Australian Culture

Hey, mates! If you're looking for an evening kick, we'll be playing 5-a-side at Monash University every Wednesday **from 8:30 to 9:30 pm.** To join us, download the Stranger Soccer app and register for free. If this is your first time playing with us, use the code **WELCOME** to book your first game for free! Book your slot now and get involved!

Discover the joy of making stuff up! Our Williamstown improv group is where Melbourne's west comes to play, connect, and unleash creativity. Improv isn't just about being funny (though you'll laugh heaps). It's about: ✓ Building confidence in social situations ✓ Improving listening and communication skills ✓ Meeting amazing people from Hobson's Bay ✓ Reducing stress through play and laughter ✓ Discovering your creative side ✓ Having a screen-free, present-moment experience No theatre experience? Perfect! No prepared material? Even better! The only rule is 'Yes, And...' - supporting each other's ideas and having fun. Drop in any Wednesday, 7-9pm. Location: **Williamstown Community and Education Centre Inc 14 Thompson St, Williamstown VIC 3016**. Suitable for ages 16+. First time is free, and its $10 a class after. ***Free parking out the back. Please come to the front, and we will open the door.***

Spice up your Wednesday night with a **FREE Salsa class** at **600 Little Collins St, Melbourne**! No experience or partner needed — just show up, and we’ll teach you everything from the first step to your first spin. You’ll laugh, move, and meet a great mix of new people who are all starting just like you. ✨ **Here’s what you’ll get:** * Step-by-step basics that anyone can learn * Fun, relaxed environment with great music * Meet new friends and feel amazing doing it! 📍 **Location:** The Salsa Foundation — 600 Little Collins St, Melbourne 🕕 **Time:** Wednesday 6 PM (arrive 5–10 mins early to check in) 🎟️ **Cost:** FREE — bookings are essential (spots fill fast!)

### ✨ KISMETRIX \| True Connection **Healing Circle & Fire Ritual** Pause. Reflect. Release. 📍 RYVE Level 1, 38 Shafton St, Huntingdale VIC 📅 Wednesday, 22 April 2026 🕖 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM ## A SPACE TO PAUSE Life gets heavy sometimes. Not always in obvious ways — but in the quiet things we carry: Unspoken thoughts Emotional weight Stress, heartbreak, uncertainty This evening is a space to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself — gently. ## WHO THIS IS FOR This space is for you if: • You’ve been feeling overwhelmed or mentally full • You’ve been holding things in without space to process • You’re seeking clarity, grounding, or emotional reset • You want something deeper, but not overwhelming You don’t need to be “ready” or have it all figured out. Just come as you are. ## WHAT TO EXPECT A small, supportive and guided experience: • Calm and welcoming environment • Gentle reflection and awareness practices • Optional sharing (no pressure to speak) • Space to simply sit, listen, and be present • A symbolic fire ritual to close the evening ## FIRE RITUAL — LETTING GO You’ll be invited to write down something you’re ready to release. A thought. A feeling. A past story. Through a simple fire ritual, we allow that chapter to shift and move forward. Many people find this moment deeply grounding and freeing. ## SMALL & INTIMATE BY DESIGN This is not a large event. Numbers are intentionally limited to create a space that feels safe, real, and personal. ## ABOUT YOUR HOST Hosted by Vivienne Vu Founder of Kismetrix \| True Connection Vivienne creates spaces that support emotional awareness, presence, and authentic human connection. ## 🔔 IMPORTANT NOTES • This is a reflective group experience (not therapy or medical treatment) • Participation is always optional — you can simply observe • Respect, boundaries, and emotional safety are central to this space • Tickets are limited and kept intentionally small ## WHY PEOPLE COME TO KISMETRIX • Real experiences, not surface-level interactions • Spaces designed with intention and care • A sense of connection — with others and within yourself ### Hosted by KISMETRIX \| True Connection 📧 [social@kismetrix.com.au]() 🌐 [www.kismetrix.com.au](http://www.kismetrix.com.au "http://www.kismetrix.com.au")

