The Village Chicago

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies
2026-03-28 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Members & guests–free
Every Saturday afternoon, join fellow film aficionados of the Village for an in-depth organic discussion of films new and old. Watch the selected film any time–or enjoy the discussion and be persuaded to view it after!
This week’s film is: Song Sung Blue: 2025, 132min; on Amazon and other

A warm-hearted, fun biopic of the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightening & Thunder. Meet Mike and Claire Sardina (Hugh Jackman & Kate Hudson), two Milwaukeeans who enjoy state fairs, singing, and each other. A very enjoyable love story with great music. And it’s true. There’s also a 2008 documentary by the same name. Maybe you remember Lightening & Thunder. Kate Hudson was nominated for best actress for her role. Both Hudson and Jackman did their own singing.

Brain Spa
2026-03-31 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-14 11:00 - 12:00
Members & guests–free. RSVP below!
This is a virtual Zoom session held every other week, open to anyone who would like to get connected to others, practice skills and exercise their brain. Join us for puzzles and challenges, storytelling and reminiscing in a comfortable and casual environment. These sessions will be an hour long and are meant to be fun and interactive. You don’t need to attend all sessions to participate, feel free to drop in whenever you would like!

Great Books, Great Conversations
2026-04-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Location: via Zoom

Members and guests – Free!
This ongoing Village discussion group meets online the first Wednesday of each month to discuss a selection of short readings from an anthology published by The Great Books Foundation. Although the group has been meeting for years, they are very welcoming to new members!
Beginning in December of 2023, the group will be reading from the anthology Imperfect Ideal: Utopian and Dystopian Visions. These short, engaging readings illustrate the best and worst of what can happen when we attempt to mold the complex communities in which we live into our vision of a perfect state. All 23 selections in this anthology challenge readers to question how society should be structured and governed, as well as what kinds of communities are most conducive to human fulfillment, both privately and in the civic arena. The readings are sure to spark conversations that are relevant to current events in our city, nation and world.

Great Books, Great Conversations
2026-04-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Location: via Zoom

Members and guests – Free!
This ongoing Village discussion group meets online the first Wednesday of each month to discuss a selection of short readings from an anthology published by The Great Books Foundation. Although the group has been meeting for years, they are very welcoming to new members!
“Life of Nicias”
by Plutarch

Reading is in Volume 4, Great Conversations
(Book is available for no charge.
Email highrenn@aol.com to request a copy)

“Why does Plutarch say that Nicias owes his importance to his wealth and prestige rather than his military successes?”
War. What is it good for?

Weekly Walks Around North Pond
2026-04-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-04-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Meet in front of North Pond Restaurant, 2610 N. Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL, United States
Members & guests: free
The weekly walks are back! Enjoy some exercise and conversation every Thursday morning with new and established friends. Registrants receive ongoing reminders, including cancellation notices for inclement weather – no need to register each time. Path is paved and accessible for those using mobility aids.

Memoir Workshop: From Memory to Story
2026-04-02 15:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-09 15:00 - 16:30, 2026-04-16 15:00 - 16:30 | The Village Chicago Office, 2502 N Clark, Chicago, United States
A six week series
Thursdays from 3-4:30pm
Members: $60. Non-members: $90 (click here to register)
Do you have stories you’ve been meaning to write down, but aren’t sure how to start? This memoir class uses guided prompts to generate new material, short mini-lessons on craft, and easy revision tools that show what’s working and what to strengthen. Sharing is always optional. By the end, you’ll have a small portfolio of revised, reader-ready pieces plus a practical method you can use anytime to turn memory into story.

The full list of dates are March 12, 19, 26; April 2, 9, 16

Space is limited – register now!

Short Story Intergenerational Discussions
2026-04-02 17:00 - 18:00
Members & guests–free. To RSVP, please scroll down. The day before each discussion, registered attendees will receive a confirmation email with a link to join via Zoom.
RSVP to Join! This is an ongoing discussion group. After you register, you will receive weekly emails with Zoom details and a link to that week’s story. While the group meets weekly, members and guests are welcome to drop in for one or all discussions.

