Crucible

Holy ESL This group is an advanced and intermediate English learners who are interested to learn English language as a second language (ESL) using the Bible. Holy ESL is free and you DO NOT NEED to be a Christian. All and any faith is welcome, so come ready to engage in thought provoking conversations and deeping your understanding of both language and faith. Light refreshments are provided.

**Pub Night: Faith and Politics** With Fr. John Meehan, SJ **May 19 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm** Join us for a presentation discussing the relationship between Faith and Politics, followed by Q & A. Snacks provided. Drinks and other food available for purchase. Space is limited. Reserve your place now. **Location:** Sin & Redemption Pub, 136 McCaul Street, Toronto **Date & Time:** Tuesday\, May 19\, 2026 \| 7 – 9 pm **Register and get your ticket here:** [https://bit.ly/Ignite_PubNight_May2026](https://bit.ly/Ignite_PubNight_May2026)

The word “censorship” is typically associated with overt exercises of government power, like book burnings, national firewalls, and arrests, which are often defended in the name of protecting public morals (whatever those may be). Today, however, obstacles to the circulation of content and ideas often come in the form of subtler “indirect” restrictions, dictated not by the state but by private platforms and market pressures. In 2022, Disney quietly withheld LGBTQ titles from its streaming catalogue in the Gulf states, with no announcement and no legal obligation to do so. On YouTube, journalists and content creators have described having to alter war coverage or avoid it altogether because the platform’s advertising system can make such reporting financially unsustainable. [A 2024 investigation by The Markup](https://themarkup.org/automated-censorship/2024/02/25/demoted-deleted-and-denied-theres-more-than-just-shadowbanning-on-instagram "https://themarkup.org/automated-censorship/2024/02/25/demoted-deleted-and-denied-theres-more-than-just-shadowbanning-on-instagram") found that, on Instagram, non-graphic images of war were being quietly demoted and users denied any right to appeal (the platform attributed these occurrences to a bug). In each case, no law was passed, no speech or content formally prohibited. Yet critics have argued that these *de facto* restrictions amounted to censorship by other means. Were they right? At our upcoming Curiosity Café, moderated by Yiming Jia and Adrian Ma, we will explore the nature and implications of what we might call “soft” censorship, asking questions such as: * Is censorship still possible in the absence of a *formal* prohibition? * Are the standards of what is and is not acceptable for public consumption being increasingly dictated by private companies? If so, who gets to challenge them? * What is the relationship between censorship and public morals? Where do the morals that censorship ostensibly protects come from? * Is discomfort a legitimate reason to restrict the circulation of speech? Or is discomfort sometimes exactly the point? * Censorship sends a message about what is acceptable and what isn't. To what extent are these messages internalized over time? Join us on Tuesday, May 19th, for a public and moral exploration of these questions and many others! **Space is limited!** **Please obtain a “Pay-What-You-Can” ticket from Curiosity Café at [this link (click here)](https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/curiosity-cafe-censorship-tickets-1989275453431) to attend this event. You need a ticket to be admitted.** See the above link for more info about tickets and other options including a limited number of free tickets. Come and hang out with us, grab food, and read through our handout from 6-6:30pm. Our structured discussion will run from 6:30-8:30pm with a 10 minute break in the middle. Hope to see you there! ***__________________________________________________________________*** This event is brought to you by [Being and Becoming](https://beingnbecoming.org/), a Toronto based non-profit. We aim to create community around exploring everyday concepts and experiences so that we may live more intentional, thoughtful, and meaningful lives. We use philosophy as a tool with which we can come to a richer understanding of the world around us. By offering activities, spaces, and other opportunities for conversation and co-exploration, we hope to enable the meeting and fusion of individuals and their ideas. Everyone is welcome, regardless of background: indeed, we believe the journey is best undertaken alongside explorers from a variety of disciplines, cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Find out more about Being and Becoming [here](https://beingnbecoming.org/). About the Curiosity Café Series: For those of you who haven’t had the opportunity to join us at our Curiosity Cafés and are wondering what they’re all about: every two weeks, we invite members of our community to come out to the Madison Avenue Pub to engage in a collaborative exploration of our chosen topic. Through these events, we aim to build our community of people who like to think deeply about life’s big questions, and provide each other with some philosophical tools to dig deeper into whatever it is we are most curious about.

