Conversation with London Mensans 8 AM. Join a video chat with our kin from across the big pond in London at 2 PM BDT. RSVP (via Meetup preferred) to local host Carey S. to receive the Zoom sign-in information. The London host is Ian David Moseley.
Virtual Event!!

Downtown Musicians Meetup 11 AM. We are a group of hobbyist/amateur musicians who enjoy playing music together. We have also done a few open mics around Chicagoland. Open to all acoustic instruments and voices. All experience levels welcome. Join us at the Harold Washington Library Center Music Practice Room - Chamber Room, located at 400 S. State St. in Chicago (south loop). The Chamber Room contains a baby grand piano, music stands, and chairs. The purpose of the Chamber Room is to be a rehearsal area for small acoustic or vocal music ensembles of 3 to 10 people. Located on the 8th floor of the library. No amplifiers or drums are allowed. Feel free to bring a song to share or join in on ones we have been learning. For more details and to RSVP , visit Meetup. or contact Brian G.directly. He will host this event every other Saturday.
New Event not in ChiMe!!

Ethnic Dining 11 AM. We’re avoiding Mother’s Day weekend but honoring Mother North American Culture by participating in a Pow Wow (4th Annual NAISA Traditional Spring Pow Wow) at Welsh Ryan Arena, 2705 Ashland Ave. in Evanston (about ½ mile from RTA or CTA trains). Educational, DEI event, families encouraged. More details on Meetup. Admission is free. Food will be subsidized by GOBS limited to 20 people. Each Chicago Mensa member may bring one guest. RSVP by 11 AM, Friday, May 2nd via Meetup (strongly preferred) or by emailing Carey S. directly and, for each person in your party, include 1) their full name and 2) their CAM membership status. If you need to cancel, let Carey know ASAP since your fellow CAM Ms may be waitlisted and would love your spot. Please try to avoid cancelling after the RSVP deadline, but if you must, contact Carey by mobile phone, which you may also use if you are lost or will be late. If possible, text first, then call, as he may not hear it ring. For Ethnic Dining notifications, updates, and all the details, join the Mensa Connect Ethnic Dining Group, but do not use it to RSVP. This event recurs on the 2nd Sunday of the month.
Date Change!!

Trivia Night in Western Springs 6 PM. Due to the overwhelming positive feedback, we're thrilled to announce a repeat performance! Join us for another Trivia night at Ambi Bar and Grill, located at 8116 Archer Ave. in Willow Springs. We look forward to seeing you in Willow Springs for an evening of wit, wisdom, and fellowship! This is a GOBS-subsidized event. GOBS will cover half of your meal cost (including tax and tip, rounded up to the nearest dollar) up to a maximum of $15 per person (CAM member and one guest). Cash or Zelle will be accepted for the remaining amount. The subsidy increases to $20 if fewer than 16 people register. Limit is 20 people (first come, first served). RSVP by Thursday, May 1st to Dorin R. with the number of attendees so we can get a headcount.

CultureQuest® XXXVI 3 PM. Today, all across the country as well as Canada, all at the same time, teams of Mensa members will participate in a 90-minutes-long contest to test cultural literacy administered by American Mensa. Prizes will be award­ed to twenty “Classic” (no age restrictions) teams and one “Next Generation” (youth) team with the highest scores! Get all the details including, if you want your team to meet virtually, how to request your own Discord channel. After CultureQuest® has ended, you may use the Reimbursement Form to get your approved GOBS funds. We wish our teams the best of luck today!

Conversation with London Mensans 8 AM. See Thursday, May 1st.
Virtual Event!!

Zoom Lunch 1 PM. Perhaps the longest running Mensa event anywhere, Chicago’s Zoom Lunch (formerly known as the Downtown Lunch) is held every week, alternating between Tuesday and Thursday. Join us for conversation, laughs, and attempts to define words you’ll never use again. The Zoom id is 836 1178 6315 and the passcode is 190710; it is also included as part of your host Jon G.’s contact information if you prefer a link. Questions? Contact Jon via email or call/text him. You may also RSVP via Meetup. We’d love to have you join us!
Virtual Event!!

