Business of Art Forum
2026-02-05 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
An Introduction to Art Entrepreneurship
Come learn how to develop an idea for an arts organization and then turn it into a functioning, sustainable enterprise!
On February 5th, Richard Andrews led a discussion on entrepreneurship, an accomplished author on the topic, who has taught art entrepreneurship courses at UC Berkley and other higher education settings since 2013.

Member Social Hour!
2026-02-23 17:00 - 19:00
Start off the week right!
Drop by the Cliff Dwellers from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, February 23 (that’s right, MONDAY!) for our first ever Member Social Hour(s). Mix and mingle with your fabulous Club friends, old and new. There’ll be live music, fabulous libations, and tasty bar bite menu selections available in the lounge.
But wait, there’s more!
Chef Erick has created a special 3-course meal for those wishing to stay for dinner (during usual dining hours).
Cliff Dwellers Salad
Choice of Salmon Piccata OR Chicken Pot Pie
Carrot Cake
COST: $42
Make your reservation for the Social Hour, special dinner, or BOTH no later than Monday, February 16.
reservations@cliff-chicago.org or Call 3121-922-8080

Sketch Club
2026-02-28 10:00 - 12:00
Field trip to the Field Museum!
The Cliff Dwellers Sketch Club will meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 28 at the South end of the Main Hall of the Field Museum of Natural History. The museum is a treasure trove of sketching inspiration!
Bring your sketch pad, pencils, and paint brushes and join the group for a fun morning. All skill levels welcome!

Games & Grain Night
2026-03-09 17:00 - 19:00
Who’s up for some Old-School fun?
It’s Game & Grain Night at the Cliff Dwellers, where you can enjoy a MONDAY evening of cards, board games and a variety of beers! There will be games available to play, but everyone is welcome to bring their favorite!
Luis Glunz rep Nick Frieder will host the beer tasting. See if your favorite makes the Spring Beer List!
Bar bites will be available for purchase. Come early for Free Swag!
No cover charge, but please reserve your space by March 2.
reservations@cliff-chicago.org or call 312-922-8080

The Architectural Table
2026-03-10 12:00 - 13:30
This lively group meets in the Sullivan Room to broach an array of exhilarating architectural topics, highlighting both the good and the bad! This week, we’ll discuss the reknown architectural firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, designers of notable Chicago buildings such as the Wrigley Building, the Civic Opera House, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Field Museum.
reservations@cliff-chicago.org OR call 312-922 8080
Let the office know if you’ll be staying for the buffet.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration!
2026-03-13 17:00 - 21:00
Live music, singing, and Poetry! Have a Guinness or Hot Toddy by the fireplace. This evening is a time to celebrate all things Irish!
5:00 p.m.: Doors open
5:00 – 6:00 p.m.: Live Music by the bar with Kilkenny’s own Peter Brady
6:00 p.m. – Buffet, featuring Irish favorites such as Corned Beef and Cabbage and Irish Soda Bread
6:45 p.m. – A brief History of Ireland, by Pat Whealan
7:00 p.m. – Emcee Michael Burke will kick off the evening’s program, featuring music and poetry provided by members of the Cliff Dwellers
Dinner and Program:
Members: $60
Non-members: $68
Program only: $20
Make your reservation no later than March 6!
reservations@cliff-chicago.org or 3121-922-8080

Theatre Club Outing: White Rooster
2026-03-19 17:30 - 22:00
Set inside the historic Water Tower Water Works, this visually stunning production blends Chinese mythology with a dark, folk-rock aesthetic. It is a perfect example of the physical and imaginative theatre the Lookingglass Theatre is famous for.
Contact Rick Frendt for details:
rfrendt@comcast.net
708.359.0806

The Writer's Club
2026-03-20 17:30 - 19:30
A chance to share works and get input from your fellow writers
If anyone has work they’d like reviewed, please bring at least 4 copies, and to keep work to be shared to one or two pages maximum. There will be a focus on small group discussions for sharing and reviewing written work.
All members are invited to join in!
Planning on coming? Let the staff know by Tuesday, March 17.
If staying for dinner, please mention that when you call or email.
(312) 922-8080, or reservations@cliff-chicago.org

The Cliff Dwellers Book Club - The Burning of the World
2026-03-21 11:00 - 12:30
Vivid, Meticulously Researched, Propulsive and Engrossing!
The Cliff Dwellers Book Club will gather in the Sullivan Room on Saturday, March 21, at 11:00 a.m. to discuss The Burning of the World: The Great Chicago Fire and the War for a City’s Soul, by Chicago author Scott W. Berg.
Planning to stay for the Saturday buffet lunch ($38)?
Please make a reservation with the club by Friday, March 21.
reservations@cliff-chicago.org, or 312-922-8080

