Local History & Culture

🍀🧠 **Trivia Night @ Stout Irish Pub** Looking for a **Monday night out** that’s social, low-pressure, and actually fun? Trivia at **Stout Irish Pub** is one of those rare events where you can **laugh, drink, shout incorrect answers with confidence**, and still have a great time. You do **not** need to be a trivia genius. You just need a sense of humour, a willingness to guess wildly, and the ability to say, *“Wait… I think I’ve heard this before?”* This is very much a **team effort**, and honestly, half the fun is the group debate over answers we are *definitely wrong about*. Stout Irish Pub brings the cozy pub vibes, solid food and drinks, and a trivia crowd that’s friendly, lively, and never too serious about it. Whether you’re competitive or just there for the laughs, you’ll fit right in. 🕖 About the Event **Meetup Time:** 6:30pm — just **ask for Colleen’s group** when you arrive! **Trivia Starts:** **7:00 PM** and runs until around **9:30 P**M Expect a lively mix of **pop culture, history, music, sports, and random fun question.** Whether you come solo or bring a friend, we’ll make sure everyone’s part of a team. 🧩💬 💸 Cost & Policy Everyone must spend at least **$10 (plus tax & tip)** at the pub. **NEW POLICY:** * 🆕 *First-timers* must send a **$5 deposit** by e-transfer to \*\*[tommills@rogers.com**](http://tommills@rogers.com%2A%2A/) and message Colleen right away on this page or the sign-up page. * 💌 There will be a **$1 reminder charge** if you don’t send the deposit promptly, for each reminder. * 👥 You may bring **1 guest**, but please e-transfer **$10** in advance. You’ll be refunded once your guest arrives. \#\#\# 🧠 Why You’ll Love It Trivia night isn’t just about questions — it’s about **connection, laughter, and teamwork**. Come test your wits, cheer on your tablemates, and enjoy the buzz of a pub full of friendly faces. Whether you’re a trivia pro or just in it for the fun, it’s always a great time! 📱 **Don’t forget to join our WhatsApp group** – [CLICK HERE!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/H59mSCbsAi018gYANrKAnc?mode=ac_t) ⚠️ Notes * Please don’t just “show up” without RSVPing — seating is limited, and teams need to be balanced. * Occasionally, the organizer may need to rearrange teams if one is *too stacked* (e.g., all the sports or music experts together!). * Sometimes things happen — events can be canceled or adjusted, so keep an eye out for updates. 📩 **Questions?** Contact **Colleen**, your organizer, by posting on the event page.

\*These classes are not a language exchange, but instead are meant to be a step in between so that students feel confident maintaining in depth and grammatically correct oral conversations outside of class\* \***Meetup event numbers only tend to show new students registering and do not include returning students attending class.** **Per class, there is an average of 7 students.** The first 2 classes are free and then only cost between $15 and $35 depending on which type of class you want to continue with\* These French, English (For Spanish and French speakers only), and Spanish classes are primarily meant for adults who are travellers, or who are planning to live in a French, English, or Spanish-speaking country. The classes are primarily oral-based through guided conversations. They will teach you how to handle conversations in situations such as **"Going to the Convenience Store"**, **"Making Plans"**, **"Negotiating Prices"**, and **"Going out for a Drink"**. To ensure that students get used to using the language automatically, students will learn to maintain contextual conversations with timing before moving on to the next lesson. Call (647)787-9953, e-mail us info@monkeylingo.ca, or visit monkeylingo.ca for more information! **Online and private classes are also available!** No other language classes are as conversational as these ones. We guarantee it! Cheap parking can be found using the "Spot Hero" app.

