The Cliff Dwellers

Art Deco Society: When the World Went Dry
2024-06-12 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Prohibition: When America embarked on an experiment that proved to be a spectacular failure. Yet, the people who lived through it remembered the era as a wonderful time: jazz, dancing, flappers, short skirts, cocktails, hot cars, and Art Deco design.
In this illustrated presentation, by author Joe Gustaitis, with music by the 1920s specialists Paul Asaro and Erin Riley, we traveled back to this flamboyant era. We heard the stories, learned how it all came about and was ultimately repealed. Recipes for cocktails imbibed in 1920s Chicago were shared; we learned how others traveled abroad to find a drink. And we were treated to authentic songs from the period, many of which were unexpectedly hilarious.

New Cliff Dwellers Poetry Society!
2024-06-07 12:00 - 13:30 UTC
Cliff Dwellers Poetry Society
Meet & Eat
The newly formed Cliff Dwellers Poetry Society will have its first group Meet & Eat chat at the club on Friday, June 7 at noon. You don’t have to be a poet or a scholar to join in! If you have an interest in the beautiful flow of words that make you examine the world, this is the group for you. We’ll learn a little about poetry styles, share some readings and discuss, and maybe try our hand at some poetry ourselves.

Please RSVP if you’ll be dropping in: reservations@cliff-chicago.org, or call 312-922-8080

Divided On D-Day - Edward E. Gordon Discusses His Book, Now in Paperback!
2024-06-06 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Divided on D-Day:
How Leadership Failures Threatened the Normandy Invasion
By Edward E. Gordon & David Ramsay
Prometheus Books, May 2023
On June 6, 2024, our own member and treasurer Ed Gordon took the podium to talk about his new book.
Divided on D-Day: How Leadership Failures Threatened the Normandy Invasion presents a cogent analysis of the myriad obstacles the Allied leaders faced in the planning and execution of the Normandy campaign.
Ed discussed the conflicting egos, personal and national rivalries, and professional abilities of the major Allied commanders, and contends that their lack of cooperation and bad decisions lengthened the war, increased casualties, and allowed the later Soviet domination of Eastern Europe.
Edward E Gordon is an internationally recognized historian, speaker, researcher, and author. For 20 years Dr. Gordon taught at DePaul, Loyola, and Northwestern Universities in Chicago. He has made presentations over the last 30 years at museums, colleges, universities, conferences, and to professional associations and community organizations. Over his career as an historian, Edward E. Gordon’s goal has been to delve into the lessons of history for diverse audiences from many types of organizations
Divided on D-Day’s coauthor is the late David Ramsay, the son of Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay who was the naval-commander-in-chief for the Normandy Invasion and who earlier directed the Dunkirk evacuation.

Club Closed After Lunch
2024-05-31 14:00 - 22:00, 2024-05-21 14:00 - 22:00, 2024-05-07 14:00 - 22:00, 2024-02-06 14:00 - 22:00, 2023-12-06 14:00 - 22:00, 2023-12-05 14:00 - 22:00 UTC
Club closed after lunch due to an exclusive event

Open Mic Night!
2024-05-15 17:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
CALLING ALL TALENT!
Free for all Members!
Chicago’s premier arts hub wants to share your talent with our membership in a fun (and non-judgmental) forum! Come to perform, or come to be entertained! All musical genres are welcome!
Our featured performer and host for the evening: Rachel Goodman
Bar opens at 5pm – Music until 9pm
If you wish to perform (or if you wish to dine as well), RSVP to reservations@cliff-chicago.org, or call 312.922.58080

Cabaret Night! A Smashing Hot Evening with Lynne Jordan
2024-05-14 17:00 - 21:30 (America/Chicago)
In a city brimming with classic blues and jazz divas, Lynne Jordan stands apart. Not only do her soaring vocals dip effortlessly into blues, jazz, funk, rock and even country but her delightfully bawdy personality wins over any crowd.
Jordan’s talent so dazzled Roger Ebert, that the late, great film critic (and Cliff Dwellers member) declared her to be his “favorite diva.” She has performed in Jazz Operas in Europe, brought her sold-out shows to New York, Atlanta and Washington, D.C.; was the featured vocalist with Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues; and, has recorded both solo and with a variety of major music artists. Jordan’s powerful voice and unique style of storytelling lift every song to new heights in the art of cabaret.
Join us for an unforgettable evening with Lynne Jordan, vocals, Ray Glower (keys), Brady Williams (drums) and Maurice Fitzgerald (bass)..
Bar opens: 5:00 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm
Performance: 7:15 pm
Dinner & Performance: $55 Non-member pricing-$60 Performance only: $25
Reservations can be made by email to
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
or by calling 312-922-8080
RSVP by May 9th

