HalloweeM 40: WeeMter Wonderland

Programs

October 28: The Program Booklet is online. As always, the Program-At-A-Glance available on-site may reflect changes since the program book went to press. The information contained in the printed PAAG will supersede that in the Program Book.

As usual there will be many different programs available — so many you’ll find it difficult to choose. We have the latest Programs At A Glance (PAAG) if you'd like to peruse. Please keep in mind, of course, that this is a working copy, and offerings are subject to change. In addition to the multiple program track, there are tournaments, contests, and 24-hour gaming.

A fairly comprehensive sampling of the topics includes:

While our Programs Chair continues to be hard at work planning out this year’s exciting offerings, you can read about this year’s keynote speaker, learn about some of our traditional events below, and get a list of topics to be covered. We find that presenters love to come to WeeM because the Mensa audience is so receptive, engaged, and interested. Many of the 2014 program presenters have been lined up, though we’re still finalizing the topics and times of presentations. Some changes may occur between now and WeeM but you can expect most of the programs listed above and below and, of course, more that haven't been finalized. Also don’t forget, there will be Tournaments in addition to the programs.

The Program Booklet and the latest Programs At A Glance (PAAG) give you an idea of when many of the tournaments and programs have been scheduled and helps you avoid volunteering during a time slot that may conflict with something you wish to attend. As always, there may be last minutes changes due to cancellations and/or conflicts. The printed PAAG at WeeM will always superceded the Program Booklet schedule and we will do our best to keep the online PAAG in synch with the on-site printed copy.

We will also offer the following traditional and keynote events:

Thursday

• Excursions

  There will be excursions for those who arrive early.

• Tournaments

  The first tournament will begin at ˜3 p.m.

• Programs

  Expect the first program to start at ˜4:30 p.m. and the first movie to start at ˜4 p.m.

Friday

• Costume Parade

  
  

  The Friday night costume party is one of the things that set Chicago Area Mensa’s RG apart from all the others. Mensan grown-ups take dressing up to a new level. Costumes range from fanciful to funny to elaborate and elegant, but the thing for which Mensans are best known are the pun and word-play costumes. In all of them, Mensa-style creativity is obvious. Bring your costume, sense of humor, and your wits, because our puns will keep you guessing and giggling all night long. Make sure to consider this year's theme, ripe for pun-filled humor! View our pictures to see costumes from ’WeeMs past.

  
  Kids Costumes

  The kids costume parade will precede the adult costumes as in past years to encourage more adults to attend and support our youth. The keynote speaker will be featured on Saturday rather than Friday between the kids and adults costume parade.

• Haunted House - New!

  There will be a Haunted House to visit. The kids can visit right after the costume parade while the judges deliberate and afterwards. The scarier, adult version will be set up after the kids are finished.

• Iron Chef Hospitality

  Come test your skills at ad hoc haute cuisine. The competitors in the fifth annual Iron Chef Hospitality will have 1 hour to create a 3-course meal from whatever food they can find in hospitality supplies, including leftovers from previous meals. Some small additional ingredients may be brought in from the outside, but all preparation must take place at the event. Judges will include our Fantasy Cake creator and our former WeeM Hospitality Chair. Everyone is welcome as a spectator. Allez cuisine! Starts shortly after the adult costume parade.

Saturday

• Keynote Speaker

  From the Cheyenne to the Levee: The Golden Age of Chicago Vice — Whether it was in the lowest dives of Bed Bug Row or among the ornate glories of the famous Everleigh Club, few periods in the history of Chicago vice can match the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries for its colorful figures and brazen activities. Sex, booze, crime, and corruption 19th-century style—come hear all about it!

  Bio: Joel Schorn is an architectural docent, writer, and editor in Chicago. He is pleased to present at HalloweeM for another year.

• A photo id will be required for any adult picking up Pretentious Drinking coupons. You will not be able to get them for other adults in your party.
  The ID will also be required at the Pretentious Drinking event.

  Pretentious Drinking

  
  

  Liqueurs. The fancy stuff. Polished, cosmopolitan, perhaps even a bit snooty. The stuff you graduate to from beer and wine. You’d like to know more but, gosh, look at that price. What if that pricey potion isn’t quite the palate pleaser you expected? Rejoice! As in years past, you can sample some truly amazing liqueurs, and your money’s no good here! We will supply a wide range of weird and wonderful concoctions from around the world. You can determine which you’d like to own, which should be left on the shelf, and which you should give to your arch-nemesis as a thoughtful gift. Obviously, you must be of legal drinking age to join us. Snobbish accents and extended pinkies optional.

• Werewolf Tournament

  For those under 21 but still awake at that late hour, in addition to the daily version, we will offer a special Werewolf tournament just for teens and tweens during the same timeslot as Pretentious Drinking.

  Prohibition Drinking

  For those who are not of age or those who are of age but who prefer not to indulge in alcohol, we will have a room set aside for an improved version of last year’s socializing without alcoholic lubrication event.

  
  

  Epicurean Experience

  Come test your skills at ad hoc haute cuisine. Similar to the Iron Chef Hospitality contest but for the younger set.

• Cookie Contest

  We’ve also had a suggestion to bring back the Cookie Contest from previous years. If you’re a local member or attendee interested in hosting or helping with that, please let us know by contacting the volunteer coordinators or our WeeM Chair.

Sunday

• Daylight Saving ends at 2 AM. Remember to reset your clocks back. An extra hour before you have to get up — or better still — an extra hour to stay up and party at WeeM!

• Amazing Race: WeeM Style Tournament

  Join us for a repeat of the Amazing Race for Mensans! Based upon the popular TV reality show, teams of 2-4 competitors complete a variety of tasks, some cerebral, some lighthearted, on their way to the final “Pit Stop” and victors’ bragging rights. Our version is designed for all ages and activity levels, and is sure to be one of the most memorable things you’ll do this weekend!

Past Programs

Also, you can access our archives to download the full program booklet for previous years: 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007. (All are in PDF format.)