African Diaspora

* *Please note: TO OBTAIN THE LINK FOR JOINING OUR MEETINGS, PLEASE MESSAGE ME, CAPRICE JACKSON, THE GROUP ORGANISER.* *** **A very big welcome to our friendly queer and inclusive writing group!** **We meet every week on Monday evenings (UK time) and have been going since 2018.** **Here's the schedule of the group:** 7.30-9.00 Say hi and personal writing time 9.00-9.30 Discussion\* The aim of the group is to provide a shared and safe space for people who regard themselves as part of the queer community to write together. It is intended for you to work on your own writing, whatever form that takes. You can drop in and drop out as you wish. \* The discussion is open and can take different directions. Typically, it focuses on writing: sharing of work, asking and answering questions, and so on. Taking part is optional. Very best wishes, Caprice PHOTO: *Winter Solstice at Stonehenge (English Heritage website)*

**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/42599 **Game Description:** In partnership with In2Sports, we bring to you a new Monday night session 🏙️ Learn more about them here: https://in2sports.org This is a lower intermediate session, if you’re beginner please attend the mixed/social sessions 🧡 💦 Water fountain, showers, bathrooms and changing rooms available **Directions:** 🚶‍♂️5 minute walk from Canary Wharf station **Rules** \- 2 teams of 6 \(1 rotating sub\) \- Games to 25 points \- Please be kind and respectful to all players 🧡

### 🌅 **What is this?** **Kickstart your day by chasing the sunrise** with a unique blend of fitness, fresh air, and socializing! Tired of the usual routine? Join Hackney's young professional community for this **free social event** where we swap the screen time for 'green time.' ### 📍 **The Vibe & The Workout** This event is designed to be a fun, engaging, and social hour of activity. * **The Focus:** The session is about movement, camaraderie, and having fun! We stick together as a group—all levels are welcome. * **The Fun:** We will be incorporating different **dynamic exercises and playful team games** along the route. Expect short bursts of running mixed with engaging activities to break the ice and ensure a full-body, high-energy start to your day. * **The Mission:** To catch that incredible Hackney sunrise! ### ☕ **The Social Finish** We encourage people to stick around for an **optional coffee/tea/pastry** to properly cool down, chat, and solidify those new connections. ### 📢 **Important Notes & Weather Policy** **Please be punctual!** We start moving at the scheduled time to chase the sunrise. If you are late, you might miss us. If you cannot find the group, please WhatsApp me: **+44 7487 832243**. I will be wearing some hilarious accessory at the Victoria Park Canal Gate. Please look for an Asian girl. **Prep for the Morning:** * **Hydration:** Remember to **bring water** and stay hydrated before and during the session. * **Weather:** Please dress in warm layers and bring a **waterproof jacket and hat** just in case. * If it's just drizzling, we are still **ON!** * If heavy rain is forecast, we will cancel the event and inform all RSVPs **one day in advance.** * **Filming**: Please note that I might be filming or taking photos throughout the journey. ### 🤝 **Who Should Join?** * Professionals looking to expand their social and business networks in East London. * Anyone who wants a dynamic and enjoyable way to stay active. * Individuals seeking a friendly, low-pressure group fitness environment. * All fitness levels—whether you run regularly or are just starting out, you are welcome! > **Free to Join!** Please feel free to bring along your friends or colleagues. Just have them RSVP on Meetup so we can get an accurate headcount for the activities.

**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/42517 **Game Description:** Come and play in a beginner friendly full court basketball game 🙌 This session also welcomes mixed ability players but please be positive and encouraging to all players regardless of their skill level. We all have to start somewhere 🧡 **Venue:** 🚪Entrance to the sports hall is on the corner of Celebration Avenue and Temple Mills Ln 🧼There are showers, changing rooms & a water fountain at the venue 🚶‍♂️5 minute walk from Stratford International DLR Station 🚗 Paid car parking is available on site **Rules** Explained at the start of the session but usually a running clock for the whole time and subs every 5-6 minutes on each team.

