즐거운 시간

**Instinct \#20 \| Panel Discussion** with ***Joshua Amissah, Antke Antek Engel, Jan Großer, Mati Klitgård***, and ***Eric Le Rouge,*** moderated by ***Neo Seefried***. for **LGBTQIA+** Free event Our **panel discussion** explores why conflict can be so difficult to navigate within queer spaces—and how the desire for harmony, practices of care, and political expectations shape these dynamics. For this conversation we invite Joshua Amissah, writer and curator focusing on Black queer perspectives; Antke Antek Engel, philosopher and director of the Institute for Queer Theory in Berlin; Jan  Großer, psychiatrist and psychotherapist; Mati Klitgård, facilitator and founder of the Gay Consent.Lab; and Eric Le Rouge, director of Instinct Art and co-founder of we are village. The discussion will be moderated by Neo Seefried, facilitator of the workshop series *Radical Empathy – Queer Storytelling for Connection* and co‑curator of *Instinct Art*. Between the need for safety and the demand for visibility, we ask what queer identity means today: lived experience, political project—or both at once? **About Instinct** Instinct.berlin is an arts organization that presents exhibitions with queer artists twice a year at the Village, a community center for queer people in Berlin. These exhibitions, along with performances and talks, encourage interaction between artists and the local community. The residency program allows artists to engage intensively with the vibrant atmosphere of the Village and build a bridge between their work and the wider queer community. This collaboration enriches the cultural dialog and supports the development of queer art projects, benefiting both the artists and the community at large. Visit **[www.instinct.berlin](https://www.instinct.berlin/)** for a list of artists, program details, and opening times. 🔵 **Instinct \#20 \| Podiumsdiskussion** Mit ***Joshua Amissah, Antke Antek Engel****, **Jan Großer**, **Mati Klitgård*** und ***Eric Le Rouge****,* Moderation: ***Neo Seefried*.** Fur **LGBTQIA+** Kostenloss Unsere Podiumsdiskussion untersucht, warum Konflikte in queeren Räumen oft so schwer auszutragen sind – und wie das Bedürfnis nach Harmonie, Praktiken der Fürsorge und politische Erwartungen diese Dynamiken prägen. Für dieses Gespräch laden wir Joshua Amissah, Autor und Kurator mit Fokus auf Black Queer Perspectives; Antke Antek Engel, Philosoph\*in und Gründer\*in des *Institute for Queer Theory* in Berlin; Jan Großer, Psychiater und Psychotherapeut; Mati Klitgård, Facilitator und Gründer\*in des *Gay Consent.Lab*; sowie Eric Le Rouge, Leiter von Instinct Art sowie Mitbegründer von we are village, ein. Moderiert wird die Diskussion von Neo Seefried, Facilitator der Workshop‑Reihe *Radical Empathy – Queer Storytelling for Connection* und Co‑Kurator\*in von *Instinct Art*. Zwischen dem Bedürfnis nach Sicherheit und der Forderung nach Sichtbarkeit stellen wir die Frage, was queere Identität heute bedeutet: gelebte Erfahrung, politisches Projekt – oder beides zugleich? **Über Instinct** Instinct.berlin ist eine Kunstorganisation, die zweimal jährlich Ausstellungen mit queeren Künstler:innen im Village, einem Community Center für queere Menschen in Berlin, präsentiert. Diese Ausstellungen, zusammen mit Performances und Gesprächen, fördern die Interaktion zwischen Künstler:innen und der lokalen Community. Das Residenzprogramm ermöglicht es den Künstler:innen, sich intensiv mit der lebendigen Atmosphäre des Village auseinanderzusetzen und eine Brücke zwischen ihrer Arbeit und der breiteren queeren Community zu schlagen. Diese Zusammenarbeit bereichert den kulturellen Dialog und unterstützt die Entwicklung queerer Kunstprojekte, was sowohl den Künstlerinnen als auch der Gemeinschaft insgesamt zugutekommt. Schau auf **[www.instinct.berlin](https://www.instinct.berlin/)** vorbei, um die Künstler, Programmdetails und Öffnungszeiten zu finden.

