Democracy for America

Thursday Game Night in Friedrichshain at RuDi´s. The biggest, oldest and longest running Berlin Board gaming weekly meetup. Please join us for an evening of gaming. Everyone is welcome and everyone can find a table for themselves. There is plenty of tables for core gamers, and as many tables with welcoming games. And also tables with party games and social deduction. *** **🎲 Games & Food 🍪** We'll have around 50ish games ([Check out our collection!](https://boardgamegeek.com/collection/user/RuDi_Library?objecttype=thing&ff=1&subtype=boardgame&own=1)), but please feel free to bring your favorite games with you. We have some snacks and beverages, but you can also bring your own food & drinks. **💰 Entrance is 2 € 💰** Please pay the entrance fee in the kitchen on the ground floor. You can pay when you arrive or before you leave, but don't forget! **📍 How to get there 📍** We're located right between S/U-Bahn station Warschauer Straße and S-Bahn station Ostkreuz. Consult [Google Maps](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xQn6hnKu3Tpy9gG48) or [Open Street Map](https://www.openstreetmap.org/directions?from=&to=52.502457%2C13.457166) to find the exact way from your place to the meetup. If you get lost, call us (see "how to contact us?" in this event description below). **👥 Discord server 👥** Try our Berlin Board Gamers Discord server to chat and find other players. You can use it to prearrange games for the Thursday meetup, find players for gaming sessions you want to host at home on other days, and even buy and sell used board games. Join us now: [https://discord.gg/6Wsncta](https://discord.gg/6Wsncta) **🤗 How should I behave? 🌈** We value diversity, inclusion, and respect in our community. We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable at our events, regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other aspect of their identity. To ensure a positive and safe environment for everyone, we ask all participants to **follow our [Code of Conduct](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pn_TLJyPx4HDjrQPbwjQkoF7EbLmqVNRY2CT_zq2qEk/edit?usp=sharing)**. **❓ FAQ ❓** "Is it a problem if I only speak English?" * No problem, all games are played in English. "Is it okay if I come later?" * Sure, you might have to wait a little until a new game is started though. "It's my first time and I'm unsure what to do / everyone seems to be playing already..." * Seek us out (ask somebody to help you find an organizer or ask by name for Andi, Elli, Angelika, Hannes, Malte, Aaron, Will, or Abhi) and we'll give you a little introductory tour. :) "Is it okay if i bring my dog?" * No, the community center won't allow it. "I'm using a wheelchair. Can I attend the meetup?" * Yes! The venue has a wheelchair-accessible toilet and a wheelchair lift in the back of the building. It would be great if you could contact us beforehand, so we can make sure that the lift will be operational on the specific day. "Can I donate a game to the meetup?" * It depends. We have limited storage space and can only accept donations of popular games that will be played often. Please contact us for more details. **📞 How to contact us? ✉️** * In case of an **emergency** or a time-sensitive question (e.g. you got lost on your way to the meetup), call: 0179 9309 418 * For all other matters, write in the #rudi-friedrichshain channel on our Discord server (you'll find a join link in this event description) or leave a comment here on meetup.com * For sensitive matters, write a DM to Angelika Cathor on Discord or here on meetup.com

Berlin Rebels Alternative Pub Crawl: Dive Bars, Back Alley Beats & Insider Stories. Experience Berlin’s underground nightlife like a true rebel. Experience Berlin’s underground nightlife like a true rebel. This alternative pub crawl takes you beyond the typical tourist circuit and into the beating heart of the city’s subcultures — punk, goth, squatters, techno heads, and creative misfits. In intimate groups, we explore lesser-known venues across Prenzlauer Berg, Neukölln, Kreuzberg, and more. Leave behind the commercial party strip and join the alternative crawl. On this 5-hour nighttime adventure, you’ll discover Berlin’s rebellious spirit through its grungiest, weirdest, and most unforgettable nightlife spots. Our route changes nightly but could include: • Ping pong matches with locals in hidden bars • A secret rock or metal bar with horror-movie décor • Absinthe lounges, beach bars, techno bunkers, or surreal basements • Squatter spaces turned legal venues and hidden alley speakeasies Your guide — a true Berlin nightlife insider — will take you to places most tourists never hear about. You’ll also uncover the stories behind these venues: how post-wall Berlin became a global nightlife capital, how music scenes shaped entire neighborhoods, and how many of these bars still operate just under the radar. Whether you’re into indie rock, dark-wave, hip hop, punk, or Berlin-style techno, this crawl adapts to the vibe of the night. Nothing cookie-cutter. No two nights are the same. Please bring valid ID and a public transport ticket (Zone AB).

