Concept Art

**Join us for an exciting Art Exhibition hosted by the Black Art Enthusiasts Collective.** **This is not a free event details on how to purchase tickets below.** **Nigerian Modernism:** Nigerian Modernism tells the story of artistic networks which spanned Zaria, Ibadan, Lagos and Enugu, as well as London, Munich and Paris. Through groups like the Zaria Art Society and Mbari Artists' and Writers' Club, they fused Nigerian, African and European techniques and traditions to create vibrant, multidimensional works. After exploring the exhibition we will have a discussion after. [Purchase tickets here](https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/nigerian-modernism?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Grant_Exhibition_TM_Nigerian-Modernism&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22693752224&gbraid=0AAAAADxb_sRo4W45srSTRKSYseCD6Lbsu&gclid=CjwKCAiAlfvIBhA6EiwAcErpydq4Me425fwZSdmSPhOAptKWeNvyx9yEGOq9e6QhPrhbkKZu-sUhBxoCrj8QAvD_BwE) **Please arrive promptly at 13.45 pm to go in at 2pm**

*Disclaimer: All are welcome. Students, professionals, non professionals, business owners, curious cats. ---------------------------------------------------------- Come along to the Hercules Pillars located in Holborn in City centre of London, for a few hours to meet friendly faces, work on your personal projects, or just come and share what passion projects you are all working on. Feel free to bring your laptop, tablet, sketchbook, and notes on the day. Whether you work in Animation, Art, Design, Film, Games development, or storytelling, you are welcome to come along. We love being around diverse creatives who want an opportunity to showcase their talents. This is an excellent opportunity for those looking to socialise with like-minded people and to get friendly feedback on their work. All backgrounds are welcome to join us, even if your just curious about Animation/Art/Storytelling \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* I Look forward to seeing you there.

Si eres estudiante de español apartir del **nivel B1** y te gusta el **arte**, este es tu curso de conversación. Será una manera fantástica de practicar español aprendiendo sobre algunos de los artistas más relevantes del mundo hispano. Conocerás sus obras principales y los eventos más relevantes de sus vidas. Además, aprenderás vocabulario específico de las principales disciplinas artísticas. #### **¿Qué puedes esperar?** * Leer y discutir sobre creadoras y creadores de España e Hispanoamérica * Participar en actividades interactivas que despertarán tu motivación * Mejorar tu fluidez * Ampliar tu vocabulario artístico de un modo entretenido e interesante #### **Lista de artistas:** * Goya * Velázquez * Diego Rivera * Maruja Mallo * Remedios Varo * Marta Minujín #### **Información de la clase** * Nivel: estudiantes a partir de B2 * Cuándo: un sábado al mes a las 11:00 (UK time) * Primera clase: el 7 de febrero sobre Goya * Precio: £12 por clase ###### Para más información o anotarte, escríbenos a hola@laescuelaspanish.com o contáctanos a través de nuestro formulario de contacto. Escribe el título del curso en el asunto.

Untutored session live from the Candid Skylab One long pose The Skylab life drawing studio is open to artists to paint or draw a life model £30 - full day (11-4pm / 1h lunch break 1pm-2pm) £15 half day (11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm) Painters please bring your own materials **Drop In** or book online More info here: https://www.candidartslondon.com/shop/life-drawing-book-your-in-studio-zoom-places-here/2 The classes are running simultaneously on Zoom Zoom tickets here https://www.candidartslondon.com/shop/zoom-life-drawing-classes/2 £7 / £14

🥋 Personal Martial Arts Training in Croydon & Westminster – Book Now! 💥 Ready to get stronger, sharper, and street-smart? Book your 1-on-1 Kickboxing & Self-Defence Personal Training Session today in Croydon or Westminster – limited spaces available! 👉 Secure Your First Session Now --- Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced martial artist looking to upgrade your skills, our personal training sessions are built to boost your performance, fitness, and confidence — fast. You’ll train with a professional, friendly instructor in a session that’s tailored specifically to your goals and your level. 🔥 What You’ll Improve: 💪 Strength & Conditioning 🫀 Cardiovascular Fitness 👊 Real-World Self-Defence Skills ⚡ Speed, Agility & Reactions 😎 Confidence & Mental Toughness --- ✅ Why Train with Us? One-to-one focused coaching Real-world techniques from striking to self-defence Flexible session times in Croydon & Westminster Supportive and motivating environment Proven methods used by beginners and pros alike Adults only (18+) – All levels welcome. 🎯 Don’t wait – spaces are limited and fill fast! 👉 Book Your Personal Training Session Now Have questions? Drop us your details and we’ll get back to you ASAP. --- #martialarts #kickboxing #boxing #selfdefence #personaltraining #CroydonPT #WestminsterPT #LondonFitness #MartialArtsTraining #womensselfdefence #mma #martialartscoach #fitnessmotivation #ptlife #selfdefensetraining #bushinlondon