I am looking for a dedicated language partner for a free 1-on-1 Japanese & English language exchange, meeting weekly at the Toronto Reference Library. In return, I offer fun, high-quality English speaking practice, including pronunciation and fluency support that is tailored to your level and goals. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* I am a Canadian from Toronto and an English teacher with my own class of 12+ students. I have visited Japan (Osaka, Tokyo, and Kyoto), which motivated me to improve my spoken Japanese. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* If you are interested in the City of Toronto, I would be happy to show you around the city. I am also looking forward to learning more about you and about Japan. Let’s connect if you are serious about consistent practice! Feel free to message me directly if you have any questions or if you want to change the date and time of the session. Thank you. — Rexsel

Join other Gaymers this evening to work on your DIY project with others and show off your work in progress! Come chat, craft, and work on whatever project you wish! (Or just chill with us!) The only thing you have to do is bring your project, materials, and yourself! Your host, Nef, is also happy to teach you how to crochet :) While this event is free, we encourage folks to get some food or drinks if possible! (Only if this is a possibility for you!) 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. \*\*\*Please reach out to [info@torontogaymers.ca](mailto:info@torontogaymers.ca) with any accessibility concerns. [https://linktr.ee/TorontoGaymers](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://linktr.ee/TorontoGaymers&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1753646882381297&usg=AOvVaw00IFqJeQVIkNQH04yjTL6E)

Interested in the unseen? Looking to be initiated? Wanting to learn more about Tarot, I Ching, and other forms of divination? Same! Join us during Mystical Mondays at Say Hey House :) Every week will be a new theme/topic of discussion. Activities will operate on a rotating basis and include, but not be limited to: Shadow work exercises, Tarot study (history, symbolism, readings), Divination & Interpretation, Earth magic, Mindfulness & meditation. Light refreshments included. Participation by donation only. Recommended donation of $5/week.

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **This is the last tour of 2025! Let's ring in the New Year and celebrate our amazing city and country.** The only authorized cemeteries within York were Anglican or Roman Catholic. Citizens who did not belong to either church had no choice but to find burial arrangements outside York. The General Burying Ground received Royal Assent in 1826 and land that came to be known as Potters Field was acquired and started operation soon afterwards. Over time, additional cemetery lands were added and in 1873, a new cemetery available to all citizens was established. The new cemetery was situated on the farm land of the Cawthra family near Yonge Street. This walk is for all fitness levels. Please dress for the weather. This walk will begin and end outside the Yorkminster Park Baptist Church at 1585 Yonge Street just north of Heath Street. This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! This tour has space for **11** explorers, so if you do plan on attending please secure your tickets early. \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Explorer Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** Mary Pickford stares into the camera. Born on University Avenue, she became the girl with the golden curls, the first Hollywood star, and now Toronto is the star! Goodwill Hunting, Pacific Rim, X-Men, Robocop, Total Recall, Prom Night, Suicide Squad, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Police Academy, and the list goes on and on and on. It was back in the 1920s that Toronto emerged as a shy newcomer. But it stepped up to the camera, smiled, and went to work. The first real feature movie was "The Man From Toronto," and in the late 60s Toronto was "Going Down the Road," that the city was Hollywood bound. And it wasn't just movies! Television movies, series, documentaries, music videos and video games were all shot here in Toronto. Award shows such as The Genie's, Juno's, the Canadian Screen Awards, Giller Prize and The Much Music Video Awards are all celebrated here! Let's find out where the movies came alive with this unique walking tour! This walking tour is for all walking levels and fitness skills. Please dress for the season and bring water. And remember to bring your love of movie magic as well. Hope to see you there. This tour begins at the famous TORONTO sign at Nathan Phillips Square. We end at Front and Jarvis! This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **This is the last tour of 2025! Let's ring in the New Year and celebrate our amazing city and country.** The only authorized cemeteries within York were Anglican or Roman Catholic. Citizens who did not belong to either church had no choice but to find burial arrangements outside York. The General Burying Ground received Royal Assent in 1826 and land that came to be known as Potters Field was acquired and started operation soon afterwards. Over time, additional cemetery lands were added and in 1873, a new cemetery available to all citizens was established. The new cemetery was situated on the farm land of the Cawthra family near Yonge Street. This walk is for all fitness levels. Please dress for the weather. This walk will begin and end outside the Yorkminster Park Baptist Church at 1585 Yonge Street just north of Heath Street. This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! This tour has space for **11** explorers, so if you do plan on attending please secure your tickets early. \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** Seaton Village is named after the First Baron Seaton or John Colborne who was the Governor of Upper Canada from 1828 to 1836. The village was established by David Shank and Samuel Smith, and is closely linked to the history of the Annex district to the east. But the history of Christie Pits to the west truly begins with the rise of the Nazis in Germany in 1933. The worst riots in Toronto history occurred during the summer of 1933, and has remained an important event in Toronto's history ever since. Seaton Village is a walkable district with plenty of history to explore. We even have a woman, and her family who came up on the underground railway from the southern U.S. This walking tour begins outside the Christie Subway Station. The tour ends at the Bathurst Subway Station. This walking tour is for all walking levels, and hope to see you there. This walk has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

