About us
This group is for anyone who 50 and older wanting to remain active and enjoy the activities available in Chicago. We welcome anyone who wants to meet new people & DO SOMETHING FUN! We will do more than just eat & drink, but we will have events that are centered on food and conversation.
"Active" means doing some of what this great city offers. Events like music and dancing, shows and exhibits, theater and maybe an occasional movie. There will also be things such as dining and meet ups at coffee shops. In warmer months, there will be opportunities for outdoor activities.
I live in Ch8cago and will primarily list events in Chicago.
Group members are encouraged to propose events, and I will be happy to list them on the group webpage.
Thanks,
Rob
Upcoming events
5
🎶🌆 Sheila E & Melody Angel at Millennium Park Summer Music Series 🍷✨
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60601,, Chicago, IL, US🎶🌆 Sheila E & Melody Angel at Millennium Park Summer Music Series 🍷✨
🎤 Sheila E • Melody Angel • DJ Larz Natural
This is a one-time special Meetup event hosted by Giovina 🎉
Come enjoy an unforgettable summer night of live music, skyline views, and shared food & wine under the stars. 🍷🌿***
📅 WHEN:
🗓️ Monday, July 22, 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
🎵 Music begins at 6:30 PM
🌦️ Weather permitting***
📍 WHERE:
Millennium Park – Great Lawn
📍 Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E Randolph St, Chicago
We meet WAY at the back of the lawn near the sidewalk.
✔️ Look for the large group with blankets, chairs, wine, and lots of food!
✔️ If you arrive early, grab a nearby bench and wait for us.
📌 Group Spot Map / Pin:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/***
🎶 ABOUT THE SERIES:
The Millennium Park Summer Music Series features a wide variety of music from both established and emerging artists at the iconic Jay Pritzker Pavilion in the heart of downtown Chicago. 🎵🌆***
🎶 LINEUP HIGHLIGHTS:
🔥 Sheila E
🎤 Melody Angel
🎧 DJ Larz Natural***
🍷 THIS IS A POTLUCK EVENT!
I will be bringing 2 tables, paper plates, silverware, cups, napkins, and wine 🍷PLEASE bring something to share!
We need variety more than bags of chips 🙌✨ Get creative! It does NOT have to be expensive — just something unique, easy to eat outdoors, and fun to share. Finger foods, small bites, homemade treats, store-bought specialties—everything is welcome as long as it adds variety to the table!
🍷 WHAT TO BRING:
✅ Wine, beer, or your favorite beverage
✅ Snacks to share — cheese, crackers, fruit, dips, desserts, etc.
✅ Blanket or low lawn chair
✅ Corkscrew / bottle opener
✅ Cups, napkins, plates, or toothpicks
✨ Small folding tables welcome if you have one!***
🎟️ EVENT DETAILS:
• Gates open 90 minutes before showtime
• Arrive early for security screening
• Concert starts at 6:30 PM***
🛍️ FOOD NEARBY:
• Mariano’s (Randolph St.)
• Macy’s Food Court (State St.)***
🎼 2026 SCHEDULE:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park_music_series.html
ℹ️ Festival Info:
https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/
👜 Security Info:
https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/plan-your-visit/📱 Lost, running late, or can’t find the group? Call or text Giovina at 312.835.4259.
***
🚗 PARKING & TRANSPORTATION:
🚇 CTA is strongly recommended
• CTA Trip Planner: https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/
🚗 Parking options:
• Grant Park North Garage
• Harris Theater Garage
• SpotHero & ParkWhiz recommended***
🙌 RSVP & NO SHOW POLICY:
✔️ Please update RSVP if plans change
✔️ RSVP changes close at event start time
✔️ Running late? Message your host directly
❗ 3 no-shows without updating = 3-month RSVP freeze***
🌟 Bring your friends, a bottle of wine, and a blanket—and let’s make summer 2026 unforgettable under the skyline!