🎶 Choir Workshop (Berlin) 🎶 No experience needed – just your voice and curiosity! We’ll explore singing together through playful warm-ups, simple harmonies, and collective improvisation. A welcoming space to connect, listen, and create music as a group. Find your true unapologetic voice! Theodorstraße 5, 12099 🕕 Thursdays, 18:00 – 20:00

**PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK THEIR REPECTIVE WEBSITES! Sometimes they cancel events and you don't want to go there for nothing.** This Contact Jam happens every thursday. Entry is 5€. The room is huge! Sometimes with live music. Their Homepage (http://marameo.de/kurse/marameo-contact-jam/) https://www.marameo.de/wp-content/uploads/marameo_%C2%A9Christian_Schneider_11.jpg

Join us this Thursday and watch four experienced comedians perform longer sets in Berlin Wedding. Cake and tuxedos are not guaranteed - but laughter and plenty of booze definitely is! Host: Gino Christofaro @gino.comedy Gino is a stand up comedian and comedy writer based in Berlin. Aside from performing all around Europe, he has also written or performed for Comedy Central, ZDF, SWR, Amazon, Paramount+ and more! Venue: Kulturpalast Wedding International Right on the border between Gesundbrunnen and Prenzlauer Berg, this cozy cultural club has been putting on shows for over 15 years. Kulturpalast is owned by artists and is run for the love of art - so come down and support the amazing dedication they've put into it! Time: Doors open: 20:00 Show starts at: 20:30 Entry: This is a donation based show. We recommend 10-15 EUR but pay what you can afford. Seating is very limited, so make sure to RSVP guaranteed entry! \*\*\* by reserving a ticket and entering this venue, we hereby give you membership access to the E.v. / club \*\*\*

Du möchtest den Reichtum natürlich entstehender, bedingungsloser Liebe enthüllen, den jeder von uns im Herzen trägt? Diese Meditation unterstützt uns, die Quelle echter Gutherzigkeit in uns zu öffnen. Wir lernen, uns selbst auf gesunde, heilsame Weise zu lieben und so unsere Haltung anderen gegenüber zu verwandeln. Die Meditation der liebenden Güte kann uns dabei helfen, uns und anderen liebevoller und mitfühlender zu begegnen. Das Event findet sowohl online als auch vor Ort im Dharma Mati Berlin (Soorstr. 85, 14050 Berlin) statt. Um an diesem Online-Event teilzunehmen bitte auf den folgenden Link klicken: https://zoom.us/j/216979828 (Meeting-ID: 216-979-828).

