What we’re about
The Windy City Wine Meetup is a group of friends who enjoy wine, food, spirits and social activities throughout Chicagoland. We're primarily based in the city, but will take excursions from time to time in search of new venues & events.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions. As of 9/10/23, I have taken over this group from Tom Besore as he moved out of state. I will continue with the weekly wine meetups in the summer at Millenium park as we all love those gatherings. I will add a lot of year round events like dinners with wine pairings, wine classes, wine tastings, wine festivals and maybe an out of town trip to nearby vineyards in Michigan.
I run another meetup group called, 1001 Things to See In Chicago Before You Die since 2018 so I am an experienced organizer. We will do a lot of events together with our above sister group so please consider joining that in addition to the wine group. That group is extremely active with 4-5 events a week with all kinds of different events like walking tours, historical sites, museums, live music, festivals and unique experiences! Click here to join: https://4142298.xyz/1001-things-to-see-in-chicago-before-you-die/
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us via meetup.
Giovina Romandine (organizer)
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Exclusive Tour with Guide of St Alphonsus Catholic Church in LakeviewSt Alphonsus Church, Chicago, IL
Join us for a captivating visit to St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, a true masterpiece where history and spirituality blend seamlessly. Discover the beauty and importance of this remarkable place with our exclusive guided tour. Don't miss this unique opportunity!
The church features a striking weathered green copper bell tower, which has stood as a landmark at the intersection of Southport, Lincoln, and Wellington since 1896. Inside, the Gothic Revival design boasts a royal blue ceiling adorned with pointed arches and golden ribwork, complemented by stunning murals, sculptures, stained glass windows, and bas-reliefs.
We will have a private docent-led tour through the church. Before the tour, we are allowed to walk around and take pictures. Since we are getting a private guided tour, there is a $10 fee per person. I will collect $10 from everyone and give it to the Saint Alphonsus Church in appreciation of the tour. Please bring CASH for the donation! If necessary, I can accept Zelle, Venmo & PayPal so I can give one big group donation after the tour. All need to check in with me at the start of the tour & pay me directly~
The tour promises to be an enlightening event on a Saturday morning. It is an event that brings multiple meetup groups together! Although it's not exclusively a photo tour, there will be ample chances to snap pictures!
Note there is a baptism at 1 pm so we will have to take pictures before the tour. Therefore, we will meet at 11:30 am to walk around before 12 pm.
After the tour, some of us will get lunch at one of the many nearby places:
Golden Apple Grille & Breakfast House 2971 N Lincoln Ave, http://www.goldenapplegrill.com/
S&G Restaurant 3000 N Lincoln Ave, http://www.sandg-chicago.com/All are welcome to join! BRING CASH IF JOINING FOR LUNCH, AS SOME VENUES Don't accept separate checks!
St. Alphonsus Parish was established in 1882, before the annexation of the Lakeview area into the City of Chicago. It was created to serve the growing Catholic population in the region, which expanded as people moved beyond the city limits following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The church primarily catered to the large German community in Lakeview and continues to hold a German mass, in addition to hosting a wonderful Oktoberfest.
St. Alphonsus was a central hub for the city's German community. Its interior features a beautifully restored royal blue ceiling, murals, stained glass, and other stunning elements. The church also owns the Athenaeum Theater, originally a German community center and folk opera venue.
With its towering central bell tower clad in weathered green copper, St. Alphonsus has been a prominent landmark at the six-way intersection of Southport, Lincoln, and Wellington since its completion in 1896. The parish was founded by the Redemptorist Fathers and became a significant center for Chicago's north-side German community. The Gothic Revival interior showcases a striking blue ceiling with pointed arches and golden ribwork in starburst patterns. This ceiling was restored following a fire in 1950. Additional features include murals, statuary, stained glass, and bas-reliefs that enhance the rich interior.
St Alphonsus was designed by Architects: Boos, Bettinghofer, Schrader & Conradi and completed in 1896. A devasting fire in 1950 gutted the church but it was restored and rededicated in 1952.