A woman’s coming-of-age through a toxic relationship, isolation, and betrayal―set against the stark landscape of the far north. Millicent is a shy, 24-year-old reporter who moves to Whitehorse to work for a failing daily newspaper. With winter looming and the Yukon descending into darkness, Millicent begins a relationship with Pascal, an eccentric and charming middle-aged filmmaker who lives on a converted school bus in a Walmart parking lot. What begins as a romantic adventure soon turns toxic, and Millicent finds herself struggling not to lose herself and her voice. Events come to a head at Thaw di Gras, a celebration in faraway Dawson City marking the return of light to the north. It’s here, in a frontier mining town filled with drunken tourists, eclectic locals, and sparkling burlesque dancers, that Millicent must choose between staying with Pascal or finally standing up to her abuser. In the style of Ottessa Moshfegh’s honest exploration of dysfunctional relationships, and with the warmth and energy of Heather O’Neill, *Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit* illuminates what it’s like to be young, impulsive, and in love in one of the harshest environments in the world.

✨ Tarot + Astrology: A Magical Workshop at Alternity Café – May 19 Hello beautiful Toronto Tarot community, Get ready for something truly special. On Tuesday, May 19, we’re gathering at the gorgeous, enchanted Alternity Café for a Toronto Tarot Meetup like no other. 🌙 I’m thrilled to announce that our very own Mark Figliola — a professional astrologer with decades of astrological wisdom under his belt — will be leading a workshop on how to overlay tarot cards onto an astrological chart. Yes, you read that right. He’s going to show you how these two powerful systems can dance together. Whether you’ve been reading tarot for years or just pulled your first card last week, all levels are welcome. Mark will meet you where you are. 🔮 What to bring: A copy of your birth chart (if you have it, if not you can get one for free at astro.com). We’ll be practicing the technique hands-on, so having your own chart will make the experience personal and powerful. 💫 Where: Alternity Café at 333 Bloor St West– an absolutely enchanting space that feels like stepping into another world. 💫 When: May 19 – come ready to learn, share, and be inspired. A couple of kind asks to keep our community thriving: · Please buy a drink or a snack from the café to thank them for hosting us. Their treats are delicious, and their support means everything. · We’ll also have a PWYC (Pay What You Can) basket – donations help us keep these meetups going. Give what feels right, no pressure at all. Let’s fill the café with curiosity, cards, and cosmic connection. I can’t wait to see what Mark’s workshop unlocks for all of us. With tarot love, your host Sasha Munin

**Social Pool Night in Downtown Toronto (King & Spadina)** Join us for a relaxed and social evening of pool right in the heart of downtown. Whether you're wrapping up your workday nearby or just looking for something different to do in the city, this meetup is designed for people who enjoy good conversation, a bit of friendly competition, and a lively atmosphere. Hosted at FunMix Billiards, ESports and Mahjong, a modern and vibrant space just off King & Spadina, this event brings together a mix of players of all levels. You don’t need to be experienced — most people come to meet others, rotate through games, and enjoy the environment. Unlike our more community-style neighborhood events, this downtown session has a more social flow, with players rotating frequently so you’ll have the chance to meet a variety of people throughout the night. **What to expect:** * Drop-in friendly pool games (8-ball primarily) * Rotating play so everyone gets involved * A mix of beginners, casual players, and regulars * Music, energy, and a central downtown setting **Details:** 📍 FunMix Downtown 393 King St W, Toronto 🕕 Monday, April 20th 6PM – 9PM 💲 $20 per person Come solo or bring a friend — most people show up on their own and quickly find a group to play with.

The next event is happening on Tuesday May 19 at 6:30PM in the Wellington Market Food Hall at The Well! We'll be meeting in front of the Nord Lyon in The Wellington Market (food court!) Please RSVP if you're planning on coming so we can plan appropriately!

