Cliff Dwellers Poetry Society Lunch
2025-03-14 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
Join in for Good Conversation and Good Food!
Stop by, chat, or just listen in as we discuss various poetic themes and verses! The Cliff Dwellers Poetry Society welcomes everyone to join the table for discussion and lunch. Reservations are requested, but not mandatory.
reservations@cliff-chicago.org, or call 312-922-8080

Rembrandt Chamber Musicians
2025-03-14 17:00 - 21:00
20th Century Romance
Members of the Cliff Dwellers are cordially invited to attend a concert by The Rembrandt Chamber Musicians.
An advance ticket is required for anyone attending the concert. Tickets must be purchased directly from The Rembrandt Musicians. Tickets are available right up to the time of the concert, unless the concert is sold out.
To purchase tickets, copy and paste the address below into your browser, and use the code for a club discount. There are tickets for many different performance on this site, so be sure you chose the one at the Cliff Dwellers on March 14.
https://rembrandtchambermusicians.vbotickets.com/events
Discount Code: VILLAGE2425
Program:
Shostakovich
5 Pieces for 2 Violins and Piano
Moszkowski
Suite for Two Violins and Piano
– intermission –
Korngold
Piano Quintet
Members attending the concert who would like a three-course dinner prior to the performance should make reservations by March 7 at reservations@cliff-chicago.org or 312-922-8080
Three-course dinner: $46 for members, $52 non-members
5 p.m. – Bar opens
6 p.m. – Dinner (3-course meal)
7 p.m. – Performance

Sketch Club
2025-03-15 10:00 - 12:00
Sketch at the Art Institute!
The Cliff Dwellers Sketch Club will meet at 10:30 am in the South Entry of the Field Museum, on Saturday, March 15th. We’ll draw at the Museum. We’ll regroup to share our work at noon and have lunch at the museum cafe. You may bring a small foldable stool/chair to make sketching easier.
All are welcome!
What is the Cliff Dwellers Sketch Club?
Open to all skill levels.
Casual, non-judgmental
Learn from each other, meet, sketch, and have fun!
Please join us to make a sketch and share it with others!

Theatre Club - Goodman Theatre's Betrayal
2025-03-26 17:30 - 22:00
Join the Cliff Dwellers Theatre Club for our next outing to the Goodman Theatre for a production of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, starring Helen Hunt.

https://www.goodmantheatre.org/show/betrayal/

We’ll meet for dinner at the Club first (optional), then Uber over to the theater. Times to be locked in soon.

Show Ticket Price: $90 (this includes our group discount) There’ll be a nominal additional cost to cover the Uber ride.
Show time: 7:30 p.m.
The show runs 90 minutes, and is performed without intermission.
Let Rick Frendt know if you’re in for this night on the town and more camaraderie with fellow theatre lovers. Send him a note at rfrendt@comcast.net.
IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO EAT DINNER AT THE CLUB with the group before the show, mention that to Rick when you write as he’ll take care of making a group reservation for dinner.
Hope to see you at the show!

Club Open for Lunch Only
2025-04-01 14:00 - 21:00
Club will be open for LUNCH ONLY due to a private event in the evening.

Gallery Opening!
2025-04-03 17:00 - 20:00
The newest installation in the Cliff Dwellers’ gallery opens on Thursday, April 3rd. 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Featuring:
Sculpture by R. Rashad Reed
Photography by member Steve Geer
Photography and watercolor by member Gerry Labedz
Drawings and paintings by our Sketch Club artists
Work by Artist In Residence, Emily Graslie
Stop to enjoy “opening night” from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Jazz Night
2025-04-04 17:30 - 22:30
Drummer Isaiah Spencer led a group performing jazz classics by Monk, Duke, Miles, Basie and more. Isaiah is a leading local drum artist and teacher, and has performed with Wynton Marsalis and many of Chicago’s top jazz talents on all our major stages.

The Architectural Table's Maiden Voyage
2025-04-08 12:00 - 13:30
Cliff Dwellers gathered in the Sullivan room on April 8th for their first monthly conversation about Architecture. We discussed some of the prominent Chicago architects who were members in the early years of the club, as well as future topics for the Architectural Table. Some of our current architect members attended, but all are were welcome to listen in or join the conversation in what promises to be an exciting addition to the Cliff Dwellers offerings.
Future meetings will be held in the Sullivan Room at noon on the second Tuesday of each month. Enjoy the monthly buffet and a lively discussion about the built environment.

