Active 50s + Group

🎉 Father’s Day Rodeo + Potluck Picnic! 🐎
Speed & Action Rodeo Horse Show
📅 Sunday, June 15, 2025
🕒 3:00 PM (meet time 1:00 pm but rodeo starts at 3 pm)
📍 South Shore Cultural Center – 7059 S. Lake Shore Dr.
🎟️ Tickets: $12–$15 → Buy Tickets Here

Join us for a thrilling Father’s Day outing with live rodeo action by the Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club, Chicago’s oldest multicultural riding club! Skilled riders, serious cowboy flair, and good vibes guaranteed. It will be an unforgettable day of culture, competition, and community as the Broken Arrow Riding Club presents the 36th Annual Speed & Action Rodeo Horse Show — a Father’s Day tradition like no other, held at the historic South Shore Cultural Center in Chicago!

🔥 What to Expect:

• Fast-paced rodeo events featuring speed & action categories
• Horse showmanship from one of Chicago’s oldest Black riding clubs
• Family-friendly fun, vendors, food, and community pride
• A celebration of Black cowboy heritage and urban horsemanship

📞 For More Info: 773-814-0545

This is more than just a show — it’s a movement. Bring your loved ones and let’s ride into tradition, together.

🍽 Potluck Picnic Style – Just Like Ravinia or Millennium Park!
Bring food to share, something to drink, your own plates, silverware & napkins. Grills are allowed if you want to get fancy! They also have food trucks, so you can purchase onsite as well

🪑 What to Bring:
• Lawn chairs or picnic blanket (seating is limited!)
• Sunscreen, hat, water
• Early arrival = best spot

🚗 Parking: Metered lot on-site – fills up quickly! Chicago Park District Parking Info
🚌 Transit: #J14 Jeffery Jump & #6 Jackson Park Express. CTA Trip Planner
📍 Never been to this event or location before—stay tuned for the exact meetup spot.
🚕Drop a comment if you’d like to carpool or are driving and have room!

🌐 Learn more:
🔹 Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club
🔹 Facebook Group

We’re teaming up with several other Meetup groups for this fun event, so it’s a multi-group gathering! If you see my name with a large number next to it, that means lots of people are attending from various groups — it's going to be a great crowd!

The Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club, established on January 15, 1989, is Chicago's first and oldest multicultural riding club. Founded by Murdock, known as "the Man with No First Name," the club aims to reintegrate horseback riding into the inner city, providing opportunities for riders of all backgrounds and abilities to engage with horsemanship.

With over 600 members, the club participates in demonstrations, community events, and philanthropy, including the annual High Noon Ride Picnic on Chicago's historic trails and the Speed & Action Rodeo Horse Show at the South Shore Cultural Center, featuring various equestrian competitions.

Committed to supporting inner-city youth, Broken Arrow seeks to establish an equestrian center in Chicago to offer lessons and broaden its outreach. For more information, visit the Broken Arrow Horseback Riding Club website.

The South Shore Cultural Center, located at 7059 S. South Shore Drive in Chicago, highlights the city’s architectural and cultural heritage. Established in 1905 as the South Shore Country Club by the architectural firm Marshall & Fox, it served as an exclusive retreat for the elite, featuring a golf course, stables, tennis courts, and a private beach along Lake Michigan.

As the neighborhood demographics shifted in the mid-20th century, membership declined due to exclusionary policies. In 1975, the Chicago Park District purchased the property, and thanks to community activists, it was transformed into the South Shore Cultural Center.

Now a community hub, it houses the South Shore Cultural Center School of the Arts, the Paul Robeson Theater, and the Parrot Cage Restaurant, operated by the Washburne Culinary Institute. The grounds feature a public golf course, beach, nature sanctuary, and butterfly garden. The center also hosted significant events, including Barack and Michelle Obama’s wedding reception in 1992. It is recognized for its historical and architectural significance and was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Register of Historic Places in 1975 and designated a Chicago Landmark in 2004. For more information, you can visit the Chicago Park District's official page for the South Shore Cultural Center.