✨ Exclusive German Workshop in Berlin! Join us and discover how easy and motivating learning German can be – with modern methods, interactive exercises, and an inspiring learning atmosphere. Live sessions, practical activities, and a welcoming environment await you. The tickets will be used to pay for the location. 📍 Berlin \| Coffee Fellows / Pappelallee 1\, 10437 Berlin\, · Berlin\, DE Don't miss out – places are limited! About us: Lia Bazerashvili, Tobias Balke, and Theodor Gavril. We represent Berliner SprachAkademie. Briefly from Tbilisi, Georgia, we've just opened our doors to students in Berlin as well. Our teaching style is modern, friendly, and supportive. We combine our experience to create German lessons where students overcome their fear of speaking. The lessons are held in a relaxed and friendly environment. We help each student individually, as everyone learns at their own pace. If you don't speak any German at all, that's no problem, because this course is designed for beginners. DEUTSCH: ✨ Exklusiver Deutsch-Workshop in Berlin! Entdecken Sie mit uns, wie einfach und motivierend Deutschlernen sein kann – mit modernen Methoden, interaktiven Übungen und einer inspirierenden Lernatmosphäre. Live-Sessions, praktische Übungen und eine herzliche Atmosphäre erwarten Sie. Die Eintrittskarten werden zur Bezahlung des Veranstaltungsortes verwendet. 📍 Berlin \| Coffee Fellows / Pappelallee 1\, 10437 Berlin\, · Berlin\, DE Jetzt anmelden – die Plätze sind begrenzt! Über uns: Lia Bazerashvili, Tobias Balke und Theodor Gavril. Wir sind die Berliner Sprachakademie. Wir kommen ursprünglich aus Tiflis, Georgien, und freuen uns, nun auch in Berlin Kurse anbieten zu können. Unser Unterrichtsstil ist modern, freundlich und unterstützend. Wir bündeln unsere Erfahrung, um Deutschkurse zu gestalten, in denen die Teilnehmer ihre Sprechangst überwinden. Der Unterricht findet in einer entspannten und freundlichen Atmosphäre statt. Wir betreuen jeden Teilnehmer individuell, denn jeder lernt in seinem eigenen Tempo. Auch wenn Sie noch kein Deutsch sprechen, ist das kein Problem, denn dieser Kurs ist speziell für Anfänger konzipiert.

A beautiful Kreuzberg Café La Tienda hosts us on regular, weekly basis. The owner is very friendly and plays chess too. Please, please respect the invitation and leave some money on the bar - it's a café, so please behave like in a café and carry your responsibility for the chess community you are part of. More then before small business need our support. Female players, beginners and hobby players -it's our event! Please note that the number of attendees on Meetup doesn't correspond the amount of people coming to La Tienda. There is a vivid community around, so we are always many!

Movie of the week: [The Great Dictator (Charlie Chaplin, 1940)](https://www.imdb.com/es-es/title/tt0032553/) We’re a group of people who enjoy films and talking about films.
We meet on Sunday evenings in bars/parks and talk about how we felt about the film, and what we liked or disliked about it. Don't forget to watch the film before joining the meetup!

Meinungsaustausch, Investmentideen, Buchbesprechungen, Charttechnik, Fundamentalanalyse. Wir diskutieren über die Themen Börse, Investment und Trading. Verkehrssprache ist deutsch. Egal ob Anfänger, Profi oder "will nur mal gucken": jeder ist willkommen und kann mitreden. K e i n e Verkaufsshow, Leute-Fishing o.ä. Es gibt ein Musterdepot, dessen Struktur und Performance als Diskussionsgrundlage dienen soll. Jeder kann seine Meinung dazu äußern. Das Musterdepot findest Du bei wikifolio.com unter https://www.wikifolio.com/de/de/w/wf000bit01 Meinen Youtube-Kanal findest Du hier: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCmOeA2-rAS2P8YZNp11N6Q Kryptowährungen spielen thematisch nur eine untergeordnete Rolle, weil es eine extra Gruppe dafür gibt: \*\*[Crypto Traders Berlin ](https://www.meetup.com/crypto_traders_berlin/)\*\*Melde Dich gerne an! Der Kurzvortrag mit Diskussion startet ca. 17.15 Uhr. Wer noch Kontakte knüpfen oder quatschen möchte, sollte schon ca. 16.30 Uhr kommen.

Liebe Deutschlernende, Das nächste Sprachcafé findet am **02.01.** von **15:30 bis 17 Uhr statt.** Das Thema: Neues Jahr, neue Vorsätze Wir freuen uns auf euch!

