Storytelling

Once a common custom all across England, the tradition of lifting (or heaving) became frowned upon by the Victorians and fell out of popular practise. 'What did those stuffy Victorians disapprove of now!' you may say. 'Look how wholesome! How can morris dancing and ribbons and a throne of flowers be problematic?!' Oh, you know. Human sacrifice. Fertility rituals. Blasphemy. Drunkenness. Blackmail. Pagan worship. Public indecency. The usual. Thought to be the only remaining occurrence of this tradition, you'll get to see the Blackheath Morris group (you may have seen them in the 2012 Olympic closing) lifting and dancing at pubs all over Greenwich, walk off your bank holiday indulgences around one of London's prettiest boroughs, and see and learn about the custom that caused such public outcry-and, if you're a brave woman, jump in the throne yourself! (Don't worry, they very rarely sacrifice people any more.) Keep an eye on the comments in the morning to find out how to spot us and feel free to message Kathy for any questions. Both Greenwich Market and the Cutty Sark right next door should also be open from 10am, so feel free to arrive early to grab breakfast or tour the famous ship, and if people fancy it we'll hit the pub for a drink and a chat afterwards! (This is a free event, so we ask that you please keep RSVPs updated to ensure that as many people as possible who want to come are able to. Cancellations with less than three days’ notice may be removed from the group to prevent wasted spaces in future. Many thanks for your understanding!)

Have fun meeting new people and playing badminton at this excellent venue with 3 well spaced courts with excellent flooring and lighting. We use quality feather shuttles and pride ourselves on not being stingy. Everyone is encouraged to get involved in challenging games. Games are arranged by our excellent host Luke. Do bring any issues to his attention. We welcome all players and expect players to be respectful to each other and our hosts.

