BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CalDiscovery//caldiscovery//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH DESCRIPTION:Discovered and maintained by CalDiscovery (https://caldiscover y.com). Event details belong to their publishers. Contains information fro m CalDiscovery\, which is made available under the ODbL 1.0. SOURCE:https://caldiscovery.com/chicago-il/src-6818.ics X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H X-WR-CALDESC:Discovered and maintained by CalDiscovery (https://caldiscove ry.com). Event details belong to their publishers. Contains information fr om CalDiscovery\, which is made available under the ODbL 1.0. X-WR-CALNAME:CalDiscovery - chicago-il BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:The Art of Wagashi: Capturing the Autumn Chrysanthemum DTSTART:20260913T160000Z DTEND:20260913T173000Z DTSTAMP:20260905T002145Z UID:73592-1789297200-1789302600@imss.org CATEGORIES:arts,food DESCRIPTION:Craft your own edible masterpiece. Enjoy a refined Japanese sw eets-making experience. \nThe Art of Wagashi: Capturing the Autumn Chrysan themum\nSunday\, September 13 |11:00am – 12:30pm\n“Nerikiri” is a tr aditional\, premium Japanese confection that originally blossomed as a spe cial treat for the Japanese tea ceremony. Made by kneading sweet white bea n paste with a touch of mochi\, it is a traditional art form that expresse s the beauty of nature. \nIn this workshop\, you will learn to capture the elegance of autumn’s signature flower\, the chrysanthemum\, through the medium of Japanese confectionery. \n\nDesigns: “Hime-giku” (Dainty Ch rysanthemum) & “Korin-giku” (Stylized Korin Chrysanthemum)\nWhy you’ ll love it: In Japan\, the chrysanthemum has long been revered as a symbol of longevity and vitality—so much so that a special autumn festival is dedicated to wishing for health and long life through this flower. You wil l explore this cultural theme while creating two distinct artistic interpr etations of the chrysanthemum\, focusing on the subtle beauty of shapes an d colors.\n\nPerfect for absolute beginners. All tools and ingredients are provided\, so you can join us empty-handed and simply enjoy the experienc e. \nWorkshop Details \n\nSkill Level: Beginners welcome. We will guide yo u step-by-step.\nIngredients: Butter bean paste\, Mochi\, Red bean paste\n What to bring: Nothing (All tools and ingredients are fully provided)\n\n\ n\n\n \n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nAbout Toshiko Sugii Steffes: \nWagas hi Artist & Seasonal Experience Creator \nToshiko Sugii Steffes is a Japan ese confection “WAGASHI” designer\, and making WAGASHI in Japan and US A. She is fascinated by the beauty of WAGASHI\, which is expressive of the four seasons and nature. Her creations are boundless as there is so much variety and sophistication in WAGASHI techniques. Her Kohakuto (Kohakutou) Crystal Jelly Candy recipe book was published in Japan\, Taiwan and Hong Kong! \n\nRegister on Eventbrite LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T002145Z URL:https://imss.org/program/the-art-of-wagashi-capturing-the-autumn-chrys anthemum/ X-SOURCE-NAME:International Museum of Surgical Science X-SOURCE-URL:https://imss.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Japanese Whisky & Koji Fermentation DTSTART:20260917T230000Z DTEND:20260918T003000Z DTSTAMP:20260905T002145Z UID:73613-1789668000-1789673400@imss.org CATEGORIES:drink,education DESCRIPTION:Join us at the IMSS for an in-depth exploration of the science and cultural history behind Japanese whiskey. \nJapanese Whisky & Koji Fe rmentation: Science\, History\, and Taste\nSeptember 17\, 2026 | 6:00-7:30 pm\nDoors at 5:45pm \nTickets: $60  \n \nJoin us at the International Mus eum of Surgical Science for an in-depth exploration of the science and cul tural history behind Japanese whisky. \nWhisky expert Kevin Obis will intr oduce the traditional koji fermentation process\, examining how it differ s from Western fermentation techniques that rely primarily on yeast. This distinctive process contributes to a cleaner\, smoother distillate and pla ys a key role in shaping the character of many exceptional Japanese whiski es. \nThe program will also highlight the legacy of Jokichi Takamine\, a p ioneering chemist and biotechnologist who first isolated adrenaline and la ter introduced koji fermentation techniques to American distilleries\, bri dging Japanese and Western scientific practices. \nAs part of this experie nce\, participants will enjoy a curated tasting of koji-fermented whiskies from Ohishi\, Fukano\, Ikikko\, and Hakata. \n\n \nKevin Obis started hi s career in the beverage industry as a craft cocktail bartender\, honing h is skills for cocktails and conversation in some of Seattle’s best bars. During his time there he grew to love and appreciate the simplicity of a dram of scotch\, perhaps with just a splash of water. \nIn 2024\, Kevin re turned to his hometown in IL and now serves the Midwest with the same pass ion and enthusiasm he brought to the Pacific Northwest. \n \n\n\nRegister on Eventbrite LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T002145Z LOCATION:International Museum of Surgical Science\, 1524 North Lake Shore Drive\, Chicago\, IL\, 60610\, United States URL:https://imss.org/program/japanese-whisky-koji-fermentation/ X-SOURCE-NAME:International Museum of Surgical Science X-SOURCE-URL:https://imss.