See you on the lawn! 🎶🍷🌆✨37 attendees
🎸🎶 Bonnie Raitt Live at Ravinia — Blues, Soul & Summer Vibes! 🍷✨
Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park, IL, US🎸🎶 Bonnie Raitt Live at Ravinia — Blues, Soul & Summer Vibes! 🍷✨
Get ready for an unforgettable summer evening with legendary singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt at Ravinia Festival!
Known for her soulful voice, masterful slide guitar, and heartfelt storytelling, Bonnie Raitt brings a powerful blend of blues, rock, folk, and Americana to the stage. 🎤🔥From “Something to Talk About” to “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and “Nick of Time,” expect a night filled with iconic songs, emotional depth, and incredible musicianship under the stars. 🌙🎶
We’ll be relaxing on the lawn—blankets, chairs, food, wine, and great company—for one of the most laid-back yet musically rich nights of the summer. 🍷🌿
⚠️ These shows sell out FAST—grab your tickets ASAP!
***
🎟️ TICKETS + SEATING
🎫 $60 — General Admission Lawn
👉 Direct tickets:
https://www.ravinia.org/events/detail/bonnie-raitt-260822💺 Optional rentals (HIGHLY recommended!):
• Chair — $10
• Table — $12
⚠️ Add chairs/tables before checkout so you don’t have to carry them on the train!
🪑 I’ve already rented one table—we may want another!
***
📍 EVENT DETAILS
📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026
⏰ Gates open at 5:00 PM (arrive early so we can sit together!)
📍 Ravinia Festival
🏠 200 Ravinia Park Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035
📱 I’ll post my exact lawn location once I arrive!🍷🍴 FOOD & DRINK (POTLUCK STYLE!)
🥗 Bring food or drinks to share—this is a picnic-style lawn experience!
✔️ Snacks, meals, wine, beer, desserts welcome
✔️ Please comment what you’re bringing
🪑 I’ll bring a table—extra tables welcome!
***
🚇 TRAIN (BEST OPTION!)
🚆 Union Pacific North Line (Metra)
Board at: Ogilvie / Clybourn / Ravenswood
🎯 Stop: Ravinia Park (direct entrance) or Braeside (short walk)
👉 https://www.ravinia.org/visit/getting-here#train
👉 https://ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-N
I will post exact train schedule closer to the date so check back!
***
🚗 PARKING INFO
🚘 $25 on-site parking
⚠️ Big shows may redirect to remote lots + shuttle buses
💡 Tip: Arrive early or take Metra to avoid delays
🆓 Highland Park Metra parking after 4 PM + shuttle option
***🎶 OTHER RAVINIA SHOWS THIS SEASON (join 1 or all 5 shows)
📅 7/12 — Billy Idol
📅 8/20 — Ricky Martin (SOLD OUT)
📅 8/22 — Bonnie Raitt
📅 8/27 — Kool & the Gang + Morris Day & The Time + Con Funk Shun
📅 9/5 — Rod Stewart + Richard Marx
👉 Meetup event list (FOR ALL SHOWS):
https://www.meetup.com/the-active-chicago-50s-and-up-group/events/🎶 ABOUT THE ARTIST
Bonnie Raitt is a legendary American singer-songwriter known for her soulful voice, expressive slide guitar, and genre-blending sound that weaves together blues, rock, folk, and country.She debuted in 1971 and built a strong reputation through critically acclaimed albums and collaborations with artists like Jackson Browne, John Prine, and Leon Russell.
Her breakthrough came in 1989 with Nick of Time, a chart-topping album that won Grammy Award for Album of the Year and became one of the defining records of her career. She followed it with multi-platinum albums Luck of the Draw (1991) and Longing in Their Hearts (1994), featuring timeless hits like:
• “Something to Talk About”
• “Love Sneakin’ Up On You”
• “I Can’t Make You Love Me”With a career spanning over five decades, she has earned 13 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and her 2022 song “Just Like That” won Song of the Year.
Raitt was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 and received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2024—cementing her status as one of the most respected and enduring artists in American music.
