Drama and Comedy Stories

Come join us at The Playground with our weekly drop-in improv workshop! Running on Monday evenings, this is a chance to experience improv among like minded people. No experience necessary and all levels are welcome! Each week we will have a different theme with exercises and activities to allow us improve our improv skills. Whether you are interested in developing the skills for your professional or personal life, or you are someone who currently performs or would like to perform on stage, then there is something for everyone. The long-term objective of The Playground is to create a place for people to develop and create projects and shows, providing regular opportunities for those who wish to perform in shows. Facilitated by two very experienced improvisers, Neil Curran and Quinton O'Reilly, join us for some play! We also have guest teachers join us too. **Important Info** \* Each drop-in session lasts 2 hours and starts at 7pm in the Teachers' Club. \* Each drop-in costs just €12. \* You can also sign up for membership which costs just €30 per calendar month and gets you access to all workshops. \* No experience necessary and all levels welcome. \* Events run on a drop-in basis offering flexibility for those who can't commit to doing a course. \* Payment can be made on arrival. \* After the workshop, many of us stick around for chats in the bar upstairs so do stick around for it. For more about Neil Curran please visit www.lowerthetone.com Check us out on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/improv_playground/

Outstanding British Debut, BAFTA 2026 join us for this bafta winning movie. A powerful, poetic piece of cinema set in 1990s Nigeria, loosely based on director Akinola Davies Jr.‘s own experiences navigating Lagos with his father. Meet in the lobby at 7pm 🍺 👍 see you there. We're on the balcony in seats S7 please book asap 👍

**Please see registration details below this class descriptor:** Join us for a meditative Hatha Yoga class at Anam Ashram. This class is designed to nourish mind, body and spirit so that the practitioner can come to know their true selves. This term, we have a special series of classes focuses more deeply on the chakra system where we spend some time reflection on these energy centres of the body in an effort to achieve more balance in our lives. Suitable for beginners as well as experienced students, it includes pranayama (breath work), asanas (postures) a focus on the energy centres of the body (chakra system) and finishes with a 15 minute relaxation (Savasana). For anyone interested in going deeper into the yogic system to cultivate a more holistic spirituality, come and join us on the mat. This class is available in person or online. **Facilitator**: Jane Mellett is a qualified yoga and meditation teacher (Yoga Alliance 500-Hour RYT); retreat facilitator and spiritual director based at Anam Ashram in Tallaght. **Investment**: 10 euros for in person and 7 euros online (via zoom). Special offer for this new term: 6 classes for 50 euros for in person only. **To register please** email mellettj@gmail.com

***Let's support this first ever charity event gay speed dating in Penny Lane*** **Unfortunately on at the same time as the Mens Group. But couldn't be helped as this was the only night they could run it.** You can secure a ticket on Eventbrite.ie at the link below. https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/gay-speed-dating-tickets-1989329369696?aff=erelexpmlt ***We’re so excited to bring you our VERY FIRST Gay Speed Dating Night at Penny Lane! ✨ Join us for a fun, relaxed evening of one-to-one chat*** Or Ten euro on the night if tickets remain available So let's have a bit of fun and laughter at this charity event. Who knows you may even find a new Boyfriend or Husband ❤️🏳️‍🌈❤️ Ariana Grinder is a wonderfully funny talented performer and singer 🤩 Peter James, courageously organises these events for local and gay registered charities. So lets do our best to support this Wonderfull Event. Should be great crack.

The goal of this group is simple: to support and encourage each other to write more (myself included). I love writing short stories, but too often life gets in the way and I find excuses not to do it. This monthly group gathers together on the last Tuesday of every month in the lovely *Third Space* cafe in Smithfield to share and get feedback on our work. We’ll each get the chance to share an extract from a piece we’ve written, read it aloud and get feedback (in a nice quiet creative space). Any form of writing is great – whether screenwriting, poetry, flash fiction or something else. We pride ourselves in promoting a really friendly, safe space to share freely, but if you’d prefer to listen for the first while, that’s cool too. If you fancy coming along: * RSVP to an event * Come along to a session * Get added to our WhatsApp group once you're there * Add a copy of your piece to our shared drive (so we can follow along as you read) * You'll get 4 mins to read your work, and 4 mins of feedback We have lots of regulars but always love welcoming new people, perspectives and writing, so do feel free to come along and I hope you enjoy it!

An ashram retreat day is a day to nourish the body, calm the mind and get in touch with your true self. The day comprises of spiritual practices from the Yogic path, a combination of gentle Hatha Yoga and various types of meditation and reflection, under guidance. Everyone is welcome and no experience necessary. The yogic path offers us practical ways of growing in spiritual awareness in a chaotic world, to open oneself to union with the Divine, with people and with the natural world. A day retreat at Anam Ashram aims to help participants in the practice of the asanas (Hatha Yoga), contemplation in action (karma yoga), bhakti yoga (union through devotion) and jnana yoga (union through knowledge e.g. wisdom teachings from the mystics or scriptures). It is a deeply nourishing experience. Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary. For further details please contact Jane at mellettj@gmail.com Cost? Suggested donation of 50 euros. Light vegetarian lunch included. Facilitators: Jane Mellett is a qualified yoga and meditation teacher. She has worked in pastoral ministry for many years and is also a qualified Spiritual Director. Since 2016 Jane has lived at Anam Ashram in Tallaght, Dublin and is interested in the integration of Eastern spiritual practices within Christianity and sharing these practices with others. Members of the Anam Ashram Community will also join in running this retreat.