Monthly Lunch Buffet
2025-04-08 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-13 12:00 - 14:00
A monthly buffet lunch served from 12:00pm to 2:00pm.

Traveler in the Mist: A celebration of the Poet, Elise Paschen
2025-04-11 17:00 - 21:00
The Cliff Dwellers Celebrated our Honorary Member, Poet Elise Paschen
Elise Paschen (C Honorary Member ’20), an enrolled member of the Osage Nation, is an important Chicago writer and the author of six poetry collections. Her poems have been published widely to great acclaim. Besides editing or co-editing numerous anthologies such as The Eloquent Poem and the New York Times best-seller Poetry Speaks to Children, she is co-founder of Poetry in Motion, a nationwide program that places poetry posters in subway cars and buses. Dr. Paschen teaches in the MFA Writing Program at the School of Art Institute of Chicago.
The Cliff Dwellers celebrated Elise Paschen’s impactful creative voice and her distinguished career with an enchanting program, which included music by Bill Buchholtz, stories by Dr. Lisa Yun Lee, and poetry readings by Rachel DeWoskin and Thea Goodman. The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame (Don Evans) partnered with us to ensure a truly dynamic event!

Sketch Club Outing
2025-04-12 10:00 - 12:00
The Cliff Dwellers Sketchers
will meet at 10 a.m. in the Grand Army of the Republic Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center on Saturday, April 12. Bring your art gear and get ready to draw! The Sketch Club is open to everyone, no matter if you’re an artist by trade or a doodler on napkins. We’re a non-judgemental, supportive, fun bunch of friendly folks. Lunch to follow at a nearby location we’ll decide on that day.

Business of Art Forum
2025-04-17 18:30 - 20:00
The next Business of Art Forum will be Thursday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. The evening’s focus will be on collaborative exhibits and how to create them. In addition, bring your ideas or resources that you’d like to share with the group.
If you’re interested and able to attend the Art Forum, RSVP to:
Rick Yorde CD ’24
color2wood@gmail.com
Dinner is available at the club from 5:00- 6:30 p.m. with a reservation:
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
312-922-8080

Good Friday-Club Open for Lunch Only
2025-04-18 14:00 - 21:00
Good Friday-Club will close after lunch service

Poetry Society Lunch
2025-04-22 12:00 - 13:30
Order a delicious lunch, or just come and share your thoughts or listen in.
The poet of the day will be Federico Garcia Lorca (1898-1936).
We’ll look at two of his works:
City That Does Not Sleep
Norm and Paradise of the Blacks
Reservations for lunch are required:
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
or by calling 312-922-8080

Northern Illinois University Jazz Orchestra
2025-04-22 17:00 - 21:00
Enjoy a Night of Superb Jazz!
The Northern Illinois University Jazz Program, established in 1969, is nationally recognized for its outstanding legacy of jazz education, innovation, and musical excellence. Under the leadership of accomplished faculty and our very own, Roosevelt Griffin CD 25′, who are celebrated performers and educators, the program offered a comprehensive training through award-winning ensembles, individual mentorship, and diverse performance opportunities.
5 p.m. – Bar opens
6 p.m. – Dinner Service
7 p.m. – Performance
Dinner and Performance: $50 members
Performance Only: $20 (limited seating)
Reservations are required by April 15: reservations@cliff-chicago.org or 312-922-8080

The Northern Illinois University Jazz Orchestra is back!
2025-04-22 17:00 - 21:00
Enjoy a Night of Superb Jazz!
Dizzy Gillespie once called the Northern Illinois University Jazz Program the best in the country, with many of the band members becoming part of “The Dizzy Band”. Established in 1969, the group is nationally recognized for its outstanding legacy of jazz education, innovation, and musical excellence. The Jazz Orchestra currently thrives under the leadership of our very own, Roosevelt Griffin CD 25′, a celebrated performer and educator. The program offers comprehensive training through award-winning ensembles, individual mentorship, and diverse performance opportunities.
5 p.m. – Bar opens
6 p.m. – Dinner Service
7 p.m. – Performance
Dinner and Performance: $60 Members, $70 Invited Guests
Performance Only: $20 Members, $30 Invited Guests (limited seating)
Reservations are required by April 15: reservations@cliff-chicago.org or 312-922-8080