⚠️ RSVP Policy Reminder:
❌ 3 no-shows without notice = 3-month RSVP restriction
⏰ Cut-off to change your RSVP = event start time
📲 If you arrive late or miss check-in, message the host directly

Bring wine, snacks, blankets, chairs if you like. Bottle opener or two for the wine. Dress for the weather. Look for us in our spot way on the back of the lawn near the sidewalk. You can't miss us! See map pin or this image at the link: http://bit.ly/2H6tuWw

This is a joint meetup with the 1001 Things, Windy City Wanderers & a few other meetups, so it is going to be a fun event! (Windy City Wine goes every Wednesday.) Tom Susan & Nelson are hosts for that event!

IF ANYONE HAS A SMALL PORTABLE TABLE TO BRING THEN PLEASE DO! IT MAKES IT EASIER TO PUT THE WINE & SHARED FOOD FOR ALL TO ENJOY! I HAVE 2 TABLES BUT SINCE BIG GTOUP, WE WILL NEED SOME EXTRA!!! (if you been to these you know we have a lot of food and wine!!!)

Bring some wine, beer, and some food/snacks to share and enjoy! Mariano's is close by on Randolph St. and Macy's on State St. Food suggestions include cheese & crackers, fruit plate, baked goods, hummus & chips.

It's always a nice gesture to bring some extra cups, napkins, toothpicks or small plates if you can.

EVERY WEEK IS A DIFFERENT CONCERT LINEUP. CLICK ON LINK BELOW FOR SCHEDULE

The entire festival lineup can be found here: https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/music/2025-season

Please note these security details for the park: https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/plan-your-visit/millennium-park-security-protocols

VENUE MAP: https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/seating-venue/venue-map

We will meet way at the back of the great lawn, right next to the sidewalk. If you're early, just sit on one of the benches and wait for the group to assemble. You can't miss us! See map pin or this image at the link: http://bit.ly/2H6tuWw

If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use the CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/ - easily accessible by bus and train.

If you drive, use SpotHero or ParkWhiz as it is a challenge over there. Look for the Grant Park North Parking Garage or the Harris Theater Garage. There is some metered parking but best to use a parking lot or garage.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!

Bring wine, snacks, blankets, chairs if you like. Bottle opener or two for the wine. Dress for the weather. Look for us in our spot way on the back of the lawn near the sidewalk. You can't miss us! See map pin or this image at the link: http://bit.ly/2H6tuWw

This is a joint meetup with the 1001 Things, Windy City Wanderers & a few other meetups, so it is going to be a fun event! (Windy City Wine goes every Wednesday.) Tom Susan & Nelson are hosts for that event!

IF ANYONE HAS A SMALL PORTABLE TABLE TO BRING THEN PLEASE DO! IT MAKES IT EASIER TO PUT THE WINE & SHARED FOOD FOR ALL TO ENJOY! I HAVE 2 TABLES BUT SINCE BIG GTOUP, WE WILL NEED SOME EXTRA!!! (if you been to these you know we have a lot of food and wine!!!)

Bring some wine, beer, and some food/snacks to share and enjoy! Mariano's is close by on Randolph St. and Macy's on State St. Food suggestions include cheese & crackers, fruit plate, baked goods, hummus & chips.

It's always a nice gesture to bring some extra cups, napkins, toothpicks or small plates if you can.

EVERY WEEK IS A DIFFERENT CONCERT LINEUP. CLICK ON LINK BELOW FOR SCHEDULE

The entire festival lineup can be found here: https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/music/2025-season

Please note these security details for the park: https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/plan-your-visit/millennium-park-security-protocols

VENUE MAP: https://www.grantparkmusicfestival.com/seating-venue/venue-map

We will meet way at the back of the great lawn, right next to the sidewalk. If you're early, just sit on one of the benches and wait for the group to assemble. You can't miss us! See map pin or this image at the link: http://bit.ly/2H6tuWw

If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use the CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/ - easily accessible by bus and train.

If you drive, use SpotHero or ParkWhiz as it is a challenge over there. Look for the Grant Park North Parking Garage or the Harris Theater Garage. There is some metered parking but best to use a parking lot or garage.

PLEASE KEEP YOUR RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!