Catch the Lyrids Meteor Shower at its stunning peak on Wednesday night! Don’t miss this breath-taking opportunity to witness shooting stars blaze across the sky—visible to the naked eye. Join us for an unforgettable night under the stars! Please note that all our events are only open to guests 18 years and older. \*\* Please note that **this event is not open for photographers** (no option to bring Camera/tripod). Cameras and tripods aren’t allowed due to past accidents that led to damaged cameras/lenses and injuries in the dark. I will carry a camera for people who want a photo with the Milkyway. This event is aimed at people who watch the show with the naked eye. This trip will involve Vline train. Public transport is free this month \*\* Please follow these two steps to confirm your spot: Step 1: Please RSVP to this event meetup. Step 2: Please pay the organizer fee ($25 - Early Bird, $30 - Regular) via meetup - [https://www.trybooking.com/DLPPH](https://www.trybooking.com/DLPPH) Trybooking Tickets are non refundable. Tickets will be refunded only if the event is moved or cancelled. There is also no option to transfer the tickets. Payments are manged via Trybooking and not meetup. You can ignore the "UNPAID" meetup status. All you need is the Trybooking tickets which you will receive via email. Meeting Point: Let's meet at the corner of Spencer Street and Bourke Street (Station Side - Near the steps) at 11:20 PM and take Vline. We should be back in Melbourne around 6:00 AM on Thursday. Driving to the destination is not an option for any of our stargazing events. Meeting Point Photo: [https://bit.ly/2SkyVL2](https://bit.ly/2SkyVL2) \*\* Vline is free \*\* Temperature: Please carry a warm jacket, beanie and anything to keep you warm - The more the layers the better. The temperature is expected to be around 10-12 °C and feel a lot more colder. Mat: Please carry an outdoor sitting mat or anything you can use to sit on the ground. Food: There are no shops in the destination. Please carry snacks and water. This is an alcohol free event. Cost: Organizer Fee: $25 - Early Bird, $30 - Regular Transport: Vline is free this month Let's head to regional Victoria to see Lyrids Meteor Shower. This event will happen on the peak night. Because these fiery space streaks seem to shoot out from the constellation Lyra—home of the bright star Vega. People have been watching this show for over 2,500 years. The Lyrids come from comet Thatcher, which only swings by the Sun every 415 years. When Earth crosses its dusty trail, boom—meteors! Photos: All the photos will be uploaded to our Facebook Group (Explore Melbourne) - [https://www.facebook.com/groups/exploremelb](https://www.facebook.com/groups/exploremelb) and to meetup. Please note that this event is not open for photographers. Location: For the safety of people attending the event and flexibility to change location in the last minute based on weather forecast, the location details will only be shared with people who are at the meeting point. For the safety of people attending future events, please do not share the location with anyone. Also, please do not tag the location when sharing photos on Social Media. Driving directly to the location is not an option for this event. Please follow us on Social Media for photos, videos & updates: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@explore-melbourne) \| [Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/exploremelb) \| [Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/exploremelb) \| [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/xpmelb/) \| [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@exploremelbourne) \| [ExploreMelbourne.AU](https://exploremelbourne.au/) Explore Melbourne is the largest meetup group in Australia. We have seven simple rules in place to protect our community and for everyone to have a positive experience. ❌ **Not a dating group!** – We’re here to make friends, not find soulmates. No flirty business, please! 📵 **No phone numbers**, please! – Feel free to swap social media if both parties are cool with it, but let’s keep our digits private. Please **don’t add people to WhatsApp or other groups**. 🔞 Our events are only **open to people aged 18 and older**. 📢 Please **do not advertise other events or groups**. 😅 **Don’t be a social octopus!** – Give people space to chat with others. Please don't be clingy. 🚗 We **don't allow carpooling** due to safety incidents/our public liability insurance not covering motor related accidents. 💰 **No sales pitches!** – No selling, no MLMs, no pyramid schemes, no “life-changing mentorship” offers—let’s keep things scam-free. By joining this event, you’re giving us a virtual pinky promise 🤝 that you’ll follow the rules. Break them, and—poof!—you’re out for good. No second chances, no do-overs. Let’s keep it fun, friendly, and drama-free! **Liability Waiver:** The organizer of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury, or accident to participants or their property at this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your safety and well-being. By joining this event, you agree to the liability waiver mentioned here: [https://exploremelbourne.au/explore-melbourne-liability-waiver/](https://exploremelbourne.au/explore-melbourne-liability-waiver/)

