African Diaspora

Welcome back ramblers, rovers, loungers and loafers! Once again, it's time to drift. We're picking up where we left off (well, a little west of there) last month to continue our long-term unguided navigation around the whole of London. We'll stay south of the river this time and keep pushing westwards into the heartland of glorious South London, starting from Greenwich and ending up, most likely, somewhere in Lambeth, via Peckham. These are some of the liveliest, most interesting parts of the metropolis so an extended exploration is a long time coming for us! Since this is a *dérive*, I won't say much more than that. Meet out in front of Greenwich station, serviced by the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) as well as Thameslink (which cost the same as the Tube and run from big stations such as Farringdon and King's Cross) and Southwestern rail services. Check planned TfL disruptions here - there are some disruptions to certain routes on the DLR for March 15th, but Greenwich station will be fine and our day should be all clear for most everybody: https://content.tfl.gov.uk/planned-track-closures.pdf A little background on our City Drifting project here: **Now just wait a minute. What the hell is a drift ([dérive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9rive))?** A drift is any unplanned journey through the urban landscape in which participants practice a form of radical mindfulness, collectively exploring new ways of relating mentally, ideologically and materially to the "ordinary" urban environment we all think we know so well. First theorised publicly by Situationist thinker, artist and provocateur Guy Debord in his 1956 essay *[Theory of the Dérive](https://libcom.org/article/theory-derive-guy-debord)*, drifting is a sort of *critique of ideology* done by walking, looking, and feeling. **The urban environment of London is not a neutral space:** it is packed with surveillance equipment, anti-homeless architecture, consumerist [Gruen transfers,](https://www.smartcapitalmind.com/what-is-the-gruen-transfer.htm) crowd management systems and security perimeters, among a thousand other subtle and not-so-subtle methods of population control. Moreover, our everyday relationship to the city and its pathways is conditioned deeply by our habits of movement and our habitual perceptions: our commute to work, to school, our nips down to the shops, etc. **All these routines create what Marxists call a *reified* relationship with the urban environment: through over-familiarity it becomes something seemingly natural, "just there", ordinary, unchangeable - boring.** This boredom and familiarity kills the radical imagination, without which we're fucked. To be able to start to imagine how society could be transformed, we also need to imagine how spaces, buildings, their use, their whole purpose (and who these serve) could themselves be transformed. A necessary step in this process, according to Debord and the Situationists, is the drift. Like the 19th-century gentleman *[flâneur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fl%C3%A2neur),* by wandering the city with an attitude of "fresh eyes", we can shake loose our ingrained sense of what London and its streets are like. **As a collective, we will work to "estrange our senses" and see the streets, buildings and people differently, as if we were encountering them for the first time.** That is to say: these aren't just random walks around London - with the right frame of mind, they will be opportunities to turn the world upside down, if only for a moment! But don't take it from me - as Debord observed: *"In a dérive one or more persons during a certain period **drop their relations, their work and leisure activities, and all their other usual motives for movement and action, and let themselves be drawn by the attractions of the terrain and the encounters they find there.** Chance is a less important factor in this activity than one might think: from a dérive point of view cities have [psychogeographical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychogeography) contours, with constant currents, fixed points and vortexes that strongly discourage entry into or exit from certain zones."* See you on the streets comrades, and remember, as [Raoul Vaneigem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raoul_Vaneigem) once wrote: *"All space is occupied by the enemy. We are living under a permanent curfew. Not just the cops — the geometry".*

**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/46136 **Game Description:** Join us for a lower intermediate session in Canning Town. Directions: 📍Enter via Morgan Street 🚶‍♂️5 minute walk from Canning Town Station🚗 Free car parking on site, changing rooms, water fountain & toilets are available **Rules** \- 3 teams of 6 \- Games to 15 points \- 2 games maximum and then rotation \- Please be kind and respectful to all players 🧡