A Concert for George Manning
2025-04-23 17:00 - 19:00
A piano performance by Yulia Lipmanovich in honor of George Manning
George E. Manning II (CD ’13) was a remarkable man and treasured member of the Club up until his passing on January 13, 2025. He was deeply spiritual, an accomplished musician, and among many other things, gifted with an exceptionally generous spirit.
Yulia Lipmanovich (CD ’24), an elegant concert pianist and distinguished piano teacher, gave private piano lessons to one of the many young students George mentored and supported over the years. George very much wanted Yulia to give a concert at the Club.
This is that concert! It will fill the Club with beautiful music (Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt, Schubert, Schumann), have us share memories of George, and together we will celebrate a most admirable life.
5:00 p.m. – Appetizers
5:30 p.m. – Program
6:00 p.m. – Concert
Dessert following the concert
Cost: $25
Reservations required by Wednesday, April 16
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
312-922-8080

Board Meeting
2025-04-25 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-05-16 12:00 - 14:00

Plein Air Painting Demo and Discussion
2025-04-26 09:30 - 15:15
Presented by the Plein Air Painters of Chicago
Mark April 26 on your calendar for an exciting lecture, demonstration, and discussion on the art of painting outdoors.
Cost for the event: $75 (includes the event and lunch)
Sign up through EventBrite, select the PACP member option:
https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.eventbrite.com%2Fe%2Fi-heart-plein-air-2025-tickets-1277016985179%3Faff%3Doddtdtcreator&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cdfa00bdcc02e4239df7008dd6b01da45%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638784377884261997%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uXEQHq9AyOpsKatioEvsfxJ7jI0AEsMgNkrePB37ld0%3D&reserved=0)

Schedule for the day:
9:30 – 10:00 : Check-in
10:00 – 10:45 : Jeff Nigro discusses “Intent” in the art of Turner, Constable and Freidrich
10:45 – 11:00 : Break
11:00 – 12:00 : Demos in Watercolor and Oils
12:00 – 1:00 : Lunch
1:00 – 1:45 : Artist’s Talk
1:45 – 2:45 : Plein Air Panel Discussion Update on the 2025 Season, closing remarks
3:00 – 3:15 : Adjourn
The Plein Air Painters Chicago encourage the experience of painting the city of Chicago – the Lake, the skyline, the neighborhoods, the grit and the grime, as well as the natural beauty. We paint on-site in the open air, on beautiful days, and sometimes in extreme weather. We offer members opportunities to paint, critiques to improve their painting, educational events, exhbits to promote visibility and sales, and general camaraderie among painters.

Cliff Dwellers Theatre Club - "Berlin" at the Court Theatre
2025-04-30 17:00 - 21:30
Come along to the next Theatre Club Outing:
World Premiere of Berlin at the Court Theatre
Wednesday, April 20, 2025
Dinner: 5:15 p.m.
Curtain time: 7:30 p.m.
Berlin is an unforgettable mosaic of intersecting narratives set amidst the decline of Weimar Germany.
Facism is taking hold, revolutionaries are organizing, creatives are trying to capture the ineffable nature of their changing city; and – as everything falls apart – everyone is faced with a choice: abandon Berlin or fight to survive.
Senior Artistic Consultant Charles Newell (The Gospel at Colonus) directs Mickle Maher’s propulsive adaptation, an ever-shifting kaeidoscope of everyday people trying to survive one of the most remarkable moments in history. Set almost one hundred years ago, Berlin speaks to our current moment, and our future, with undeniable urgency.
Estimated Maximum Show Only Ticket Cost – $71.50
(possible discount if we get 10 or more attendees)
Dinner and transportation to and from the theatre, as always, will be optional features of our evening!
Planning on coming? Contact:
Rick Frendt
rfrendt@comcast.net
708-359-806
Let Rick know if you’ll be dining with the group, as he will make the reservation for everyone.

Club Closed After Lunch
2025-05-06 14:00 - 21:00, 2025-05-13 14:00 - 21:00
After lunch the Club will be closed for a private event.