Time is precious. Here we value non-boring valuable chats and interactions that are fully engaging, soulfully enriching, inspiring, and leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. In that spirit (mind the pun!), today’s fully hosted laid back social coffee chat will offer a perfect haven for the inquisitive & curious - those drawn to the mysteries of the universe, life and everything in between. A tasty caffeine infused fun afternoon of thought-provoking causal chats exploring spirituality/consciousness and related interconnected topics spanning **philosophy,** **neuroscience**, **parapsychology,** **paranormal.** **cosmology** and **noetic sciences** over a mug of sweet coffee (or amazin value Chardonnay!) Chaired by me - a former Reuters journalist & published empirical researcher exploring spirituality topics in pursuant of the "truth" since a teenager, there'll be no strict structure - a relaxed friendly space to openly chat, exchange ideas & experiences without judgement, but I'll preside to promote inclusivity and zone in on specifics to avoid people digressing onto unrelated tangents to ensure like all of our events - particpants derive maximum utlity and engagement from attending. We’ll touch on everything from the limits of scientific understanding to exploring the unexplained using practical fun exploratory divination practices drawing on elements of **psychology, metaphysics, epistemology** and **statistical** **probability** of rare events as we do so. Whether you're a practicing "spiritualist", a curious skeptic, or just someone who loves deep conversation on **life’s big questions**, you’ll hopefully walk away more enlightened with some practical tips you can start applying and inspired to explore more! As well as illuminating chats to guide self-reflection, obviously no sprituality event woul be complete without practical tools so there'll be FREE Tarot & I-Ching readings, demonstrations of meditation method to activate super powerful gamma brain waves, and pyschic tests for a bit of fun, laughter & intrigue! **Sample of conversational threads** might include: Are we mere organisms pursuing biological survival or does consciousness exist beyond neurons firing in our brains? What explains peoples' paranormal experiences? What would reality look like If our brains were limitless? Declassified CIA files show that as as well as mind control experiments, the US govt employed mediums and remote viewers. If all mumbo jumbo then why? Is Nirvana just a fantasy of deluded people? Does everything happen for a reason? To clarify - we define spirituality here as an exploration of consciousness, Donald Rumsfeld's unknown unknowns and undiscovered aspects of reality, NOT religion. After all, as my philosophy professor once rightly postulated to me: "If God created Adam, who created God Lucas?" Yep - that inconvenient flaw **debunks every fairytale religion** out there including the oldest religion of them all - paganism - so why is witchcraft still practised outside of **Hogwarts** today? I may also share the latest peer reviewed empirical evidence surrounding **paranormal** and **consciousness** phenomena. **=== POTENTIAL CONVERSATION STARTERS ===** 1. Does consciousness survive death or is Cambridge Astrophysics Professor Brian Cox right in asserting if **ghosts** existed then particle accelerators at CERN would have already detected ghost molecules making Ouija boards kids play? Are Poltergiests 100% hoax? Brain scans indicate thalamocortical circuits in our brain (pathways in the parietal cortex & central lateral thalamus) drive **consciousness -** so how can spirit/mind live on after **brain death**? 2. Is **synchronicity/coincidence** simply randomness disguised in the eye of the beholder or can what Einstein called “spooky action at a distance" (quantum entanglement) explain it? Molecular Biologists have shown that just like plants - our cells give off resonant frequencies between 10 & 180 kilohertz - could this be a source of non-verbal communication like telepathy? 3. Given **neuroscience**'s infancy with much yet undiscovered - could mediation help access functions outside of our BAU alpha & beta brain wave states? Can **Kundalini yoga** boost **DMT** (dimethyltryptamine) naturally vs drugs like ayahuasca, mushrooms, LSDand if so by what mechanism? Do the artifically created neural signatures using magnetic stimulation observed during mystical experiences debunk them? Is the Maharishi Effect real? 4. Are clairvoyants and mediums just good people readers or are they really able to access time and space in non-linear ways? Is Tyler Henry the real deal or just faking it? Was **Abraham Lincolm** precognizant when he dreamt his own fatal assignation? 5. The laws of statistical probability, Drake Equation & common sense tells us there is other non-microbial life out there. So what explains the Fermi Paradox? Was that 1976 WOW signal aliens? How about the recent strange bahaviour of Boyajian's star or Oumuamua/Atlas interstella object that has just entered our solar system? 6. Could metaverse explain deja vu & reincarnation vs theories from the **psychology** literature (Mandela Effect?) or do we just live in a **simulation** as **Elon Musk** proposes? 7. **Stephen Hawking** once said: "The past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities" If matter only manifests when observed as the double slit experiments shows, does that mean everything is consciousness? Does the discovery of *quantum superposition /* disappearing neutrons imply **parallel universes**? 8. Do NDEs suggest something beyond physicality? Were Steve Jobs final words "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow" before he died (New York Times) visions of an afterlife or just neurochemical changes / drugs playing tricks? 9. Can photons omitted by our bodies explain auras that people see? 10. Could limits in our understanding of quantum physics, space and time explain paranormal experiences? 11. What existed before the **big bang** \- how do you get something from "nothing"? I believe our reality is the product of a black hole\. What you reckon? ***So how do we get to the "truth"?*** Both in my journalism days and applying the most advanced empirical research techniques in my client consulting work - it becomes clear the truth is often elusive. No matter how much we triangulate evidence - we can only provide part answers. "All models are wrong, but some are useful" George Box What we think we know and reality diverge leading to that great **paradox of knowledge.** And as the boundary between knowns and unknown converge, we end up with cognitive dissonance and more questions. In that spirit - every credible philosopher & scientist acknowledges - we'll never get to the complete truth but could **experimental methods** get us closer to it? A balanced approach guided by Immanuel Kant's pragmatism and Aristotle's deductive reasoning seems the most rationale framework here but are there any other methodologies? How about the **"spirituality"** toolkit? **=== RENDEZVOUS POINT ===** We will meet inside the pub upstairs - located in Islington, 4 seconds walk from Highbury & Islington station or 12 mins from Angel station. l I'll be wearing a **Starwars identifier** and will share mobile hotline just before event start and table number/location. For stargazing we will walk to park 5 mins away around 7.30pm Lucas - The Unenlightened Desperately Seeking Answer

Ready to turn your weekly workout into an adventure? RunBox Westminster is officially open for 2026! Proudly presented by the Westminster International Learning Academy, our programme blends fitness with fascinating storytelling. We don’t just pass by the sights; we dive into the history of the city's most iconic symbols, from Big Ben to the secret courts time forgot. Why RunBox? Expert Insight: Historical tours led with a fresh perspective. Inclusive Pace: Dedicated groups for both runners and walkers. Weekly Community: A new route and a new story every week Snack Included

All are welcome to this bonus Meetup! Celebrate Easter Monday at The Liberty Bounds Wetherspoon, Tower Hill 🍻

Join me for a fun Drama class every Monday evening from 6:30 pm- 8:30pm at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham Common. The class helps with confidence, developing awareness of yourself and others, connecting and to simply having fun. No experience is needed. We'll do relaxation exercises, games, improvisations, storytelling, and a bit later on we'll start working on character and text. There will be a little showcase at the end of the year. £10 pounds for the trial class to be paid before or after class. Different payment options if you decide to join. In order to reserve a place, please contact me at catherine@thebrightdaycompany.net. For more info: https://www.thebrightdaycompany.net/about I look forward to seeing you!