Come along on Sunday 15th March to visit Kensal Green Cemetery! **About the cemetery** Kensal Green Cemetery opened in 1833 and was inspired by the cemetery of Pere-Lachaises in Paris. It comprises 72 acres of grounds, including two conservation areas, adjoining a canal. This distinctive cemetery has a host of different memorials ranging from large mausoleums housing the rich and famous to many distinctive smaller graves. Some of the most famous people buried here are: Charles Babbage (1791-1871), mathematician, computer scientist George Birbeck (1776-1841), adult education pioneer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859), engineer Marc Isambard Brunel (1769-1849), engineer Harold Pinter, playwright, director, actor Steve Peregrin Took (1949-1980), musician, founder of rock group T-Rex Sir Terence Rattigan (1911-1977), playwright William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863), writer Anthony Trollope (1815-1882), novelist There are three royal burials: Prince Augustus Frederick (son of King George III) Princess Sophia (daughter of King George III) Prince George (grandson of King George III) Freddie Mercury (1946-1991), singer with the rock group Queen and the actress, Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982) were both cremated here. Going in March, we should see some Spring colour in the trees. The tube station is in Zone 2. **Cost** Entry is free! **Become a Full Member** To become a Full Member (£14 a year), either: \- Pay cash at an event \- Pay via Bank Transfer \(TSB Bank plc\, Sort code: 77\-66\-65\, Account no: 00030809\, Account name: Cultureseekers) \- Pay via credit card on the day or in advance \([https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI](https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI)) \- Pay via PayPal\, send a payment to [general@cultureseekers.org](mailto:general@cultureseekers.org), using the ‘Friends & Family’ option Benefits of becoming a Full Member [here...](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/531979527/) We will go round in small groups using maps supplied. **Afterwards** After we will head to the 'The William pub', 786 Harrow Road for a chat over a drink. The pub is very close to the tube station. If you can make it, please come to the pub afterwards, as its a great way to meet and get to know others after the visit. If you can't see us, please text. Look out for the red and blue 'London Cultureseekers' group sign. Hope to see you there! Robert 07905 901 834 (prefer text) or email: general@cultureseekers.org ***On the day, if you can’t make the visit, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it.*** ***Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.*** *Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing -* ***[https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/)***

**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/46601 **Game Description:** Intermediate Mixed Volleyball Games 🏐 Come get some quality court time with structured play and plenty of reps! We’ll have a minimum of 6 balls we ready, so no waiting around for touches—you’ll get plenty of swings, passes, and sets. We kick things off with about 30 minutes of warm-up drills (hitting lines, passing, serving, and maybe a few fun variations) to get everyone moving and dialed in. After that, we’ll jump into full games—fast, competitive, but always friendly. This session is intermediate level: you should be comfortable with the basics (serving, passing, hitting, and rotations). Expect good rallies, steady tempo, and a chance to sharpen your skills while still keeping it social. Come ready to play, improve, and have fun with a great group of teammates! **Rules** FIVB Rule Set