Capture the colour and character of the tropics — paint vibrant birds with elegance, energy, and life. Step into a world of brilliant colour and natural beauty in this welcoming watercolour workshop with **Ann Mackowski** — award-winning artist, exhibitor with the **Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours**, and former contestant on **Sky Landscape Artist of the Year**. Perfect for **absolute beginners and seasoned painters alike**, this relaxed and encouraging session introduces you to the joy of painting tropical birds in watercolour. Drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of artists like **John James Audubon**, **Maria Sibylla Merian**, and **Edward Lear**, Ann will help you capture both the beauty and personality of these exotic creatures. Through **gentle, follow-along demonstrations**, Ann will guide you step by step — from sketching simple shapes to layering luminous colour and adding expressive details. You’ll explore how to suggest texture in feathers, balance vivid hues, and compose your painting so that your bird feels alive within its tropical setting. All **materials are provided**, so you can simply arrive, relax, and paint — no experience needed. Come ready to experiment, learn, and enjoy the process in supportive, creative company. **You will learn:** * How to sketch bird forms with confidence, even as a beginner * Easy, achievable watercolour techniques for feathers and foliage * How to mix bright tropical colours while keeping them fresh and luminous * Simple tips for creating balance and harmony in your composition * How to bring character and energy to your bird through expressive brushwork All supplies are included, including vivid photo references and high quality watercolour brushes and supplies. Prepare to return home with several wall worthy works! Midway through there will be a tea break and a chance to get to know your fellow artists! Whether it’s your very first time picking up a brush or you’re looking to expand your watercolour skills, this class offers an uplifting space to explore the natural world — one vibrant brushstroke at a time.

Capture the colour and character of the tropics — paint vibrant birds with elegance, energy, and life. Step into a world of brilliant colour and natural beauty in this welcoming watercolour workshop with **Ann Mackowski** — award-winning artist, exhibitor with the **Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours**, and former contestant on **Sky Landscape Artist of the Year**. Perfect for **absolute beginners and seasoned painters alike**, this relaxed and encouraging session introduces you to the joy of painting tropical birds in watercolour. Drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of artists like **John James Audubon**, **Maria Sibylla Merian**, and **Edward Lear**, Ann will help you capture both the beauty and personality of these exotic creatures. Through **gentle, follow-along demonstrations**, Ann will guide you step by step — from sketching simple shapes to layering luminous colour and adding expressive details. You’ll explore how to suggest texture in feathers, balance vivid hues, and compose your painting so that your bird feels alive within its tropical setting. All **materials are provided**, so you can simply arrive, relax, and paint — no experience needed. Come ready to experiment, learn, and enjoy the process in supportive, creative company. **You will learn:** * How to sketch bird forms with confidence, even as a beginner * Easy, achievable watercolour techniques for feathers and foliage * How to mix bright tropical colours while keeping them fresh and luminous * Simple tips for creating balance and harmony in your composition * How to bring character and energy to your bird through expressive brushwork All supplies are included, including vivid photo references and high quality watercolour brushes and supplies. Prepare to return home with several wall worthy works! Midway through there will be a tea break and a chance to get to know your fellow artists! Whether it’s your very first time picking up a brush or you’re looking to expand your watercolour skills, this class offers an uplifting space to explore the natural world — one vibrant brushstroke at a time.