Music in the Time of Benjamin Marshall (1874-1944)
2024-05-08 17:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Benjamin Marshall was born on the Southside of Chicago on May 5,1874. A self-taught architect, his elegant buildings include the Drake and Blackstone hotels, the South Shore Country Club (now South Shore Cultural Center), the Edgewater Beach Hotel (now demolished), and luxury apartments on East Lake Shore Drive. But alongside his talent for design, Marshall was also known for his colorful personality that attracted royalty, writers, artists and countless celebrities to his lavish parties.
To celebrate Marshall’s 150th birthday anniversary, we’re re-creating the glamour and dazzle of the Jazz Age with a music program featuring Très Belle Soprano Trio accompanied by pianist Paul Dykstra. Operatic sopranos Marisa Buchheit, Kimberly Jones, and Kirsten Leslie enjoy successful solo careers that have taken them from Carnegie Hall to the Miss America stage to La Scala Opera House in Milan.
A brief introduction by Jane Lepauw, founder of the Benjamin Marshall Society, will set the mood for this jazz-hot evening, and a lighted birthday cake will add more fun to the celebration.

Members and guests are welcome.
5pm – Cash bar opens
6pm – Dinner ($57 member / $62 non-member)
$25 performance only
Reservations are required:
reservations@cliff-chicago.org or call 312-922-8080
Reservations are requested by May 6th.

Live Jazz on the Cliff
2024-05-03 17:30 - 21:00 UTC
♫ Friday, May 3rd : Live Jazz on the Cliff
Please join us for another great night of music
5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
$12 Cover charge to support the artists
Enjoy our trio of returning artists: Andy Brown on guitar, Joe Policastro on bass, and Jeremy Kahn on piano. They will play tribute to the great trios of Oscar Peterson and Nat King Cole.
The trio will perform two sets, 6-7:15 pm and 7:45-9 pm. There will be a cash bar for guests. A buffet dinner is available for $35.
Please RSVP for dinner by Wednesday, May 1st by phone at 312-922-8080, or by email at reservations@cliff-chicago.org
For additional questions or comments, contact Lindsay Hugé at lchuge@aol.com or 773-972-1110

Around the World With a City Planner
2024-05-02 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
City Planner and architect Les Pollock (CD ’91) traveled the world over a four month period observing cities and towns within southeast Asia, China, Russia, the Balkans, Israel and Morocco.
He compares and contrasts places including Singapore, Kuala Lampur, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Shanghai, Ulan Bator, Irkutsk, Moscow, Thessaloniki, and Fez as reported in his recent book Follow the Sun: A City Planner’s Journey Around the World.
5pm-Bar opens
5:30pm-Dinner
$42 members, $46 non-members
6:30pm-Program
Reservations can be made by email to reservations@cliff-chicago.org or by calling 312-922-8080
RSVP by April 30th

Chef Victor's Farewell Luncheon and Financial Gift
2024-04-26 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago)
The Cliff Dweller’s team will certainly miss Chef Victor and his culinary vision he has cultivated over the last 20 years!
Come celebrate Victor’s time at the Club and wish him well as he sets off on a European vacation with his wife. Incoming Chef Erick Salnave will prepare a special luncheon.
He is looking forward to his trip and plans on taking cooking classes abroad.
A Gift For Chef Victor-
We would like to send Victor off on his upcoming travels with a financial gift from membership. You can do this by adding your gift to your Cliff Dwellers account.
Contributions can be charged to your account by sending an e-mail to Elizabeth Zaverdas: elizabeth@ezaccountingllc.com
11:30am-Bar opens
12pm-Luncheon, $35
Reservations can be made by email to reservations@cliff-chicago.org or by calling 312-922-8080

Trivia Night
2024-04-25 18:00 - 20:00, 2024-03-28 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Quiz Master Maggie Baran is back for another round of Trivia.
Reservations are required and can be made by email to reservations@cliff-chicago.org or by calling 312-922-8080.

Prize Homes: Chicago’s Forgotten Architectural Competition
2024-04-24 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Siobhan Moroney, Associate Professor of Politics and Chair of American Studies at Lake Forest College, presented a talk on her book, Chicagoland Dream Houses: How a Mid-Century Architecture Competition Reimagined the American Home.

The Ghost Army of World War II
2024-04-23 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago)
Club members hear from documentarian and author Rick Beyer about the brave combat con-men of World War II, the soldiers of The Ghost Army

Rembrandt Chamber Musicians
2024-03-01 17:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
Check back for details!

The Chicago Literary Club
2024-02-26 17:00 - 21:00, 2024-02-19 17:00 - 21:00, 2024-02-12 17:00 - 21:00, 2024-02-05 17:00 - 21:00 UTC
The Chicago Literary Club meets at the Cliff Dwellers on Monday evening’s
Dinner dining is available to membership on these evenings from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Please be aware that the Literary Club begins their program at 7:30pm

Valentines Day
2024-02-14 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
🍽️ Wednesday, February 14: Valentine’s Day Dinner
Reservations available from 5:30 pm through 7:30 pm
Join us for a special meal!
The three-course meal is $54 per person. Please make your reservation before February 12 by calling 312-922-8080 or by email at reservations@cliff-chicago.org

Club closed for Holiday Break
2023-12-18 - 2024-01-09
Club closed beginning December 18. Club reopens for lunch on January 9.

Children's Holiday Party
2023-12-16 11:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
Saturday, December 16th: Children’s Holiday Party
Our annual Children’s Holiday Party is back! Featuring a child-friendly seasonal buffet, a visit from Santa, crafts, games and entertainment.
It will be a magical time for children of all ages!
The party begins at 11:30 am. Cost is $35 per person.
Please reserve by December 13th by emailing reservations@cliff-chicago.org
or calling 312-922-8080.

Annual Members Holiday Luncheon
2023-12-15 11:30 - 14:30 (America/Chicago)
Friday, December 15th: Member’s Holiday Lunch
Please join us for our annual Member’s Holiday Lunch! We will enjoy a festive buffet created by Chef Victor and warm conversation between members.
The buffet lunch begins at 11:30 am is $34 per person.
Please reserve by emailing reservations@cliff-chicago.org
or calling 312-922-8080. Reservations are appreciated by December 13th.

Live Jazz on the Cliff
2023-12-01 17:00 - 22:00 UTC
♫ Friday, December 1st: Live Jazz on the Cliff
Please join us for another great night of music
5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
A guitar trio led by returning artist Terry Bartolotta on guitar,
Mark Sonksen (also returning) on bass, and Pamela York on piano.
They will perform tributes to the jazz guitarists Grant Green
and Jim Hall.
The trio will perform two sets, 6-7:15 pm and 7:45-9 pm. There will be a cash bar for guests. A buffet dinner is available for $35. Please RSVP
for dinner by Wednesday, November 29th by phone at 312-922-8080,
or by email at reservations@cliff-chicago.org
There will be a $12 cover charge for this event to support the artists.

Annual Holiday Tea
2023-11-30 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Thursday, November 30th–Annual Holiday Tea
Afternoon tea is part of The Cliff Dweller’s history and a lovely seasonal treat. Come and enjoy this midday refreshment, complete with scones, small cakes, assorted sweets, savory finger sandwiches and fine tea. Engage in warm and lively conversation with fellow members and friends over a special cocktail. And thrill at a poem created exclusively for you!

Poems While You Wait is a collective of poets that bring in their vintage typewriters and produce poetry on demand. Three poets from the collective will engage with with us and, in a short time, create a poem for each of us.
Here’s how it works: Upon entering the Club, you will give your name to the poets and provide a “topic” for the poem you would like a poet to write.
(The topic may be specific or abstract, with as much or as little information as you choose. No topic is too big or too small, too funny or too sad, too silly or too serious). While you sip your tea, the magic will happen. At the close of the event you will be presented with a custom-made, one-of-a-kind poem to keep for yourself or to give away as a gift!
More fun:
Gifted vocalist Jamie O’ Reilly will delight us with her musical stylings. And, our own Ed Torrez (CD’ 17) brings even more cheer as we gather around the piano to sing old familiar songs.
2:30pm-Bar Opens
3pm-Buffet ($36)
Reservations are required:
reservations@cliff-chicago.org
or call 312-922-8080
Reservations are requested by November 28th