**Das Treffen ist offen für w/m/d Personen.** Die Selbsthilfegruppe Berlin Prenzlauer Berg findet in der Regel am ersten Sonntag im Monat von 15:00 bis 17:00 statt. Zum Thema: # Ein neues Jahr - Neujahrsvorsätze verwalten Wir kennen es alle... in diesem Jahr machen wir Sport, essen gesünder, treffen mehr Freunde, geben weniger Geld aus, schaffen uns Ruhezeiten.... Und schwupps- bleibt es doch genauso wir im letzten Jahr... Vielleicht finden wir zusammen Möglichkeiten, was wir an kleinen Dingen dazuholen können oder auch lassen - was tut uns gut und wie bleiben wir bei uns? Ich freue mich auf den Austausch mit euch! Mit Selbsthilfegruppen schaffen wir einen geschützten Raum für emotionale Entlastung und gegenseitige Unterstützung. Die Teilnehmenden begegnen sich wertschätzend und geben sich gegenseitig lebensnahe Hilfe. Durch den regelmäßigen Austausch werden Selbstbewusstsein und Selbstwertgefühl gestärkt und das soziale Netzwerk erweitert. Die Teilnahme an den Gruppen unterstützt dabei, ein individuelles Krisennetzwerk sowie einen persönlichen Krisenplan aufzubauen. Ergänzende Übungen helfen, bestehende Bewältigungsstrategien zu erweitern und den Umgang mit herausfordernden Situationen nachhaltig zu verbessern.

✨ A Stand-Up Comedy Show about fixing ourselves, our parents, and our dating life… ANOTHER DAY!✨ 🌟This stand-up comedy show features the wildest stories and observations about the Berlin party life, his parents, and his dates…sometimes all at once🌟 The show will end around 22:30, so there will still be plenty of time to hit the bar and club scene afterwards. **🎟️ Get your Tickets here:** [https://fienta.com/fixmelater030126](https://fienta.com/fixmelater030126) 🕗**Times:** **3rd of January** Doors open: 20:00 Show Start: 20:30 Show ends: 22:30 **📍Location:** **SaliGari** Simplonstraße 23, 10245 Berlin **🎟️ Tickets:** **Standard Admission:** 15€ **Student Admission:** 12€ Tickets for students with valid student ID **Walk-Ins:** €17 at the door (subject to availability) **❓FAQ:** **How funny is it going to be?** Very funny! It will be a mix of clean, dark, and emotional jokes and maybe even some dirty jokes, so whatever your style of comedy is will be part of the show. **How relatable are the jokes?** Like we grew up together! Ludwig was born in Bavaria and is based in Berlin now, which means that whether you come from a village or the big city, you will find the struggles more than relatable. **Should I bring my friends?** Comedy is always best with great company, so yes! Bring your friends and laugh together! **Can I bring my kids?** The show is meant for an audience of at least 16+. **What do audience members say about the show?** Hilarious! - Marcus, Austria 🇦🇹 Great show! - Jenny, Australia 🇦🇺 So funny and weird in a great way! - Josephine, USA 🇺🇸 **More about me:** **LUDWIG BENECKE (CH/GER)** Ludwig Benecke, the relentlessly funny and charming "nice guy" of stand-up comedy! For the past three years, he has been tirelessly showcasing his wit and humor to audiences all over Europe and the United States. As a Swiss-German nice guy navigating the unpredictable world of comedy, Ludwig hilariously recounts his journey from a life as an economic engineer to pursuing a creative career. His material covers everything from dating miseries and his upbringing to sharp observations about his former corporate job, offering a unique and relatable perspective on life's challenges. He is now based in Berlin and has been described by various people as “funny.” **IG @Ludwigcomedy**

**Start the new year with a Braver Angels gathering focused on speaking openly and listening deeply.** **In small, structured groups, each person will have five minutes to share a political or social issue that matters to them and why- no debate, no interruption, just genuine curiosity.** **Participants will practice curiosity, reflecting back values and emotions they hear, asking thoughtful questions, and- only with permission- offering their perspective.** **It’s a simple and powerful way to connect with one another and begin the year with a respectful and courageous conversation.** **Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026** **Time: 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm** **Place: Columbus Metropolitan Library, Southeast Branch, 3980 Hamilton Rd, Groveport, Ohio** **All are welcome- bring a friend!** For additional information contact: Lee Evans at [LEvans@BraverAngels.org](mailto:LEvans@BraverAngels.org)

######## NEW LOCATION ####### We are going to be at The Forge on Bethel Rd this week and until further notice! The Forge does have a full bar and kitchen. There is no cover charge but they do request all attendees to purchase a minimum of ~$20 per person. Soft drink refills are $1 each. Please support our hosts so we can continue to provide great events for the group! The Forge has a large library of games available for us to enjoy. Hosts and regulars will also provide numerous popular games but please bring any games you would like to teach and/or play. Doors open at 6, and we expect gaming to be rolling by around 630. Please promptly end your games and clear out the space at 10pm when the bar closes. We encourage socializing but do not permit disruptive behavior of any kind. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing a fun and welcoming space to veteran, newbie, and rookie gamers in the Columbus area! Parking can be challenging. There is a parking lot behind the building that is free and easy to walk from but it's a bit hidden.