**🎟️This is a free event.** 
We will meet at 1pm at the exhibition entrance and wait 10 mins for everyone to arrive. 
**Please update your RSVP if you can’t make it.** ✨ I found out about this exhibition totally by accident, have been at the private view which happened on Thursday (as a friend of mine knows one of the artists, his work is amazing), so I’ve set up this meetup as it’s so good I thought it’s worth sharing with everyone. 🎨 This visit takes us into Exi, a powerful, introspective exhibition exploring themes of existentialism and what it means to be human. Through a range of artistic interpretations, the exhibition invites both artists and viewers to reflect on identity, purpose, and the personal journeys that shape our lives. Blending philosophy with visual expression, the works encourage quiet contemplation and open interpretation, offering a space to question, connect and consider our place in the world through art. [More info here .](http://cryptgallery.org/event/exi-existential-art-show/) ☕️ We will take about 1 hour to go through the exhibit then we will go for coffee somewhere nearby.

Everyone welcome 😊

Important to note:

1. We typically socialise at cafés after the exhibit, nice, independent ones, not chains and not at pubs. If the event is late on a Saturday we go to a nice bar/pub for drinks after. This meetup is inclusive and everyone is welcome to join.
2. If you get there before everyone and you're not sure what to do or where we are, post a comment on here and I will let you know where we will be.
3. Once we go in we may separate, feel free to explore the exhibit by yourself, we don't have to be together. Some people like chatting to others while exploring and other people prefer to be with their own thoughts. You are welcome to express yourself and do whatever helps you feel free.

4. If you are late or if you’ve booked for an earlier or later time don’t worry just go in and you’ll find us inside. Keep an eye on the comments as I’ll be posting updates.

Capture the colour and character of the tropics — paint vibrant birds with elegance, energy, and life. Step into a world of brilliant colour and natural beauty in this welcoming watercolour workshop with **Ann Mackowski** — award-winning artist, exhibitor with the **Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours**, and former contestant on **Sky Landscape Artist of the Year**. Perfect for **absolute beginners and seasoned painters alike**, this relaxed and encouraging session introduces you to the joy of painting tropical birds in watercolour. Drawing inspiration from the rich traditions of artists like **John James Audubon**, **Maria Sibylla Merian**, and **Edward Lear**, Ann will help you capture both the beauty and personality of these exotic creatures. Through **gentle, follow-along demonstrations**, Ann will guide you step by step — from sketching simple shapes to layering luminous colour and adding expressive details. You’ll explore how to suggest texture in feathers, balance vivid hues, and compose your painting so that your bird feels alive within its tropical setting. All **materials are provided**, so you can simply arrive, relax, and paint — no experience needed. Come ready to experiment, learn, and enjoy the process in supportive, creative company. **You will learn:** * How to sketch bird forms with confidence, even as a beginner * Easy, achievable watercolour techniques for feathers and foliage * How to mix bright tropical colours while keeping them fresh and luminous * Simple tips for creating balance and harmony in your composition * How to bring character and energy to your bird through expressive brushwork All supplies are included, including vivid photo references and high quality watercolour brushes and supplies. Prepare to return home with several wall worthy works! Midway through there will be a tea break and a chance to get to know your fellow artists! Whether it’s your very first time picking up a brush or you’re looking to expand your watercolour skills, this class offers an uplifting space to explore the natural world — one vibrant brushstroke at a time.

**A gem of a life drawing session in our secret hideaway - a good vibes intimate sit down drawing session with wonderful models and lighting** Vaulty Towers really is a very special venue with a wonderful atmosphere- walk through the main bar with its glittery décor and down the little staircase into the twinkly hideaway downstairs where the life drawing magic happens! As with all our drop in classes – expect professional tutors and models in an inspiring and unique space. With poses from 30 seconds to one hour – there is something for everyone. This is a general life drawing class with tuition for beginners and advice for those who are more experienced, all designed to encourage you to develop your own style and approach. **Please don’t come to class if you feel ill- you can rebook to another date- just email info@londondrawing.com** **Classes can be booked ahead via tickets below** Secret Sketch is a sit down sketch class- drawing boards provided Materials available to buy, or bring your own- Paper 20p per sheet, charcoal 25p per stick Every Saturday 11-1pm £15/ £10 students and under 25's **Or you can drop in and pay cash or paypal on the door** **PayPal link:** **[PayPal.Me](https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/LondonDrawing)** Or buy tickets here: [BUY TICKETS HERE](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/saturday-secret-sketch-weekly-drop-in-life-drawing-waterloo-tickets-426760932437)

**A gem of a life drawing session in our secret hideaway - a good vibes intimate sit down drawing session with wonderful models and lighting** Vaulty Towers really is a very special venue with a wonderful atmosphere- walk through the main bar with its glittery décor and down the little staircase into the twinkly hideaway downstairs where the life drawing magic happens! As with all our drop in classes- expect professional tutors and models in an inspiring and unique space. With poses from 30 seconds to one hour- there is something for everyone. This is a general life drawing class with tuition for beginners and advice for those who are more experienced, all designed to encourage you to develop your own style and approach. **Please don’t come to class if you feel ill- you can rebook to another date- just email info@londondrawing.com** Materials available to buy, or bring your own- Paper 20p per sheet, charcoal 25p per stick **Sunday Secret Sketch** **Every Sunday** **3.30-5.30pm** **£15 / £10 students and under 25's** **We also run [Saturday Secret Sketch session](https://londondrawing.com/buy-tickets-for-saturday-secret-sketch-including-session-information/)** **11-1pm Every Saturday** **And a second Sunday Secret Sketch** **1-3pm every Sunday** **Drop in and pay cash or paypal on the door** **PayPal link:** **[PayPal.Me](https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/LondonDrawing)** Or buy tickets here: [BUY TICKETS HERE](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sunday-secret-sketch-weekly-drop-in-life-drawing-waterloo-tickets-426778555147) **Venue:** **Vaulty Towers** **34 Lower Marsh** **London** **SE1 7RG**

**Our 4-6pm session: Join us for a great crowd, good vibes life drawing session- friendly, helpful tuition if you need it and super professional models.** As with all our drop in classes- expect professional tutors and models in an inspiring and unique space. With poses from 30 seconds to one hour- there is something for everyone. This is a general life drawing class with tuition for beginners and advice for those who are more experienced, all designed to encourage you to develop your own style and approach. **Don’t come to class if you feel ill- you can rebook to another date- just email info@londondrawing.com** **Classes can be booked ahead via tickets below** **We also have drop in places available- cash or PayPal on the door** Easels and drawing boards provided Materials available to buy, or bring your own- Paper 20p per sheet, charcoal 25p per stick **Saturday Studio** **4-6pm** **£15£10 students and under 25's** Buy one Saturday class- get a second on the same day for £10 cash / paypal - ask the tutor for this option when you arrive **Tickets in advance – or cash / PayPal on the door** **[BUY TICKETS HERE](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/saturday-studio-4-6pm-weekly-drop-in-life-drawing-waterloo-tickets-426750661717)** **We also run a morning session 11-1pm at Vaulty Towers [INFO HERE](https://londondrawing.com/buy-tickets-for-saturday-secret-sketch-including-session-information/)** **And a mid afternoon session 1.30-3.30pm at The Waterloo Action Centre [INFO HERE](https://londondrawing.com/saturday-studio-1-3pm-in-person-tutored-life-drawing-sessions-2/)** **If you go to two sessions- get the second for £10 cash or paypal only**

Welcome back ramblers, rovers, loungers and loafers and happy 2026! It's a new year, but we're picking where we left off, in the onetime capital of cockney London with its dockworkers and gangsters, the Isle of Dogs - which became the landing-pad for an invasion of alien Thatcherites in the 1980s with the construction of Canary Wharf, which now towers over the council estates and parklands of this misunderstood peninsula. From there we'll head west, looking eventually to end up in the Brutalist wonderland (featured in Kubrick's *Clockwork Orange*!) of Thamesmead, possibly by way of the free Woolwich Ferry service from north shore to south. Meet at Canary Wharf station, out in front of the big curved class canopy. Elizabeth Line services at Abbey Wood will get us home. See you there! Check planned TfL disruptions here - 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".*

