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Hey, React Berlin Community! **To attend the meetup please ➡️➡️➡️ [REGISTER HERE](https://guild.host/events/react-berlin-meetup-luc0zo) ⬅️⬅️⬅️ via Guild.** We’re kicking off our first meetup of the year! Join us on **February 11** as we explore modernizing React apps (compiler, useEffectEvent & more) and dive into real-time collaboration powered by a triplestore without a traditional backend. **🗣 Call for Proposals** Have an idea or story to share? Submit your talk proposal through our [CFP form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfbG_BEJJYuAtVL5vhMMnWTpQbYHzGM8kmlqaJ790-Lgqv0fA/viewform) and take the stage at one of our upcoming meetups! **🤝 Organized by** This event made possible thanks to the support from[ React Summit](https://reactsummit.com/) and[ JSNation](https://jsnation.com/) organizers –[ GitNation](https://portal.gitnation.org/). **🤝 Sponsored by** Huge thanks to our friends from Superhuman! Superhuman (formerly Grammarly) is the AI productivity platform on a mission to unlock the superhuman potential in everyone. The Superhuman suite of apps and agents brings AI wherever people work, integrating with over 1 million applications and websites. The company’s products include Grammarly’s writing assistance, Coda’s collaborative workspaces, Mail’s inbox management, and Go, the proactive AI assistant that understands context and delivers help automatically. Superhuman’s global team brings together over 1,500 people across Europe and North America. Learn more about [our products](https://gram.ly/3N7lpsl) and [open roles in Berlin](https://gram.ly/3Z6DdGB). **🕑 Event Schedule** * 18:30 - Doors open - snacks, beer, socialization * 19:00 - Intro and announcements * 19:10 - **Building Cross-Platform Agentic UI at Superhuman by [Oleksii Levzhynskyi](https://www.linkedin.com/in/oleksiilevzhynskyi/)** * **19.35 - Modernizing Your React App: Compiler, useEffectEvent, Activity & Friends by [Vitor Alencar](https:)** * 20:00 - Break with drinks * **20:15 - A Triplestore-Powered BaaS: Real-Time Collaboration Without the Backend by [Oliver Wolf](https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-wolf-81a33099/)** * 20:40 - Networking, Open Mic Lightning Talks * Mingle until 21:30pm 🗣️ **Talks** **➡️ Modernizing Your React App: Compiler, useEffectEvent, Activity & Friends** *React has changed a lot in the last year: React 19, 19.1 and now 19.2 brought a stable React Compiler, new hooks like useEffectEvent, the \ API, and better SSR primitives such as Partial Pre-rendering. And more* *In this talk we’ll take a demo React app that’s full of effects, memoization and “old school” patterns, and modernize it step by step.* **➡️ A Triplestore-Powered BaaS: Real-Time Collaboration Without the Backend** *Backend-as-a-Service platforms promise simplicity, but often lock developers into complex APIs authorization rules. What if your frontend could directly manage data, authorization, and collaboration - without domain-specific backend code?* *In this talk, Oliver shares how he built a triplestore-based BaaS to power real-time collaboration in his side project MonsterWriter, and how the approach grew into an independent open-source project. We’ll see how LinkedRecords.com enables fine-grained authorization, simplifies real-time collaboration, and supports a Bring Your Own Backend model that gives organizations more control over their data and vendor relationships. It is also shown how global state management becomes a lot easier in React apps.* **➡️ Building Cross-Platform Agentic UI at Superhuman** *Recently, Superhuman (formerly Grammarly) launched Superhuman Go, an AI assistant that works alongside you on every platform. To build it, we needed a scalable solution that supports an unlimited number of agents that dynamically shapes the user interface and looks similar across all supported desktop and mobile platforms. Join me to find out how we discovered solutions for this innovative new product.* **—** **👍 Code of Conduct** By registering for this event you agree to comply with our[ CoC](https://portal.gitnation.org/coc) **📩 Contact** events@gitnation.org [https://twitter.com/ReactSummit](https://twitter.com/ReactSummit) [https://bsky.app/profile/reactsummit.gitnation.org](https://bsky.app/profile/reactsummit.gitnation.org) [http://youtube.com/ReactConferences](http://youtube.com/ReactConferences)

