I'm a 27 year-old New York transplant (born here, nice to be back) looking for some cool comrades of any age to share/workshop with in a relaxed setting (my apt. has killer views!) with the record player turning and the libations flowing. I'm a published poet working on my second chapbook and I'm heavily influenced by Patti Smith, old-school punk rock, the beauty in the gritty and vinyls. If you like that kind of stuff--awesome. If not--awesome. I'd also like to do a poetry "book club," where we …

We're a roving performance art showcase where just about anything goes -- stand-up? poetry? dance? juggling? political commentary? dramatic reading? musician? singer? If you love entertaining an audience... BRING IT! Likewise... if you love to be entertained, come out and see for yourself what all the hype is about! We started this community to give performers a friendly audience and a welcoming environment of kindred spirits and artistic souls. You may show up a stranger, but you go home a frie …

Art Appreciation is the understanding of the timeless qualities that characterise all great art. So too is philosophy concerned with universality and truth. What is your relationship to art? Why is art meaningful to you? This group explores the great world of art, aesthetic experience, and its relation to philosophy.  We will be looking at all types of media from painting to music, poetry and film. Also see these other philosophy groups in Chicago: Greek Philosophy: http://www.meetup.com/So …

What is Off Campus Writers’ Workshop? Ever since 1946, OCWW has encouraged and inspired Chicago-area writers in developing their writing avocations. OCWW meets every Thursday morning from September to May. A variety of speakers will elevate your writing technique with a diversity of topics, amongst which can be genre fiction, nonfiction, children’s lit, contemporary simmerings of romance fiction, poetry, publishing and the implication of ebooks. Here, you will achieve your individual writing goa …

I've yet to find a writing group that really clicks for me, so I thought I'd start my own. This would be a group for writers of all stripes who want to meet up on a regular basis to share their work, exchange constructive criticism and most likely drink a beer or two. I want this to be a fun and casual group, but I also want it populated with people who are passionate about words and the arrangement thereof. Whether it's a poem, essay, short story or novel, I just want to do the damn thing and s …

Meet with writers and poets who are motivated to publish their own work or who just enjoy writing for themselves. Share your own work and listen to others. Meet with local authors who can share their experiences with being published. Gain some valuable feedback of your work. Make some new friends who might help to inspire you to accomplish your goals and keep you writing on.

This circle is created to inspire and move LGBT women to a higher and more peaceful level of energetic activity. Through art, music, awareness (enlightenment), poetry, and communion this circle builds on the development of that creative process. Within the chambers of each these experiences, lives an opportunity to develop a more complete and whole relationship with self, others and our environment.

This is a group for people who are working on writing a novel, short story, and poem. We'll get together once a week at different locations in Chicago, depending on what's most convenient and give each other constructive criticism and ideas on our literary pieces. Looking forward to meeting all of you!

"New Funky Funk Millennium". N.F.F.M. Welcome music lovers of all genres, If you are serious about your music career and like to meet-up to discuss some ways to enhance your singing or performance abilities with one another, let's meet-up and have a forum. I engineer digital music and I am looking to meet others who can contribute towards their own creativities because Music comes from everywhere and whether it is coming from the likes of Rap, Rock, Soul, Classical, Funk, Pop Instrumental, scori …

Woman Know Thyself ~WKT is a group of girlfriends from every race and culture that KNOWS! how to have a good time, and make lasting memories.  We are here to empower and inspire one another to live our best lives NOW!. If you are looking to have a great time this summer, we would love to meet you if you are interested in creating real solid friendships. Here we will host events like ladies night out, women's conferences, natural hair and wellness expos, shopping extravaganza's, spa days, poetry …

Meet other local writers and let creativity bloom! Come to the Writers Circle to review work, trade literary tips, make friends and have fun! All writers -- and should-be writers -- are welcome! The best way to develop your skills as a writer is to practice, practice, and practice some more. Yet we all know that writing by yourself can be a lonely occupation, that misses out on the all-important motivation component. Therefore, it may help to join the writers circle--a band of peers who will rea …

It's a new year, 2013, so lets raise the vibration of love, live boldly, be extraordinary, share in laughter, with community, all while opening to our deepest nature through creative expression. Wow! This Women’s Circle is about building a community of women that come together to create spiritually inspired works of the hand and heart. With intentions for fun, laughter, silence, stories, music, meditation, healing exercises, creating and gifting, all bringing together an exchange of ideas and …

This group is for published, established and working writers who seek fraternity, conversation and friendship. Join if you're a published/established/working writer looking for the company of your peers, and seeking like-minded companions for talk, dining, museums, films, concerts, travel and other activities.