The Athenaeum Theater next to the church was originally founded by the Redemptorist Fathers of St. Alphonsus, as “a home for the intellectual, physical, and social intercourse” of their parishioners. Since its opening in 1911, the Athenaeum has continually served as a place for beauty, community, and the arts. It is Chicago’s oldest continuously operating Off-Loop theatre.
The Athenaeum was designed by architect, Hermann J. Gaul. Opened for the public and the parishioners of St. Alphonsus in 1911. Built for opera, dance, orchestral, and dramatic productions. Total Size is: 66,000 sqft and total seating: 1,220. In 2021 it was redeveloped with 4 million in renovations. The newly formed Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture (ACTC) is a new unique, state-of-the-art event space in the heart of Chicago for pre and post-show events, conferences, lectures, and other gatherings.
https://www.stalphonsuschicago.org/
https://athenaeumcenter.org/If you are taking public transportation, please check Google Maps for directions or use CTA trip planner. https://www.transitchicago.com/planatrip/ easily accessible by bus and train
If you are driving, metered street parking is on Southport, Lincoln or Wellington. Some free side street parking. A large parking lot for the church is located on Oakdale Avenue and a smaller lot is located on Southport Avenue. We can park in the lot during the tour!
PLEASE KEEP RSVP UP TO DATE AND DO NOT BE A NO SHOW!
- Chicago Community Chorus Holiday Concert featuring 1001 Members in the Choir!Greater Harvest Baptist Church, Chicago, IL
Two of our meetup members, Amanda Meek & Marlyse Wiebenga are choir members of the Chicago Community Chorus (Soprano II), and they will be singing in the holiday concert. We have gone to this concert a couple of times, and it is always a very moving performance! Let's go back and get into the holiday spirit! Their motto is, "Where Everybody Loves to Sing!"
They are singing holiday songs from all over the world. You will not be disappointed!
You need to buy a ticket to attend. You can purchase a ticket to attend in person OR online viewing (the YouTube option). YOU CAN ALSO PURCHASE AT THE DOOR ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT!
Here is the link to buy a ticket on Eventbrite: Songs of the Season - 2024 You can buy a season pass for the Holiday and Spring Concerts for $40 ($20 per concert) OR just Pick the Holiday concert ONLY for $25 a person on 12/7/24 at 3 pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chicago-community-chorus-season-22-holiday-spring-concerts-await-tickets-1060941216739
If you do not think you will be able to attend the 4/5/25 spring concert then just buy the holiday concert ticket. Also can buy at the door!
Welcome to the Chicago Community Chorus's (CCC) 22nd season! Get ready for a year filled with the uplifting theme, “Every Voice Sings!” where every note will celebrate diversity, unity, and community. Under the inspiring leadership of Dr. Keith T. Hampton, the chorus will bring to life a dynamic mix of traditional holiday melodies, powerful world music, and beloved film scores.With over 130 talented singers, CCC has been celebrated for more than 20 years for bringing vocal excellence to the Chicago area. This season, you can catch the magic at live December and April performances or join from home via a live-streamed concert on CCC’s YouTube channel. Don’t miss your chance to save with a SEASON PASS—snag an adult pass for both concerts at just $40 by purchasing before midnight on November 17, and experience two extraordinary shows at a 20% discount!
Join us in celebrating a season where every voice truly sings!
After the concert, some of us will grab dinner in nearby Hyde Park. Location to be determined. All are welcome to join us! BRING CASH is joining for dinner afterward!If you drive, the church has a parking lot but that fills quickly. There is free parking on State Street. BEST TO CARPOOL!
PLEASE NOTE OUR CURRENT NO SHOW POLICY:
- 3 no-shows without updating your rsvp and you will not be able to sign up for future events for 3 months
- cut-off time to update your rsvp is the start time of the event. If you miss the start time, then message the event host directly
- not checking in with the event host to notify them you have arrived (for walks, tours or festivals type of events)
- continual no shows will result in removal from the group!