Important information: The event will always take place regardless of how many people attend the meetup. There is always a second laughter yoga conductor (Heidi) and a couple of other regulars who don't use Meetup. Laughter Yoga is a unique concept that combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing to promote wellness and overall happiness. You will learn how to laugh without reason. The event is perfect for anyone looking to de-stress, boost their mood, and connect with others in a light-hearted and fun way. You don't need any yoga experience, just the willingness to laugh. **Do I need special clothing?** * Just wear comfortable clothes. Please bring some thick socks or clean shoes for the room. **Do I need anything else?** * It is essential to stay hydrated. Please bring some water. * Comfortable clothes. Thick socks or clean shoes for the room. * An open mind. **Is it free?** * Participation costs 5€. Alternatively, you can use Urban Sports Club. These costs are mainly used to cover rent for the room, meetup fees, flyers, etc. * Link for Urban Sports Club (USC): https://urbansportsclub.com/de/venues/laughter-yoga-club-kreativhaus **What does an event look like?** * We incorporate laughter exercises, breathing exercises, playful exercises, positive affirmations, and dancing. The event ends with a laughter meditation. **What if I can't laugh?** * Everything is voluntary. If you can't laugh, you can simulate it, and usually, people get into genuine laughter during the sessions. Laughter yoga is a great way to laugh more, to laugh deeper, and more frequently! **How many people show up?** * Usually, the group size was 2025 between 7 and 20 people. **Where is it?** * It's close to U2 Märkisches Museum. The Kreativhaus Berlin Mitte has one entrance. Please be there 5 minutes before we start. After 7 pm, it might be closed, and you either have to ring the bell or go around the house and watch out for the yellow smiley flag. The session takes place in "Projektraum 2/3". Sessions are either in German or English. We always make sure that everyone understands it. More information you can find here: [www.more-laughter.com](www.more-laughter.com)

NEW STARTING TIME: 18H30! Come along, grab a coffee or other drink, shut up, and write! We will do at least two sessions of each 45 minutes of writing and two breaks. We will start the first writing session at 18:45. And don't forget to **order drinks to support the place and its amazing owner** who hosts us! *Please **update your RSVP if you can't make it**, so that other people on the waiting list can join. **I will prioritize other people's registration if someone does not show up twice without updating their RSVP.** * Looking forward to see you at the meetup! In between sessions, we have a Telegram chat: https://t.me/joinchat/ERW3pxD5kfELGeWs9SUhjw For more information, visit https://shutupwrite.com.

Come along, grab a coffee, shut up, and write! We will do at least two sessions of each 45 minutes of writing and two breaks. We will start the first writing session at 10:15. For space reasons, we are limited to a certain number of attendees, so please update your RSVP if you can't come. We are typically by the large windows facing the U-Bahn entrance. If you are new, come and say hello, as we know that suddenly going quiet for 45 minutes and staring at that blank page can be intimidating when it's your first time. We have a lot of long-term regulars who will be happy to help you feel welcome. In between sessions, we have a Telegram chat: https://t.me/joinchat/ERW3pxD5kfELGeWs9SUhjw For more information, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com/).