First and foremost: We are not a critique group. We are not a workshop group. We are a group of writers who get together to...just write. This is a group that meets to WRITE, to socialize, and to offer encouragement and inspiration to others as we practice our craft. We're focused on the process, not the product.  Writing can be a solitary activity...but it doesn't have to be. This is a group where the focus is actually on DOING the work as opposed to critiquing already finished works. I found s …

Are you WAY past the bar scene and looking to make some quality friends your own age while exploring some great venues?! Let's explore the neighborhoods, restaurants, pubs, BYOB's, festivals, theatre, coffee shops, brunches, bands and all that the Northside of the city has to offer! I am a professional living in Lincoln Square and I would like to meet other professionals who are social, friendly and down to earth... like I am! :) Please be a college educated professional in your 30's or 40's...s …

This is a group for Christian believers who love to enjoy life and get away from the mundanities of life. From 1-4 hour festivities to mini-vacations, we can get away from the ordinary! Bible studies and church events are great, but this group focuses on exhibiting what we learn in Christ outside of a church setting understanding that a believer's life should demonstrate the Love of God in interactions with people and gatherings outside of the church. The Word of God tells us to: "Be wise in the …

Feeling stuck, in a rut? Has life become dull or purposeless? Need a boost to your creativity? Just want to unearth your creativity? Join me for The Artist's Way. Based on Julia Cameron's book of the same title, we will create a very safe, nurturing community in which to discover and/or rejuvenate your creative self.

The Evanston Writers Group is an eclectic mix of writers, ranging from beginners to long time professionals, and reflect all ages, genders and backgrounds. We have members who publish literary fiction, creative non-fiction, children's literature, romance, hard-boiled crime, memoir, travel, poetry, humor and assorted forms of the unclassifiable. Because we are fearless and a little nuts, we open our minds to anyone and any thing. We'll bend and stretch ourselves like soft licorice to dig your s …

Anyone willing to give a thoughtful, honest, yet respectful, critique is welcome.  Many topics, genres and forms are welcome (Ex. chapter of a novel, short story, play, poem, article, essay, etc.).  While publishing is a worthy goal, the focus of this group is helping writers fine tune works, which either have literary value or are otherwise substantive (i.e. scholarly).  All such works are welcome. Those concerned with poverty, and / or human and animal rights and welfare, and similar issues (i …

We hope to critique each other's drafts of all sorts in a mutually supportive and awesome environment. This group is invite-only to ensure that we stay tiny (hence the name). We meet about twice a month and share drafts to read a few days in advance. We're into all sorts of writing styles, from humorous to serious to abstract. Many of us are sex-positive feminists; if you're not down with that please don't apply.

Sacred Harp singing is a form of 'a cappella' singing that regularly takes place in communities across the United States and beyond.  It has brought people together to sing in living rooms, churches, and community centers since 1844.  It is rich in history and tradition, and it continues to be a thriving form of American shape note singing.  Its distinctive melodies and harmonies attract many singers for a lifelong journey of singing.  Sacred Harp singing made its way to Chicago thirty years ago …

This group started in May 2011, and we've read novels by Joyce, Malraux, Kafka, Wright, Mishima, Faulkner, Nabokov, Unamuno, Ellison, Hamsun, Woolf, Biely, Gide, and many others.  We try to have a good time discussing the books without descending to small talk, think critically without descending to pedantry, etc. Also, as the title shows, we've expanded our reading list since the group started.  We don't really want to title the group something as vague as "Chicago Literature Group," etc., and …

Saturday Morning Mini Retreat... Living Peace, Love, and Joy. Refresh, Re-energize, and Renew, as we utilize music, guided meditation, delve into inspiring texts, and share our gifts of joy through sharing of music, art, poetry and creativity. Join us as we AWAKEN the divine spirit within ! A morning coffee/tea chat by fireside or on the patio depending on the weather.

The Nimatullahi Sufi Order is a spiritual discipline dedicated to the selfless service and love of all human beings. The foundation of our spiritual endeavors rests upon the practice of ceaselessly remembering God in thought, word and deed. Our guiding principles are firmly rooted in the tradition of chivalry (futuwwa in Arabic and javanmardi in Persian) in the Middle East, where relations among members of society were based on selfless service and consideration of others first and foremost. Un …

We are committed to engage one in the creative endeavor, cultivate the spiritual life, encourage sacred conversations, promote growth in one’s faith journey, and nurture those engaged in personal transformation