Saturday Brunch!
2026-03-21 11:30 - 13:30
The Club will be open for a Saturday buffet lunch, starting at 11:30 am, with a last seating at 1:30 pm. Come enjoy a weekend

Reserve your spot by Friday, March 13
reservations@cliff-chicago.org or 312-922-8080

Gallery Artists Reception
2026-03-23 17:00 - 19:00
The Cliff Dwellers celebrated our talented artists:
Sandra Campbell
Jenny Oliinyk
Sharon Bladholm
and our Sketch Club Members
We met the creators and explored their works with an inspiring evening of art and conversation!

The Tallest Building in the World!
2026-04-06 17:00 - 20:30
Upon completion, Jeddah Tower stands to be the World’s Tallest Building.
Designed by the Chicago firm of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill, it will soar over 1 kilometer in height in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. How the heck do you build something like that?
Ben Johnson (former Cliff Dwellers president and a director with the Chicago firm of AS+GG) has been Project Manager for the Jeddah Tower, as well as multiple super-tall tower projects around the world. In this talk, Ben presented a project update on this monumental building, as well as provided some background regarding the design and construction challenges inherent with “MegaTall” structures.

The Architectural Table
2026-04-14 12:00 - 13:30
This lively group meets monthly to broach an array of exhilarating architectural topics, highlighting both the good and the bad! This week, Edgar Perez will lead a discussion on the works of award-winning Mexican architect Pedro Ramirez Vazquez, known for “stunningly original designs that blended a European modernist sensibility with pre-Columbia aesthetics”.
So that we have enough seats at the table, please make a reservation by Friday, April 10 via
reservations@cliff-chicago.org OR call 312-922-8080
Let the office know if you’ll be also be enjoying the buffet ($38).

Business of Art Forum
2026-04-16 18:30 - 20:00
An Introduction to Art Entrepreneurship
Richard Andrews returns to lead the second of three sessions in his series on Art Entrepreneurship. This session will focus on the technical aspects of an arts business, legal, accounting, etc.
Richard has graciously offered to make the Powerpoint slides from his first session available to anyone who missed it, but wants to join the lecture series now. Contact Rick Yorde at ryorde@gmail.com to request the slides.
If you plan on attending, please make your reservation by Monday, April 13. Staying for dinner? Let the staff know!
Reservations@cliff-chicago.org or 312-922-8080

A Special Sketch Club Outing - The Driehaus Museum
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00
The Cliff Dwellers Sketch Club
has been invited by our friends at The Driehaus Museum to an exclusive Sketch Session at their historic location on Erie St.! We’ll be allowed early access to the museum at 10 a.m., and will have an area in one of their galleries reserved for our group to draw.
Come out for lunch afterwards with the gang! Location TBD.
Bring your sketch pad, pencils, and paint brushes and join the group for a fun morning. All skill levels welcome!

Let Charlie Hasbrouck know if you’ll be coming to this fantastic sketching opportunity at charlie.hasbrouck@gmail.com

Northern Illinois University Jazz Orchestra
2026-04-22 17:00 - 21:00
Enjoy a Night of Superb Jazz!
The great Dizzy Gillespie once called the NIU Jazz program the best in the country, and claimed many of its members as musicians in his own band for several years, soon to be marked “The Dizzy Band.” Another fun fact is Louie Bellson, Clark Terry, Tito Puente, and many others were friends of the program, often performing as guests with the band. In fact, Duke Ellington’s very last performance was at NIU before he passed.
The Jazz Orchestra is led by Dr. Roosevelt Griffin III, Cliff Dwellers member and a nationally recognized music educator and transformative leader whose life’s work centers on building community through music education. A proud alumnus of Northern Illinois University, Dr. Griffin currently serves as President of the Illinois Music Education Association’s Jazz Division and contributes nationally as a Board Member of the Jazz Education Network. His service also includes leadership roles with the Jazz Institute of Chicago and the Governors State University Center for Performing Arts Board of Advisors.
Doors open: 5:00 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm
Performance: 7:00 pm
Dinner and Program
Members $60; Invited Guests $70
Program only Limited seating
Members $20; Invited Guests $30
Reservations are required by Wednesday, April 15
reservations@cliff-chicago.org or
312-922-8080

