 🎁✨
This is one of my most popular annual traditions — a guided holiday adventure full of Chicago history, architecture, décor, and those iconic seasonal displays that make this time of year unforgettable.
***
🕰️ Schedule, Meeting Info & Cost
📅 Sunday, December 7th, 2025
🕚 10:30 AM – 1:50 PM
📍 Start: Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker – 163 E Walton St
🏁 End: Palmer House Hotel – 17 E Monroe St
🚶♀️ Distance: ~2.5 miles | Easy pace | Indoor + outdoor | Rain or shine
💰 Cost: $20 (cash preferred; Zelle/Venmo/PayPal accepted)
⚠️ Important: We begin at the Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker and officially end at the Palmer House. This walk does NOT end where we start — please plan your transportation accordingly.
This walk is longer than my usual tours because we stop inside many hotels, enjoy festive cocktails, warm up between lobbies, take group photos, and soak up as much décor as possible! 🎄✨
📸 Not a dedicated photo walk — but trust us, you’ll absolutely want your camera!
🎤 Led by your passionate, ever-curious guide — this festive experience is perfect for longtime locals, out-of-town guests, architecture lovers, history buffs, holiday décor fanatics, photography lovers, and anyone who enjoys exploring the city’s holiday sparkle.
***
🌟 Route & Highlights
(Stops Subject to change based on group size or timing)
1.🏨 Millennium Hotel Knickerbocker – Classic 1920s elegance with a beautifully decorated lobby tree and vintage holiday charm. 🎄
2.🏰 The Drake – Historic holiday magic with garlands, a grand Palm Court tree, and a vintage Chicago feel. 🍬🎄
3.🛍️ 900 N Michigan Ave Shops – Home to one of Chicago’s largest indoor Christmas trees—multi-story, glittering, and iconic.
4.🌟 Four Seasons Hotel Chicago – Lavish lobby tree, gourmet holiday dining, and gingerbread workshops. 🎄
5.⛸️ The Peninsula Chicago – Winter dreamscape with the Sky Rink rooftop, luxury décor, and Holiday Afternoon Tea. ❄️🎄
6.🏨 InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile – Grand holiday lobby décor, Nutcracker touches, twinkling lights, and festive floral displays. ✨
7.🎅 The Langham Chicago – Shimmering gold-and-silver décor, elegant lobby tree, festive tea service & Santa nook. 🎄🎁
8.🌊 Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel – Modern, bright holiday installations and stylish seasonal décor. 🍸🎄
9.⛷️ Fairmont Chicago – Chic winter-lodge vibes, glowing lobby tree, and proximity to Millennium Park’s city holiday displays. ❄️🎿
10.🏛️ Chicago Cultural Center – Two Tiffany stained-glass domes, shimmering holiday décor, & a beautiful lobby Christmas tree. 💎🎄
11.🏙️ Cloud Gate / Millennium Park – Home to Chicago’s official Christmas tree, surrounded by holiday lights & skyline views. 🎄✨
12.🏨 Palmer House Hotel – Classic Chicago grandeur with a towering lobby tree, opulent ceilings, and holiday cocktails. 🍸
End time: approx. 1:50 PM at the Palmer House
***
🎄 Holiday Magic on the Magnificent Mile ✨ North Michigan Avenue: Chicago’s Grand Hotels & Shopping Destination
North Michigan Avenue — the world-famous Magnificent Mile — has been Chicago’s luxury corridor for more than a century. Lined with grand hotels like The Drake, The Peninsula, The Langham, InterContinental, and Palmer House, this iconic stretch has long attracted socialites, celebrities, and travelers seeking elegance.
Between these historic hotels, you’ll find world-class shopping, glamorous restaurants, and some of the most beautiful architecture in the city. During the holiday season, the avenue transforms into a glittering winter escape — lobby trees, twinkling lights, shimmering installations, and classic Chicago holiday cheer at every stop.
***
🎁 Christmas on North Michigan Avenue — A Beloved Chicago Tradition
Since the 1920s, North Michigan Avenue has been the heart of Chicago’s holiday celebrations. Grand hotels competed to outdo one another with lavish trees, sparkling garlands, festive window displays, and elaborate seasonal scenes. Department stores soon joined in, turning the area into Chicago’s premier holiday shopping corridor.
Families from across the city flocked to the Magnificent Mile to see the animated windows, gather around towering lobby trees, and stroll through festive displays — a tradition that continues today.
The Magnificent Mile remains synonymous with holiday glamour, seasonal magic, and unforgettable décor, making it a must-visit destination this time of year.
***
🚇 Getting There
Public transit highly recommended.
CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Parking
Limited and can be expensive.
SpotHero / ParkWhiz recommended.
Side streets vary — check signage carefully.
***
📝 RSVP & No-Show Policy
✔️ Please keep your RSVP updated
✔️ Cancel if you can’t attend
❌ Repeat no-shows may be removed from future events
***
🎄✨ Join us for a heartwarming, glittering, joy-filled holiday stroll through Chicago’s most magical lobbies — complete with stories, architecture, seasonal cheer, and tons of festive fun!35 attendees
Past events
340