**Join us for another LoMAZ Unlimited event, this time visiting the 'Sufi Life and Art' free exhibition at the British Museum.** **Unlike our regular events (which often have waitlists), our Unlimited ones have no cap on numbers. They're a social for everyone, and a great way to see what we're about.** **❓ How do our Unlimited events work?** * We **meet in the museum cafe** first. * Then we **look** **around 1-3 rooms in the museum for around 50 minutes.** * You're free to wander around the rooms at your own pace or explore with other members of the group. * **This isn't a guided tour of the rooms.** We simply limit the number of rooms we visit so it's more manageable with a larger group than usual. Each event we choose a different theme or time period to explore. * **After this, we head to the pub!** **THE PLAN:** **2:00-2.40pm: MEET AND GREET IN BRITISH MUSEUM COURT CAFE** Look for the hosts wearing LoMAZ badges. **2:40pm-3.30pm: GO TO 'SUFI LIFE AND ART' FREE EXHIBITION, ROOM 43a ON UPPER FLOOR** This can be found within The Albukhary Foundation Gallery of the Islamic world: *'This display will explore Sufi life and art through a selection of objects that represent Sufi communities in the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and northern India. This mystical movement, which first appeared in the Islamic world during the eighth century AD, has been defined as a pathway to a personal experience with God.'* **Read more** **[here](https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/sufi-life-and-art).** **Find the museum map** **[here.](https://www.britishmuseum.org/sites/default/files/2025-10/British_Museum_map.pdf)** **3.30pm: LEAVE MUSEUM TO WALK TO PUB** **3:45pm: PUB SOCIAL** We'll head to the The Penderel's Oak pub. Address: 283-288 High Holborn, London WC1V 7HP. We were not able to reserve tables this time, unfortunately. [https://maps.app.goo.gl/1PF1LDymBw8Jcabn9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/1PF1LDymBw8Jcabn9) **TICKETS:** **⚠️ ⛔️ There are now no more tickets left for this date.** The museum reached full capacity when we last visited and staff stopped anyone without a ticket entering. ***As we are attending on Easter Monday, if you don't have a pre-booked ticket or are not a member there is a good chance you won't be let in. ⚠️ ⛔️*** **GETTING THERE:** **Address:** British Museum, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3DG Find more information **[here.](https://www.britishmuseum.org/visit#getting-here)** **EVENT WHATSAPP GROUP:** As our Unlimited events can get quite busy, we'll have a WhatsApp group for this event to help you find the group on the day. ***See Event Comments for the link.*** **FINALLY:** **Please change your RSVP to 'no' if you can no longer attend, so the hosts know who to look out for.** **Thank you for your interest in the group & being part of LoMAZ.** Image: Ceramic tile, Türkiye, around 1700, from the collection.

\*Disclaimer: All are welcome. Students, professionals, non professionals, business owners, curious cats. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Come along to the Corner Corner venue, located just a few minutes walk from Canada water, for a few hours to meet friendly faces, work on your personal projects, or just come and share what passion projects you are all working on. Feel free to bring your laptop, tablet, sketchbook, and notes on the day. Whether you work in Animation, Art, Design, Film, Games development, or storytelling, you are welcome to come along. We love being around diverse creatives who want an opportunity to showcase their talents. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to socialise with like-minded people and to get friendly feedback on their work. All backgrounds are welcome to join us, even if your just curious about Animation/Art/Storytelling \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* I Look forward to seeing you there.

**We will be at The Mitre pub in central Greenwich.** This meetup is free and casual. We just sit around for a few hours and write together. Bring a laptop, or use a pen and paper or clay tablet and stylus if that's what works for you. The structure of the session is roughly: 2pm: chat 2:20–3:25: writing time 3:25: chat/coffee break 3:40–4:45 writing time 4:45: chat But our Saturdays are very casual, so feel free to drop in and out. **This is usually in the meeting room at the Mitre. If you arrive a bit later, you may need to ask the bar staff to show you through to the room.**

