Summer Concerts

**\* Important info for this event \* Start time adjusted to 4:30pm \*** **Due to the size of the group, the venue has asked that we start at 4.30pm once another function has finished so they can give us a separate area in the courtyard. Booking is under Andy. Live music continues until 6.30pm.** **Please be aware that Republica is still open to the public and if the venue reaches capacity entry might be restricted.** **Thanks** 😎 **Hello 2026!** **Welcome to a new year**🍾🏵️ Come along to **Republica** for a relaxed summer atmosphere, beach vibes and live Soul, R&B and Funk tunes with Soultribe, a local 6-piece band🏖️☀️🍹. **We'll have bookings in the outside courtyard under Andy** 😎.

**Please note:** This event has been posted on multiple Meetup groups. You can access a discounted ticket price if you are a **Vrewards member**. Not a Vrewards member? **[Join now for FREE](https://villagecinemas.com.au/vrewards).** \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **How to find us:** Meet outside TGI Fridays. **Meetup Time / Session:** Let's meet at 2.30 pm, for the 3.15 pm VPremium session. We will wait about 15 minutes until everyone has arrived. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Duration:** 133 mins - i.e., about 2 hours, 15 minutes. **Meetup Venue:** Village Cinemas, Southland - 1239 Nepean Hwy, Cheltenham, Victoria 3192. **\> Directions on [how to get there by car](https://villagecinemas.com.au/cinemas/southland?tab=about); or [how to get there by train](https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/stop/1001/southland-station/0/train/#StopPage:::datetime=2024-12-30T10%3A38%3A24.933Z&directionId=-1&showAllDay=false&_auth=879472dc6ad13266ce18119ab192f14e882dcdb8fe511a14e585563cac243abe)** \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Details:** You don't need to purchase your movie ticket beforehand. We will meet at the meetup location and wait about 15 minutes until everyone has arrived. We will then line up together to get our tickets and snacks for the movie so we can sit next to each other. After the movie, we will go for a post-film chat and enjoy a drink/food. If you have any questions, feel free to drop a message in the Comments section. I look forward to seeing everyone there! \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Watch Trailer:** [Watch Trailer](https://villagecinemas.com.au/movies/song-sung-blue?cinemaId=282&tab=about) **Synopsis:** Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians (Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson) form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it's never too late to find love and follow your dreams. **Classification:** M (Mature themes, coarse language and sexual references) **Genre:** Drama **Release Date:** Thursday, January 1, 2026 **Director:** Craig Brewer **Cast:** Kate Hudson, Hugh Jackman, Fisher Stevens, Michael Imperioli, Jim Belushi, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Hudson Hilbert Hensley, Mustafa Shakir

**Caller: Gaye Fifer** **Band: Hot Coffee Breakdown** **Big Scioty Contra Dance** **temporarily returning to our long ago location for Jan-March - First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215** 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. Snacks to share are always welcome!

First Sundays are free admission at Franklin Park Conservatory. Sunday, January 4th, is also the last day The Palm House will be open before renovations begin. Let’s meet, enjoy a respite from January weather, and wander the gardens. Free neanthe bella palms are available to guests, beginning at 10am, while supplies last. Afterwards, we can visit the nearby East Market (212 Kelton Avenue).

Bienvenue! Columbus French Conversation group invites you to our Saturday morning French conversation club. Expect a casual and welcoming atmosphere in which to learn french! I will bring my laptop so we can look up new vocabulary as needed! The venue is a beautiful French restaurant so you can really get into the zone :)

Join us as we kick the New Year with a fun Happy Hour and your choice of two fun, new films! Option 1 is the biographical-musical-docu-drama, SONG SUNG BLUE, which stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson in the story about a real-life couple and Neil Diamond Tribute Duo. Option 2 is the comedy-action-adventure ACACONDA, which stars Jack Black and Paul Rudd as part of a group of friends remaking a favorite movie from their youth. Here’s a complete description, trailer and our plan for this event: SONG SUNG BLUE: The film follows Lightning and Thunder, a Milwaukee husband and wife Neil Diamond tribute act, who experience success and heartbreak in their musical journey together. Not a tribute to Neil Diamond, but a tribute to a Neil Diamond Tribute Band! The film is based on the 2008 documentary of the same name and is directed by Craig Brewer. It stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, along with Michael Imperioli, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir, Hudson Hensley, Fisher Stevens and Jim Belushi. Critics call the film, “a crowd-pleaser with a ton of heart!” TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCM0Ztp3o1o ANACONDA: In this action-thriller-comedy-adventure, a group of friends going through a mid-life crisis head to the jungle to remake a favorite movie from their youth but encounter “unexpected events.” The film is directed by Tom Gormican and stars Jack Black, Paul Rudd, Selton Mello, Daniela Melchior, Thandiwe Newton and Steve Zahn. The film is a reimagining of the 1997 original. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMsFsfrPNaw PLAN: PLAN: Here’s the plan: For those seeing ANACONDA, please purchase your ticket for the 5:15pm showing and meet inside the theater lobby between 5:00 and 5:10pm! Advance ticket purchase advised. Once you have yours, please list your movie of choice and seat number in the Comments section of this event. For the pre-show Happy Hour, we’re going early-early and will meet in the Bar Area at nearby BRAVO at 4:00pm. We’ll head over to the theater by 5pm. If you can, cash makes for a quick exit! For those seeing SONG SUNG BLUE, please purchase your ticket for the 6:30pm showing and meet in the theater lobby between 6:10 and 6:20pm! Advance ticket purchase advised. Once you have yours, please list your movie of choice and seat number in the Comments section of this event. For the pre-show Happy Hour, we’ll meet inside the Bar Area at nearby BRAVO at 5:00pm! We’ll head over to the theater around 6pm. If you can, cash makes for a quick exit! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

The Columbus housing market is evolving, raising questions about next steps. This session will outline current trends in clear, practical terms. Seniors, caregivers, investors, and those preparing to buy or sell in 2026 will all benefit from the information provided. What You’ll Learn: • Key market trends and what’s driving them • How today’s conditions affect buying, selling, and investing • Guidance for seniors and caregivers navigating housing decisions • Strategies to make informed, confident choices All are welcome to attend. Please bring any questions you may have.