THE START OF THE NEW YEAR IS HERE YAY! HAPPY 2026. After the language event ends, we will play a board game to celebrate the New Years for fun. I will bring 2-3 games to share with everybody. If interested, please dm in the event attending page. Thank you! ^^ This is a paid event so please everybody please be responsible and pay $5 in cash in person when you see me. Welcome to our 🍁Toronto & Japan Cultural Club 🍙 \| Language Exchange event\! Thank you for joining and attending our event\.'' Please spread the word to your friends if they are interested to join\, it will really help if Japanese people also joined\! We need more people in order for this work\! ✨ **We’re currently looking for Japanese and English enthusiasts who want to help bridge the cultures of Japan and Canada while sharing amazing language and cultural experiences together!** We can’t wait to meet you! ^>^ \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ **\~ Before Joining: Event Instructions \~** **🌟 Criteria #01: English Learners** Everyone is welcome—complete beginners to advanced learners! Bring your notes, apps, journals, or anything that helps you study. The more the merrier! **🌸 Criteria #02: Native Japanese Speakers & Japanese Learners** Learning English? New to Canada? Come join us! We just ask that you can **chat comfortably in English** so you can help our English learners during conversations. If you can **read and write in Japanese**, that’s an awesome bonus and super helpful for those practicing Japanese! **🌸 We will provide Japanese study work sheets and learn to navigate the difficulty of learning how to speak and write! The worksheets will be for beginner, Intermediate, and advance level. Japanese native speakers are going to help us and achieve that goal!** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ **🌸 Please arrive on time—Tristan will have signs and seating ready so you can team up in comfy groups of 2–4 people.** Your support helps our club grow! All contributions go toward the organizer so we can keep hosting **fun, creative events**—and as our community gets bigger, we’ll add even more activities like **karaoke, group dinners, seasonal parties, and gaming nights** 🎉 **🌸**This is **a paid event** to help support the organizer and the club to keep going. **🌸Please Pay $5 in person to Tristan. Once payment is recieved in person, you will be seated with Japanese - English exchange partners. In groups of 2-4 people.** **🌸 No refunds on the day of the event is held and if you are on the wait list, you will be moved to the going list! Please inform us by dm incase you are late on your first day!** Language event rule: This is a place where we practice both speaking Japanese and English speaking. No food is allowed even though it is a food court, you are allowed to buy drinks for yourself, but please respect the members and respect their space! We don't want to make them feel uncomfortable. We want to make this event a fun and safe place. Thank you!

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** [torontohistorywalks@gmail.com](http://torontohistorywalks@gmail.com%2A%2A/) **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** [torontohistorywalks@gmail.com](http://torontohistorywalks@gmail.com%2A%2A/) Well it's New Year's once again, 2026, and it's time to party. Let's restart the process and head into the sun. It will be a great year I'm sure. Well in theory anyway. Let's make 2026 shine. Over the years, Toronto has played host to some of the most famous nightclubs in the world. Nightclubs that not only invited the world's celebrities to party, but also created an exciting city that loved to boogie into the early morning. These nightclubs and dance halls turned the city of the Sunday Blue Laws into one of the world's party towns. And historically some of them are still around, but in a very different setting. Come along on a voyage of discovery as we look back at thirty of the iconic nightclubs in the downtown core. And take a trip down memory lane to the spots we all know and love. I remember two clubs from my youth, one was the iconic RPM on the lakeshore and Sparkles at the CN Tower. Do I have stories to tell about these two? Oh yeah, do I! Just don't hold it against me! Hope to see you on this walk, and Happy New Year, 2026. This walking tour is for all fitness levels and skills. Please dress for the weather. This walking tour begins at the Toronto Reference Library on Yonge Street just north of Bloor Street. We end at the King Edward Hotel on King Street East! And hope to see you there! This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person! \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** [torontohistorywalks@gmail.com](http://torontohistorywalks@gmail.com%2A%2A/)

