The Cliff Dwellers

Jessica Choe and Susan Warner Concert
2025-09-24 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
A very special Classical Music Event and Dining Experience
The Cliff Dwellers presented a special performance of classical piano and clarinet, paired with delicious food offerings for each piece from our very own Chef Erick. Each course was explained by the musical artists as the performance proceeded, and the dishes were accompanied by curated wine pairings.
Member Jessica Choe, along with Susan Warner, will perform.
Our performers:
Korean American pianist Jessica Choe began her musical studies at the age of three in Seoul, Korea, where she was a winner of several national youth piano competitions. Since immigrating to the U.S. in 1988, she has performed in many American concert halls, including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood, and the Wolf Trap. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two children.
Susan Warner is Assistant Principal Clarinetist of the Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra. In addition to her position at the opera house, Susan is a member of the Lyric Ensemble, a chamber ensemble comprised of Lyric Orchestra colleagues. Susan and her husband, CSO hornist David Griffin, live in Oak Park together with their children.

Club Closed after lunch
2025-09-19 14:00 - 23:00, 2025-09-09 14:00 - 23:00 (America/Chicago)

Board Meeting
2025-09-19 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-22 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-18 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)

Sketch Club
2025-09-16 17:00 - 20:30, 2025-08-05 17:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
The Cliff Dwellers Sketchers
Come by when you can from 5-7 for drawing, with dinner at 7. 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-judgmental, supportive, fun bunch of friendly folks.
Please remember to make a reservation for dinner if you plan on dining after drawing!
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
312-922-8080

Saturday Brunch!
2025-09-13 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
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, September 5
reservations@cliff-chicago.org or 312-922-8080

The Cliff Dwellers Book Club - Negroland
2025-09-13 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
Negroland – by Margo Jefferson
The Cliff Dwellers Book Club met on Saturday, September 13, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sullivan Room.

Mr. Wolf - Theatre Club Outing
2025-09-12 17:15 - 22:30 (America/Chicago)
The Cliff Dwellers Theatre Club’s last outing was to Chicago’s renowned Steppenwolf Theatre for the Chicago premiere of Mr Wolf.
12 years ago, Theresa was stolen from her parents. Now a precocious 15-year-old, she has been rescued and returned to a family that had nearly forsaken hope – a family she neither recognizes nor understands. What makes a house a home, and what nightmares are we willing to face for the sake of our children?
Dinner at the Club pre-show: 5:15 p.m.
Curtain time: 7:30 p.m.
Show Tickets Only: $72.50
(Optional dinner at the Club before the show and Uber transportation are additional costs.)
Contact Rick Frendt at
rfrendt@comcast.net / 708-359-0806

A Celebration Of Our New Members!
2025-09-10 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
The Cliff Dwellers welcomed our newest members at this “getting to know you” meet-up. Long-term members had 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 encouraged all our new members to become engaged in all that the Cliff Dwellers offers. Toast our new friends with a hearty ZIVIO!

Monthly Lunch Buffet
2025-09-09 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-12 12:00 - 14:00, 2025-07-08 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago)
Great food and great company at our monthly buffet lunch served from 12:00pm to 2:00pm.

The Architectural Table
2025-09-09 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
You don’t have to be an architect to appreciate or talk about the majestic (and not-so-majestic!) buildings around us. 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 has proven 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.
The day’s topic: William Lebaron Jenney in Chicago (presented in memory of John Notz, who organized a monthly Jenney discussion group at the Cliff Dwellers)
Call or email the Club to grab a seat at the table, and let us know if you’ll be enjoying the lunch buffet:
reservations@cliff-chicago.org / 312-922-8080

Club Closed After Lunch
2025-08-29 14:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
The Club will close for the Labor Day Weekend at 2 p.m.

The Cliff Dwellers Book Club - Chicago: The Second City
2025-08-23 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
Chicago: The Second City
The Cliff Dwellers Book Club met on Saturday, August 23, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sullivan Room.
Joan Pantsios moderated a discussion on Chicago: The Second City, by A.J. Leibling. Based on a series of articles written for the New Yorker, the book also responds to correspondence received by Leibling from Chicago-area residents following the stories’ publication.
New members are always welcome!