Unser internationales Sprachcafé richtet sich an Alt- und Neu-Berliner\*innen, Reisende und Anwohner\*innen - alle sind willkommen! Bei heißem Tee und Kaffee und frischen Waffeln könnt ihr mit Menschen aus aller Welt ins Gespräch kommen. Um das Eis zu brechen, haben wir verschiedene Spieleinheiten vorbereitet - wie zum Beispiel ein Kennlern-Bingo, Impro-Theater-Übungen und ein kleines Berlin-Quiz. Selbstverständlich ist die Teilnahme an den Spielen freiwillig und ihr könnt euch gerne einfach gemütlich unterhalten. Wir möchten vor allem Sprachstudierende ermutigen teilzunehmen, und Berlin in diesem Rahmen aus verschiedenen Perspektiven kennenzulernen, persönliche Kontakte zu knüpfen und in das kulturelle Kiezleben der Stadt einzutauchen. Teilnahme auf Spendenbasis

Forge alliances, lay false trails, spin lies and expose them – welcome to the Social Deduction Night at Irrlicht! 7pm til late =) Veterans and complete beginners are welcome! Depending on your experience level, we will choose the appropriate script. Rules will be explained on the spot – for those who dont know the rules, please make sure to arrive 15min before, so we can start on time.

**Sip Happens! x Caprice — @MOKKAMITTE** 🎟️ Paid Event. [Buy your ticket here!](https://fixr.co/event/caprice-berlin-grand-opening-tickets-118831346?lang=en-US) 🎟️ Get ready for a high-energy collision of sound as **Sip Happens!** teams up with **Caprice** for a night dedicated to the best in sexy electronic music and more. Expect a supercharged atmosphere, cutting-edge beats, and a uniquely immersive experience on the dance floor. Discover genres from all over the world while connecting and mingling with new friends in Berlin. With 8 international DJs bringing their signature styles, the night promises a nonstop journey through powerful sounds and unforgettable moments. **Full Lineup:** * MARIA FM (UKR) * BRIZLA (SA) * CECI FIERCE (DE) * METABOLISM (SA) * SONGOVIC (UK) * DAVID GEORGE (DE) * HKAUFFMAN (DE) **Expect a night of the best music, an electric crowd, and a one-of-a-kind vibe you won’t want to miss.** 🎧🔥✨ 🎟️ Paid Event. [Buy your ticket here!](https://fixr.co/event/caprice-berlin-grand-opening-tickets-118831346?lang=en-US) 🎟️

Book a ticket [HERE](https://www.epiccomedyberlin.com/weekly-shows?utm_source=meetup&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=dark-thoughts-meetup-berlin-sales&utm_content=listing-main-v1&target=weekly-shows&show=dark-thoughts&city=berlin) A Berlin comedy show where Berlin's top stand up comedians take your suggestions and generate hilarious sets on the spot! ★★★★★ DOORS 10:45 PM SHOW STARTS 11 PM ★★★★★ ★★★★★ENGLISH-SPEAKING★★★★★ Finally, something Netflix can't match! The Darkest Thoughts Comedy Berlin show offers you the audience a chance to get immediate comedy based on any topic you can think of. This interactive comedy show opens with a short and funny conversation with the host about what themes interest you today. Then there is a short break where you get another drink and write down whatever you want us to improvise about in the second part related to the themes we discussed. Then a lineup of the best Berlin comedians will come in and improvise standup comedy on the spot with your notes! It's gonna be funny, interesting comedy show generated straight from your thoughts! This is a donation-based show (Recommended donation 10-15 Euro) so entry is free but we recommend you reserve your seat as seating is limited (reservations valid until 15 minutes before the show starts.) So reserve now and let the Darkest Thoughts Comedy show pluck some funny directly from your mind!

The Moody Comedy Show is an interactive stand-up experience where the audience sets the tone! Just like in life, we all have different moods—happy, angry, excited, or maybe just “meh”—and comedians are no different. Each performer will embrace their mood on stage, delivering jokes that match their vibe, whether they’re feeling upbeat, frustrated, or existential. But that’s not all—you get to join in too! Audience members will write down their mood, and we’ll pull from a hat, riffing on your emotions in real-time. It’s a comedy show that evolves with the energy in the room, making every night unique. This is a pay-at-the-end show, but reservations are recommended. If you arrive without one, entry at the door is €12 (if seats are available). So book ahead, bring your mood—whatever it is—and let’s laugh about it!

This is a 4 phase event. You can join at any time. 1.) 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.: Gathering at the meeting spot. 2.) 12:30 - 01:30 p.m: Using public transport together to Gärten der Welt. 3.) 01:30 - 05:00 p.m: Exploring Gärten der Welt. 4.) 06:30 - 09:00 p.m: Dinner at Kan'Koa (optional). This is the 18th cherry blossom festival and 23rd anniversary at Gärten der Welt. **Highlights:** cosplay event, music and dance performances, food stalls and much more! 💡\*\*Please buy the normal ticket (9 €) in advance to avoid the long queue at the main entrance. If you buy the the ticket on the day of the event the price will be raised to 12 €!\*\*💡 **How to buy the correct ticket:** [https://gruen-berlin.ticketfritz.de/en/Shop/Index/tageskarten-gaerten-der-welt-sommer/44086](https://gruen-berlin.ticketfritz.de/en/Shop/Index/tageskarten-gaerten-der-welt-sommer/44086) **More info and full programm here:** [https://www.gaertenderwelt.de/events/veranstaltungen/detail/2026-04-11_1000/kirschbluetenfest-2026/](https://www.gaertenderwelt.de/events/veranstaltungen/detail/2026-04-11_1000/kirschbluetenfest-2026/) **1.) How to the find the FOODFACTORY Cube Berlin (Effe&Gold):** Washingtonpl. 3, 10557 Berlin https://g.page/foodfactorycubeberlin?share Our meeting spot is inside right next to Effe&Gold. Frome there we go to the Gärten der Welt. **2.) Going to Gärten der Welt:** We'll use public transport to get to this place. If you live in the east, you can join us directly in the garden. **3.) Exploring Gärten der Welt:** The Hanami will be held near the Japanese and Korean garden. We will watch some of dance performances such as traditional chinese dragon dance. **4.) How to the find the Kan'Koa restaurant:** Oranienburger Str. 17, 10178 Berlin https://maps.app.goo.gl/DL5ifV3XzDSkJeAq6 This Asian restaurant has a cozy atmosphere which gives the opportunity to have meaningful conversations. They offer a good mix of Japanese and Vietnamese cuisine. I would recommend this to vegetarians as well as vegans. *Who is this meetup for:* 1\. Asians who want to practice German and/or English\. 2\. German speaking individuals who are studying \(preferably\) Japanese\, Korean\, Mandarin or Cantonese\. 3\. Anyone who is interested in cultural exchange and wants to socialize\. *What you can expect:* 1\. A professionally organized meetup that can adapt to any changes given the current situation\. 2\. A Walk & Talk to break the ice\. 3\. A collaborating venue where you can further socialize with other members\. *** Whenever you attend a meetup, the most common as well as first question you get is: "Where are you from?" You probably heard this question a million times. Well, at least I did. From my own experience of attending over 200 international meetups in various countries such as Germany, Japan, Australia and Thailand, I can tell you that asking for the name is a better approach. “A person’s name is to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language.” - Dale Carnegie If you really want to connect with like-minded people you should remember their name, but you don't have to remember every persons name you've talked you. Be picky about that, don't be me who can somehow remember everyones name easily. Don't tell yourself sth. like "I'm bad at remembering names." It's all about developing the habit of asking for a name and keep the conversation going on. Furthermore, you want to learn German or any other language. Learning the local language is crucial to connect with the locals and developing a true friendship. This can be accomplished with immersion. My goal is to inspire you to go out of your comfort zone and improve yourself each time you join this meetup.

