Fall Writers Group 1
2026-08-15 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-08-22 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-08-29 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | the pub house, 2150 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL, 60647
A weekly writers’ group focused on creating community and improving craft by mutually reading and discussing each other’s work.

Each session will begin with a free write. This is very loose and allows for some flexibility for people to arrive after the start. After this, we will jump into the critique, which will be split into two sections.

In Section One, the author cannot speak and will listen to the initial reactions from everyone else in the group for 30 minutes. In Section Two, the author will have the opportunity to respond to the critique and ask any questions they would like clarification on. Both sections are very conversational! Fiction or creative nonfiction only (1500-3000 words). Hosted by Carly Travis and Maxx Zenisek.

Midwest Reading Group
2026-08-15 13:00 - 15:00
When you pick up the pub at a coffee shop or a bookstore, you are always in a Chicago place. An awareness of this place in which we all live can fortify our shared position as writers, readers, thinkers, and workers of the Midwest. But what exactly is this Midwest we live in now? What has this Chicago grown from? the pub’s Midwest Reading Group focuses on these questions.

For our second rotation of Midwest Reading Group, we’ll be reading William Cronon’s “Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West.” Finalist for the 1992 Pulitzer Prize, this history of 19th century Chicago “is the story of city and country becoming ever more tightly bound in a system so powerful that it reshaped the American landscape and transformed American culture. The world that emerged is our own.” Reach out to midwestreadinggroup@gmail.com with questions. Hosted by Lillian Lippold.

Reading Schedule:

For 8/15: Chapters 1 and 2—p. 23 thru 96

For 8/29: Chapter 3—p. 97 thru 147

For 9/12: Chapter 4—p. 148 thru 206

For 9/26: Chapter 5—p. 207 thru 262

For 10/10: Chapters 6 and 7—p. 263 thru 340

For 10/24: Chapter 8 and Epilogue—p. 341 thru end

Movie Night
2026-08-15 19:30 - 21:00
Come kick back on the couch for a relaxed projector movie night. Tickets include popcorn!

Check back closer to the event for movie details.

Fall Writers Group 2
2026-08-16 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-08-23 11:00 - 12:30, 2026-08-30 11:00 - 12:30

Lino Cut Workshop
2026-08-20 18:30 - 21:00
Learn how to make your own prints with lino cut! Taught by Madi Fang, artist and illustrator of the pub’s Blue Line Column, participants will learn how to carve their own designs, roll ink, and apply their lino cut stamp to paper. This class is intended for beginners, but artists who want to review instruction or want a space to craft more intricate designs are welcome. Supplies provided and you get to take your stamp home.

This Just in Comedy!
2026-08-21 19:00 - 20:30
BREAKING! In our frantic world, the news never seems to stop but at “This Just in Comedy,” neither do the jokes! Chicago’s best stand up comedians share their hilarious takes on everything going on, current events, and every headline that makes you say, “Is this really happening?” Stop the doom scrolling and come laugh with the funniest people in the city about the news!

Producers: John McCombs, Alex Tsakanikas

Doors open at 6:45 pm; show starts at 7:15 pm. $12 ticket online/$15 ticket at the door. Check back closer to the event for the ticket link here.

Book Swap
2026-08-21 19:00 - 21:00
In the same vein as our Bring Your Own Vinyl Night, we want to encourage folks to share what interests them! Bring a few books that you love and are willing to swap with another attendee!

We’ll do three book swaps total, at 7:30pm, 8pm and 8:30pm. See you there!

Collage Night
2026-08-27 18:00 - 21:00
A community collage series aiming to create a small, cozy vibe to give folks a community to make art in. The goal is to just play around with collage making.

Materials are provided for collage, stencils, some lino cut, and general art supplies to work on collages. $5 suggested donation for supplies at the event. Hosted by Ian Fugett.

BYOV Night
2026-08-28 18:00 - 22:00
Join us for an evening of music exploration into the night. Music selection will be curated by our readers on a first come, first serve basis, and will be tied to the event’s theme. Check back later for this month’s theme. Bring a vinyl you think everyone else should hear, and be ready to be put on to something you haven’t heard before!

Midwest Reading Group
2026-08-29 13:00 - 15:00
When you pick up the pub at a coffee shop or a bookstore, you are always in a Chicago place. An awareness of this place in which we all live can fortify our shared position as writers, readers, thinkers, and workers of the Midwest. But what exactly is this Midwest we live in now? What has this Chicago grown from? the pub’s Midwest Reading Group focuses on these questions.