And now for something completely different - an event on the history of (selected) English words. "RobWords" is one of my favourite YouTube channels, and Rob himself is doing some live shows. Tickets £29-£37.50. Blurb: "Why don't we spell things the way we say them? Why is English full of words pilfered and purloined from other languages? ...... *RobWords* is an extremely popular YouTube channel..... which celebrates the wonderful weirdness of the English language...... Rob's love for language was established during a career as a newsreader for BBC radio and presenter on Germany's international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle. Living in Berlin and marrying into a French family have also helped him appreciate just how special English really is, and he now shares his passion for the subject with millions across the globe. This show will unlock the true wackiness of words and why we speak the way we do. From the origins of silent letters, to why some terms have a multitude of meanings; all of your etymological enigmas will be solved. Whether it's contronyms, homophones, or portmanteaus that float your linguistic boat, be sure to join us for *Rob Words’ Live!*." Meet at the bar 1PM, show starts 1:30 More details at [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/event-ticketing/app/ev/25079/](https://www.ucl.ac.uk/event-ticketing/app/ev/25079/)

Our THURSDAY EVENING Session and social is primarily for Club Members but guests are welcome. It is aimed at Players of INTERMEDIATE LEVEL AND ABOVE. We would like to keep the level above intermediate. Anyone below this level may be asked to attend coaching sessions until they reach the required standard There is coaching available for beginners and players of all levels. The session will be run as follows. Courts 1 and 2 Games Court 3 Coaching & Drills If you believe you should be playing at a higher level I will be pleased to assess your game. Please respect the way the session has been planned. Any deviation from this and you may be asked to leave. Sometimes team members will need to practice together. If you are interested in trying out for one of our many league teams please let Mani know. Places may be restricted if a match is being played. The cost for this session is £13 MEMBERS WILL ALWAYS BE PRIORITISED WHEN SIGNING UP FOR SESSIONS. **THERE IS A 12 HOUR CANCELATION PILICY. IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT PLEASE UPDATE YOUR RSVP TO NO 12 HOURS BEFORE THE SESSION. ANY TIME UNDER 12 HOURS AND YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT AND UNABLE TO RSVP AGAIN UNTIL PAYMENT IS CLEARED** PLEASE BRING DRINKING WATER TO STAY HYDRATED AS ACCESS TO WATER FOUNTAINS MAY BE RESTRICTED. PLEASE PAY WHEN YOU RSVP TO GUARANTEE YOUR SPOT. I WILL NOT BE TAKING CASH PAYMENTS FOR THE TIME BEING. PAYMENT DETAILS Use Payment link https://monzo.com/pay/r/storm-bc_lDA87GJFk9hkqt Or Monzo Bank Storm BC 04-00-03 77638837 Thanks and see you on court.

*I'm in love with a flower, but I don't know which;* *That gives me pain* *I gaze into the cups of all the flowers,* *Looking for a heart* Heinrich Heine *Tulpenmanie* time 😀 Witness a field of multi-coloured tulips without trekking to the Netherlands 🌷🌷🌷 And along the way we'll pass the final home of John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal, who mapped the stars of the Northern Hemisphere, 3000 of them. And who convinced one Isaac Newton that two comets seen in different months were in fact the same object, that had passed round the Sun 😏 Outward Travel: Take the train departing 9.51 AM from London Bridge to SALFORDS. Beforehand from 9.30 AM the organizer will be near the ticket office in the centre of the station, Buy an off peak day return to THREE BRIDGES - £10.05 with a Network card or Groupsave. Walk start: 10:30 AM from Salfords rail station. Bring a packed lunch. Pub stop for drinks. Walk ends at Three Bridges station. *How to join?* * The walk is entirely free of charge; * You only arrange for your own travel and pub expenses; * Understand our terms and conditions below (the "IMPORTANT" part); * Understand how to stay safe outdoors, as you will be responsible for yourself. See our quick safety tips: http://www.meetup.com/Free-Outdoor-Trips-From-London/about/ *What to bring* * Plenty of water, 1-2 litres recommended * Enough snacks and packed lunch to keep you energized along the walk * Extra snacks and an extra packed lunch just in case * Rainproof (ideally waterproof) clothing, sturdy shoes/boots you don't mind getting muddy * Spare socks * Walking poles and/or an umbrella :-) * Yourself... * ...and your camera! * Cash for train ticket * Cash for pub at the end of the walk? Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section! IMPORTANT Please bear in mind this is a free of charge, self-guided trip with a hobby group. It is not organized by a business nor any entity with commercial purposes. Any trip details, travel advice, route planning, instructions and other content in our group merely represent our shared personal knowledge, research and suggestions as outdoor enthusiasts. As this is no business, there is no "product", "service" or "package" and also no "tour guide", "operator" or "walk leader". Each participant is responsible for their own safety. Even if some of us are very experienced walking outdoors, nobody assumes responsibility for any kind of injury, damage or loss that may happen. Despite this, we take extreme precautions and all trips we plan are very safe, fun, highly educational and popular. Our experienced members volunteer their time and effort to shape a pleasant and quality adventure for everyone :-) By participating you acknowledge and agree with this disclaimer. Here are our tips on staying safe during outdoor trips: http://www.meetup.com/Free-Outdoor-Trips-From-London/about/ TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, INSURANCE Although we provide detailed suggestions, each participant is expected to arrange their own travel - this gives everyone the freedom and choice. Anyone interested in travel or outdoor insurance should also arrange this on their own. As mentioned above we always take extreme precautions, but some people may still feel safer if covered. As most of our trips are confirmed or postponed very close to the event date - heavily depending on the weather forecasts - we advise not to buy this until the last minute. People getting tickets from the same station are encouraged to meet early on the day to benefit from discounts such as GroupSave.