Welcome to the PyData Berlin February meetup! We would like to welcome you all starting from 18:00. There will be food and drinks. The talks begin around 18.30 and the doors will close at 18:45. **Make sure to arrive on time!** Please provide your first and last name for the registration because this is required for the venue's entry policy. If you cannot attend, please cancel your spot so others are able to join as the space is limited. **Host**: **GetYourGuide** is excited to welcome you to this month's version of PyData. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* The Lineup for the evening **Talk 1: How Data (Science) is Transforming Professional Sports** **Abstract**: From Moneyball's linear regression revolution to AlphaGo's Move 37, data science has fundamentally reshaped how we understand and play sports. This talk explores three key dimensions of this transformation: first, how analytics revolutionized scouting and training—from the Oakland Athletics' 20-game winning streak to Liverpool FC ending their 30-year championship drought through data-driven player selection. Second, how machine learning and real-time tracking systems have changed gameplay itself, making the mid-range jump shot obsolete in basketball and revealing chess strategies that had eluded grandmasters for thousands of years. Finally, we'll examine the darker consequences, including how ML-powered microbetting has transformed sports gambling into a $149 billion industry that resembles slot machines more than traditional wagering. This talk offers insights spanning baseball, soccer, basketball, chess, and Go - demonstrating how data science doesn't just optimize existing strategies, it fundamentally questions the assumptions entire sports were built upon. **Speaker**: Kaan Isik **Bio**: Kaan Isik is a Data Scientist at GetYourGuide where he works on the Activity Ranking team. As a member of this team, he focuses on developing and optimizing the learn-to-rank deep learning model that powers real-time activity recommendations for millions of travelers worldwide. His work directly impacts how users discover activities across GetYourGuide's platform, making their travel planning more personalized and efficient. **Talk 2: Can Foundation Models outperform classic ML on structured data? Hands-on experience with TabPFN** **Abstract**: LLMs excel at generalising over text data, but cannot reliably predict outcomes from spreadsheets and databases, which drive most critical decisions across medicine, finance, science and virtually all industries. In this talk, we will showcase how TabPFN, Tabular Foundation Model developed by Berlin-based Prior Labs, successfully generalises over structured data problems, beating classic ML with win rates ranging from 100% to 87%. **Speaker**: Diana Kriuchkova **Bio**: Diana is leading Product at Prior Labs. She is a part of the team developing TabPFN, a foundational model for tasks on structured data. TabPFN was published in the 2025 issue of Nature journal, and has shown to beat classic ML methods like XGBoost in >80% of cases. Diana's former background is in machine learning, and she spent last years leading product at developer-focused startups in Berlin. **Lightning talks** There will be slots for 2-3 Lightning Talks (3-5 Minutes for each) between the two main talks. Kindly let us know if you would like to present something :) \*\*\* NumFOCUS **Code of Conduct** THE SHORT VERSION Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down others. Behave professionally. Remember that harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary jokes are not appropriate for NumFOCUS. All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. NumFOCUS is dedicated to providing a harassment-free community for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of community members in any form. Thank you for helping make this a welcoming, friendly community for all. If you haven't yet, please read the detailed version here: https://numfocus.org/code-of-conduct \*\*\*

FLINTA Creative + Academic Writing Circle (Berlin / hybrid) Are you writing a thesis, a paper, a story, or simply searching for your voice? This circle offers a safe and supportive space for FLINTA writers to meet weekly, share writing time, and exchange feedback. ✏️ We begin each session with a short warm-up exercise (creative or reflective). 📖 Then, we write together in quiet focus. 💬 Finally, we share thoughts, questions, or fragments. Whether you’re working on research, poetry, essays, or personal projects — you’ll find companionship and accountability

📌 LOCATION UPDATE 📌 The library informed me that their space won’t be available on this date. Which means we’ll be meeting at the café instead! **📍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** \-\-\- Welcome to **I WRITE**, a gentle space for anyone who wants to write—quietly, freely, and without judgement. We are a Berlin community of writers who gather together weekly to write, talk and recharge after a long week. Some of us journal, some write novels, some do academic writing, many people come without a project in mind and see where the inspiration flow takes them. This is a space to simply show up and write, a safe place to be yourself and to release all your layers onto the paper. There’s no set topic, no feedback circle, and no pressure. Just warm people, a calm atmosphere, and time dedicated to yourself. 🗓️ **Agenda:** * 14:30 - 15:00 **→** 30 min arriving, optional socialising (arrive early, meet other writers) * 15:00 - 16:00 **→** 1 hour of silent writing (headphones welcome, focus encouraged) * 16:00–16:30 **→** 30 mins break + optional chat or solo time (stay and chat or go celebrate the rest of your Saturday) * 16:30–17:30 → 1 more hour of silent writing (for those staying) * 17:30–18:00 → 30 mins of chat, and leaving 🎒 **Bring:** * Something to write with (laptop, notebook, phone, typewriter… anything goes) * Something to drink (there is no cafeteria, unfortunately) * Your current project or a blank page * Yourself, exactly as you are **👉 Responsibility:** * Our location is limited; thus, I am kindly asking you to RSVP only if you are willing to attend. **About me:** Hi, my name is Anastasia. I started this writing club back in May 2025. Since then, it has been hosted weekly at the Heinrich Schulz Library (who is kind enough to allow us to use this room for free). Over this time, I’ve been privileged to meet some of the most creative and kind minds in Berlin. And I would be happy if you joined us. Whether you're an experienced writer or just at the beginning of your journey, you're welcome. If you know how to hold a pen or how to type, there will always be a space for you. Let's write together!