IMPORTANT EVENT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ! 🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇯🇵🇮🇹🇩🇪🇮🇳🇨🇳🇧🇷🇰🇷🇪🇬🇭🇰🇺🇸🇨🇴🇺🇦🇹🇷🇷🇺🇦🇺 **Join us for our Sunday International Language Exchange and Social!** Welcome to the Highest Rated International Language Exchange group in London,🏆 with 1500+ reviews rated 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ www.languages.london WHEN & WHERE **This event takes place at Craft Beer Co Covent Garden on Sunday afternoon at 4pm** You are spoilt for choice with public transport options including lots of tube, train and buses close to the venue. **The address is 168 High Holborn, London WC1V 7AA** https://maps.google.com/?cid=12246258418147807722&entry=gps **HOW WE DO IT** It's simple .... 1\. When you arrive have your Meetup confirmation visible on your phone\. **Collect your personalised language badge BEFORE ordering your drinks.** We'll be waiting to give you a warm welcome 😃 2\. Pay the £2 event fee\. You can do this by cash or contactless card / phone\. 3\. Wear your badge during the event and always return it before you leave ♻️ ......Start meeting the community and having fun...lots of fun! Please ensure you buy something from the bar to support the venue, who kindly offer us a dedicated space. 🇵🇱🇹🇼🇲🇽🇻🇳🇧🇬🇵🇸🇸🇪🇮🇱🇨🇦🇳🇱🇿🇦🇭🇺🇹🇭🇵🇪🇧🇴🇳🇬🇳🇿🇨🇭 **WHO** Languages in London events are organised for our community - being social, making new friends, building cultural bridges and always very relaxed. We have the largest number of languages and countries represented in our weekly language exchange and social events in London. This is **not** a dating event. Our events are open to Internationals, Locals, Expats, Students, Travellers.....Everyone! Are you an 18 to 24 year old? Come and explore our events. This is the event for a truly global community and for citizens from around the World. Is this the Intercambio you've been looking for? Want to practice your ingles, espanol , francais, italiano, Deutsch, portugues or other European languages? Asian languages ? Or maybe prefer to only speak English.... that's just fine. **All languages and all fluency levels are welcome** Spread the love...Bring your friends 💙 The creator and organiser of **Languages in London - Girish**, will always be visible at the event and there to support you and help with introductions, if you prefer. We want to remain the BEST language events group in London, being the biggest isn't our focus. These are real events with real people. We don't fill our events with inflated numbers and fictitious attendees 👻 **Community members that no-show at our events and inactive members are regularly removed from our group.** **LANGUAGES** Here's a selection of some of the languages that our community speak or have been practicing ... English, Spanish (incl Latin American), French, Italian, Portuguese (incl Brazilian), German, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), Russian, Korean, Hindi, Turkish, Arabic, Ukrainian, Polish, Hebrew, Swedish, Bulgarian, Vietnamese, Hungarian, Bengali, Dutch, Catalan, Farsi, Greek, Urdu, Welsh, Romanian, Norwegian, Czech, Slovakian, Estonian, Danish, Finnish, Turkmen, Latvian, Lithuanian, Nepali, Yoruba, Filipino, Thai, Albanian, Croatian, Serbian, Ebo, Afrikaans, Tamazight, Tagalog, Creole, Malagasy, Mongolian, Tok Pisin and more... you get the idea! 🇷🇴🇬🇹🇨🇿🇳🇴🇩🇰🇫🇮🇨🇾🇺🇾🇪🇬🇧🇬🇦🇷🇰🇪🇱🇰🇲🇦🇹🇳🇩🇿🇸🇬🇲🇾 **SUSTAINABLE** 🌎🌳 Like you, we really care about our planet. We don't like single use paper name tags, stickers or wristbands as they can't be reused or recycled and can even damage your clothing ☹️ The Solution? ...Our personalised and completely reusable Languages in London badges! 🏆👍 So, please make sure you return your badge to us, before you leave the event. We'll sanitise it (anti bacterial & disinfectant cleaners) and use it again & again & again. Thanks for helping us do the right thing and keep our costs down🙏 **SAFE SPACE FOR EVERYONE** 👮‍♂️ We don't tolerate prejudice or harassment of any kind, at any time. Be polite and respectful to everyone else and they will reciprocate. Let's keep the space safe, welcoming for everyone and free of any political agendas. Please report any concerns to the Organiser immediately. Please look after your belongings, the venue is a public place. We may take photos or video at the event for future promotional use. Let us know if you'd rather not be included, we respect your choice 📸 **SPREAD THE WORD** 🗣️💬 If you enjoy our events, please tell your friends and colleagues and help us grow **your** community, thank you ♥️ Join our community - https://www.languages.london/ We're looking forward to welcoming you at Languages in London 😊👋 🇲🇰🇳🇵🇧🇩🇵🇭🇦🇪🇦🇱🇧🇪🇮🇪🇰🇿🇱🇦🇯🇴🇱🇹🇱🇻🇪🇪🇰🇭🇨🇱🇲🇳🇨🇺

**BOOK HERE**: https://sportas.co.uk/games/45742 **Game Description:** Come and play in a casual 6 aside game on a Sunday afternoon ⚽️ It’s a beautiful pitch with larger goals 😍 💦 Showers, changing rooms, water fountain and toilets available. Directions: 🚶‍♂️1 minute walk from Poplar DLR station 🚗 No designated car parking Rules \- Change keeper every 6 minutes \- Classic 6 aside rules \- No slide tackles\, play safe \- Respect everyone on the pitch