Rock­ford-Area Dinner 6:30 PM. Join Dave and other Rockford-Area Mensans for dinner at Chavez Mexican Restaurante lo­cated at 5494 E. State St. in Rockford (on the north side of State Street just west of St. Anthony Hospital). To RSVP , for more information, or to get on our email list, contact Dave L., our Rockford-Area Coördinator. RSVP required in case of cancellation, time, or venue change. Do not RSVP via Meetup. This event usually recurs on the second Friday of the month.

Games & Conversation at the WWHfWM 7 PM. Let’s play some games! Mind Games attendees will have some new games to play (so bring them along) and, of course, our cabinets are full of games and card decks. (Euchre or DDCH anyone?) Please bring a snack to share and your beverage of choice. There are still some leftover Pretentious Drinking liqueurs in the garage refrigerator so we’ll finish those off. RSVPs are nice but not required. For more information or to RSVP , contact Beth; the address of the WWHfWM is included as part of her contact information. You may also RSVP via Meetup.

Poetry Dis­cus­sion 7 PM. Our poetry group is using Zoom for meetings. Please send a poem or two to Joe D. by Monday, May 5th. Interested persons who are not currently members of the poetry group can contact Joe D. , and he will email the poems to be discussed. Contact Bill K. for the Zoom links or any help you might need. Do NOT RSVP via Meetup. This event is usually held on the evening of the second Friday of the month.
Virtual Event!!

Zoom Lunch 1 PM. See Thursday, May 8th.

Conversation with London Mensans 8 AM. See Thursday, May 1st.
Virtual Event!!

Downtown Musicians Meetup 11 AM. See Saturday, May 3rd.
New Event not in ChiMe!!

Conserv­atives Lunch 11:30 AM. Join other members of the Mensan cell of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy for lunch and civilized un-PC conversation. No forbidden questions, no unchallengeable answers. This lunch happens on the third Saturday every month. The venue will be The Patio, 2780 S. Highland Ave. in Lombard (NW corner of Butterfield and Highland, but you can enter only from Highland). RSVP by emailing Jim Z. the event coör­di­na­tor. You may also RSVP via Meetup. Open to non-Mensans; bring a curious friend.

Beverly Area Saturday Salon (B.A.S.S.) ~Noon. Spontaneous conversation in far SSW Chicago, approx­i­mate vicinity of 107th St. & Western Ave. Please contact Rick E. the Beverly Area Coördinator, for this month’s lo­ca­tion and the exact time as well as more information; if emailing, put “BASS” in the subject line. This event usually recurs midday on the 3rd Saturday of the month.

Add CAM May Monthly Gathering @Rolling Meadows Community Center

Monthly Gath­ering
It’s the 60th Anniversary of Chicago Area Mensa!! The location of our May Month­ly Gath­ering is the Rolling Mead­ows Com­mu­ni­ty Center
3705 Pheasant Dr. in Rolling Meadows.

Games and hos­pi­tal­ity are in the spacious auditorium, with overflow space in the lobby. The speaker event is in the Card Room. Park in the NW lot behind the building and use Entrance K (near inner corner). Please note that we have this venue only until midnight, so plan accordingly. This gathering is open to the public. So if you’re interested in learning more about Chicago Mensa, come join us. There is an admissions fee to help cover costs (major credit cards accepted). Members, RSVP via Meetup to let your friends know you’re going to be there.

Monthly Gathering

The CAM Executive Committee has allocated GOBS funds to be used for the reimbursement of either or Uber ridesharing services from/to the Arlington Park METRA station. Details are on our Monthly Gathering page.
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Volunteer
Get involved! Hone your leadership, organizational, or web skills. We’re looking for vol­un­teers to fill some of the open po­sitions listed both near the back of ChiMe or on the List of Officers. Try your hand as a co-Program Officer, a website designer, web content creator, or a MG Hospitality Volunteer. You can view the job descriptions and the required qualifications for all the open positions and ones you may be interested in. Or consider supervising the children at the MG for some extra cash.
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Express Yourself
Write an ar­ticle, submit a photo, or create a puzzle for ChiMe; see our Submission Guidelines for contact information and deadlines. Host your own event or your own virtual event using Discord!

Program Topic: TBA

GOBS NNW Dinner in Morton Grove: Indian 6 PM. Join us at Tava,. a fine Indian restaurant. lo­cated at 7172 Dempster St. in Morton Grove (in a strip mall on the NE corner of Dempster & Harlem). 307039604 This is a GOBS-subsidized event where ½ the total cost (including tax plus a 20% tip, rounded up to the nearest dollar) of a CAM member’s, and up to one guest’s, dinner will be covered for a maximum of fifteen people — for a maximum subsidy of 20/person; cash (no coins) or PayPal only for your portion. RSVP (and get more details) on Meetup, but if not on Meetup, email Ken L.. If you RSVP by email, your reservation is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email.

Dinner Out West: Mexican 6:30 PM. Join us for Mexican at El Mero Mero, 34 W. Schaumburg Rd. in Schaumburg. I’ve heard good things about their margaritas. This is a GOBS-subsidized event. GOBS will cover ½ of your meal cost, including tax and tip (rounded up to the nearest dollar), up to a maximum subsidy of $15, for each CAM member and their guest. Cash, Zelle, or PayPal for your portion. Limit 20 people. Reservations are required so Beth knows how big of a table to reserve. RSVP via Meetup (strongly preferred) or directly to Beth W. no later than Sunday, May 18th.

Northern Ex­po­sure Dinner 6:45 PM. ZIP code fall within the Arctic Circle? Then you should have dinner with us. Join us at Stevens’, in Gurnee, a fantastic steakhouse with a varied menu. (The ribs, as well as the pot roast, are rumored to be epic.) . The address is 401 N. Riverside Dr. in Gurnee. Please RSVP on Meetup or via Janice’s email, jesser@chicago.us.mensa.org , so she can reserve a big enough table. Recurs on the third Tuesday of the month.
Permanent Schedule Change!!

Conversation with London Mensans 8 AM. See Thursday, May 1st.
Virtual Event!!

Zoom Lunch 1 PM. See Thursday, May 8th.

Theodore Talk: Sweet Home: The Storied History of Chicago Blues 2:30 PM. In this Theodore Talk you’ll journey through the rich history and evolution of blues music, tracing its origins from the deep Southern fields to the bustling streets of Chicago, where it found its modern-day home. You’ll explore the socio-cultural forces that shaped the blues, its migration during the Great Migration, and how Chicago became a beacon for blues innovation, producing legendary artists and iconic sounds.

Jacob Schulz, blues musician and historian, will discuss the current challenges facing the blues, including its fading mainstream presence and efforts to preserve its legacy for future generations. This talk will not only highlight the deep historical roots of the blues but also showcase how it continues to resonate as a timeless and influential art form today.

You might even learn about a few joints to visit while at the AG! To register for this Theodore Talk, visit the American Mensa Events website or, on or after Friday, May 23rd, tap/click on the Zoom link that will be available here on our website. See a list of all the Theodore talks on the American Mensa Events website. Even if you can’t attend the live talk, provided you register, you will receive a link to a recording of the event. Closed captioning enabled.
Virtual Event!!

Break­fast in Mount Pros­pect 10 AM. Breakfast or lunch and conversation at Jelly Café lo­cated at 1784 W. Golf Rd. in Mount Pros­pect (northwest corner of Golf Rd. and Busse Hwy.), featuring a large and diverse menu. Dining might be indoors or outdoors, depending on conditions. Sepa­rate checks are available. Use Meetup, but if not on Meetup, RSVP to Ken L. via email. If you RSVP by email, your reservation is not confirmed until you receive a confirmation email.

Zoom Lunch 1 PM. See Thursday, May 8th.

MEANS (North Suburbs) Dinner 6:30 PM. Join Mensans Eating Around North Suburbs (MEANS) at Hackney’s on Lake located at 1514 E. Lake Ave. in Glenview. Free parking. Separate checks available. Limit 12. Please RSVP via Meetup (preferred) or email Brent B. Recurs on the 4th Tuesday of the month.

Conversation with London Mensans 8 AM. See Thursday, May 1st.
Virtual Event!!

Downtown Musicians Meetup 11 AM. See Saturday, May 3rd.