Für Mitglieder von Text Collective Berlin ist die Teilnahme an dieser Veranstaltung kostenlos. Nicht-Mitglieder werden um eine Spende von zehn Euro gebeten. [https://textcollective.de/ticket](https://textcollective.de/ticket) Es handelt sich um einen moderierten Workshop. Kreative Schreibübung mit anschließender Diskussion zum Erfahrungsaustausch, Inspiration und Motivation zu sammeln. Ein Raum für alle, die kreativ schreiben möchten – egal ob du gerade erst anfängst oder schon länger schreibst. **Jeden zweiten Samstag des Monats von 14:30 Uhr bis 16:30 Uhr in Charlottenburg (Haus am Mierendorffplatz).** **Was dich erwartet:** In unseren Treffen arbeiten wir mit abwechslungsreichen Schreibimpulsen, die neue Perspektiven eröffnen und spielerisches Experimentieren ermöglichen. Du schreibst direkt vor Ort, teilst deine Texte mit der Gruppe (freiwillig!) und erhältst konstruktives Feedback. Die Atmosphäre ist offen und unterstützend. Hier darf ein Text noch unfertig sein, eine Idee noch roh, ein Gedanke noch unausgereift. In dieser Atmosphäre gegenseitiger Wertschätzung entsteht der Mut, sich auszuprobieren und die eigene Stimme zu entdecken. Wir lesen einander vor, geben Rückmeldung, ermutigen uns gegenseitig und praktizieren das Zuhören. **Über Text Collective Berlin:** Wir sind eine kreative Schreibcommunity, die regelmäßige Workshops und Lesungen organisiert. 2025 erschien unsere erste Anthologie "Begegnung zwischen Welten" mit Texten aus der Schreibwerkstatt.

**Authentic Relating & Circling with Sophie and Marco** Come and connect and learn the powerful practices of Authentic Relating and Circling. We normally do about a half-hour of Authentic Relating in paired-shares, followed by Circling in up to two breakouts, usually rejoining the large group at the end. However the program will change according to the experience of the participants at each event. If you are not familiar with Authentic Relating & Circling, you can read Marco's book on the [Circling Guide](https://circlingguide.com) website. All events are beginner-friendly and no prior experience is necessary. If all goes well, you will feel that this is what you have been doing your whole life, and all you ever wanted was to be with people who share this way of being! **PS:** **don't look at Meetup RSVP's, as this event is advertised through multiple channels. Please always register due to limited space. To register and get the address, RSVP and then message Marco here on Meetup or else WhatsApp to +49 1573 9667979 or follow this link: [https://wa.me/4915739667979](https://wa.me/4915739667979)** **\*\*Why attend?\*\*** * Are you seeking more fun, connection, and deeper understanding with the people in your life? * Do you lack an honest, loving space to communicate your needs and desires? * You long for a supportive community where all issues can be brought openly and with care? * You are curious about how the powerful practices of Authentic Relating and Circling can enhance your life? *If so, our Authentic Relating and Circling evenings are for you!* **\*\*Who should attend?\*\*** These sessions are open to people of all genders and sexual orientations who want to bring Authentic Relating skills and practice into their life. This program is ideal for you if: * You're interested in other people and how they think and feel. * You enjoy stepping out of your comfort zone. * You're self-responsible and open. * You want to be seen, heard, and appreciated for what's important to you. * You want to engage with others in tender conversations about the challenges of being human. **\*\*Dates\*\*** *We're offering Authentic Relating & Circling every Thursday from 19:00-21:30.* **\*\*Cost\*\*** The cost at the door is 25€ / 30€ / 20€ (depending on your income). Alternatively buy a 5-pass card for €80 (€16 per session). **\*\*Location and Directions\*\*** Kleiststraße @ Eisenacher Str., 10787 Berlin-Schöneberg Our house is a short walk from Nollendorfplatz U, and is also served by several buses. For the exact address message Marco here, or (better)message Whatsapp +49 1573 9667979 (https://wa.me/4915739667979). **\*\*Other Programs\*\*** In addition to AR & Circling live in Berlin, Sophie and Marco have other programs and services, online and in person. These include individual and couples coaching, our 6 week Authentic Relating in Community (in [English ](https://circlingguide.com/arc)and [German](https://circlingguide.com/arcs/)), retreats & immersions. For details refer the the Connecting Circle website at [https://connecting-circle.de/](https://connecting-circle.de/). Join our WhatApp announcement channel [http://bit.ly/46fNuDE](http://bit.ly/46fNuDE) Join our Telegram announcement channel [http://bit.ly/45XXbb6](http://bit.ly/45XXbb6) **\*\*Facilitators\*\*** Marco Beneteau, author of the "Circling Guide" ([www.circlingguide.com](https://www.circlingguide.com/)), the most popular book on Circling within the Authentic Relating tradition. Marco has been leading AR groups for seven years. Sophie Lemperle-McGrath, founder of connecting-circle ([www.connecting-circle.de](http://www.connecting-circle.de/)) is a Gestalt & AR facilitator, mediator and "Getting Real" couples Coach. *Our Authentic Relating & Circling nights are fun and engaging. We hope to see you there!* **\*\*Agreements & Terms of Service (Please read)\*\*** **Authentic Relating and Circling is not therapy**. People encounter states, emotions, beliefs, and sensations in themselves and others which can be difficult. We explore the unknown, the volatile, the ambiguous, as well as welcome emotions many deem as “negative” or “inappropriate” such as feelings of inadequacy, anger, sexuality, and joy. We refer to the willingness to feel difficult and uncomfortable truths as the “commitment to connection,” which of course includes a willingness to set appropriate boundaries, and speak a desire for space, distance, and non-contact. By attending our events you take responsibility for your level of participation, which might include choosing to leave. If all this sounds potentially overwhelming or destabilizing for you, if you have mental illness or significant emotional challenges that you feel may be exacerbated by this type of transformational environment, or if you are not sure that you can be self-directed in taking care of your needs during the event, then we advise you not to attend. We look forward to seeing you!