📚 **Short Story Sunday** 📍 **Location:** Iska Café 📅 **Timing:** Every second Sunday 🕰 **Time:** 11:00 – 13:00 **Selected story: To Build a Fire by Jack London (\~15 pages)** 1st Link: https://americanliterature.com/author/jack-london/short-story/to-build-a-fire 2nd Link (Backup PDF): https://tea4avcastro.tea.state.tx.us/thl/ENG3.W6.L5.to-build-a-fire.pdf 3rd Link (Backup PDF): https://shortstoryamerica.com/pdf_classics/londonj_to_build_a_fire.pdf **A Slow Sunday Morning with Stories** The **Sunday 15 Pages Short Story Book Club** is a gentle way to begin the day — a cozy literary gathering for people who enjoy slowing down, listening to stories, and sharing thoughtful conversation. Instead of reading alone at home, we experience literature together. Each meeting invites us to step out of the Berlin’s rush into a calm space of imagination, reflection, and human connection through short fiction. **How the Morning Flows (Approx. 2 Hours)** **11:00 – 11:30 \| Arrival & Settling In** Gather at the café, order something you enjoy, and ease into the morning. **11:30 – 12:15 \| Collective Reading** We read a carefully selected short story together. **12:15 – 13:00 \| Discussion & Reflection** An open and informal conversation about impressions, emotions, interpretations, and ideas ✨Feel free to join only for the discussion part if you feel like reading on your own ✨ **What to Expect** Short stories are selected by the hosts and announced online before each meeting. No preparation is required — simply arrive and immerse yourself in literature and conversation. **What to Bring With You** • Your own copy of a story • Curiosity and openness • A willingness to listen and share perspectives • Optional: a notebook if you enjoy jotting down thoughts • Your appetite for coffee, cake, and good stories **📍Location:** * We meet at the Iska Cafe at Kalckreuthstraße 7, 10777 Berlin. There is no pin at the google maps yet, so please just come directly to the location and find us at the right door at Erdgeschoss. * 🚇 **U1\, U2 Wittenbergplatz \|\| U1\, U2\, U3\, U4 Nollendorfplatz** * 🚌 **106\, 187\, M19\, M29 An Der Urania \|\| M46 Motzstraße**

