Drama and Comedy Stories

Time to bring in the Holiday’s together! Let’s have a little fun and have a gift exchange! (If you would like to participate please bring a $15 wrapped gift.)

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

Bring your business cards and network in person with other business professionals! Gold Star Referral Clubs is one of the most established professional networking organizations in the country, with multiple groups in central Ohio. Join us!

The topic for December is "Reunion" 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 7:00 pm, show starts at 7:30 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!

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!

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

**Miracle is a Christmas-themed pop-up cocktail bar that serves holiday cocktails in the most festive and nostalgic setting in the city - [CITIZENS TRUST](https://www.thecitizenstrust.com/). Featuring wall-to-wall Christmas décor, cheery social experiences, and a whole lot of Christmas spirits!** **Sip one of the many Christmas cocktails crafted by their jolly staff, take your profile picture in the Igloo, and connect with friends in the most decked out holiday bar in the city.** **START**: ***HAPPY HOUR at Buckeye Bourbon House*** (5-6pm). Select small plates and cocktails are about half price. *(note: Citizens Trust does not serve food, just cocktails)* **PARKING:** After 5pm, metered street parking is available. There is also a public pay lot on the same block (Metropolis).

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Sunday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at noon on Sundays. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 12:00 - quick intros. 12:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 1:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 1-1:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Sunday!

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [Jennings Java Artisan Coffee Roasters](https://www.jenningsjava.com/)!

Who doesn't enjoy a twisted tale to go along with their holiday cheer!? Join us as we get together for a psychological thriller and quite possibly the biggest book-to-film release this year: THE HOUSEMAID! The twisty-turny tale follows a young woman who takes a job as a housekeeper for a well-to-do family who could harboring dark secrets! Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Trying to escape her past, a young woman accepts a job as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy couple. But what begins as a dream job quickly unravels into something far more dangerous - a sexy, seductive game of secrets, scandal, power and filled with shocking twists that will leave you guessing until the very end. The Housemaid is directed by Paul Feig (A Simple Favor) and based on the first in a series of books by Freida McFadden. The film stars Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone and Elizabeth Perkins. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48CtX6OgU3s BUZZ: Early buzz is strong with critics calling it an "entertaining,” "twisty" and suspenseful psychological thriller with non-stop twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end! PLAN: Details for this event have already been confirmed! Please purchase your ticket for the 7:15pm showing and we’ll meet in the lobby area between 6:45 and 7:00pm! This fun little twisted thriller is shaping up to be the surprise hit of the season so advance ticket purchase as soon as possible is advised! Once you have yours please list your seat number in the Comments below. The theaters are pausing “Discount Tuesday” pricing for the holidays but we picked some of the lowest price tickets in town! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Join us as we get together for an Oscar Watch film that’s also one of the year’s best: MARTY SUPREME! Timothee Chalamet delivers a “career-best performance” in this film that follows a young man with a dream no one respects, who goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness. Marty Supreme has already been named a Top 10 Film of the Year by IndieWire, Vulture, the BBC, Entertainment Weekly, Vanity Fair, the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute and is well on its way to being one of the most nominated films at this year’s Oscars! Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: This ping pong drama is set in New York City during the 1950s where table tennis star Marty goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness. It is loosely based on the life of famed table tennis player Marty Reisman. The film is directed (and co-written) by Josh Safdie and stars Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, Tyler Okonma, Abel Ferrara and Fran Drescher. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYSHiII4D-Y EARLY BUZZ & REVIEWS: The film premiered to “overwhelmingly positive” reviews at this year’s New York Film Festival! Timothee Chalamet immediately shot to the top of the Best Actor race with a “career best performance” in a film described as an “awe inspiring cinematic tour-de-force!” Others call it, “an absolute blast of adrenaline” and a “pure delight,” “that soars from start to finish!” The film is earning a Certified Fresh 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes where Variety calls it, “one of the year’s few masterpieces!” Slash Film declares, “This is unquestionably the best performance of Timothée Chalamet's career, and Marty Supreme is one of the best movies of the year. I can't wait to watch it again!” PLAN: We’ll plan for a 4pm-ish showing and will meet inside the lobby area about 30 minutes before showtime! Advance ticket purchase not required for this theater but be sure to mention you're with the Movie Group for admission and concession discounts! Complete details will be confirmed and announced as the date gets closer. BRUNCH BEFORE THE SHOW: We'll plan for Brunch before the show at the Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall, located a short distance away. Movie is open as long as tickets are available. Seating is limited so separate RSVP required for the Brunch portion of this event. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

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

Who says you can't get into someone else's head? In the 1999 movie, *Being John Malkovich*, Charlie Kaufmann and Spike Jonze explore the answer to that question with some strange and extremely funny consequences! Nominated for 3 Academy Awards, be prepared for a "mind altering" discussion!

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: We’ll kick off the event with a pre-show Happy Hour at nearby Bravo! We’ll confirm the details and exact meeting time once we get the showtimes, but planning for 5 to 5:30pm for the Happy Hour and a 7pm-ish showing of both films. For the movies, we’ll meet inside the lobby area about 20 minutes before showtimes! Once showtimes are announced, advance ticket purchase is advised. Once you have yours, please list your Movie of Choice and seat number in the Comments below. Complete details will be confirmed and announced as the date gets closer. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

RSVP here to join us for BRUNCH Before MARTY SUPREME at the Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall! We have a 2pm reservation so meet the group there around 1:55pm! We’ll have a large table reserved for the group but seating is limited. As a courtesy to the restaurant and your movie group friends, PLEASE….. Only RSVP if you plan to attend. Try to avoid last minute cancelations or no shows. If your plans change, please try to update your RSVP by Friday before the event. If there is a waiting list and you’re on it, please be sure to check the morning of the event to see if any space has opened up. ABOUT THE RESTAURANT: The Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall is set in a historic landmark with multiple bars and dining areas, 24 taps and great globally inspired food. Rooted in the historic beauty of Franklin Park, the Beer Hall was built in the late 1800’s and preserves the original masonry and character as an historic landmark. CBC Beer Hall is located next door to the East Market at 200 Kelton Avenue, Columbus, OH! ABOUT THE MENU: Their Brunch Menu features an array of fun apps, fritters, wings, and tons of breakfast options like steak and eggs, cornmeal pancakes & tenders, breakfast tacos (including a vegan version), skillets, French toast, and more! For the vegetarians/vegans in the group, their menu is super veg friendly with vegan sausage and crispy tofu! BRUNCH MENU: https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#brunch-menu-drinks FOOD MENU: https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu PLAN: We have a 2pm reservation so we’ll meet at the restaurant at 1:55pm! We’ll have one bit table reserved for the group. Seating is limited – please RSVP here to join us for the Brunch portion of this event. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan