Battlestar Galactica

Hi all, Welcome to our May book club! We are a friendly group of avid readers that enjoy a variety of books and great conversation, over a meal. New members are welcome but spaces are limited. The books for Thursday 21 May 2026 are: **Science Fiction** Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove [Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/216540053-of-monsters-and-mainframes) **Fantasy** A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin [A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle, #1) by Ursula K. Le Guin | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13642.A_Wizard_of_Earthsea) **Urban Fantasy** Go back, and re-read the book that first got you hooked into Urban Fantasy books. Books set a mondern time, with a recognisable urban type landscape. Was it Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, the Dresden Files, Mercy Thompson, Sookie Stackhouse or maybe Twilight that inspired you to read more books like this. You don't have to read all the books. However, the more you read, the more robust the conversation will be with multiple people discussing each book. Don't forget to bring along some Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Urban Fantasy suggestions for the following meet-up! If you would like to see all the books (excluding bonus books) that we have read before, click [here](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1K96OI_w3AIBzkDVWXenQNc6mYbZ2cMvfRnzVehkp9Bo/edit#gid=0) to have a look. Since there are so many authors out there, we try not to repeat authors, however, I am relaxing this slightly moving forward. If you are new(ish) to the group, check out the back catalogue for some inspiration if you are stuck for something to read. Numbers are limited. If you can’t make it, please change your RSVP to a NO as a courtesy to the organiser and to let any wait-listed people into the meet-up. If you have time, stay back for a social catch up with your fellow book club members. Of course, you can go as soon as the book club finishes, but if you have time, then this is a great opportunity to find out all the news and what books people have been reading over the last couple of months. Happy Reading!!! 🤓😊

**2026 BENTLEIGH CUBAN SALSA, BACHATA** **& RUEDA DE CASINO DANCE CLASSES** **\- NOW OPEN \-** **EVERY THURSDAY** *\* No dance experience necessary* *\* No partner required* *\* Open to all adult ages* At: **BENTLEIGH UNITING CHURCH HALL** 495-497 Centre Rd, Bentleigh (\* Located opposite the Bentleigh RSL) **\* HALL Entry** \- via the front entrance of the church \- Go past the glass panel doors \- We are at the far end\, in the back room on the right\. **2026 BENTLEIGH PROGRAM:** **6.15pm – 7.30pm** **#1: CUBAN SALSA BEGINNER** Starting with the **INTRODUCTION TO SALSA BASICS** An extra 15 minutes has been added, aimed specifically to assist new Beginners with a slower breakdown of the main basic steps. More experienced Beginners are recommended to come use this to strengthen their core steps. We found that by doing it this way, new students get a much better dance experience overall. This leads into the main Beginner Salsa lesson. **BEGINNER CUBAN SALSA** (Main Beginner Class) *(Beginner to Improver Level)* *TOTAL CLASS TIME: **1 Hour & 15 Minutes***)\*\* **7.30PM – 8.30PM** **\*\* CLASS #2:** **CUBAN SALSA / RUED DE CASINO** **IMPROVER - INTERMEDIATE LEVEL MAIN CLASS** *(Covering Rueda De Casino & Cuban Salsa)* \- Ideal for students who are confident with their Beginner level steps and turns\. This Improver to Intermediate level class will concentrate on Cuban Salsa & Rueda De Casino to raise the level of the Beginners to Improver Level and higher\. **What is Rueda De Casino?** *Rueda De Casino*, also called just *'Rueda'*, in it's basic form means 'Casino wheel', where dance couples comes together to form a circle, with one main 'caller', who calls out the names of different Cuban Salsa figures made up of different sequences of fun dance moves, which are danced by the couples in synchronisation. As the level of the dancers improve, so does the figures performed become more elaborate and complicated and with the constant change of partner calls, make the dance fun and exciting for the dancers, as well as spectators who view the dance. **8.30pm – 9.30pm** **\*\*\* CLASS #3: BACHATA** *(Absolute Beginner to Improver Level)* \* No experience or partner necessary - all welcome \- Bachata is the second most popular Latin dance around the world after Salsa **CLASS COST:** Casual/Drop-in attendance: Any Main class - $20 per class Any 2 Classes on the night - $30 for both classes or Do ALL CLASSES on the night for only $35! ***\* Please note:*** We only accept **CASH** on this night **CLOTHING & SHOES:** Comfortable casual clothing. Best shoes when starting are low or flat smooth sole shoes like leather sole shoes. Avoid sandals & open toe shoes. Avoid track shoes or runners as these grip the floor & can interfere with your turns **MEDICAL:** Anyone with breathing problems, heart conditions, knee, back or shoulder injuries and who are taking prescribed medication, please consult with your doctor first before joining any classes. **COVID PROTOCOLS:** \* If you have flu like symptoms or feeling unwell, please do not attend any classes \* If you are a first contact, as a precaution, please do not attend any classes until after 7 days of negative tests \* Sanitize hands frequently **PRIVATE LESSONS:** We provide private lessons on a one-to-one basis, with or without a dance partner and for private groups at a time that suits you

Smashing! Try something new Thursday Interactive workshop - Become the charismatic leader Serious about improving your leadership - **Why mess, come to the best** Why is Smashing different to other speaking clubs? Just one member's thoughts, "The fun/laughs factor is definitely a point of difference. We keep it moving with high standards so it’s a nice balance. Too strict makes it tense and boring, too loose and we can lose the energy/commercial feel. SmashSpeak's vibe's in the sweet spot." **Free parking** close: O'Connell and Cobden streets **IMPORTANT: Be on time, as doors close when the show starts** “Proudly Australian" – Free-flowing teamwork, greater good focus, sharing the stage, etc Multicultural Hub, 506 Elizabeth St (Opposite Queen Vic Market) Level 1, Purple Room (End of corridor) More to come...

**Welcome to our Thursday Social + Language Exchange Meetup 🌍** We meet weekly at **Asian Beer Café** **Level 3, Melbourne Central** **211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000** We ask that you **purchase a drink at the bar** or **pay $3 at entry**. *** ### 💬 Find your people (New!) Looking to practice a specific language? Post in the discussion using: * **#LearnSpanish** * **#LearnEnglish** * **#TeachEnglish** * **#LearnJapanese** * etc. 👉 This helps others find you faster and makes it easier to connect. *** ### 📲 Join our WhatsApp Community Stay connected before and after the event, meet people, and find language partners: 👉 **Join here:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bi7FlhHP91e0eP7MfdeWcZ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bi7FlhHP91e0eP7MfdeWcZ) *** ### ⏰ What to expect We consistently have **100–120 attendees** every Thursday (across multiple Meetup groups). People arrive at different times — **best time to come is between 6PM and 9PM.** Come solo or with friends — most people come alone and join conversations naturally. *** ### 🌏 Who attends? A mix of: * Native & non-native English speakers * International students * Backpackers & working holiday travellers * Professionals & expats * Local Australians You’ll meet people from: Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Latin America, and more. *** ### 🗣️ Why join? 👉 A relaxed, social way to practice English 👉 Meet people from around the world 👉 No pressure, no structure — just conversations *** ### 🍕 FREE DRINKS & FOOD FOR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS! We’re looking for **friendly volunteers** to help welcome newcomers and keep the vibe social. 👉 You’ll get: * Free drinks (beer/soft drink) * Food (pizza, wedges, etc.) * A fun team to hang out with No experience needed — many of our volunteers are **first-timers too**. Interested? 👉 [www.Linguas.au/Volunteer](www.Linguas.au/Volunteer) *** 📲 **More info:** [https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU](https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU) or **@Linguas.AU**

Our shadow, or dark side, acts as a storehouse for the unacceptable aspects of our personality which we pretend don't exist. As a result we repress these negative personal qualities out of our awareness and into the unconscious which results in the blocking of our spiritual path. To successfully move along the spiritual path to higher states of consciousness the seeker must have the courage and will to identify, own and integrate the unfavorable aspects of their personality. This lecture will cover the insights and techniques needed to do this valuable and important spiritual work from a Jungian and Theosophical perspective. **Tony Petcopoulos** is a national lecturer and has been a member of the Theosophical society for fifty years. He has studied the ageless wisdom at the Theosophical headquarters at Adyar in India and attended the wisdom school at Krotona in the United States. Tony has studied Vipassana meditation under Goenka in India and Buddhism in the Himalayas under Buddhist Lamas. Tony is a retired Social Worker who worked for various state and federal government departments in their employee assistance programs. His main expertise focused on stress, burnout, and critical incident stress debriefing. At present he specialises in the techniques of how to open the heart and move into higher states of consciousness. **The MTS is committed to providing events that align with and further the three objects of The Theosophical Society:** * To form a nucleus of the universal brotherhood of humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste or colour. * To encourage the study of comparative religion, philosophy and science. * To investigate unexplained laws of nature and the powers latent in the human being. However this being stated, the MTS does not endorse any health, spiritual, science-related, philosophical or theological /other assertions or claims made by any facilitator we host.

Hey friends, please join us for our Meet and Geek at Pixel! We run this event every four weeks and it's a great opportunity to meet new people, play some games, and have some fun. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. Looking forward to seeing you all there! * **About the event:** Perfect if you're a solo gamer looking to make friends, or if you've never been to a Meet Up before! It's a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere where you can comfortably meet people and play games socially. There's a variety of games and player experience at all levels. * **Bring your own favourite game(s)!** There is a great selection of games provided by Pixel, but we encourage people to bring their own as well! If you don't have any, no dramas! Just join a table and learn a new game with help from our friendly community. * **Starting at 7pm and ending about 10pm** at Pixel Bar and Cafe. They have kindly let us use their space, so please show your support to this great venue by buying a drink or two (non-alcoholic options available!). If you're in need of a bite, you can order food to the venue too! * **Getting there:** Pixel Bar is opposite Huntingdale station, so there's trains, buses, and plenty of car parks! * **Regarding the Waitlist:** Please remove yourself from attending if you are unable to make the event. This allows others who are next in line on the waitlist to get a notification and be able to attend. We want the event as full as possible! * Dave, Hayley, and Laura

**Please note:** **This event has been posted on multiple Meetup groups.** **\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*** **Meetup Time / Session:** **12pm, for the 12.30pm Vmax session.** **How to find us:** **Meet outside the Gold Class cinema entrance.** **Film Duration:** **TBC** **\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*** **Details:** **You don't need to purchase your movie ticket beforehand.** **We will meet at the meetup location and wait about 15 minutes until everyone has arrived.** **We will then line up together to get our tickets and snacks for the movie so we can sit next to each other.** **(Optional)** **After the movie, we will go for a post-film chat and enjoy a drink/food.** **\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*** **You can access a discounted ticket price if you are a** **Vrewards member****. Not a Vrewards member?** **[Join now for FREE](https://villagecinemas.com.au/vrewards).** **Meetup Venue:** **Village Cinemas, Southland - 1239 Nepean Hwy, Cheltenham, Victoria 3192.** **\> Directions on [how to get there by car](https://villagecinemas.com.au/cinemas/southland?tab=about); or [how to get there by train](https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/stop/1001/southland-station/0/train/#StopPage:::datetime=2024-12-30T10%3A38%3A24.933Z&directionId=-1&showAllDay=false&_auth=879472dc6ad13266ce18119ab192f14e882dcdb8fe511a14e585563cac243abe)** **\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*** **If you have any questions, feel free to drop a message in the Comments section.** **I look forward to seeing everyone there!** **\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*****\*** **Watch Trailer:** **[Watch Trailer](https://villagecinemas.com.au/movies/star-wars-the-mandalorian-and-grogu)** **Synopsis:** **The Mandalorian and Grogu embark on their most thrilling mission yet in Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu,” an all-new Star Wars adventure opening exclusively in Australian and New Zealand cinemas May 21, 2026. The evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu. Directed by Jon Favreau, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” also stars Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White and is produced by Jon Favreau, Kathleen Kennedy, Dave Filoni, and Ian Bryce, with music composed by Ludwig Göransson.** **Director:** **Jon Favreau** **Cast:** **Sigourney Weaver, Pedro Pascal, Jeremy Allen White** **Classification:** **CTC** **Genre:** **Action, Adventure, Fantasy** **Release date:** **Thu 21 May 2026**

Finally time for the Duo to shine on the Big Screen. For anyone that has been missing them on the small screen time to see a new chapter in their story. Booking for 12:30 pm Session. I have booked my ticket for the G row. Looking forward to catching up with fan's of the characters. Meet near the ticket counter I'll be there at 12:00 pm Garth https://www.hoyts.com.au/orders/tickets?cinemaId=DOCCIN&sessionId=151958

​Looking to meet people in Melbourne or practice a new language? Get your Tix: https://luma.com/1zsmr7e2 ​Aloha Melbourne is a fun and welcoming weekly social where backpackers, expats and locals come together to connect, chat and make new friends. ​The venue energy is international, social and lively, which makes it especially strong for newcomers to the city. ​Come solo or with friends, most people come alone and quickly meet others. ​**Highlights** * ​Meet internationals, backpackers and locals 🌍 * ​Practice languages in a natural way 🗣️ * ​Karaoke 🎤 * ​Board games and icebreakers such as Jenga, Uno and more 🎲 * ​Pool, ping pong and darts 🎱 * ​One free drink included 🍸 * ​Fun, high-energy but still social vibe ​**How it works / flow** ​Arrive, use your included drink and join a conversation. ​The event is easy to join for solo attendees and works especially well for backpackers and internationals. ​Games and karaoke help break the ice quickly. ​Join the group chat to connect before the event 💬 [https://chat.whatsapp.com/J7UUKaYxxtY6EQQX3xz6IR?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/J7UUKaYxxtY6EQQX3xz6IR?mode=gi_t&utm_source=luma)

We're back (again)! At the Boyd Community Hub, Southbank. We'll aim to have 30 minutes of introduction and tutorial, with a 6pm start to our first game, so please be ON TIME. **What to Expect:** Blood on the Clocktower is a social deduction game requiring a storyteller to take a roughly a dozen people through a series of "days and nights" where townspeople try to identify and hunt down a *demon* before they become the hunted. **Beginners welcome!** You don't need to know how to play **AT ALL**, so please invite a friend, we will run a tutorial for those who need it. **NOTE** BOTC requires fluent English, the crux of this game is communication and deception. **2 Strike Policy** Late-leavers: attendees who cancel within 24 hours of the event. No-shows: attendees who mark themselves as “going” but don’t turn up. Someone who does either of these once will be forgiven but flagged. On a second offence, they will be removed. Long-time regulars will be afforded some leniency. Legitimate reasons will be considered for leniency.

Join us as we kick off Summer Movie Season with a Happy Hour & a movie event to see the sci-fi action-adventure, THE MANDOLARIAN AND GROGU! The sci-fi action-adventure follows a lone bounty hunter and his apprentice Grogu (Baby Yoda) embark on an exciting new Star Wars adventure. Here are details, a trailer and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: In the film, Djarin and his apprentice Grogu are enlisted by the New Republic during a period where remaining Imperial warlords threaten the galaxy. The film is written/directed by Jon Favreau (the mastermind behind the early MCU films) and stars Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver and Jeremy Allen White. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwild1rw7Aw HAPPY HOUR PLAN: For Happy Hour food and drinks before the show we’ll meet in the bar area at nearby Bravo at 5:15pm! We’ll have a section reserved for the group, so keep an eye out for us and we’ll keep one out for you! CMG Pro Tip: If you can, bring cash as it helps make for a quicker exit from the restaurant. MOVIE PLAN: Please purchase your ticket for the 6:45pm showing and meet in the lobby area at 6:30pm! Tickets on sale now and advance purchase as soon as possible is advised! Once you have yours, please list you seat number in the Comments section of this event. Happy Summer and See You Soon, Dan

Join us as we get together to see Paul Rudd in the latest comedy-drama-musical from John Carney, POWER BALLAD! The film follows a washed-up wedding singer, a fading boy band singer and a stolen hit song. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. Power Ballad is written/directed by John Carney, the master of the modern musical and creative mind behind Once, Begin Again and Sing Street! It stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival where critics call it “a sure-fired crowd-pleaser” that “just might be the feel-good hit of the year!” Others say, “Paul Rudd delivers a career-best performance in this charmer” that’s both “hilarious and deeply moving!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus in 2024, this is the perfect place to kick off our Summer of Ice Cream and grab a sweet treat after the show! Their menu features an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, and more! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Once showtime is announced, advance ticket purchase is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. We'll head to nearby Shake No. 8 immediately following the show! Should be a fun one, Dan