**A gem of a life drawing session in our secret hideaway - a good vibes intimate sit down drawing session with wonderful models and lighting** Vaulty Towers really is a very special venue with a wonderful atmosphere- walk through the main bar with its glittery décor and down the little staircase into the twinkly hideaway downstairs where the life drawing magic happens! As with all our drop in classes- expect professional tutors and models in an inspiring and unique space. With poses from 30 seconds to one hour- there is something for everyone. This is a general life drawing class with tuition for beginners and advice for those who are more experienced, all designed to encourage you to develop your own style and approach. **Please don’t come to class if you feel ill- you can rebook to another date- just email info@londondrawing.com** Materials available to buy, or bring your own- Paper 20p per sheet, charcoal 25p per stick **Sunday Secret Sketch** **Every Sunday** **1-3pm** **£15 / £10 students and under 25's** **We also run [Saturday Secret Sketch session](https://londondrawing.com/buy-tickets-for-saturday-secret-sketch-including-session-information/)** **11-1pm Every Saturday** **And a second Sunday Secret Sketch** **3.30-5.30pm every Sunday** **Drop in and pay cash or paypal on the door** **PayPal link:** **[PayPal.Me](https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/LondonDrawing)** Or buy tickets here: [BUY TICKETS HERE](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sunday-secret-sketch-weekly-drop-in-life-drawing-waterloo-tickets-426778555147) **Venue:** **Vaulty Towers** **34 Lower Marsh** **London** **SE1 7RG**

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

We are a real world Martial arts group. \ Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \ Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \ We have been around a while. \ We are donation based. Every week we get together and work technical skills and live pressure testing. \ Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from altercations in the real world to the ring and some still compete in the cage. \ If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \ We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 inside the whetstone rec center in the auditorium, upstairs in classroom B or outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295 Saturday 1pm Wednesday 5:30pm From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \ \ You must have a free leisure card for the rec center and must be registered for our class specifically .\ Wear workout clothing \ Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \ WE HAVE GLOVES. \ Hope to see you soon :-).\ We are run off of donations. \ let me know if you have any questions :)

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

We are a real world Martial arts group. \ Called DO JUNG ISHU (the art of fighting) \ Based off of Jeet kune do we just continued where Bruce Lee left off. \ We have been around a while. \ We are donation based. Every week we get together and work technical skills and live pressure testing. \ Almost all of the instructors have been in everything from altercations in the real world to the ring and some still compete in the cage. \ If you want to take your skills up, improve your confidence, gain self defense skills, get in better shape, test yourself or just want to kill some time and possibly get hit a bit come on down. \ We will be located at 3923 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214 inside the whetstone rec in the auditorium, center upstairs in classroom B or outside in the grass between the playground and horseshoe area. our instructors are normally in a black and red art of fighting shirt \ if you can not find us call or text me at 6143570295 Saturday 1pm Wednesday 5:30pm From Age 16 and up. attendees under the age of 18 must have a guardian with them. \ \ You must have a free leisure card for the rec center and must be registered for our class specifically .\ Wear workout clothing \ Bring a MOUTHPIECE! \ WE HAVE GLOVES. \ Hope to see you soon :-).\ We are run off of donations. \ let me know if you have any questions :)

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow

**Caller: Dan Kappus** **Band: Trillium** **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!

### Tools in your AI's Toolbox : An introduction to MCP Servers The generative AI revolution has unlocked unprecedented capabilities, but the next frontier is agency: empowering models to interact with, query, and act upon the world. The current challenge is the “N x M integration problem,” where every AI model requires a custom, brittle integration for each external tool or data source. This approach simply doesn’t scale. How can we give an AI access to our sales leads, code repositories, or IoT devices in a standardized, secure, and reusable way? This session introduces Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP), the open-source framework designed to solve this challenge and become the universal connector—the USB-C port—for AI. MCP standardizes how AI models discover and use external tools, moving beyond simple function-calling to a robust, client-server architecture. We will dive into how this open protocol is creating a new ecosystem for building powerful, context-aware AI agents. Join this session for a developer-focused introduction where you will learn how to: Understand the core concepts of the open-source Model Context Protocol and its architecture. Utilize pre-built, open-source MCP servers to instantly connect AI to tools like Git, Slack, and databases. Build a custom MCP server to securely expose your own proprietary data and APIs as tools for any compliant AI. Move beyond bespoke integrations and contribute to a standardized, collaborative, and open ecosystem. Stop building one-off connectors and start building intelligent agents. This session will give you the practical knowledge to leverage MCP and create the next generation of AI that doesn’t just talk, but does. Want to be a speaker? submit your talk to our Call for Presenters!!! [https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/](https://sessionize.com/azure-cbus-2026/)