Theatre Club Outing: The Great Gatsby
2026-04-23 17:30 - 22:00
The Goodman Theatre presents a dazzling new musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel. Expect high-energy choreography, lush costumes, and a soaring score that brings the Roaring Twenties to life on the big stage.
Contact Rick Frendt for details:
rfrendt@comcast.net
708.359.0806

Poetry Society Lunch
2026-05-01 12:00 - 13:30
Join our friendly group of poetry enthusiasts for an always lively literary discussion.
Ever heard of Flarf? That was an American poetry movement flourishing in the early 2000’s. Philippe Tapon will guide us in this exploration of a unique poetic direction!
All are welcome! No poetry writing skills needed, just an active interest of the art form.
Plan on attending? Reservations are appreciated.

Woman in Blues - the magical vocals of Sheryl Youngblood
2026-05-04 17:00 - 21:00
With more than 40 years in the music industry, Sheryl Youngblood stands as a commanding figure in American music. A vocalist, band leader, music director, drummer, and recording artist, her career crosses stages, studios and style.
Her heart belongs to the blues. Her voice carries grit, warmth, and lived experience, delivering performances that the audience feels as much as they hear. Sheryl Youngblood is a proud Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee, recipient of the Jus’ Blues Foundation Denise LaSalle Recording of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a Grammy Award winner with Rev. Milton Bronson and the Thompson Community Singers of Chicago.
Sheryl Youngblood is a Delmark Records artist. https://delmark.com/
Bar opens: 5:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:00 p.m.
Performance: 7:00 p.m.
Performance and dinner:
Members $60
Invited Guests $70
Performance only:
Members $20
Invited Guests $25
Make your reservation no later than Monday, April 27 for this exciting performance!
reservations@cliff-chicago.org or call 312-922-8080

The Architectural Table
2026-05-12 12:00 - 13:30
This lively group meets monthly to broach an array of exhilarating architectural topics, highlighting both the good and the bad!
So that we have enough seats at the table, please make a reservation by Friday, April 10 via
reservations@cliff-chicago.org OR call 312-922-8080
Let the office know if you’ll be also be enjoying the buffet.

Wine Tasting & Seminar: Halleck Vineyard
2026-05-15 17:30 - 21:00
Owner Ross Halleck will guide you through a tasting of select wines, each thoughtfully paired with food pairings prepared by Chef Erick.
The seminar will begin at 5:30 pm, at which time food pairings will be served. Those are included in the cost of the seminar.
Seminar and food pairings $30
Additionally, a two course dinner will be available after the seminar for participants. To reserve for the seminar, food pairings, and the following two course dinner, $70
Doors open 5:00 pm
Seminar 5:30 pm
Dinner with Seminar 7:00 pm
Reservations are required by May 8
reservations@cliff-chicago.org or
312-922-8080
NOTE: the club will be open for à la carte dinner reservations, even if you’re not participating in the seminar. Reservations required.

The Cliff Dwellers Book Club discusses A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls
2026-05-16 11:00 - 12:30
A “Riveting” and “Indispensable” account of early 20th century modernism, censorship battles, and LGBTQ history
The Cliff Dwellers Book Club will gather in the Sullivan Room on Saturday, May 16, at 11:00 a.m. to discuss A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls, by Adam Morgan. The book encompasses the life and times of literary pioneer and queer icon Margaret C. Anderson, who risked everything to be the first to publish James Joyce’s Ulysses in America.
Please make a reservation with the club by Friday, May 8.
Planning to stay for the Saturday buffet lunch ($38) as well? Let the staff know when you contact us!

reservations@cliff-chicago.org, or 312-922-8080

The Cliff Dwellers Book Club discusses Fire and Clay
2026-07-18 11:00 - 12:30
A literary journey experiencing the beauty and mystery of Chicago’s buildings.
The Cliff Dwellers Book Club will gather in the Sullivan Room on Saturday, July 18, at 11:00 a.m. to discuss Fire and Clay, by Will Quam.
By the late 1920’s, at the peak of brick making and consumption, Chicago was making over a billion bricks a year for its buildings and importing almost another billion nicer face bricks for their front facades.
In Fire and Clay, Quam explores how developers, architects, and masons followed changing fashions as they designed and built the city, creating connections across disparate neighborhoods.
Please make a reservation with the club by Friday, July 10
Planning to stay for the special Saturday Jazz Brunch ($38) as well? Let the staff know when you contact us!

reservations@cliff-chicago.org, or 312-922-8080