**Speaker:** Kelly O’Shanassy, former Chair of Australian Conservation Foundation and incoming Chair of Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife. **Topic:** The Nature Positive Plan, launched in 2022, sets out the government’s commitment to reform Australia’s environmental laws. These reforms are wide-reaching and ambitious. When will we see measurable improvements? Will they be enough to protect and restore our unique environment? What are the challenges? **Note** this event will be preceded by the Victorian Fabians AGM at 7:00pm - all Victorian financial members of the Fabians are invited to attend - [details here.](https://www.fabians.org.au/fabians_victoria_agm_2026_20260423?e=277add52a01e9b78e1bc863a51d2cd66&utm_source=australianfabians&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=australia_s_nature_positive_1&n=4) **Cost:** Fabians financial members - Free; Non members - $5 (pay at door) Please [RSVP at this link](https://www.fabians.org.au/australia_s_nature_20260423) or on this meetup as places are limited. **After Event Dinner & Drinks:** all attendees are welcome to join us at a nearby venue for dinner/drinks after the event. **Support the Fabians** We greatly appreciate the ongoing support of our members for all our events. Anyone who is not a member can support us by [joining up at this link.](https://www.fabians.org.au/become_a_member) Contributions are to help cover event and guest speaker costs etc.

**This Meetup account will be deleted soon**, but the **Language Exchange hosted by JAPANEASY will continue to be held every week**. **★Notice: JAPANEASY Meetup Account Closure★** Hello everyone, Thank you very much for always joining JAPANEASY’s Language Exchange events and cultural workshops. We are writing to inform you that the JAPANEASY Meetup account will be closed in the near future. Please rest assured that JAPANEASY will continue to run events and programs as usual. If you are interested in our upcoming activities, please visit the links below: (1) **Language Exchange** https://japaneasy.com.au/events/language-exchange/ (2) **Cultural Workshops** https://japaneasy.com.au/workshops/ (3) **Japanese Lessons (Group courses & Private lessons)** https://japaneasy.com.au/courses/ (4) **日本語教師養成講座** https://japaneasy.com.au/courses/日本語教師養成講座/ We sincerely appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you at our future events. Warm regards, JAPANEASY \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- JAPANEASY Japanese Language & Culture Learning Centre Tel：0422-266-308 Address：Level 1, 183 Exhibition Street, Melbourne Email：[reception@japaneasy.com.au](mailto:reception@japaneasy.com.au) Website：[www.japaneasy.com.au](http://www.japaneasy.com.au/) Facebook：[http://www.facebook.com/EasyPeasyJapaneasy](http://www.facebook.com/EasyPeasyJapaneasy) Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/japaneasymel/](https://www.instagram.com/japaneasymel/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

**Caller: Richard Ades** **Band: The McKenzies** **Clinton Heights Lutheran Church** **15 Clinton Heights Ave, Columbus, OH 43202** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle.

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.

Ciao a tutt\*! Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the Upper Arlington Library (Tremont Branch) in **Meeting Room A** to speak in Italian for 1 hour.

The aim of this group is to get together and practice our German. Doesn’t matter if are a beginner or a native speaker. The goal is to speak and improve our German. Everyone is welcome! If the weather is good, look for us in the Biergarten. Pro Tip: Get there before 6:00 for happy hour pricing.

Let’s meet, wander the exhibits and open galleries, and enjoy an evening out in the Franklinton Arts District. (Nearby pay parking is available in the garage on McDowell, right around the corner from One Line Coffee, and, past it along the curb as McDowell dead ends.)