**Tickets are $57 for GENERAL ADMISSION LAWN SEATS + service fee. You can also rent a chair and/or table if you do not want to lug one from home. Chairs are $10 and tables are $12.Just add before checkout. I already rented 1 table, so maybe we only need 1 more table? Go here to purchase a ticket, Pick SATURDAY 6/28/25, GENERAL ADMISION LAWN
"Al Green with special guest The O’Jays" https://www.ravinia.org/events/detail/al-green#showing_81

REMEMBER, BEFORE YOU CHECK OUT, YOU CAN ADD A CHAIR AND/OR A TABLE SO YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LUG ONE ALONG ON THE TRAIN!
ALSO KEEP IN MIND THERE IS A $24 SERVICE PROCESSING FEE, BUT IT IS FOR THE WHOLE CART, SO IF YOU ARE ATTENDING MORE THAN ONE SHOW, IT IS STILL $24! OR SEE IF YOU WANT TO BUY TICKETS WITH OTHER MEMBERS TO SAVE FEES! ALSO, YOU CAN GO TO THE HIGHLAND PARK BOX OFFICE FOR NO FEES!

We are doing the following shows this season at Ravinia, so click on the link here Active 50s + Group Events to sign up for any of those shows as well:

1. 6/6/25 An Evening with Heart
2. 6/28/25 Al Green with special guest The O'Jays
3. 7/5/25 Chicago with special guest Stevie McVie /
4. 8/21/25 Lenny Kravitz

All of these are posted on Meetup, so sign up for one or all of them! Best to purchase all at once to save fees if attending several shows! It will be a fun summer!

Please try to come early so it is to meet at the front & sit together. I will post my location once I arrive. I plan to arrive at 5 pm when the gates open!

We’re teaming up with several other Meetup groups for this fun event, so it’s a multi-group gathering! If you see my name with a large number next to it, that means lots of people are attending from various groups — it's going to be a great crowd!

If you drive, it is $25 for parking. For bigger shows, they may send you to satellite lots, so I strongly suggest coming early if you can! Otherwise, you will have to wait for shuttle buses to bring you to the venue. Can also park at the Highland Park Metra station after 4 pm for free & shuttle over. More details here:
https://www.ravinia.org/visit/getting-here#train

I will most likely take the Metra. You will need to take the Union Pacific North line. You can get on at Chicago OTC, Clybourn, Ravenswood etc.
If you want to ride the Metra with me, meet me at the Ravenswood station, or if you get on before me, then we can meet on the train. Once it gets closer, we can coordinate train time as the summer schedule is not out yet! The train stops at Ravinia’s Tyler Gate (“Ravinia Park” stop)*.
The nearby “Braeside” stop is only a quarter-mile walk from Ravinia. For more info, go here: https://www.ravinia.org/visit/getting-here#train

PLEASE, BRING FOOD OR DRINKS TO SHARE. WE DO THIS PICNIC POTLUCK STYLE SO ALL MUST BRING SOMETHING! JUST LEAVE A COMMENT AS TO WHAT YOU WILL BRING! I WILL RENT A TABLE, BUT BRING A TABLE IF YOU CAN, SO WE CAN SET UP EVERYTHING!

Al Green is a legendary American soul singer, songwriter, and pastor, best known for his smooth vocals, emotionally rich delivery, and timeless love songs. Rising to fame in the early 1970s, Green became one of the defining voices of Southern soul, blending gospel, R&B, and pop into a deeply expressive and sensual sound. His most iconic hits—such as “Let’s Stay Together,” “Tired of Being Alone,” “I’m Still in Love with You,” and “Love and Happiness”—cemented his place in music history as the “Prince of Soul.”

Born in Arkansas in 1946 and raised in Michigan, Green began performing with his brothers in a gospel group before transitioning to secular music. His career took off after teaming up with producer Willie Mitchell at Hi Records in Memphis, where he developed his signature sound. By the mid-1970s, after a string of chart-topping successes, Green experienced a spiritual awakening and shifted his focus toward gospel music, eventually becoming an ordained pastor and founding the Full Gospel Tabernacle Church in Memphis.

Despite this change, Green continued to record and perform both sacred and secular music, and his influence spans generations of artists across genres. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and remains one of the most celebrated soul artists of all time. His voice, often described as both tender and electrifying, continues to captivate listeners with its unique blend of passion, vulnerability, and grace.
https://www.al-green.com/

Ravinia Festival is an outdoor music venue in Highland Park, Illinois. 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/

If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use the Metra trip planner. https://ridertools.metrarail.com/maps-schedules/train-lines/UP-N

If you drive, see info I gave above on parking or check Ravinia's website

PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!