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:Lecture: Writing as Cultural Archaeology and the Poetics of Place DTSTART:20260926T170000Z DTEND:20260926T190000Z DTSTAMP:20260809T000618Z UID:73031-1790424000-1790431200@imss.org CATEGORIES:education,literary DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special lecture by Michael Workman a new Road Sc holar. Presented in partnership with the Road Scholars Speakers Bureau.Mic hael Workman: Writing as Cultural Archaeology and the Poetics of PlaceSept ember 26\, 202612:00-2:00pmDoors at 11:30am About: In this program\, art ist and writer Michael Workman invites audiences to explore how writing\, history\, and landscape intersect to shape cultural memory. Drawing from h is interdisciplinary practice and from the work of artists such as Theresa Hak Kyung Cha\, Johanna Drucker\, and Charles Reznikoff\, Workman approac hes writing as a form of cultural archaeology—an excavation of the layer ed relationships between language\, identity\, and place. Through this len s\, participants are encouraged to see the local environment not only as a backdrop but as a living archive of stories\, gestures\, and voices that continue to inform community life across Illinois. Blending storytelling\, performance\, and reflective discussion\, Workman leads participants thro ugh accessible exercises that connect observation\, movement\, and writing . Each session begins with a short reading or performance excerpt that fra mes the concept of “poetic fieldwork\,” followed by guided writing pro mpts and group dialogue. Participants may be asked to respond to local lan dmarks\, historical artifacts\, or personal memories of place\, using lang uage to uncover how geography shapes emotion and thought. Whether held in a library\, museum\, or community center\, each presentation adapts to its surroundings\, creating a shared space for conversation and collective di scovery. By the end of the program\, attendees will have produced short fr agments of writing and new ways of perceiving their environment—connecti ng artistic practice to civic imagination. Michael Workman is a Chicago-ba sed artist\, writer\, and sociocultural critic whose work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune\, Guardian US\, Newcity\, and WBEZ Chicago Public Radi o\, among other publications. He is the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of B ridge (bridge-chicago.org)\, a nonprofit publishing and programming organi zation founded in 1999. Workman also serves as Development Officer for the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America and Development Coordinator at the Ukra inian Institute of Modern Art (UIMA)\, where his grant writing has secured major awards\, including the Andy Warhol Foundation’s Wynn Kramarsky Fr eedom of Artistic Expression Award and the 2024 state recognition of Ukrai nian Village as a cultural district. His writing and performance work expl ore the intersections of language\, movement\, and place. His publications include Propositional Attitudes (Golden Spike Press) and Perfect Worlds: Artistic Forms & Social Imaginaries (StepSister Press)\, launched with per formances at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Recent performances i nclude Active Investigation (Neubauer Collegium\, 2023). He is a 2025 Illi nois Arts Council Creative Projects Grant and Rabkin Foundation Travel Gra nt recipient\, the 2025 Joan and Peter Hood Artist-in-Residence at Allerto n Park\, and a 2026–27 Illinois Humanities Road Scholar. This lecture is presented in partnership with the Road Scholars Speakers Bureau of the Il linois Humanities. LAST-MODIFIED:20260809T000618Z LOCATION:International Museum of Surgical Science\, 1524 North Lake Shore Drive\, Chicago\, IL\, 60610\, United States URL:https://imss.org/program/lecture-writing-as-cultural-archaeology-and-t he-poetics-of-place/ X-SOURCE-NAME:International Museum of Surgical Science X-SOURCE-URL:https://imss.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:MEMENTO MORI Halloween Gala DTSTART:20261031T000000Z DTEND:20261031T040000Z DTSTAMP:20260905T002145Z UID:73024-1793386800-1793401200@imss.org CATEGORIES:holiday DESCRIPTION:Get ready for a spooky night of fun and frights at our MEMENTO MORI Halloween Gala on October 30th!🎃 MEMENTO MORI: Annual Halloween G ala at the International Museum of Surgical ScienceThursday\, October 30\, 2026 | 7:00 – 11:00 PM📍 The International Museum of Surgical Science – 1524 N. Lake Shore Drive\, Chicago\, IL Chicago’s most unforgettabl e Halloween party returns.Join us for the 5th Annual MEMENTO MORI Gala\, a hauntingly elegant fundraiser hosted by the International Museum of Surgi cal Science. Step inside our historic lakeside mansion for a night of eeri e enchantment and surgical spectacle unlike anything else in the city. 🕯️ What Is “Memento Mori”? memento mori : “remember that you mu st die.” Once used to reflect on mortality\, today it inspires our most spirited celebration of life\, art\, and history. 💀 Your Ticket Include s: 🎟️ Admission to Chicago’s most unique Halloween gala🍸 4 free drink tickets for use at our bars (21+ with ID)💃 Dancing in the candlel it Hall of Immortals🧙‍♀️ Spooky stories🧁 Ghoulish hors d’oeu vres & desserts by local culinary partners🎴 Tarot & Palm Readings📸 S pooky photo booth moments🎁 Silent Auction featuring premium prizes from Chicago businesses🕰️ Event Info: Doors Open: 7:00 PMLast Call: 10:45 PMMuseum Closes: 11:00 PMAlcohol served to guests 21+ (ID Required)Costum es Encouraged – Dress to Distress! 🎟️ Don’t wait—this event sel ls out every year. About the Venue: The International Museum of Surgical S cience is one of Chicago’s most unique and hauntingly beautiful event sp aces. Wander through historic galleries\, antique surgical tools\, rare me dical books\, and immersive exhibits while you celebrate. For questions ab out the gala or sponsorship opportunities\, please contact:📧 Michelle R inard at info@imss.org 📞 312-642-6502 OUR PARTNERS LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T002145Z LOCATION:International Museum of Surgical Science\, 1524 North Lake Shore Drive\, Chicago\, IL\, 60610\, United States URL:https://imss.org/program/memento-mori-halloween-gala-2/ X-SOURCE-NAME:International Museum of Surgical Science X-SOURCE-URL:https://imss.org END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR