This is a chance for artists of all sorts in the West Suburbs of Chicago -- whether your medium is expressed visually, verbally, sonically, or some combination -- to cross-pollinate, gather ideas and energy, and find inspiration, consolation and encouragement. The hope is to gather regularly as a group, creating opportunities to organize smaller klatches, as well as opportunities to find like spirit and lasting artistic relationships. We may even be able to organize readings, performances and sh …

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 …

We are an informal group of Shakespeare lovers and "aficionados" of the bard. We welcome interpretations and discussions of the Bard. However, we are Stratfordians. Please keep this in mind when you join. Join us to discuss the brilliant bawdy Bard.

Welcome to Chicago WP Meetup Group! I want to personally thank you for becoming a member. You're in on the ground floor of an exciting WordPress Meetup. Your ideas and attendance at upcoming meetings will help Chicago WP Meetup Group become the number one midwestern USA WP community within the global Meetup.com network. Upcoming Meetups: May 2013 Sat, May 4th, 2013 - 11:00 a.m. -  How to Create a WordPress Crowd Funding Website to Raise Money Now! Thurs, May 9th, 2013 - 6:00 p.m. - Getting Sta …

Meet others who are interested in drawing or painting the figure. We'll try to host a variety of figure drawing sessions, including different venues, different times, and different types of modeling. We now seem to have 3 different groups that are working out. All are on Saturdays currently. We need to try some weekday evenings next, probably Wednesday or Thursday. I'm thinking of trying something new... "do it yourself" hosting. Basically anyone who has any space they can offer, even if it can …

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 …

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 …

Songsalive! is a non profit organization supporting and promoting songwriters and composers worldwide. In Chicago IL, we have songwriting critique workshops with guest speakers the second Saturday of each month. We also have a songwriters showcase on the fourth Thursday of every other month.  www.songsalive.org/group/chicago for more details. Our official website is www.songsalive.org.

This meetup is for anyone who cares about digital content--editors, content strategists, writers, content managers, translators, communicators, and information architects, to name a few.

We believe in the whole writing process, not just the finished product. We see writing as a tool for emotional well-being, self-discovery, self-expression and inspiration. We focus on how writing can be used for emotional well-being and how to launch a successful career as a writer. Whether you love to journal or want to take your writing to the next level, this writing circle is for you. Begin your writing journey today and join now.

These are the voyages of the Western Suburban Science-Fiction Book Club... Our continuing mission: to seek out the most compelling, discussion-provoking science-fiction (and occasionally, fantasy) novels and gather together to chat about them over dinner. It's a pretty good mission. Reading sci-fi suggests certain nerdish... leanings, but don't be afraid: our group is all-inclusive. Yes, I'm sure a few of us qualify as geeks, but we're all socially well-adjusted and reasonably freshly showered t …

Augmented Reality - What is it? Who's working on it? How can you use it? I hope this group can be a meeting place and discussion ground for everyone interested in Augmented Reality (AR); designers, developers, entrepreneurs, writers, students, journalists, and anyone who's interested in AR.

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 …

What would happen if you took a culinary club full of fun foodies and added gourmet reading and travel? Join us for exciting culinary and literary adventures here in Chicago and around the world!  If you enjoy eating, reading, writing, cooking, dining out, reviewing great restaurants and immersing yourself in fascinating new cultures and cuisines, Litereati is for you. Whether you're a professional chef, a food blogger or just someone who enjoys good food and good books shared with friends, you' …

CWN is a group of serious writers who are committed to furthering their work through a workshop-style critique process. We meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Please be sure to read CWN's Critique Guidelines under the Pages tab before you submit your first piece for critique.

Who We Are The Chicago Female-Focused Film Meetup & Festival is a group of film industry artists who are interested in actively participating in the creation, support, development, and promotion of films and screenplays that offer increased opportunities for women in film, especially in broadening the types of roles, stories, ages, body-types, diversity and the overall presence and number of women in film. Members range in experience from student filmmakers to professionals and include writers …

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 …

Do you like conventions about Science Fiction? Fantasy? Gaming? Anime? Horror? Odd stuff in general? The Chicago Conventions group is designed to get people together at conventions and at certain other related events to meet and have fun. Check out the Calendar! Note posts will be created on the calendar about all of the conventions (that I know of) in the Chicago area. If you know of other conventions not listed, send a message to the organizer Leane with whatever details you have and it will g …

Join us at the Chicago Self-Publishing Meetup Group as we explore the dynamic world of self-publishing and indie publishing. We meet every month and we welcome anyone interested in learning about self-publishing: self-published authors who want to learn more or share their experiences writers looking for information on how to self-publish professionals who are not writers but want to publish material related to their work book designers, graphic designers, and ebook formatters publishing indust …

This is group for anyone interested in screenwriting and movies. Newbies, experienced writers and everyone in between are welcome. We will meet to discuss projects we're working on and to check out and discuss movies.

Chicago Blog Week™ Chicago Blog Week™ is a 5-7 day event designed to Connect, Engage and Share your brand with local, national and International Blogs and Bloggers. The first annual Chicago Blog Week™ event will take place August 26-30, 2013 in and around Chicago IL USA. Gain Exposure and Recognition Activities will allow you to promote your blog, gain recognition and exposure for your blog, learn about blogging and meet other bloggers. Events include: 3-day Conference and Expo Blog Awards C …

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!

We want people interested in any form of art, who want to get together with others and spend some time sharing and creating. Whether you are a painter, sculptor, writer, musician, etc. We just want a fun, free atmosphere to enhance your creativity!

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.

Coffee with entrepreneurs, makers, developers, and creatives in the Chicago area. Meet other entrepreneurs and creatives, hear announcements on upcoming startup and creative events, and talk about startup and tech news. What better way could there be to start your day? Have a question? Get it answered at this meetup. Like to network? No problem here. Get caffeinated, start your day, and meet some interesting, creative, and smart people in the city.

Meeting to discuss our own poetry. Working out chinks in the armor, making improvements, listening for sounds, searching for themes and generally becoming more self-aware as a writer, as well as learning to become better self-critics. And of course a good place to chat with other poets and find community, and lay it on thick with pet peeves regarding the state of poetry. We would also go to occasional readings and maybe if everyone is up to it to an Open Mic as well. We will begin by meeting o …

You've seen the ladies of SNL do it. You've seen Mindy Kaling and Lena Dunham do it. Now, with the support of your fellow Chicago commediennes, you can do it too! Share sketch ideas, read a script you've been working on, or meet the other half of your comedy writing dream team. Essay, fiction, and web writers welcome. Even if you don't have any material to test out on this friendly female audience (yet), you'll get inspired just hanging out with some fellow Chicago funny ladies. Join the discuss …

Calling all inspired memoir writers who need a community of writers to put their inspiration into action. Procrastination can be our enemy. Often we need deadlines to kick us into gear to put the pen to paper. All levels are welcome from novice memoirists to published authors. The only requirement is to actually turn in work and respectfully comment on each other's manuscripts.