Angels In America - Theatre outing
2025-08-15 19:00 - 22:30 (America/Chicago)
The Cliff Dwellers joined members of the Union League Club Chicago to see a performance of Tony Kushner’s Award-Winning drama Angels In America, Part 1: Millenium Approaches.
First staged in 1993, the expansive, poetic play explored themes of political corruption, homophobia, and the impact of a national health crisis (AIDS), which resonated deeply with the current political and social climate.
Contact Rick Frendt at
rfrendt@comcast.net / 708-359-0806

Air and Water Show Luncheon w/Parachute Team
2025-08-15 11:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
The Cliff Dwellers are honored to host a visit by the Chicago Air and Water Show parachutist team! Come on in to enjoy lunch and meet the team.
Doors open: 11:30 a.m.
Luncheon served: Noon
Cost: $38
Reservations for lunch are required by Friday, August 8
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
3121-922-8080

Air and Water Show Dinner with Show Pilots
2025-08-14 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
The Cliff Dwellers are honored to host a visit by the Chicago Air and Water Show show pilots! Come on in to enjoy dinner, meet team members, and listen to a short, informative talk.
Bar open: 5:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:00 p.m.
Talk: 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $50
Reservations are required by Thursday, August 7
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
3121-922-8080

The Architectural Table
2025-08-12 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
You don’t have to be an architect to appreciate or talk about the majestic (and not-so-majestic!) buildings around us. 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.
We meet 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

Poetry Society Lunch
2025-08-08 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
Come by and join the group for what always promises to be a lively discussion of verse. This week’s discussion we will be reading poems from Chicago writer/poet Stuart Dybeck.
Reservations for lunch are required to make sure we have room at the table for everyone:
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
or by calling 312-922-8080

Club closed for Lollapalooza
2025-08-01 14:00 - 22:00 UTC
Club closed after lunch on Friday and reopens for lunch on Tuesday

Lollapalooza Watch Party
2025-07-31 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
The Cliff Dwellers are hosting an opening night of Lollapalooza party on the terrace!
Bar opens at 5:00 p.m.
Tapas served at 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $34
Reservations required by Thursday, July 24
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
or 3121-922-8080

The Color Purple - Matinee Theatre Club Outing
2025-07-26 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Brunch and a Show anyone?
The Cliff Dwellers Theatre Club’s next adventure will take us to The Goodman Theatre on Saturday, July 26th (2 p.m. matinee) to see the critically acclaimed stage musical, The Color Purple. Based on Alice Walker’s novel, the show tells the story of Celie and her journey of self-discovery and resilience in the American South. The musical features a score blending gospel, jazz, and blues, and has been praised for its powereful portrayal of love, redemption, and triumph over adversity.

Attendees also have the option of taking advantage of the Club’s Summer Saturday Brunch, pre-show.

What: The Color Purple
Where: The Goodman Theatre (with optional brunch at the Club before the show)
When: Saturday, July 26, 2 p.m. matinee
Cost: Discounted Group Ticket price (show only) $100
Optional Brunch: $32

Interested?
Contact Rick Frendt no later than Monday, July 14 at
rfrendt@comcast.net
or call 708-359-0805

If you plan on attending the brunch also, and if you’d like to use available Uber transportation to and from the Club to the Goodman, please mention that to Rick when you contact him. We will make the group brunch reservation with the club, so no need to reserve that spot yourself.

Summer Saturday Brunch Buffet
2025-07-26 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
A special Saturday buffet brunch will be served starting at 11:30 am, with a last seating at 1:30 pm. Come on down and sample Elsa’s summer cocktail creations and Chef Erick’s masterful culinary offerings.

Brunch Cost: $32
Delicious Summer Cocktail Specials: $14
Reserve your spot by Friday, July 19
reservations@cliff-chicago.org or 312-922-8080

The Cliff Dwellers Book Club - The Magnificent Medills: America's Royal Family of Journalism
2025-07-26 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
The Magnificent Medills: America’s Royal Family of Journalism During a Century of Turbulent Splendor
The Cliff Dwellers Book Club will meet on Saturday, July 26, at 11:00 a.m. in the Sullivan Room.
Russ Flack will moderate the discussion of The Magnificent Medills: America’s Royal family of Journalism During a Century of Turbulent Splendor, by local author Megan McKinney. The meeting coincides with the Cliff Dweller’s Saturday summer brunch schedule, so add a lovely meal after a fascinating discussion!
If you plan to stay for brunch (11:30 – 1:30 p.m. – $32), please be sure to make a reservation by Friday, July 18:
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
or 312-922-8080.
New members are always welcome!

Sketching on the Terrace!
2025-07-18 17:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
The Cliff Dwellers Sketchers
are hoping for sunshine and warm weather when we meet for some evening drawing and dinner on the Club terrace (inside if it rains) on Friday, July 18. Come by when you can from 5-7 for drawing, with dinner at 7. 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-judgmental, supportive, fun bunch of friendly folks.
Please remember to make a reservation for dinner if you plan on dining after drawing!
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
312-922-8080

Poetry Society Lunch
2025-07-11 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
Come by and join the group for what always promises to be a lively discussion of verse. This week, our very own Cliff Dweller Don Evans (president of the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame) will lead a discussion on the collection of poems he co-edited, “Wherever I’m At: An Anthology of Chicago Poetry”.
Reservations for lunch are required to make sure we have room at the table for everyone:
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
or by calling 312-922-8080