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com** Art Deco is all around us. Streamlined Modern or Art Modern are two other fascinating ways to say the same thing. Whichever way you plan on saying it, Art Deco buildings tell a rich story of optimism and positivity during one of the most darkest decades in history, the great depression of the 1930s! This walking tour explores our built environment of our downtown core. Toronto Stock Exchange built in 1937, along with the Royal York Hotel and the Canada Permanent Trust Company are prime examples. But others line Spadina Avenue during the challenging years of the depression, but also during the tensions which were bubbling in the Garment Industry. Art Deco buildings were centre stage! These buildings tell a story that goes beyond style into the heart of the Toronto story itself! Built at the height of the roaring 1920s and 1930s, the bubble was about to burst however, and the depression was just settling in. But a new style would set the tone, and it was called Art Deco! Toronto built some of its most enduring buildings, and left a built legacy of Art Deco during the 1930s which should be treasured and protected. Losing any of these treasures would surly be a loss to the community. They tell a rich and inviting story about the growth of Canada, and Toronto! This walking tour is for all walking levels. Please dress for the season, and hope to see you there. Please meet under the **clock tower** of the Queens Quay Terminal at 207 Queens Quay West on the south side just west of York Street! We end on Spadina and Richmond Street! This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person. \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket amount when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** **torontohistorywalks@gmail.com**

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

First Sundays are free admission at Franklin Park Conservatory. Sunday, January 4th, is also the last day The Palm House will be open before renovations begin. Let’s meet, enjoy a respite from January weather, and wander the gardens. Free neanthe bella palms are available to guests, beginning at 10am, while supplies last. Afterwards, we can visit the nearby East Market (212 Kelton Avenue).

Come and join our lively Japanese language meetup, where Japanese language learners and native speakers come together to learn, play, and connect. We’ll practice through fun games and interactive conversation in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Whether you’re just starting out, more advanced, or a native speaker who enjoys helping others, everyone is encouraged to join and participate. After the library we'll take a leisurely walk together to get food/drinks. There are many options around including North Market Bridge Park. It's a perfect opportunity to continue our conversations and enjoy each other's company over a meal.

The topic for January is "Chemistry" 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 7:00 pm, show starts at 7:30 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!

Wild Ones: Annual Native Seed Swap January 10, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am Join Wild Ones Columbus for their annual native seeds swap. If you have native seeds to share, please label them with the Latin name and common name. The seeds don’t need to be removed from the seed head if you aren’t sure how to do it, but remove as much stem as possible. Bringing seeds is not required. Bring bags or envelopes to store seeds. Inniswood Metro Gardens 940 S. Hempstead Rd. Westerville, OH 43081 Phone (614)895-6216 This event will be held in the Greenhouse/Multipurpose Building located near the east end of the parking lot. Click here to see the Inniswood map. If you have native seeds to share, label each species with this information: * Botanical Name * Common Name Species we will accept: * Species native to our ecoregion (8.2.4) - Best * Species native to Ohio and surrounding states - Good * Straight species only - no cultivars. The seeds don’t need to be removed from the seed head if you aren’t sure how to do it, but don’t leave much stem on the seed heads. Please email the list of species to Mary May so we can prepare information for attendees. You can bring the seeds on the day of the swap, or we can arrange to have them picked up beforehand - just let her know in the email. If you don’t have any seeds to bring, no worries. If you are new to native plants or didn't have time to collect seeds, there are ALWAYS plenty from those that do bring them! We love to see "newbies" at our seed exchange! Also, remember to bring something to put seeds in such as envelopes, paper bags or containers.