Kick off your week with music, movement, and great vibes. Come solo or with friends—no partner needed! **Schedule (This Sunday):** • 6:30 PM – Free Bachata Taster • 7:00 PM – Bachata Classes (3 Levels) • 8:00 PM – Salsa Classes (3 Levels) • 9:00 PM–12:30 AM – FREE Social Dancing (Salsa, Bachata, a touch of Kiz) **What to expect:** • Friendly teachers, clear level splits, and lots of practice time • Great music and a welcoming crowd for all levels—absolute beginners to improvers • Central location, easy transport, and good vibes all night **Why social dancing is good for you:** Social dancing is a fun workout that boosts your cardio, coordination, and posture—without feeling like “exercise.” It reduces stress, fires up your brain with musical timing and footwork patterns, and improves confidence through gentle challenges and quick wins. Dancing with different partners builds connection, empathy, and communication skills (you literally learn to “listen” with your body). It’s also an incredible way to make friends and feel part of a community—one song at a time. Good to know: • No partner or experience required • Wear comfy shoes, bring water, and arrive a bit early for level check-in • Classes start right on time—don’t miss your warm-up! Price: £10 one class £12 two classes 6:30 PM class is FREE intro to bachata RSVP now so we can plan levels and floor space. See you on the dance floor! 💃🕺

Is one of your 2026 goals to have more valuable engaging chats with new like-minded people who are into what you're into thereby adding more brilliant relevant people to your life? Then come and try something different for a perfect New Year adventure swith **group matched topic** based conversation Time is precious. Here at the Universe of Hedonic Adventures, we believe life gets better when you spend more time enjoying the things you love, with similar people who genuinely love them too. This is not just about bespoke socialising but ensuring fully engaging, soulfully enriching and inspiring interactions that leave you a bit wiser than when you arrived. Start 2026 with themed conversations that'll provide **new beginnings**, **thought provoking engaging chats and meeting people who actually share the same interests as you** No awkward hovering. No boring small talk with “so what do you do?” . No meaningless icebreakers, No dull uninspiring generic chats! Just relaxed meaningful and exciting conversations with people who share your passions, interests and hobbies. Whether you’re into creativity, music, travel, films, wellness, curiosity, science, food, politics or great outdoor adventures, you’ll find your people here. **=== CHOOSE YOUR HIGH LEVEL TOPIC ===** Instead of walking into total randomness, choose **your specialist topic when you RSVP** to meet people just like you. When you arrive - you’ll join a small group of people with the same interests from: * **Music** * **Films, Theatre & TV Shows** * **Books** * **Health, Fitness, Sports & Nutrition** * **Fashion** * **Spirituality** * **PPE** (Politics, Philosophy & Economics) * **Art** * **Outdoors & Nature** * **Space, Science & Wonder** * **Food, Eating Out & Cooking** **=== HOW IT WORKS ===** * **Pick your topic when you RSVP** so you’re matched with people who share your interests / passions. To keep conversations truly engaging for everyone, only select a topic that you can talk about with passion and knowledge * **When you arrive**, head to the **table area** (location and host contact number will be posted in the comments). * **Check in with host** — I’ll have a quick chat to make sure you’re comfortable with your chosen topic * **I’ll introduce you to your topic group**, connecting you with people who love the same things as you do * **Enjoy relaxed, easy conversation** over a drink with interesting and engaging people who actually share your hobbies, passions, and curiosity, not just any Tom, Dick & Harry * **Meet a mix of relevant like‑minded people**, ensuring high quality enjoyable organic conversations that flow naturally & never run out * If you get bored - I will re-alllocate you a different group with your secondary area of interest **=== VENUE ===** This historic, cosy, and much‑loved Islington bar serves everything from hot drinks to wine, beer, and food. So come and start 2026 with curiosity, connection, and a room full of people who might just become your new friends Lucas - The Social Butterfly

