🎤📚Chicago Misconceptions: Chinese in Chicago | CFC Winter Lecture Series🍸

🎤📚 Chicago Misconceptions: Chinese in Chicago | CFC Winter Lecture Series 🍸

Join us for the FOURTH lecture of the season in Chicago for Chicagoans’ 9th annual Winter Speakeasy Lecture Series.
Chinatowns aren’t shrinking everywhere — in fact, Chicago’s Chinese population has been growing. This fascinating lecture explores the history of Chinese migration in Chicago, challenges long-held misconceptions, and examines how gentrification and urban change have impacted the Greater Chinatown community for generations.

🎤 Lecture by Debbie Liu, expert Chinatown tour guide and urban planner.

FORTH LECTURE OF THE SEASON!
Lecture by Debbie Liu
📅 Tuesday, January 24, 2026

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🚨 REGISTRATION REQUIRED — READ FIRST
You MUST register outside of Meetup on Eventbrite to attend the live, in-person lecture.

This event is FREE, but registration is required to enter the speakeasy area for the lecture.
🗓 Registration opens: Tuesday, 1/13/26 at 9:00 AM (set reminder)
⚠️ Space is limited — register ASAP
👉 Register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-misconceptions-chinese-in-chicago-registration-1975057044788

If registration is full:
• Join the Eventbrite waitlist — people cancel and waitlist guests DO get in
• Walk-ins are allowed, space permitting

⭐ NEW, BIGGER VENUE — but it still fills up fast!

****IMPORTANT!! PLEASE NOTE THAT TICKETS FOR THE EVENT ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT EVERYONE SETS A REMINDER TO REGISTER ON EVENTBRITE ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2026, AT 9 AM. RSVPING ON MEETUP DOES NOT SECURE YOUR SPOT. YOU MUST GO BACK AND REGISTER ON THE 23RD VIA THE EVENTBRITE LINK TO CONFIRM YOUR ATTENDANCE.****

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🕕 ⏰TIMING & ENTRY DETAILS (VERY IMPORTANT)
• Meetup group meets at 6:00 PM
• Doors open at 6:30 PM
• Registered ticket holders admitted first
• Walk-ins may enter starting at 7:00 PM, space permitting
• Lecture begins promptly at 7:10 PM
➡️ If you are not registered, arrive close to 7:00 PM and be flexible.

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📍 Venue
Bad Apple Lincoln Park
658 W Belden Ave · Chicago
Historic, handicap accessible, with great food & cocktails
🍔 YES — food is available during the lecture
✔ Separate checks allowed
✔ More seating than past venues
✔ Food is excellent
https://www.badapplebar.com/the-bad-apple-lincoln-park

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🏙️ About the Series
Chicago for Chicagoans returns for their 9th Winter Speakeasy Lecture Series, designed to teach Chicago residents about the history of their own city.

Hosted at Bad Apple Lincoln Park, these pay-what-you-can events spark discussion about Chicago’s past — and how it continues to shape our future.

📅 NOW ON TUESDAY EVENINGS!

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🔍 This Year’s Theme: MISCONCEPTIONS
This season explores the unfair stereotypes, urban legends, and dubious assumptions surrounding Chicago’s past.

Each week features a different local Chicago historian & expert for 12 one-of-a-kind evenings of:
• Legendary tall tales
• Corrected mischaracterizations
• Disproven myths
• Lively discussion + tasty cocktails
Attend in person or watch the recorded lectures online afterward.

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📚 THIS WEEK’S LECTURE — 01/27/26
This talk challenges common assumptions about Chicago’s Chinese communities and explores how migration, resilience, and urban change have shaped—and continue to shape—Greater Chinatown. Contrary to popular belief, Chicago’s Chinese population is growing, not shrinking. This lecture examines the history of Chinese migrants in Chicago, long-standing misconceptions, and how gentrification and displacement are not new struggles for the community. Lecture by tour guide and urban planner Debbie Liu

Registration opens 1/13/26!

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👩‍🏫 About the Speaker: Debbie Liu
Debbie Liu grew up in the Armour Square/Bridgeport neighborhoods and is an expert guide of Chicago’s Chinatown. Her interests include urban planning, public health, policy, gentrification, and community storytelling. She holds an MPH and BS from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and lives in the South Loop with her family.

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🌐 Learn More & Watch Recordings
Chicago for Chicagoans:
http://www.chicagoforchicagoans.org/
Effing Chicago:
http://effingchicago.com/

🎥 Recordings posted the following Thursday:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChicagoforChicagoans
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicagoforchicagoans/videos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicagoforchicagoans

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💛 Support the Nonprofit
Chicago for Chicagoans is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Tax-deductible donations:
http://www.chicagoforchicagoans.org/donate.html

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🚇 Getting There
Public transit:
Google Maps or CTA Trip Planner
https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/

🚗 Parking:
• Metered parking on Lincoln, Fullerton & Halsted
• Some free side-street parking (watch signs)
• SpotHero lot directly across the street

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⚠️ NO-SHOW POLICY (PLEASE READ)
• 3 no-shows without updating RSVP = 3-month event freeze
• RSVP cut-off = event start time
• If late, message the host directly
• Failure to check in counts as a no-show
• Continued no-shows may result in removal from the group