There is no meeting this week.

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies
2026-04-04 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Members & guests–free
Every Saturday afternoon, join fellow film aficionados of the Village for an in-depth organic discussion of films new and old. Watch the selected film any time–or enjoy the discussion and be persuaded to view it after!
Easy A: 2010, 93min, On Amazon & others $4

Emma Stone, before 2010, did several films (Superbad, Zombieland), but she burst onto the scene in Easy A, much like her character Olive. A smart, entertaining highschool movie about what happens to a small lie in the day and age of cellphones and social media. Yes, the “A” refers to the Scarlet Letter. Great, enjoyable supporting roles include Stanley Tucci, Patricia Clarkson, Thomas Hayden Church, Lisa Kudrow. Enjoy!

Conversational Spanish
2026-04-06 11:00 - 12:00 | Village Office, 2502 N. Clark, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Online registration for this event is now closed. Please call 773-248-8700 to register for this event.
Location: The Village Chicago office (2502 N Clark St)

Members & guests: free

Join member Ray Enriquez for a welcoming and informal Spanish conversation class. Various levels are welcome – this is a place to practice your spoken Spanish whether you are just beginning or more advanced. Space is limited – register now!

Monthly Intergenerational Trivia at D'Agostino's
2026-04-06 19:30 | D’Agostino’s Wrigleyville, 1351 W Addison St, Chicago, 60613, United States
Presented by the Bridging Generations Board

Members & guests: free; food & drink self-hosted

Test your trivia skills at this new monthly event! The first Monday of the month, BGB and Village members will be meeting at D’Agostino’s in Wrigleyville for a few rounds of trivia. All 21+ are welcome but RSVPs are required.

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Launched in 2019, The Bridging Generations Professionals Board is a group of young adults who firmly believe in the importance of multigenerational relationships at work and in the community. The events they have organized include book, short story and documentary discussion groups; intimate multigenerational dinners, community volunteerism, Trivia nights and more.

"Wired Wisdom: How to Age Better Online” with author John Palfrey
2026-04-07 14:00 - 15:00
Join the Chicago Area Villages Collaborative for a moderated discussion with John Palfrey, co-author of Wired Wisdom: How to Age Better Online.
Click here to join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89312935887?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 893 1293 5887
Passcode: CAV
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,89312935887#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Chicago)

Event Info:
Wired Wisdom is an eye-opening book on the internet’s fastest-growing demographic, researchers Eszter Hargittai and John Palfrey offer a more nuanced picture—debunking common myths about older adults’ internet use to offer hope and a necessary call to action. Incorporating original interviews and survey results from thousands of people sixty and over, Wired Wisdom shows that many, in fact, use technology in ways that put younger peers to shame. Over-sixties are often nimble online and quicker to abandon social media platforms that don’t meet their needs. Despite being targeted more often, they also may be less likely to fall for scams than younger peers. And fake news actually fools fewer people over sixty, who have far more experience evaluating sources and detecting propaganda. Still, there are unseen risks and missed opportunities for this group. Hargittai and Palfrey offer practical advice and show that our stereotypes can be hurdles that keep us from building intergenerational support communities, helping loved ones adopt new technology that may improve their lives, and thriving together online.
Receive 30% off your book purchase from University of Chicago Press with code: UCPNEW
John Palfrey is president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. He is the author or coauthor of several books, including Born Digital: How Children Grow Up in a Digital Age and The Connected Parent: An Expert Guide to Parenting in a Digital World. He is based in Chicago.

What is the Chicago Area Villages Collaborative?
There are eight “Villages” in the Chicago area, all part of the International Village Movement—grassroots organizations of older adults designed to help people age and thrive in their communities. Each Village reflects its community and leadership.
We invite you to contact a Village in your area to learn more about what we do and how you can join.
South Loop, Bronzeville: South Loop Village, https://www.southloopvillage.org/
Oak Park/ River Forest: Arbor West Neighbors, https://www.arborwestneighbors.org/join
South Side/Hyde Park: Hyde Park Village, https://www.chpv.org/
Far North Side: Edgewater Village Chicago https://www.evchicago.org/
North Shore suburbs: North Shore Village Network https://www.nsvnetwork.org/
Edgewater Beach Apartments: LiveAgeWell, https://www.liveagewell.com/
Streeterville, River North, Gold Coast, Loop: Skyline Village Chicago https://www.skylinevillagechicago.org/
Lincoln Park, Near North side: The Village Chicago https://www.thevillagechicago.org/

Curious Village
2026-04-08 11:00 - 12:30 | Belmont Village Lincoln Park, 700 West Fullerton, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
If you would like to register for this event, please call 773.248.8700. Thank you.
Join this in-person group for a lively discussion and presentation each month Hosted by Belmont Village on Fullerton in Lincoln Park, all are welcome!
Join us this month for a presentation on The Kennedy Assassination Revisited with Village member Torry Duffy.
In March 2025, over 77,000 pages of previously classified documents related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy were released, providing new insights into the CIA’s activities during that time. However, these documents did not significantly alter the established conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination.
Here is a link to a story about the release of the files, which includes a photo you might use and more details.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/03/18/jfk-assassination-files-released-trump/82517699007/

New Member Happy Hour
2026-04-08 16:30 - 18:00 | Aster Hall, 900 N Michigan, Chicago, IL, United States
Members & guests: free; light refreshments provided
Whether you joined the Village in the past year or are an established member looking for new connections, this fun Happy Hour event is the perfect way to celebrate the growing Village community. Join us in welcoming our newest Village members!

Short Story Intergenerational Discussions
2026-04-09 17:00 - 18:00
Members & guests–free. To RSVP, please scroll down. The day before each discussion, registered attendees will receive a confirmation email with a link to join via Zoom.
RSVP to Join! This is an ongoing discussion group. After you register, you will receive weekly emails with Zoom details and a link to that week’s story. While the group meets weekly, members and guests are welcome to drop in for one or all discussions.
This week the group is reading “Jesus Shaves” by David Sedaris

Conversational French
2026-04-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Chicago Public Library – Lincoln Park Branch, 1150 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Members & guests: free

Join member Beverly Livingston for a welcoming and informal French conversation class. This is a place to practice your speaking skills and learn some colloquial French. Various levels are welcome, but some experience is suggested. This event is accessible.

Balance and Fall Prevention
2026-04-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Fyzical Lincoln Park, 2555 N Clark, Chicago, 60614, United States
Balance and Fall Prevention with Fyzical
Members & Guests: Free.
Join The Village Chicago, in partnership with Fyzical Lincoln Park for an informative and interactive program on Balance and Fall Prevention. This hands-on program is presented by Clayton McClure, physical therapist and clinic director, and will cover prevention techniques, tips, recovery options, and more. Space is limited, so register today!

Saturday Afternoon at the Movies
2026-04-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Members & guests–free
Every Saturday afternoon, join fellow film aficionados of the Village for an in-depth organic discussion of films new and old. Watch the selected film any time–or enjoy the discussion and be persuaded to view it after!
The Choral, 2025, 118min, On Amazon & others for $6

In 1916, the Choral Society of a small English town needs choir members to replace those now fighting in WWI. It also needs a new choir master. Despite its suspicions he might have something to hide, it chooses Ralph Fiennes (Conclave, English Patient, Red Dragon, so many others) since he’s disciplined, driven, and available having just returned from a career in Germany. Will it all come together … harmoniously?

Birding on the Lakefront with David Baker
2026-04-11 16:00 - 17:30 | Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary, The Magic Hedge, 4400 N. Simonds Dr., Chicago, 60640, United States
Join David Baker, Village Chicago member, at Montrose Point for a Saturday afternoon
bird walk on April 11, 2026. We will start at 4 pm (so all you late sleepers don’t have an
excuse). And finish between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. Birds are filtering in from the south by
now, and some of the wintering birds from the arctic will still be around. Come join us to
see the first thrushes and warblers amidst the sparrows and blackbirds. Dress in layers
with good walking shoes and bring binoculars if you have them.