**Venue:** Wetherspoon Crosse Keys (far back downstairs room). 9 Gracechurch Street, EC3V 0DR Nearest station. Monument. Welcome to our 50-50 Trivia Quiz and afternoon social get-together. **Bring a pen please.** Thirty interesting tricky questions, each with two answers to choose from. (No sport or maths). Is the answer obvious or not? I set the quiz so expect surprises. Check photos below or previous events for similar question sheets. When you go on walks, you see and learn things. With this Trivia Quiz, you'll definitely be learning a bit more! Four players max per team, but the lower number teams get a point per player start from the biggest team. For example, four teams of one, two, three and four. Four player team, no advantage, (the biggest and theoretically the more knowledge between them, except it doesn't always work like that). Three player team. one point start. Two player team. two point start. One player team. three point start. Scores are always close and around the 23-25 points mark. How many players do you want in your team? There's a dilemma! Prizes of interesting flavour chocolate and one for the funniest team name. Every three weeks on a Monday at various central london Wetherspoons or function rooms. Event time is from 2-4pm, which allows plenty of time to get away for transport. Twenty five minutes for the quiz, five for marking up, and socialising time for the remainder period. There is a small charge of £4 card/cash to cover prize and Meetup costs. This is a great way to make new friends or catch up with old ones. See you there! **Contact number on the day is 07422334411 if your transport is delayed.** **Don’t forget to cancel via the “Edit RSVP” button if you can’t make an event. Please do this well in advance when you know, so it allows good notice for someone else to take your place. Your consideration is greatly appreciated.**

Join us on Tuesdays for a vibrant and immersive experience of West African drumming in SE5. This event is perfect for both beginners and experienced drummers looking to enhance their skills and connect with the energetic beats of the Djembe drum. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of African music as our skilled instructors guide you through rhythmic patterns and techniques that will transport you to the heart of Africa. Bring your drum or borrow one of ours and become part of a dynamic drum circle where everyone's unique contributions come together to create a mesmerizing musical tapestry. Whether you're a seasoned drummer or just starting your rhythmic journey, this event promises to be a joyful celebration of African drumming that will uplift your spirit and leave you feeling connected to the vibrant beats of the continent. Join us in SE5 and let the rhythms of West African drumming awaken your soul.

Come and join in the fun with talented guest Drum Masters Always suitable for beginners! All ages above 8. We are a 'Social Enterprise' so your attendance & support really helps us to survive. Drum hire included in price as well as community vibe! Learning traditional African rhythms through chant and song . Djembes and dun duns. Learning the rich cultural oral history behind the rhythms and how generationally passed down.

This is the most iconic old school hip-hop NYE celebration in the city 🎇 Get ready to step into a time capsule where the beats were heavier, the lyrics hit harder and the dance-floors stayed packed till the lights came on. We’re taking it back to when hip-hop ruled the streets and shaped the culture, all night long. 🎉 EXPECT👇 ▪️The best DJs spinning 90s and 00s hip-hop classics ▪️Timeless anthems from Tupac, Biggie, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Salt-N-Pepa and more ▪️An electric crowd that lives and breathes the culture ▪️Big countdown moments inside one of London’s most iconic venues A night to celebrate the music, the culture and the people that made this era unforgettable 💫 Tickets: £25 Admin fee: £3 More info: https://dice.fm/event/wwl3bx-gin-and-juice-old-school-hip-hop-nye-2025-31st-dec-the-steel-yard-london-tickets

NEW YEAR PARTY

Bring your Raspberry Pi, Arduino, microcontroller, or any other electronic project and join fellow electronics makers for a night of creativity and collaboration! This session is open forum to share your current projects—whether complete or in progress, it’s all interesting! Whether you’re deep into embedded systems, exploring new ideas, or just getting started, you’ll find a welcoming space to collaborate, share, and get inspired. I've been hardware hacking a See N Say to make it say whatever I want - while the project is in progress still, it should be working by this meetup! I'll bring it for demo. [See N Say Project](https://github.com/cdeever/esp32-see-n-say) While we continue to pursue a more permanent venue for this Meetup, we’ll be using public library facilities based on availability. This session will be at the Worthington Park Library in the Olentangy Meeting Room.

**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!

You can also join the meeting by Conference Call at (518) 263-8851.

**Community Dance – Every Friday at Unity of Columbus** Let go of the week’s stress and move into joy! Join us every Friday for an evening of community, connection, and dance at Unity of Columbus. It’s a chance to meet new friends, express yourself through movement, and experience the emotional healing that comes from music and rhythm. No dance experience needed — just bring your energy, an open heart, and your dancing shoes! Dance is freedom. Dance is healing. Dance is fun.

Looking for a creative night out that isn’t boring or corporate? Come hang out at **The Arcane Foundry** for an open candle bar and a 3D print paint and sip! Choose something from our 3D-printed shelf — *think ceramic paint-and-sip, but way cooler and with custom models we print in-house.* Or head to the candle bar and pick your fragrances to pour your own **pillar candle or container candle**. Sip complimentary tea, enjoy bakery snacks, and **BYOB wine or beer** while you paint, pour, and make whatever the hell you feel like making. No experience needed — this is all vibes, fun, and meeting new people while creating something you’ll actually want to take home. Starting at a very low price of $10 **All materials included. You just bring yourself (and your drink of choice).**