*Physically Accessible Venue* This is an opportunity to meet up for some LGBTQ2IA-flavoured gaming and socializing—allies also welcome. Come for the gaming, socializing, not to mention the draft! :) Be sure to invite friends and such, too. Although Fred, your amiable host, starts the event at 3pm, feel free to drop in when you are able, Steadfast opens at Noon! You'll have access to a robust library of board games, and attendees are welcome to bring their own games. There is no event fee. Instead we ask attendees to purchase beverages or food from the venue, Steadfast Brewery, conveniently located at Lansdowne and Dundas, 301 Lansdowne Ave. Of course, since they are offering us their space for free, please consider buying a drink if you can. Note - Sunday's is usually Miguel's day off, he may or may not pop in to cook up his amazing tacos, if the kitchen is closed, Steadfast welcomes outside food should you be hungry. We provide nametag stickers with a pronoun field; we want this to be a comfortable environment for everyone, kindly respect people's listed or stated pronouns. * If you are unsure of someone's pronouns, don't assume: Ask, Respect and Practice * Definitely ask before taking pictures/videos Steadfast Brewery is an accessible space with a smooth entrance and large single stall washrooms available on the main floor. For those with sensory concerns, there may be possible loud noises. Steadfast offers an annual Brew Membership called **The Mug Club** that offers the following: Your own mug! It has your name on it and is reserved for you. A larger pour-19.5 oz vs 16 oz 1$ off pours in that mug (if you do the math, this sums to about a 40% discount on beer to stay, I think) 1 free growler fill a month (15$ value each, so $180 value for the year) 30% off merch. It costs $150 year one, $100 every year after that.

♥️♠️ We play **Euchre** at **Stout Irish Pub** in Cabbagetown **every Wednesday night**! New members are encouraged to join us, and all skill levels are welcome (but *some trick-taking game experience is required*). ♣️♦️ Solo attendees are encouraged, or bring a friend. Our social events are welcoming and inclusive and an ideal setting to meet new people! We mix up the tables throughout the night so you'll meet and play with a variety of partners. ***"Wednesday Night Euchre - it's always a good decision!"*** \- Mar S\. *Please don't hesitate to reach out to Jason, our organizer, via email or a Meetup Message with any questions.* **There is a $5 attendance fee for this event.** Attendance payments support the costs incurred by our community *(Meetup and other advertising costs, playing cards, organizer time and energy).* **Cash is accepted on-site.** Alternately, **Interac** or **Paypal** e-transfers can be sent to -> **[jason@euchretoronto.ca](#)** <- **PW: Euchre** -> *(or email me if otherwise)*. **Credit cards** are accepted at the link below: 🎟 **[Purchase Your Ticket](https://buy.stripe.com/3cs28q1pMfzs9Gg8wx)** Please note that our venue, **Stout Irish Pub**, requires a **$10 minimum spend** on food or drinks for our recurring use of their space, and a **20% auto-gratuity** is applied to all bills from our group. On-street parking is available on both sides of **Carlton St.** (*paid until 9pm*) and on **Berkeley St.** (*FREE*). ***Thanks and see you there!***

This sprawling pub has everything needed to kick off your weekend! Cozy booths, Sports screens to keep you in the athletic loop, pool table, dart boards & arcade games to thrill & stimulate! BUT, THE KARAOKE THO!!🤩 This stage attracts exciting performers & kind folks from the area who grace the mics with humour AND talent as well as provide an appreciative audience!👏👏🏼👏🏾👏🏿

Join us for the **launch party** for ***Emptiness*, our latest one-shot anthology**! We will have: \- Copies of the gorgeous trade paperback for sale \- Signings \- Speeches \- Readings \- Annnnnd\.\.\. prizes\! *Emptiness: A One-Shot Anthology of Speculative Fiction* features 48 stories from your fellow Toronto SFF Writers, all written in a single day. It is our longest one-shot anthology to date, clocking in at nearly 120,000 words. It is also a **#1 Amazon Bestseller** in: Canadian Short Stories, Science Fiction Short Stories, Fantasy Anthologies, and Genre Fiction Anthologies. **Vote for your favourite stories:** [Go here for the voting link.](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1vRL2WAx-RRwg-umEEAzyEQDtMMYY2aomEayi2wUV6p65dA/viewform) Voting closes Sat. May 23, 2026 at 11am EST. **Book sales:** [Get your paperback](https://www.amazon.ca/Emptiness-One-Shot-Anthology-Speculative-Fiction/dp/1069418846) [Get your ebook](https://www.amazon.ca/Emptiness-One-Shot-Anthology-Speculative-Fiction-ebook/dp/B0GL42LJJZ/) You will be also be able to purchase the paperback during the launch party. Cash, card, and e-transfer accepted.

