The IWA Office will be closed Friday, July 3 in observance of Independence Day.

Thank you for understanding!

Book: Perfection
Author: Vincenzo Latronico

Discussion Leader: Myra Balesi

Literature Discussion Chairs: Teresa Kennedy and Barbara Herzog

Book Description: "Perfection—Vincenzo Latronico's first book to be translated into English and long listed for the International Booker —is a scathing novel about contemporary existence, a tale of two people gradually waking up to find themselves in various traps, wondering how it all came to be. Was it a lack of foresight, or were they just born too late?"

The Literature Group offers members an international perspective in literary fiction by introducing acclaimed, if sometimes lesser known, writers and books. Members are invited to attend by Zoom, although we request that only those who have read the book participate in discussion.

Wednesday July 15, 2026

4:00 - 6:00 PM

Lizzie McNeill's Irish Pub, 400 North McClurg Court

You are invited to join IWA friends for our monthly IWA Meet and Greet: Happy Hour at Lizzie McNeill's on the Chicago Riverwalk.

www.lizziemcneills.com

In case of inclement weather we will meet indoors at Lizzie

Maximum: 25 IWA members and prospective members

Contact: Dell Harmsen

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026

Time: 2:00pm

Location: Wrightwood 659, 659 W. Wrightwood Ave.

Join us for a private tour of Martin Wong: Chinatown USA, led by Assistant Curator Ashley Janke. Featuring more than 100 paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photographs, this remarkable exhibition explores the work of artist Martin Wong (1946–1999) and brings to life the bustling streets, distinctive architecture, colorful celebrations, and everyday moments of New York and San Francisco Chinatowns. Discover works inspired by Lunar New Year parades, Chinatown storefronts, neighborhood landmarks, and cultural icons, all rendered through Wong’s richly detailed and imaginative lens.

Ashley Janke will share insights into Wong’s life, creative process, and the development of this major exhibition, offering a deeper understanding of the artist and the worlds he portrayed.

Registration closes at noon on July 6, 2026.

Space is limited to 20 participants and is open exclusively to IWA members.

Contact Ying Hirsh for questions.

This monthly event is for all interested Bridge players, and includes members who play Basic Social Bridge as well as Intermediate/Advanced Bridge players.

(Please be aware that you need a basic knowledge of

Bridge in order to participate).

Monday, August 3, 2026

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

EATALY, 43 East Ohio Street (corner of Wabash and Ohio)

Join new friends and old friends at this vibrant Italian marketplace.

A great opportunity to introduce prospective members to IWA!

Coffee and delicious treats available for purchase. 

Meet on the ground floor in the table area to the right of the entrance. 

Contact: Karin Hauschild

Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Location: Chicago Botanic Gardens, McGinley Pavilion (overlooking the Great Basin and Evening Island). In case of rain at Nichols Hall. 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe.

On Tuesday, August 4, 2026, the Chicago Botanic Garden will host a Morning Music carillon performance featuring guest carillonneur Jess Ip.

This meditative musical performance runs rain or shine (moving to Nichols Hall in the event of inclement weather). Visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or simply stroll the grounds while listening. Soak in the view of the Garden's lakes and Evening Island as you listen to a relaxing musical performance.

Performer: Jess Ip is currently a student at MIT. She began learning the carillon under Joey Brink and later Alex Johnson during her undergraduate years at the University of Chicago. During her time there, she also served as a board member and the vice president of the UChicago Guild of Carillonists. In 2023, she became a carillonist member of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America. She has since performed in summer concert series across the East Coast, including in Philadelphia, Boston, and Vermont.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Cost: Concert is Free for the public. Parking per car for non-members is $10 for seniors (62+) and $25 for general public. Free parking for members. Carpooling is encouraged.

Please preregister with the Chicago Botanic Garden as there is limited space. Also register on the IWA website so we know who will be attending.

Chicago Botanic Garden Registration Link: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/visit/free-admission-opportunities

Contact: Nicola Crowe

Book: The Listeners
Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Discussion Leader: D. Clancy

Literature Discussion Chairs: Teresa Kennedy and Barbara Herzog

The Literature Group offers members an international perspective in literary fiction by introducing acclaimed, if sometimes lesser known, writers and books. Members are invited to attend by Zoom, although we request that only those who have read the book participate in discussion.

Date: Wednesday, August 12

Time: 5:00 p.m. Social time

5:30 p.m. Pre-concert talk (optional)

6:30 p.m. Concert

Location: Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 East Randolph Street

Enjoy a summer evening of classical music and IWA friends listening to Dvorak's New World Symphony, music by John Adams and Philip Glass.

We will start our get-together as near as possible to the NE corner of the lawn, closest the stage, toward the Lake (east). Look for the inflatable earth globe!

The optional pre-concert talk will be held in the Chase Promenade North Tent, just outside of Pritzker Pavilion.

You may want to stay on the lawn for the concert or move to the free seats in the back of the Pavilion.

Recommended: Bring something to sit on, and, if you like, refreshments to enjoy or share.

Allow time for parking, security, etc.

Concerts are rain or shine!

Guests welcome!

Contact: Allisa Gam

This monthly event is for all interested Bridge players, and includes members who play Basic Social Bridge as well as Intermediate/Advanced Bridge players.

(Please be aware that you need a basic knowledge of

Bridge in order to participate).

The IWA Office will be closed Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day.

Thank you for understanding!

Book: The Mountains Sing
Author: Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai

Discussion Leader: Yoko Kusama

Literature Discussion Chairs: Teresa Kennedy and Barbara Herzog

The Literature Group offers members an international perspective in literary fiction by introducing acclaimed, if sometimes lesser known, writers and books. Members are invited to attend by Zoom, although we request that only those who have read the book participate in discussion.

This monthly event is for all interested Bridge players, and includes members who play Basic Social Bridge as well as Intermediate/Advanced Bridge players.

(Please be aware that you need a basic knowledge of

Bridge in order to participate).

Saturday, September 26, 2026

10:30 a.m. SHARP

2610 N Cannon Drive, Chicago (in front of North Pond restaurant)

Dave Odd, founder of Odd Produce Inc and Eat the Neighborhood public tours, will lead a foraging tour at Lincoln Park, where we will learn about numerous plants and trees that have food and medicinal value. The tour runs between 1.5 - 2 hours, walking through Lincoln Park and identifying at least 50 different edible/medicinal wild plants/mushrooms usually within only a block or two radiuses.

Dave Odd is Chicago's only full-time professional forager. He has been providing foraged local products to Chicago's finest restaurants since 2009. He provides foraging walks and tours of local Chicago neighborhoods and parks to teach people about nature's bounty right in their own backyards.

We will meet in front of North Pond restaurant 2610 N Cannon Dr, Chicago 60614, or the north end of the North Pond. Note that the restaurant is not affiliated with the tour, and no harvesting of plants is allowed on Chicago Park District properties.

Contact: Pat Naparsteck

Book: The Paris Express
Author: Emma Donoghue

Discussion Leader: Susan Engelhart

Literature Discussion Chairs: Teresa Kennedy and Barbara Herzog

The Literature Group offers members an international perspective in literary fiction by introducing acclaimed, if sometimes lesser known, writers and books. Members are invited to attend by Zoom, although we request that only those who have read the book participate in discussion.

This monthly event is for all interested Bridge players, and includes members who play Basic Social Bridge as well as Intermediate/Advanced Bridge players.

(Please be aware that you need a basic knowledge of

Bridge in order to participate).

Book: The Granddaughter
Author: Bernhard Schlink

Discussion Leader: Barbara Herzog

Literature Discussion Chairs: Teresa Kennedy and Barbara Herzog 

The Literature Group offers members an international perspective in literary fiction by introducing acclaimed, if sometimes lesser known, writers and books. Members are invited to attend by Zoom, although we request that only those who have read the book participate in discussion.

This monthly event is for all interested Bridge players, and includes members who play Basic Social Bridge as well as Intermediate/Advanced Bridge players.

(Please be aware that you need a basic knowledge of

Bridge in order to participate).

The IWA Office will be closed Thursday, November 26 in observance of Thanksgiving Day.

Thank you for understanding!

Book: The Women
Author: Kristin Hannah

Discussion Leader: Teresa Kennedy

Literature Discussion Chairs: Teresa Kennedy and Barbara Herzog

The Literature Group offers members an international perspective in literary fiction by introducing acclaimed, if sometimes lesser known, writers and books. Members are invited to attend by Zoom, although we request that only those who have read the book participate in discussion.