**Curatorial Tour – Instinct#20** for **LGBTQIA+** Free event **Group exhibition** During this **curatorial tour**, we will guide you through artworks that engage with conflict as a generative force and explore “Radical Empathy” as an active, transformative practice. Together, we will consider how empathy can be learned, challenged, and reimagined through queer artistic perspectives. The tour will examine how artists create spaces that embrace difference, resist dominant narratives, and invite us to remain open to discomfort, connection, and change. Moving beyond passive understanding, these works propose empathy as a relational encounter—one that has the potential to reshape how we live with and through conflict. **instinct #20** __ viewing 02.–12. April __ **Artists** Matthias Bade Josch Hoenes & Tomka Weiß Heami Lee Paul Harfleet Owa Mesa Dylan Mitro Monika Popiel & Paweł Świerczek Lars Reimers Tejal Shah Andrey Shental __ **Performance** Ahmed El Gendy Dumama __ **Guests (workshops / panel)** Joshua Amissah Antke Engel Jan Großer Lo Höckner Mati Klitgard __ **Film** *Prinz in Hölleland* (1993) von Michael Stock __ **Cooperation** Schwules Museum Berlin Salzgeber Verleih __ **Curatorial Team** Eric LeRouge in collaboration with Neo Seefried & Kristijan Radakovic *\*The exhibition **instinct#20 Radical Empathy** serves as an artistic reflection on two we are village projects, **Conflict and Resilience** and **Queer Connect**. Bringing these earlier initiatives into dialogue, instinct#20 Radical Empathy revisits their ideas, processes, and contexts, transforming them into a new curatorial framework that invites renewed interpretation.* 🔵 Während dieser **kuratorischen Führung** begleiten wir Sie durch Werke, die Konflikt als produktive Kraft begreifen und „Radikale Empathie“ als aktive, transformative Praxis erforschen. Gemeinsam betrachten wir, wie Empathie erlernt, hinterfragt und durch queere künstlerische Perspektiven neu gedacht werden kann. Die Führung untersucht, wie Künstler\*innen Räume schaffen, die Differenz zulassen, dominante Narrative hinterfragen und dazu einladen, offen für Unbehagen, Verbindung und Veränderung zu bleiben. Über ein passives Verständnis hinaus begreifen diese Arbeiten Empathie als relationale Begegnung – eine, die das Potenzial hat, unsere Art, mit Konflikten zu leben und durch sie zu wachsen, grundlegend zu verändern. **instinct #20** __ geöffnet 02.–12. April __ **Künstler:innen** Matthias Bade Josch Hoenes & Tomka Weiß Heami Lee Paul Harfleet Owa Mesa Dylan Mitro Monika Popiel & Paweł Świerczek Lars Reimers Tejal Shah Andrey Shental __ **Performance** Ahmed El Gendy Dumama __ **Gäste (workshops / panel)** Joshua Amissah Antke Engel Jan Großer Lo Höckner Mati Klitgard __ **Film** *Prinz in Hölleland* (1993) von Michael Stock __ **Kooperation** Schwules Museum Berlin Salzgeber Verleih __ **Kuratorisches Team** Eric LeRouge in Zusammenarbeit mit Neo Seefried & Kristijan Radakovic *\* Die Ausstellung **instinct#20 Radical Empathy** versteht sich als künstlerische Reflexion zweier we are village Projekte: **Conflict and Resilience** und **Queer Connect**. Indem diese früheren Initiativen miteinander in Dialog gebracht werden, nimmt instinct#20 Radical Empathy ihre Ideen, Prozesse und Kontexte erneut auf und überführt sie in einen neuen kuratorischen Rahmen, der zu einer erneuten Interpretation einlädt.*

**Relax. Connect. Create. ☕** After a full week of work, meetings, study sessions and life in fast-forward, it’s time to slow down. Join us this Saturday afternoon in Berlin for a relaxed coffee hang-out where this week's agenda is good company & warm drinks. You're also invited to bring some boardgames, drawing/coloring materials (I will bring an adult coloring book) **What’s the plan?** We’ll meet in a cosy spot, draw, chat about everything and nothing, swap stories and simply enjoy the moment. No pressure. No formalities. Just a bunch of friendly people sharing a Saturday coffee. **Who’s welcome?** Everyone! Whether you’re a Berliner born and raised, newly arrived in the city, from Germany or abroad, if you like meeting open-minded folks and spending some relaxed time—come join us. **When & how?** Saturday afternoon. Detailed time and place in our Telegram group. ➡️ Join us on Telegram: [https://t.me/berlinsaturdaycoffee](https://t.me/berlinsaturdaycoffee) Hop in, say hello, and we’ll share the final details. **Why join?** * Because you deserve a break. * Because you enjoy being creative. * Because you enjoy boardgames * Because meeting new people sparks fresh energy. * Because coffee tastes even better when shared. * Because Saturday afternoons were made for this. Respect and Safety: There is always at least one organizer present at every meetup. If you ever feel unsafe or bothered by someone’s behavior, you can reach out to an organizer privately. Your identity will remain confidential, your concern will be taken seriously, and no inappropriate behavior is tolerated — anyone making others feel uncomfortable will be removed from the group immediately. We hope to see you there. Bring yourself, your smile, drawing materials, your stories—or just your comfy self. Let’s make Saturday a little more laid-back, a little more social and a lot more nice. See you soon! —Your Saturday Creative Coffee Crew ☕