We are now at **Yonge Sheppard Centre** in the **food court** near **Dazzle Mi**. We start a bit past 1pm, so if you're late, please find a seat and start writing -- we'd love to hear about your story or your day -- afterwards. :) **Coworking for writers in your area!** Join us for some focused writing time. All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. When you show up, say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com) **Travel / Parking info:** Public Transit: 1. Take the TTC subway to Sheppard-Yonge Station. 2. Use the Yonge St. Sheppard Ave exit **Driving & Parking:** Parking Entrance to Yonge Sheppard Centre is located on Greenfield Avenue and Doris Avenue. Accessible parking is available on P1, P3 and Concourse. Be sure to check for parking limits or fees. **Location:** We gather around the tables in the food court near **Dazzel Mi**. If you spot a group of people with laptops out, that’s probably us! **RSVP:** Please do RSVP. But be advised that seating is first-come, first-served, even if you have RSVP'd. Seats are not reserved and we can't control how many other people are in the cafe. **SCHEDULE:** 12:45 to 1:15 PM: Arrive and get settled in -- come in early if you want to get lunch. 1:15 to 2:15 PM: Write in silence for an hour. \*\*If you arrive after 1:15, please silently find your own place to sit. We'll welcome you to join the group at 2:15.\*\* 2:15 PM: Introduce yourself. We'll go in a circle; just say your name and 1–2 sentences about what you're writing. (E.g., "I'm Rudolph and I'm writing a non-fiction book about red-nosed reindeer.") 2:20 PM onwards: Chat, hang out, keep writing if you want, leave whenever.

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

The Forge does have a full bar and kitchen. There is no cover charge but they do request all attendees to purchase a minimum of ~20 per person. Soft drink refills are 1 each. Please support our hosts so we can continue to provide great events for the group! The Forge has a large library of games available for us to enjoy. Hosts and regulars will also provide numerous popular games but please bring any games you would like to teach and/or play. Doors open at 6, and we expect gaming to be rolling by around 630. Please promptly end your games and clear out the space at 10pm when the bar closes. We encourage socializing but do not permit disruptive behavior of any kind. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing a fun and welcoming space to veteran, newbie, and rookie gamers in the Columbus area. Parking can sometimes fill esrly. There is additional parking lot behind the neighboring Mexican restaurant that is free and easy to walk from but it's a bit hidden.

## Candle Making Night at The Arcane Foundry \| Design Your Own Custom Candle **SPECIAL PROMOTION**: Buy 3 and get 1 Free! Step into The Arcane Foundry and create your own custom candle from start to finish. This is a laid back, hands-on experience where **you’ll blend fragrances, choose your vessel, and pour your own candle using 100% soy wax**. Whether you’re coming solo or with friends, it’s designed to be simple, creative, and a good time. We’ll walk you through the entire process, from picking your scents to choosing between a traditional cotton wick or a crackling wood wick. You can go with one fragrance or mix your own blend to create something completely unique**. No experience needed**, just show up and we’ll handle the rest. While your candle sets, feel free to hang out, play a game, explore the shop, or just relax and talk. Drinks and snacks are available, and the atmosphere leans into the **fantasy**, **dark academia**, and **gothic horror** vibe The Arcane Foundry is known for. Learn More: [Candle Making in Columbus, Ohio at The Arcane Foundry](https://thearcanefoundry.com/candle-making/) *** ### What to Expect: * Guided candle making experience * Choose your own vessel, wax, wick, and fragrance * 100% soy wax candles * Optional drinks and snacks * Time to relax while your candle cools *** ### Important Notes: * Please arrive on time so we can start together * Candles will need time to set before taking home * This is a beginner-friendly event *** ### RSVP Required Reserve your spot on Meetup to lock in your seat. **Candle Making** (includes vessel, your choice of wick, wax, scented oil, labels and lids) 5oz Glass Jars $15 8oz Candle Tins $25 12oz Glass Candles $35 12oz Amber Jars $40 16 oz Skull or Jack o Lantern Candle Mugs $65 (Limited Edition!) **All materials included. You just bring yourself (and your drink of choice).** **Payments accepted:** * Credit Card * Venmo: @Daclaud-Lee * Cashapp: $DaclaudL