**Enjoy Authentic Caribbean Sunday Buffet for just 20 Euros per person. RSVP :-)** **Every Sunday from 1st February 2026** Small, intimate group Join us every Sunday for an authentic Caribbean buffet experience, inspired by the rich flavours, spices, and traditions of the islands. This is a relaxed, small-group gathering where good food, good vibes, and good conversation come together. Wine, coffe, tea, Juices (extra) Each week you’ll enjoy a carefully prepared buffet featuring classic Caribbean dishes — slow-cooked, well-seasoned, and made with love, just like home. Expect bold flavours, comforting favourites, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels more like a family Sunday than a formal event. Whether you’re Caribbean, Caribbean-curious, or simply a food lover looking for something different, this is a space to eat well, unwind, and connect with others over a shared table. What to expect: * Authentic Caribbean home-style buffet * Small group for a cosy, friendly vibe * Laid-back Sunday atmosphere * A chance to meet new people over great food Come hungry, come relaxed, and let Sundays taste like the Caribbean

You've seen them in the book shop. You've seen them in the library. You've seen them online. **The Blind Date with a Book.** Those shelves of wrapped books with little teasers written on them. This is the book trend perfect for Valentine's, and perfect for a swapping group like us! For this special event, please bring a wrapped book. On the front please write: * the language of the book * a few short bullet points about the book. Get as creative (or not) as you like, as long as it's a truthful description. I've seen fascinating paragraph versions and also one liners. * For example: "You will love this book if you love -similar author / general genre / band-singer the book reminded you of / actor who played the lead in the film / etc-". Other examples include writing the first line of the book. Or your favorite line of the book. Beside that, it's just similarly structured as the "classical" bookswap: * We put the book(s) we brought down on the tables. * Each book gets a post-it so people interested would write their names on. * We browse and discuss the books with one another while sipping coffee or hot chocolate, or eating cake. THIS TIME try to avoid naming the book and author. * We write our names down on any books we’d like to take home. * At the end of the evening, negotiate any books that are contended and take a new-to-you book home! I've mostly only seen the trend at book stores and Libraries and when I just Googled it, saw that a lot of people are totally tricking the wrapping out. Please don't bother going that far unless it would give you great pleasure. We'll have some newspaper / paper bags on hand if you don't have any wrapping. ***NOTE - this is NOT a person dating event.*** We tried that once as a very optional part of the event and it wasn't fair to the three confused people who were looking for people and not books. We know of at least one book swap marriage and several other book swap relationships so it happens organically without us pushing for it and making it all awkward :) Similar to our pleasant swapping post-it format, our expectations below apply to this event as well. We look forward to swapping with you! GROUP EXPECTATIONS for PLEASANT SWAPPING * Please bring a book! It's not that you bring one you take one, but do try your best to bring something. * Books stay on the tables, open for sharing, until you are ready to leave so that everyone can have a look. We are notably not first come first serve. Please wait until you are leaving to bag the book. * If two or more people want the only copy of a book, negotiate. Maybe one of you reads it first and then gives it to the others. Or perhaps they have found another book instead. Or leave it to fate and toss a coin. The best part: now you have found somebody whose taste you can really admire. In any case, please don't walk away with a book with several names on it without letting the others know. These negotiations are fun and easy, so don't shy away from a book because there's already a name on it, and feel free to put your name on as many books as you find interesting. It's not that you bring one you take one; you may take as many as you can negotiate. * Political discussions with consent: make sure the people you are talking to would like to have a political discussion with you. * Please respect this space as first and foremost a community for connecting readers over their love of books and reading, stories, and narratives of all sorts. Please be respectful of tastes and opinions. * If something is bothering you, please reach out to the organizers, and we'll do our best to resolve it. * Lastly, don't expect your book back. It will find a new home. If you love it, let it go. **Major LANGUAGES (and genres) of this meetup:** English, German, French, Spanish, Italian; Fiction, Non-Fiction, Serious Reading, Light Fun, “classics", Krimis, Booker winners, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Self-Help and more. You never know who can read what languages, and there's no accounting for taste. We are a delightful and international group of readers. We look forward to swapping with you!