Known for her emotional depth and musicianship, Bonnie Raitt continues to captivate audiences with powerful live performances that blend storytelling, heart, and masterful guitar work. 🎸✨
🌐 https://www.bonnieraitt.com/
🎼 ABOUT RAVINIA
Ravinia Festival is North America’s oldest outdoor music festival and summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It offers a unique picnic-style concert experience under the stars. It hosts a series of outdoor concerts and performances every summer from June to September. The first orchestra to perform at Ravinia Festival was the New York Philharmonic under Walter Damrosch on June 17, 1905. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) since 1936. Located in the Ravinia neighborhood, the venue operates on the grounds of the 36-acre (15 ha) Ravinia Park, with a variety of outdoor and indoor performing arts facilities, including the architectural prairie style Martin Theater. The Ravinia Festival attracts about 600,000 listeners to some 120 to 150 events that span all genres from classical music to jazz to music theater over each three-month summer season.
🌐 https://ravinia.org/
***
📌 IMPORTANT REMINDERS
⚠️ Arrive early so we can sit together
⚠️ Bring food/drinks to share
⚠️ Add chair/table rentals before checkout
⚠️ Keep RSVP updated—no-shows impact the group
***
Get ready for a soulful night of blues, storytelling, and incredible live music under the stars! 🎸🌙🍷7 attendees
🎷🎶 Kool & The Gang + Morris Day & The Time + Con Funk Shun — Live @Ravinia🍷🔥
Ravinia Festival, 200 Ravinia Park Road, Highland Park, IL, US🎷🎶 Kool & The Gang + Morris Day & The Time + Con Funk Shun — Live at Ravinia Festival! 🍷🔥
Get ready for a funk-filled, feel-good summer night under the stars! This incredible triple-bill brings together some of the greatest legends in funk and R&B for a night of nonstop grooves, throwback hits, and pure dance energy. 💃🕺
From “Celebration” and “Ladies’ Night” to “Jungle Love” and “Love’s Train,” expect a high-energy night packed with iconic songs and irresistible rhythms—you will not be sitting still. 🌙✨
We’ll be relaxing on the lawn with blankets, chairs, food, wine, and great company—one of the most fun, nostalgic nights of the entire summer! 🍷🌿
⚠️ These shows sell out FAST—grab your tickets ASAP!
***
🎟️ TICKETS + SEATING
🎫 $60 — General Admission Lawn
👉 Direct tickets:
https://www.ravinia.org/events/detail/kool-and-the-gang-260827#showing_725💺 Optional rentals (HIGHLY recommended!):
• Chair — $10
• Table — $12
⚠️ Add chairs/tables before checkout so you don’t have to carry them on the train!
🪑 I’ve already rented one table—we may want another!
***
📍 EVENT DETAILS
📅Thursday, August 27, 2026
⏰ Gates open at 5:00 PM (arrive early so we can sit together!)
📍 Ravinia Festival
🏠 200 Ravinia Park Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035
📱 I’ll post my exact lawn location once I arrive!🍷🍴 FOOD & DRINK (POTLUCK STYLE!)
🥗 Bring food or drinks to share—this is a picnic-style lawn experience!
✔️ Snacks, meals, wine, beer, desserts welcome
✔️ Please comment what you’re bringing
🪑 I’ll bring a table—extra tables welcome!
***
🚇 TRAIN (BEST OPTION!)
🚆 Union Pacific North Line (Metra)
Board at: Ogilvie / Clybourn / Ravenswood
🎯 Stop: Ravinia Park (direct entrance) or Braeside (short walk)
👉 https://www.ravinia.org/visit/getting-here#train
👉 https://ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-N
I will post exact train schedule closer to the date so check back!