Poetry Society Lunch
2025-05-09 12:00 - 13:30
Come by and join the group for what always promises to be a lively discussion of verse. Don’t worry… no formal training or study of poetry is required! Cliff Dweller poet Rosina Neginsky will moderate the day’s discussion and present selections from her work.
Reservations for lunch are required:
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
or by calling 312-922-8080

Rembrandt Chamber Musicians
2025-05-09 17:00 - 21:00
“Sound Czech”
Members of the Cliff Dwellers are cordially invided to attend a concert by the Rembrandt Chamber Musicians.
“Sound Czech.” While the title is a good-natured pun, it also raises a question that has been asked repeatedly over the centuries during nationalist debates abou music. Can a particular country have a singular “authentic” music? What does it mean to “sound Czech,” exactly?
An advance ticket is required for anyone attending the concert. Tickets must be purchased directly from the Rembrandt Musicians. Tickets are available right up to the time of the concert, unless the concert is sold out.
To purchase tickets, use this link, and the code for the club discount. There are tickets for many different performances on this site, so be sure you choose the one at the Cliff Dwellers on May 9.
https://rembrandtchambermusicians.vbotickets.com/events
Discount Code: VILLAGE2425
—-
Members attending the concert who would like to partake in a 3-course dinner prior to the performance should make reservations with the Cliff Dwellers by May 2.
reservations@cliff-chicago.org or 3121-922-8080
Three-course dinner: $46 for members, $52 for non-members
5 p.m. – Bar opens
6 p.m. – 3-course Dinner served
7 p.m. – Performance

MUSICAL PROGRAM NOTES:
ARTISTS:
Black Oak Ensemble: Desiree Ruhstrat, violin; Aurelien Fort Pederzoli, viola; David Cunlife, cello; John Macfarlane violin; Carol Cook; Sydney Lee, cello
PROGRAM:
– DVORAK: Terzetto in C major
– Gideon KLEIN: String Trio (1944)
– Intermission
– DVORAK: String Sextet in A Major, Op. 48

Sketch Club Outing
2025-05-10 10:00 - 12:00
The Cliff Dwellers Sketchers
will meet at 10 a.m. at the Chicago Athletic Association on Saturday, May 10. We’ll gather in the 2nd floor lobby, and sketch inside or outside, weather depending. Bring your art gear and get ready to draw! The Sketch Club is open to everyone, no matter if you’re an artist by trade or a doodler on napkins. We’re a non-judgemental, supportive, fun bunch of friendly folks. Lunch to follow around noon, most likely at the Athletic Association.

The Architectural Table
2025-05-13 12:00 - 13:30
Take part in the Cliff Dwellers newest member Club, The Architectural Table. We touch on a myriad of architectural aspects, and in the Cliff Dwellers tradition, guarantee that the dialogue will be lively, good-spirited, and filled with fascinating information and opinion.
All are welcome to listen in or join the conversation in what promises to be an exciting addition to the Cliff Dwellers offerings.
Join the group in the Sullivan Room at noon on the second Tuesday of each month. Enjoy the monthly buffet and a lively discussion about the built environment.
Call or email the Club to grab a seat at the table:
reservations@cliff-chicago.org / 312-922-8080

Come Celebrate Our New Members!
2025-05-14 17:00 - 19:00
Welcome the Cliff Dwellers’ newest members at this “getting to know you” meet-up. Long-term members will have the opportunity to share stories with those whose club experience is just beginning. From special events to our many active clubs to dining and cocktails on the terrace, we can’t wait for our new members to become engaged in all that the Cliff Dwellers offers. Let’s all join in and toast our new friends with a hearty ZIVIO at this fun event!
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Cocktails and Light Appetizers
Cost: $20 per Member
DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS: May 9, 2025
email reservations@cliff-chicago.org or call 312-922-8080

Cabaret Night with Lynne Jordan
2025-05-15 17:00 - 21:00
Chicago’s favorite Diva, Lynne Jordan, presents A Night of Cabaret
Lynne Jordan covers the full spectrum of dynamic hits. From classic Blues to sneaky double entendre to Disco, her amazing vocals and stylings will enchant the room. Featured in the show are the songs of Alberta Hunter, Ruth Brown, Nina Simone, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Gayner, Donna Summer, and Jill Scott.
Backed by powerhouse band The Shivers, this is cabaret at its most energetic – and with Lynne’s richly diverse performance style – this night will be truly spectacular!
5:00 p.m. – Bar opens
6:00 p.m. – Dinner
7:15 p.m. – Performance
Dinner & Performance:
$60 Members
Reservations are required by May 8
email: reservations@cliff-chicago.org or call: 3121-922-8080