Join us for fun times ;)

Join us for a relaxed social evening for our hiking community! Whether you’ve joined us on past walks, or are simply curious about coming along, this is a great chance to meet fellow hikers and group leaders in a friendly setting. Catch up with people you’ve shared the trail with, swap stories and welcome new faces who are thinking about joining future hikes. We’ve reserved a private area upstairs in a welcoming pub, just a short walk from Waterloo Station. Food and drinks will be available, with a special discount on food for our group, so come along, unwind and enjoy a sociable evening with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. **Date**: Thu 9 Apr **Time**: From 5.30pm **Location**: Upstairs in The Thirsty Bear https://maps.app.goo.gl/2DSmSpnZy9Uu1m9s9 [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/AAAhiking) \| [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AAAHikingUK/reviews) \| [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@aaahiking) \| [Trip Adviser](https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186338-d19994843-Reviews-AAA_Hiking_Outdoor_Group-London_England.html) \| [TicTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@aaahiking) \| [Website](https://www.aaahiking.co.uk/)

The topic for April is "Water" 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!

Let’s try this popular Italian restaurant in Reynoldsburg. This is the menu: https://scaliristorante.com/#4e468054-0235-43e2-81c2-44e061341e9e

Try new games, meet new people, and find out what story games are all about! Explore the reaches of space! Witness kingdoms rise and fall! Create and explore tragedies! All within a single game night. We play story games like Fiasco, Kingdom, Polaris and Microscope that encourage everyone at the table to participate creatively. We also have one-shots of indie, OSR, and narrative-focused RPGs such as Apocalypse World, Dread, Lady Blackbird, and Old School Essentials! Everybody's welcome! It doesn't matter if you've never tried story games before or never played roleplaying games at all! Just bring your brain and a good attitude and come try it out! *** **IMPORTANT** * When you arrive look for the marked Story Games Columbus Tables. Each table will have a separate game. Seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis. * If all tables are full, look for a Facilitator. We will find a way to get you into a game! * There is a flat $3 cover charge for events at Tabletop. *** **Facilitators!!** Please arrive early so that we can get you set up with a table. Please reach out to me ASAP if you would be willing to help facilitate. You can reach me on the SGC Discord here - https://discord.gg/jUTvWUu

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services)

Pay attention! We’re delaying a week for those of you who may be on Spring break and/or celebrating the holiday. Ok, no pancakes, but waffles-a-plenty. Join the local UX and Digital Design community for a casual monthly breakfast. Look for us upstairs!

Love getting lost in a good book? [The Book Loft](https://www.bookloft.com/) of German Village is an iconic independent bookstore packed with hard-to-find literary treasures! This isn’t your run-of-the-mill bookstore; it’s a 32-room literary wonderland that would make even the most seasoned bibliophile’s head spin (one of the largest in the country)! **MEET**: We'll gather outside the storefront and then start browsing... **DESSERT**: We'll grab some famous macaroons to start our foodie tour. [Pistacia Vera](https://www.pistaciavera.com/) is a delicious bakery and cafe in the German Village. This charming shop is especially known for its classic macarons. **HAPPY HOUR**: Italian drinks and bites at [Cento's happy hour](https://centogermanvillage.com/menus/). **PARKING**: Street parking all around here. Check the parking time limit. The bookstore and the foodie stops are all on 3rd Street within 4 blocks on the same side of the street.