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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Our group is made up of published and unpublished writers of all types and genres. We meet two times a month, usually on Thursdays. We meet at the Algonquin Public Library’s main (Harnish) branch to read and critique each others work, as well as for “Creativity Cafe,” which will include write-in nights or special workshops. Our goal is to not only to keep the creative juices flowing, but to bring them to fruition by getting our work published. We are an open group – no dues to pay, no obligatio …

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 …

A group for writers in Lake Conty, IL. Write-Ins held on various days at various times and locations. This is not a critique circle, just a group for people with an interest in or passion for writing to get together and write.  All levels welcome from newbies to published authors.

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.

This group has been developed in order to guide individuals to access the positive and healing effects of meditation through writing, journaling, storytelling, poetry, and other forms of creative expression. The group is facilitated by Fred Myrick and Fabrice Lubin affiliates of the Chicago Center for Holistic Counseling.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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

This meet up is the place for storytellers of all genres and levels, anyone who wants to tell a story and of course of people who want to listen. We will meet to discuss our stories in progress, attend different open mics, performances and have our own stage for our stories. Don't feel obligated to speak - stay in your comfort zone. The story bug will bite you as soon as possible anyways. (This site has been used for a previous meet up group, so please ignore former members and comments)