Hi, all Independent Movie Lovers. You are invited meet at 7 pm, on Friday the 29th of May. This meeting is at the Café on the ground floor of the Light House Cinema, Smithfield Square, Dublin. We will discuss the film: **Hokum,** (2026), directed by Irish director Damian McCarthy. Hokum is a psychological horror movie, and Damian McCarthy is already known for his movies Caveat and Oddity, in a similar genre. We will also discuss the movie: **Her**, (2013), directed US director Spike Jonze, who is maybe best known for directing Being John Malkovich. We will watch the movies independently, and meet for discussion on Friday the 29th of May, at 7 pm, at the Café on the ground floor of the Light House Cinema, Smithfield Square. **Hokum** is showing several Dublin cinemas until Thursday the 21st of May. **Her** (2013), is available for online rental on Apple TV and on YouTube. Michael Sheeran

Whether you've never done improv before, or you've done it for so long you knew Del Close on a personal level, or anywhere in between, come join us! Swing by *Gresso's* for the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup** for some fun and games! The idea behind improv is to create entire scenes from scratch based on a suggestion from the audience. This can be done in game form, like *Whose Line Is It Anyway*, *ComedySportz*, or *Wild 'n Out*; it could also be done to tell stories, like *Middleditch and Schwartz*. Our meetup, which is central Ohio's longest running (and free!) weekly comedy event, brings the games (and occasionally different forms) for you to play in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment. Not only is it a lot of fun, but you get to work on thinking faster on your feet, plus it's an excellent way to meet new people and make friendships that'll last a lifetime! Ask yourself if you want to join the **Columbus Improv Comedy Meetup**, and say "Yes, And" that you'll have fun!

Join us as we get together to see Paul Rudd in the latest comedy-drama-musical from John Carney, POWER BALLAD! The film follows a washed-up wedding singer, a fading boy band singer and a stolen hit song. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. Power Ballad is written/directed by John Carney, the master of the modern musical and creative mind behind Once, Begin Again and Sing Street! It stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival where critics call it “a sure-fired crowd-pleaser” that “just might be the feel-good hit of the year!” Others say, “Paul Rudd delivers a career-best performance in this charmer” that’s both “hilarious and deeply moving!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus in 2024, this is the perfect place to kick off our Summer of Ice Cream and grab a sweet treat after the show! Their menu features an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, and more! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Once showtime is announced, advance ticket purchase is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. We'll head to nearby Shake No. 8 immediately following the show! Should be a fun one, Dan

The topic for June is "Roadtrip" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

[Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3351321) Location: The Goat River South 219 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215 Street parking is free on Sundays [Menu](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/686d3ed16745133042482c5f/t/68ff654dbb03b96875430bde/1761568077220/all_brunch-20250311.pdf) Book summary: On a hot day in Bethlehem, a twelve-year-old Palestinian-American girl is yelled at by a group of men outside the Church of the Nativity. She has exposed her legs in a biblical city, an act they deem forbidden, and their judgement will echo on through her adolescence. When our narrator finally admits to her mother that she is queer, her mother's response only intensifies a sense of shame: 'You exist too much,' she tells her daughter. Told in vignettes that flash between the U.S. and the Middle East--from New York to Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine--Zaina Arafat's debut novel traces her protagonist's progress from blushing teen to sought-after DJ and aspiring writer.

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Join us as we get together to see the top-reviewed comedy-drama, I LOVE BOOSTERS! The film comes from writer/director Boots Riley and follows a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. Here are details, trailers and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follows a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. It is written/directed by Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) and stars Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore. BUZZ AND ACCLAIM: I Love Boosters was the opening film at this year’s SXSW Festival and premiered to rave reviews! It is currently earning a tremendous 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes where critics call it, “an unexpected celebration of friendship, community, and solidarity.” Others call the film “an exercise in radical empathy,” a “masterful” and “optimistic” film designed to “provoke discussion” while making the audience laugh. TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lPRISgr9c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lPRISgr9c) SUMMER OF ICE CREAM: GRAETER’S! Established way back in 1870 in Cincinnati, this historic, family-owned brand is famous for their delicious small batch ice cream and any chocolate chunk flavors! They are currently the only commercial ice cream maker using the French Pot method that they’ve been using since they first opened! Plus, those chocolate chunks, oh my goodness! Vegan options are available. PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Advance ticket purchase not required for this theater but Showtime and complete details will be confirmed/announced as the date gets closer. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan