Chicago Meetup

THAILAND TRIP!

• Dates: January 5 - 19, 2026 (15 days / 14 nights)
• Cost: $5200 (per person, excluding international flights)
• Single supplement: $875
• Trip details: https://globe-drifters.com/trip/thailand/

See who goes on these trips and what we do & see: THAILAND TRIP PHOTOS!

If you have questions, email info@globe-drifters.com.

Travel around Thailand on a small group, 15-day trip and explore its temples, jungle, and beautiful beaches! From island hopping on a long-tail boat to jungle trekking in one of the oldest rainforests in the world, you won’t be disappointed in the Land of Smiles. Thailand’s stunning landscapes and laid-back vibe make it the perfect getaway! Thailand’s breathtaking landscape, mouth-watering food, relaxing massages, and laid-back vibe make it the perfect travel destination. Did we mention a massage is only $8?! No matter your style, Thailand has something for everyone.

Shop like a local: Visit Bangkok’s largest and most authentic fresh market, where locals buy their daily ingredients—from fresh fruits and vegetables to creepy-crawly delicacies—before learning to cook authentic Thai dishes with a local chef.

Picture perfect beaches: Visit the laid-back town of Railay, accessible only by boat and pedestrians. The beaches here are straight from a postcard!

Sleep in a treehouse!: Stay the night in a teak forest in treehouse bungalows. This is a one-of-a-kind experience that not many tourists get to see.

✨⛪ 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. ✨

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🕰️ 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.

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🌟 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.

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📖 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.

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🍽️ 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.

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👟 What to Bring
• Camera (if permitted)
• Respectful attire
• $15 tour fee (exact change appreciated; cash preferred but Zelle, Venmo, PayPal accepted)

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🚇 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

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📝 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

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✨⛪ 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. ✨

🎟️ 🎶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!

CUBA TRIP!

• Dates: March 14 - 22, 2026 (9 days / 8 nights)
• Cost: $2700 (per person, excluding flights)
• Single supplement: $450
• Detailed itinerary, visa info, FAQ, etc: https://globe-drifters.com/trip/cuba-march/

See photos from previous trips here: CUBA TRIP PHOTOS

For more information or if you have questions, please email info@globe-drifters.com

Cuba travel, legal and local… Thanks to the small group size, we avoid the big, government-run establishments, most of which US travelers aren’t allowed to patronize. As a small group, we can also dine at privately owned restaurants to support everyday citizens. Our groups of 12 travelers or less can visit smaller, more off-the-beaten-path places for more meaningful interaction with locals. Below are some of the things that make our small group trips to Cuba unique:

Authentic, local interaction: Your own dedicated Cuban trip leader throughout the trip will be your friend and show you Cuba through the eyes of a local.

Playa Larga: A sleepy beach town on the Bay of Pigs to escape the hordes of travelers at the major tourist hotspots. It’s a great place to witness everyday Cuban life in a typical Cuban town.

FAC: The Fábrica de Arte Cubano is a great place to mingle with Cubans over a drink while listening to live music and admiring works of art by local artists.