Hey, Sonntag ist es wieder soweit. Wir gehen am Lietzensee spazieren, bilden Zweiergruppen und wechseln uns ab. Treffpunkt: VOR dem Restaurant Rocco. Komm gerne in unsere WhatsApp-Gruppe, um Fragen zu stellen: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ii4XEqFgMn9CSIxgIO9LHG](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ii4XEqFgMn9CSIxgIO9LHG) Das Event findet bei Regen nicht statt. Nach dem Spazierengehen können wir noch ins Café, um die vorangehenden Gespräche zu vertiefen und zu connecten. Kleiner Hinweis: \- Unsere Walk & Talk Events finden auf Deutsch statt\. \- Wenn du doch nicht dabei sein kannst\, dann melde dich bitte vom Event ab\. So können wir das Event besser planen\. Freuen uns auf eine nette Truppe.

**Instinct \#20 \| Film screening** with ***Ahmed El Gendy*** for **LGBTQIA+** **[Free event with registration](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/village-instinct-film/w15-2026)** **Prince in Hell (Prinz in Hölleland)** **Director**: Michael Stock **1993 – 90 min** In German with English subtitles The story is set soon after the reunification of West and East Germany, and is about the disintegrating relationship between Jockel a political activist and Stefan a heroin junkie, and their involvement with a bisexual Micha. A 2nd plot line is concerned with Micha’s young son Sascha, and his life in a rundown world of drugs and poverty. His fascination with the creepy, exhibitionist puppeteer Firlefanz, whose grotesque puppets enact a gay fairy tale paralleling the relationship of Stefan and Jockel. Central to the disintegration of these characters is the drug dealer Ingolf, who ‘pulls their strings’ with heroin, instead of puppet wires. 🔵 **Prinz in Hölleland** **Regie**: Michael Stock **1993 – 90 Min.** Deutsch mit englischen Untertiteln Kurz nach der Wiedervereinigung von West- und Ostdeutschland erzählt der Film vom Zerbrechen der Beziehung zwischen Jockel, einem politischen Aktivisten, und Stefan, einem heroinabhängigen Junkie, sowie von ihrer Verstrickung mit Micha, einem bisexuellen Mann.Eine zweite Handlungslinie folgt Sascha, Michas jungem Sohn, der in einer heruntergekommenen Welt aus Drogen und Armut aufwächst. Sascha fühlt sich von dem unheimlichen, exhibitionistischen Puppenspieler Firlefanz angezogen, dessen groteske Puppen ein schwules Märchen aufführen – als Spiegel der Beziehung zwischen Stefan und Jockel. Im Zentrum des Zerfalls steht der Dealer Ingolf, der die Figuren nicht mit Puppendrähten, sondern mit Heroin „an den Fäden“ hält.

**💶 €2 (to cover organizing & Meetup charges)** I am backkk! 😊 And what better way to start the hiking season than with a **Cherry Blossom hike** through one of Berlin’s most unique spring routes! 🌸✨ We’ll be walking along a stretch of the **former Berlin Wall**, now transformed into a beautiful path lined with **1000 Japanese cherry trees** — a gift from Japan after reunification. It’s a mix of history, culture, and spring magic all in one walk 🌿🇯🇵 📍 **Route:** https://www.komoot.com/tour/2846814822?share_token=aBlmlWbE6frkVLfjMwyEhTaKFnc15ecqf3SRb0VRl8ZSb5TXFH&ref=wtd **🗓 When:** April 11th **🕥 Time:** Start **sharp at 11:00 AM** (we won’t be able to wait for latecomers) **📍 Meeting Point:** Lankwitz S-Bahn [https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jnw5akJzcJpFZJiT8](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jnw5akJzcJpFZJiT8) **🚶 Distance:** \~15.2 km ### 🌿 What to Expect: * A **social, fun, and relaxed hike** with good vibes * A chance to see **cherry blossoms in bloom** 🌸 (nature allowing 😉) * A unique walk along the **historic Berlin Wall trail** * A mix of urban + nature — not fully forest, but definitely beautiful and worth it *** ### 🌸 A Quick Note on Blossoms: Cherry blossom timing can be a bit unpredictable — and with **Berlin winds doing their thing 🌬️**, the bloom might vary. But no matter what, it’s going to be a lovely spring walk together!