For our second rotation of Midwest Reading Group, we’ll be reading William Cronon’s “Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West.” Finalist for the 1992 Pulitzer Prize, this history of 19th century Chicago “is the story of city and country becoming ever more tightly bound in a system so powerful that it reshaped the American landscape and transformed American culture. The world that emerged is our own.” Reach out to midwestreadinggroup@gmail.com with questions. Hosted by Lillian Lippold.

Reading Schedule:

For 8/29: Chapter 3—p. 97 thru 147

For 9/12: Chapter 4—p. 148 thru 206

For 9/26: Chapter 5—p. 207 thru 262

For 10/10: Chapters 6 and 7—p. 263 thru 340

For 10/24: Chapter 8 and Epilogue—p. 341 thru end

Midwest Reading Group
2026-09-12 13:00 - 15:00
When you pick up the pub at a coffee shop or a bookstore, you are always in a Chicago place. An awareness of this place in which we all live can fortify our shared position as writers, readers, thinkers, and workers of the Midwest. But what exactly is this Midwest we live in now? What has this Chicago grown from? the pub’s Midwest Reading Group focuses on these questions.

For our second rotation of Midwest Reading Group, we’ll be reading William Cronon’s “Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West.” Finalist for the 1992 Pulitzer Prize, this history of 19th century Chicago “is the story of city and country becoming ever more tightly bound in a system so powerful that it reshaped the American landscape and transformed American culture. The world that emerged is our own.” Reach out to midwestreadinggroup@gmail.com with questions. Hosted by Lillian Lippold.

Reading Schedule:

For 9/12: Chapter 4—p. 148 thru 206

For 9/26: Chapter 5—p. 207 thru 262

For 10/10: Chapters 6 and 7—p. 263 thru 340

For 10/24: Chapter 8 and Epilogue—p. 341 thru end

Midwest Reading Group
2026-09-26 13:00 - 15:00
When you pick up the pub at a coffee shop or a bookstore, you are always in a Chicago place. An awareness of this place in which we all live can fortify our shared position as writers, readers, thinkers, and workers of the Midwest. But what exactly is this Midwest we live in now? What has this Chicago grown from? the pub’s Midwest Reading Group focuses on these questions.

For our second rotation of Midwest Reading Group, we’ll be reading William Cronon’s “Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West.” Finalist for the 1992 Pulitzer Prize, this history of 19th century Chicago “is the story of city and country becoming ever more tightly bound in a system so powerful that it reshaped the American landscape and transformed American culture. The world that emerged is our own.” Reach out to midwestreadinggroup@gmail.com with questions. Hosted by Lillian Lippold.

Reading Schedule:

For 9/26: Chapter 5—p. 207 thru 262

For 10/10: Chapters 6 and 7—p. 263 thru 340

For 10/24: Chapter 8 and Epilogue—p. 341 thru end

Midwest Reading Group
2026-10-10 13:00 - 15:00
When you pick up the pub at a coffee shop or a bookstore, you are always in a Chicago place. An awareness of this place in which we all live can fortify our shared position as writers, readers, thinkers, and workers of the Midwest. But what exactly is this Midwest we live in now? What has this Chicago grown from? the pub’s Midwest Reading Group focuses on these questions.

For our second rotation of Midwest Reading Group, we’ll be reading William Cronon’s “Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West.” Finalist for the 1992 Pulitzer Prize, this history of 19th century Chicago “is the story of city and country becoming ever more tightly bound in a system so powerful that it reshaped the American landscape and transformed American culture. The world that emerged is our own.” Reach out to midwestreadinggroup@gmail.com with questions. Hosted by Lillian Lippold.

Reading Schedule:

For 10/10: Chapters 6 and 7—p. 263 thru 340

For 10/24: Chapter 8 and Epilogue—p. 341 thru end

Midwest Reading Group
2026-10-24 13:00 - 15:00
When you pick up the pub at a coffee shop or a bookstore, you are always in a Chicago place. An awareness of this place in which we all live can fortify our shared position as writers, readers, thinkers, and workers of the Midwest. But what exactly is this Midwest we live in now? What has this Chicago grown from? the pub’s Midwest Reading Group focuses on these questions.

For our second rotation of Midwest Reading Group, we’ll be reading William Cronon’s “Nature’s Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West.” Finalist for the 1992 Pulitzer Prize, this history of 19th century Chicago “is the story of city and country becoming ever more tightly bound in a system so powerful that it reshaped the American landscape and transformed American culture. The world that emerged is our own.” Reach out to midwestreadinggroup@gmail.com with questions. Hosted by Lillian Lippold.

Reading Schedule:

For 10/24: Chapter 8 and Epilogue—p. 341 thru end