**A half-day gathering of embodiment & authentic connection in West London. Workshops, ecstatic dance sound journey & community social space.** **For booking and more info:** [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983612456254?aff=oddtdtcreator](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983612456254?aff=oddtdtcreator) **CONNECTIVAL** **Connection, Emodiment, Ecstatic Dance & Community in the Heart of London** **📍 The Amadeus, Maida Vale, West London** **📅 Sunday 15 February** **⏰ 2:30pm–8:30pm** **🔞 18\+ \| Sober Event** **Why Connectival? And Why London Needs It** London is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, yet many of us feel disconnected, overstimulated, and yearning for genuine human connection. Connectival, created and hosted by **Ecstatic Dance London** in collaboration with guest facilitators, is a response to that need. This gathering offers practical tools for connection that you can take into everyday life through movement, presence, and authentic conversation. These practices foster deeper relationships with yourself and with others, particularly in a fast-paced city environment. Connectival widens the idea of love beyond romance into something more human and sustainable. ***Connection, community, expression, presence, and belonging.*** Connectival is rooted in consent, inclusivity, embodied awareness, and respect for boundaries. This is a space to feel safe, welcome, and human. In a city that rarely slows down, Connectival is an invitation to pause, move, and reconnect with yourself and with others.

**I’ve just found out that the Legendary DJ is playing at Fox and Firkin in Lewisham this evening! If you love house music and fancy a good hard dance… come join me! Book tickets here… https://foxfirkin.com/event/kenny-dope-anything-goes-set/** **Check out his amazing house mixes here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1TrfxjXu8quyDw05p2bacX?si=uxwZ1f_xRNi0_DqyQsxl0A**

Join us as we celebrate our March birthdays in style at the fabulous and upscale Guild House in downtown Columbus. Known for its warm, sophisticated atmosphere and beautifully curated menu, Guild House is the perfect setting for an elegant birthday brunch. Enjoy delicious brunch favorites, seasonal specialties, and handcrafted cocktails in a space that blends modern style with inviting charm. This gathering is our way of celebrating the incredible members of our community who are marking another trip around the sun in March. Whether you're a birthday guest or simply joining the celebration, expect great food, uplifting conversation, and the kind of positive energy that makes our events special. We’re truly grateful for the continued support of our members — it’s what allows this community to grow and these experiences to happen. 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 brunches, social gatherings, and other exciting member-only events. ✨ Good food ✨ Great company ✨ A beautiful celebration of community

Kevin Rhodus from Lucy Deep Park Northside is coming to talk to us about his extensive neighborhood Christmas light display that is open in November and December every year north of Dublin. 9 houses over 12 acres and over 120,000 individual controlled lights that sync to music which you can tune into on your radio! Quite impressive! https://ldplights.com/ We'll dive into the tech that runs the show -- should be a blast to hear about this very elaborate display! 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 Dublin Library in the Meeting Room 2

We thought of one of the interesting things that can be enjoyed at this time of the year. We will be meeting at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for a "Fish Fry" in Marian Hall on Friday, March 27th at 5:00 PM. It might be fun for you to experience what has become a tradition on the Fridays before Easter. They will have fried fish or baked fish, French fries and Cole slaw, as well as beverages, all for $16.00 for adults. They will have other beverages and desserts available for sale, as well. We have never tried this, and sometimes there are quite a few people at these events so we hope that we will be able to find each other easily. I'll try to have signs outside Marian Hall that Identify our group. We hope to have you join us!

Join Black Love & Friends for an elevated evening of connection at the stunning rooftop lounge at Lincoln Social in downtown Columbus. Sip handcrafted cocktails, enjoy breathtaking skyline views, and engage in meaningful conversations with professionals and creatives in a relaxed, upscale atmosphere. This is more than a meetup — it's a space to build authentic connections, expand your circle, and enjoy Columbus nightlife at one of the city's most beautiful rooftop venues. ✨ Stylish atmosphere 🍸 Crafted cocktails 🌆 Iconic rooftop views 🤝 Genuine connections Space is limited and rooftop events fill quickly.

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!