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!

A quiet writing and sharing space, Queer Quills features some prompts, supplies and friendly faces to help get some inspiration or feedback for your writing. Hope to see you there!

**Our February novel is: Julia by Sandra Newman** **This month is a classic, dystopian, fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, and science fiction novel. The book is 394 pages in print and 14 hours and 20 minutes on audiobook.** **An imaginative, feminist, and brilliantly relevant-to-today retelling of Orwell’s 1984, from the point of view of Winston Smith’s lover, Julia, by critically acclaimed novelist Sandra Newman.** Julia Worthing is a mechanic, working in the Fiction Department at the Ministry of Truth. It’s 1984, and Britain (now called Airstrip One) has long been absorbed into the larger trans-Atlantic nation of Oceania. Oceania has been at war for as long as anyone can remember, and is ruled by an ultra-totalitarian Party, whose leader is a quasi-mythical figure called Big Brother. In short, everything about this world is as it is in Orwell’s 1984. All her life, Julia has known only Oceania, and, until she meets Winston Smith, she has never imagined anything else. She is an ideal citizen: cheerfully cynical, always ready with a bribe, piously repeating every political slogan while believing in nothing. She routinely breaks the rules, but also collaborates with the regime when necessary. Everyone likes Julia. Then one day she finds herself walking toward Winston Smith in a corridor and impulsively slips him a note, setting in motion the devastating, unforgettable events of the classic story. Julia takes us on a surprising journey through Orwell’s now-iconic dystopia, with twists that reveal unexpected sides not only to Julia, but to other familiar figures in the 1984 universe. This unique perspective lays bare our own world in haunting and provocative ways, just as the original did almost seventy-five years ago.

**New Dojo Location!** **Draft Day Columbus** 1130 Dublin Road Columbus, OH 43215 We're going to try a new dojo location for a few weeks and see how it works Dojos are informal Python group study sessions where everyone interested in Python gathers to learn about Python, help others with Python, or just hang out. Everyone is welcome from Python beginners to experts. Bringing a laptop is encouraged (we'll have extension cords and power strips). If there's something you want to learn leave a comment on this invite so we can plan ahead. We're looking for topic suggestions and people interested in presenting at our monthly meetings. To this end we've set up a survey form at [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15eBKF1nQQ2XS5gzD4rvhVRHMBEj7lJtHuA9wXupS3Uc)

The topic for February is "Transitions" 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!

Topic details coming soon. AGENDA: 7:00pm - Opening announcements 7:10pm - Main Topic 7:50pm - Q&A

Join us for The Fisherman by John Langan. In upstate New York, in the woods around Woodstock, Dutchman's Creek flows out of the Ashokan Reservoir. Steep-banked, fast-moving, it offers the promise of fine fishing, and of something more, a possibility too fantastic to be true. When Abe and Dan, two widowers who have found solace in each other's company and a shared passion for fishing, hear rumors of the Creek, and what might be found there, the remedy to both their losses, they dismiss it as just another fish story. Soon, though, the men find themselves drawn into a tale as deep and old as the Reservoir. It's a tale of dark pacts, of long-buried secrets, and of a mysterious figure known as Der Fisher: the Fisherman. It will bring Abe and Dan face to face with all that they have lost, and with the price they must pay to regain it.