Join us for an informal, in-person discussion about the political and economic issues impacting **Columbus, Grandville, Ohio, and the country**. This meetup is a chance to connect with neighbors, share perspectives, and talk openly about real-world policy challenges and solutions, outside of party politics. No speeches, no talking points, just honest conversation, questions, and ideas. Whether you’re deeply engaged or just looking for a place to be heard, you’re welcome to attend. ☕ Grab a coffee, pull up a chair, and be part of the conversation.

**Calling all queer crochet enthusiasts;** I am a visual artist located in Columbus that is searching for people who may want to gather while also participating in creating a piece of artwork. My goal is to spend time enjoying one another’s company while making a work of art that will be displayed within our community. I plan to teach people to crochet (if unfamiliar) while also inviting current fiber artists to join us for some much-needed social interaction. There are no expectations from those who attend, materials will be included, and any amount of participation is welcome! If you have a favorite crochet hook or current project you are welcome to bring that along too! The primary goal is to foster a safe space for our community to chat, create and be. For further information please email [landerknits@outlook.com.](http://landerknits@outlook.com.) \*This will be our 2nd meeting, bring friends and make new ones. Come as you are and make along side other like-minded folks.

Our January program is privileged to have Kristen Tregar as our speaker. Ms. Tregar is the co-author with John de Lancie (the actor who portrayed the character Q on Star Trek next generation) of a radio play depicting the events surrounding the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial. The trial decided the issue of some of the Dover school district board members attempting to insert creationism disguised as "intelligent design" into the 9th grade biology curriculum. She will discuss the trial and the process of writing the play. (Bob Leonhard has seen the play and it is riveting and tense). Ms. Tregar's bio is below: Kristen Tregar is a dramaturg, director, playwright, and theatre teacher. She earned her Ph.D. in Drama and Theatre from the UC San Diego and UC Irvine joint program. In addition, she has a MS in Forensic Science from City University of New York- John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a MA in Educational Theatre from New York University- Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. In 2013, in collaboration with Irish colleagues, she founded *The Ireland Project*, an intercontinental devised theatre work with high school students in New York and Tallaght, Ireland. Her original short story "Far From Here" was recently published in *Stay Awhile Longer: More Scenes From Temecula Valley*. She has two rescued dogs (Kira and Harry) and she rides, competes, and foxhunts with her horses, Andromache and Baker Street Irregular. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

You are invited to participate in one of Unity’s most meaningful and empowering traditions—the **White Stone Ceremony**. As we enter a new year, this sacred ritual gives you the opportunity to listen within, connect with Spirit, and claim a new name or intention for your life. In ancient times, receiving a white stone symbolized freedom, new identity, and fresh possibility. Today, we continue that tradition by holding a smooth white stone, entering a quiet meditation, and allowing Spirit to reveal a word, name, or message that reflects who you are becoming.

Interested? Contact Preston Moore k.preston.moore@gmail.com 614-300-5989 ———————————— Engaging in men’s work is the new way to forge friendships while being open-minded to personal growth. Many men experience healthier relationships, personally and professionally, by engaging in this work. Open Men’s Group is a container for men to share vulnerably without receiving judgment or feedback. We believe that emotionally mature, powerful, compassionate, and purpose-driven men will help heal some of society’s deepest wounds. We support the powerful brilliance of men and we are willing to look at, and take full responsibility for, the pain we are also capable of creating – and suffering. We care deeply about men, our families, communities, and the planet. Visit ManKind Project USA to discover more. https://mkpusa.org/