Café Society is a project designed to foster a more robust civil society, more cohesive and interactive communities, greater media literacy, and a more informed and engaged citizenry through weekly coffee shop conversations about contemporary social issues. Current media reports (along with ample doses of caffeine) serve as stimulants for the conversations. It taps the coffee culture in Chicago as a vehicle to promote conversations between strangers--a cornerstone of democratic practice--about relevant social issues, with a focus on the theme of citizenship: broadly defined, and critically examined.
Café Society seeks to promote media literacy and encourage citizens to be more than mere consumers of mass media. Toward this end, we focus on mass media publications and programs that explore the underlying causes and possible future implications of social issues and problems.
Café Society offers an opportunity for citizens to engage one another in discussions, dig deeper and obtain more information about a given subject. Additional resources on each topic are provided online to supplement and enhance the discussion. Members of our advisory board, community activists, artists, and journalists are invited to visit the conversations periodically and offer their insights and expertise.
Café Society Locations:
Monday
- 7:30-8:30 p.m., Intelligentsia Coffee, 3123 N Broadway St, Chicago
Wednesday
- 12:30-1:30 p.m., Chicago Cultural Center's Randolph Street Café, 77 E Randolph St, Chicago
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6:00-7:00 p.m., ESL Café Society at Christopher House, 3255 W Altgeld St, Chicago*
*This Café Society discussion group is for non-native English speakers who are learning English as a second language. The class helps participants build English skills in the area of pronunciation, vocabulary, and reading skills. Pre-registration for this free class is recommended, but walk-ins are always welcome. For more information, please contact Christopher House Adult Literacy Program Manager Amy Rhoades at 773.235.4073.
Thursday
- 7-8 p.m., Valois, 1518 E 53rd St, Chicago
- 7:30-8:30 p.m., Panera Bread, 1126 E Walnut St, Carbondale*
*This site meets on the first Thursday of each month only
Friday
- 5-6 p.m., Ron's Barber Shop, 6058 W North Ave, Chicago