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!

. 🎬 Movie Night You, Me & Tuscany Join us for a cinematic escape to the sun-drenched vineyards and romantic landscapes of Italy as we gather to watch You, Me & Tuscany, the new feel-good romantic comedy starring Halle Bailey and Regé‑Jean Page. Set against the breathtaking beauty of Tuscany, the film follows a spirited young woman whose impulsive decision to stay in a Tuscan villa leads to unexpected adventure, heartfelt moments, and a romance she never saw coming. Expect an evening filled with: 🍿 A beautiful cinematic escape to Italy 🍷 Relaxed social vibes and great conversation ✨ A feel-good romantic story perfect for movie lovers Whether you’re a fan of romantic comedies, stunning travel settings, or simply enjoy experiencing great films with great people, this will be a perfect night to unwind and connect. Come ready to relax, laugh, and be transported to Tuscany for the evening. Follow Black Love & Friends on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/share/17oXQtZz36/) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/blackloveandfriends?igsh=djVrYnhqeG5nMjBx) to stay connected and be the first to hear about upcoming dimnets, social gatherings, and other exciting member-only events.

Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “create a better world” by helping serve those in need. Here are complete details and our plan for this event: FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. For this event, our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces. PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for BRUNCH from 10:30am to 12:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 10:20am and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1 (in the back of the building), indicated in the attached map. On-site parking in the adjacent lot and street parking is available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details: IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing all of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please try to update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1 week of the event will not be eligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. Our Partner Agency for this event is Lutheran Social Services! A huge THANK YOU to all of YOU for volunteering at this (and any of our previous) CMG Gives Back events! Should be a good/fun/meaningful time together, Dan

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

Semi in honor of March being International Women's Month Columbus libraries: [https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3454709](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3454709) Location: SOW Plated Menu: [https://www.sowplated.com/menu-brunch/](https://www.sowplated.com/menu-brunch/) Book summary: In 2006 Julia Lerner is living in Moscow, a recent university graduate in computer science, when she's recruited by Russia's largest intelligence agency. By 2018 she's in Silicon Valley as COO of Tangerine, one of America's most famous technology companies. In between her executive management (make offers to promising startups, crush them and copy their features if they refuse); self promotion (check out her latest op-ed in the WSJ, on Work/Life Balance 2.0); and work in gender equality (transfer the most annoying females from her team), she funnels intelligence back to the motherland. But now Russia's asking for more, and Julia's getting nervous. Alice Lu is a first generation Chinese American whose parents are delighted she's working at Tangerine (such a successful company!). Too bad she's slogging away in the lower echelons, recently dumped, and now sharing her expensive two-bedroom apartment with her cousin Cheri, a perennial "founder's girlfriend". One afternoon, while performing a server check, Alice discovers some unusual activity, and now she's burdened with two powerful but distressing suspicions: Tangerine's privacy settings aren't as rigorous as the company claims they are, and the person abusing this loophole might be Julia Lerner herself. The closer Alice gets to Julia, the more Julia questions her own loyalties. Russia may have placed her in the Valley, but she's the one who built her career; isn't she entitled to protect the lifestyle she's earned?

Dinner and dancing

The Humanist Monthly Program is our longest running event and still a community favorite. In the old days it used to be called "Going to HCCO" and we still like to think of it as our flagship event. We will be hearing from Becca Powell, Director of Advocacy and Outreach at Unchained At Last, an organization whose mission is dedication to ending forced and child marriage in the United States through direct services and systems change. Unchained At Last's mission clearly meshes and addresses several of our Humanist Ten Commitments. Becca will educate us about an issue many of us may not be familiar with--but should be. 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