Happy Hour Fundraiser with Life 3.0 and the Bridging Generations Board
2026-04-14 17:00 - 19:00
Click here to purchase your tickets today!
This event will take place at the beautiful and conveniently located Old Town Triangle Association in Lincoln Park from 5-7PM on Tuesday, April 14th, and is a fantastic opportunity to meet new members and supporters of the Village from the community and see old friend.

We will have light bites and refreshments, raffles and more. All proceeds will go towards furnishing and stocking our new communal space at the Village office where members will be able to spend time, socialize, attend classes and enjoy.

Event tickets are $30 for one, two for $55. Please use promo code HappyHour for a free raffle ticket with event ticket purchase!
Click here to purchase your tickets today!

Crossing the Bridge
2026-04-15 11:00 - 12:00 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Location: via Zoom
Members & guests: free.

Death Cafe has evolved! Crossing the Bridge is a safe space to share personal feelings about death as we support and learn from each other. In addition to exploring our own thoughts, we talk about books, films, legislative developments, organizations, and other topics related to death and dying. All are welcome!

Reading the Rainbow: Alligator Tears by Edgar Gomez
2026-04-15 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom, Chicago, IL, United States
Location: via Zoom
Members & guests: free
Reading the Rainbow is a bi-monthly book discussion group featuring a lively conversation of LGBTQ+ texts. People of all identities, including allies, are welcome!

April’s selection is Alligator Tears: A Memoir in Essays by Edgar Gomez
Following up from his acclaimed debut, Edgar Gomez’s sophomore effort is a collection of essays about the harsh reality of growing up in poverty and attempting to achieve the American Dream. Despite his hardships, Gomez writes with the humor and affection that continues to win praise for his work, garnering multiple ‘Best of the Year’ awards in 2025.

Alligator Tears is available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook forms. You can click here to purchase.

RTA Group Transportation Seminar: Your Guide to Travel Independence Lunch-and-Learn
2026-04-16 12:30 - 14:00 | Chicago Public Library – Lincoln Park Branch, 1150 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Members & guests: Free.
Want to learn how older adults and people living with disabilities can save money on public transportation? Want to learn how to make sure your trip on public transit is accessible? Join the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and The Village Chicago as we talk about accessible public transportation options and traveling independently.
Light lunch will be served during the presentation
Topics include:
RTA’s Free Travel Training
RTA’s Fare Programs (Reduced Fare/Ride Free cards)
ADA Paratransit
Rideshare Access Program (RAP)
Taxi Access Program (TAP)
*If you would like to apply for a Reduced Fare or Ride Free car, please bring a valid (non-expired) government-issued ID
Presented by RTA Mobility Outreach Coordinator, Katie Garrity
Light Lunch will be served during the presentation.
Presentation: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Social: 1:30 – 2 pm

Short Story Intergenerational Discussions
2026-04-16 17:00 - 18:00
Members & guests–free. To RSVP, please scroll down. The day before each discussion, registered attendees will receive a confirmation email with a link to join via Zoom.
RSVP to Join! This is an ongoing discussion group. After you register, you will receive weekly emails with Zoom details and a link to that week’s story. While the group meets weekly, members and guests are welcome to drop in for one or all discussions.
This week the group is reading: The Nightingale and the rose by Oscar Wilde

Monthly Game Day
2026-04-17 13:00 - 14:30 | The Village Chicago Office, 2502 N Clark, Chicago, United States
Members & guests: free.
Join us for our Monthly Game Day! We are excited to announce that Game Day will now be held at the Village offices: 2502 N Clark St. Join us for laughter and lighthearted competition, and great company!
Check back soon to see which game will be featured in April!
This event is accessible.