***
🚗 PARKING INFO
🚘 $25 on-site parking
⚠️ Big shows may redirect to remote lots + shuttle buses
💡 Tip: Arrive early or take Metra to avoid delays
🆓 Highland Park Metra parking after 4 PM + shuttle option
***🎶 OTHER RAVINIA SHOWS THIS SEASON (join 1 or all 5 shows)
📅 7/12 — Billy Idol
📅 8/20 — Ricky Martin (SOLD OUT)
📅 8/22 — Bonnie Raitt
📅 8/27 — Kool & the Gang + Morris Day & The Time + Con Funk Shun
📅 9/5 — Rod Stewart + Richard Marx
👉 Meetup event list (FOR ALL SHOWS):
https://www.meetup.com/the-active-chicago-50s-and-up-group/events/🎶 ABOUT THE ARTISTS
🎷 Kool & The Gang
One of the most influential and enduring bands in music history, Kool & The Gang formed in New Jersey in the 1960s and evolved from a jazz ensemble into global funk and pop icons. Their signature sound—driven by tight horn sections, infectious grooves, and uplifting lyrics—helped shape the sound of the ’70s and ’80s.They’ve achieved massive success across decades with 25 Top 10 R&B hits, 9 Top 10 pop hits, and dozens of gold and platinum albums. Their music seamlessly blends jazz, funk, soul, disco, and pop—making them one of the most versatile crossover acts of all time.
🔥 Signature hits:
• “Celebration”
• “Ladies’ Night”
• “Jungle Boogie”
• “Get Down On It”Their songs remain staples at parties, weddings, and festivals worldwide—and their live shows are pure, joyful energy.
🌐 Official website: https://www.koolandthegang.com/
***
🎤 Morris Day & The Time
A defining force behind the Minneapolis sound, Morris Day & The Time were originally assembled by Prince in the early 1980s and quickly became one of the most stylish and entertaining acts of the era.
Blending funk, R&B, new wave, and pop, their music is as slick as their stage presence. Morris Day—known for his charisma, humor, and signature mirror-and-valet routine—turns every performance into a full-on show.✨ Known for:
• “Jungle Love”
• “The Bird”
• “Cool”Beyond music, Morris Day has also appeared in film and television, further cementing his pop culture legacy. Today, the group continues to tour, delivering high-energy performances packed with choreography, personality, and undeniable groove.
🌐 Official site (booking/info): https://morrisdayandthetime.com/
***
🎸 Con Funk Shun
Formed in California in 1969, Con Funk Shun helped define the smoother, more melodic side of funk, blending soulful vocals, tight rhythms, and jazz-influenced musicianship.Signed to Mercury Records in the 1970s, they released multiple successful albums and became known for their polished sound and romantic, groove-driven hits. Their influence continues today—“Love’s Train” has even been revived by modern artists like Silk Sonic.
🎶 Signature songs:
• “Love’s Train”
• “Ffun”
• “Chase Me”Their live performances strike the perfect balance—smooth, soulful, and irresistibly danceable—making them the ideal kickoff to this stacked lineup.
🌐 Official website: http://www.confunkshunusa.com/🎼 ABOUT RAVINIA
Ravinia Festival is North America’s oldest outdoor music festival and summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. It offers a unique picnic-style concert experience under the stars. It hosts a series of outdoor concerts and performances every summer from June to September. The first orchestra to perform at Ravinia Festival was the New York Philharmonic under Walter Damrosch on June 17, 1905. It has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) since 1936. Located in the Ravinia neighborhood, the venue operates on the grounds of the 36-acre (15 ha) Ravinia Park, with a variety of outdoor and indoor performing arts facilities, including the architectural prairie style Martin Theater. The Ravinia Festival attracts about 600,000 listeners to some 120 to 150 events that span all genres from classical music to jazz to music theater over each three-month summer season.
🌐 https://ravinia.org/
***
📌 IMPORTANT REMINDERS
⚠️ Arrive early so we can sit together
⚠️ Bring food/drinks to share
⚠️ Add chair/table rentals before checkout
⚠️ Keep RSVP updated—no-shows impact the group
***
Get ready for a funky, soulful, dance-all-night kind of evening—this lineup is stacked and the vibes will be off the charts! 🎷🔥🍷21 attendees
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