Cultural Activities

🍺 NEW DROP @ LOO-BLAH-NAH — SPRUCE TIPS IPA 🌲 Something new just landed. LOO-BLAH-NAH has released a brand new IPA — brewed with spruce tips. 👉 fresh 👉 piney 👉 aromatic 👉 not your usual beer And tomorrow… you get first access. 🍻 BE AMONG THE FIRST TO TRY IT We’re pouring it for the first time at the pub. 👉 limited batches If you like discovering new things before everyone else… this is your night. 🥨 BONUS: PRETZEL DAY Also… it’s International Pretzel Day 😄 👉 free soft & hard pretzels all night (simple, no big deal… just makes the beer even better) 📅 DETAILS 🗓 Saturday, April 25 🕗 20:00 📍 Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center ⚡ THE VIBE • try something new • meet good people • relaxed Saturday energy 👉 Come early. First pours won’t last forever. 🔗 Stay Connected Join the WhatsApp community with 1000+ members to meet people before & after events: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK Explore our upcoming events and follow us on our social media to stay up to date: https://linktr.ee/ljubljanainternational

🥨🍻International Pretzel Day @ Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH 📅 Saturday, 25 April ⏰ From 20:00 📍 Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center Ljubljana — we’re celebrating International Pretzel Day the right way. Simple idea: 👉 free pretzels 👉 good drinks 👉 fun, social energy 🥨 THE CONCEPT Pretzels are made to be shared. So this night is about: • meeting new people • easy conversations • a relaxed, slightly chaotic Saturday vibe 👉 come for the pretzels 👉 stay for the people 🥨 FREE PRETZELS ALL NIGHT We’ll be serving: • FREE Gourmet Soft Pretzels (The warm, buttery classics) • FREE Artisanal Hard Pretzels (The ultimate beer companion) • simple snacks to keep the energy going 👉 no catch — just grab and enjoy 🎯 WHAT TO EXPECT • international + local crowd • social, open atmosphere • easy interactions (perfect if you come solo) • games, laughs, and spontaneous moments 🍺 PERFECT PAIRING Pretzels + drinks = unbeatable combo 👉 grab a beer, meet new people, enjoy the night 🎉 THE VIBE Not a heavy party. Not a quiet meetup. 👉 something in between — social, playful, and fun 👥 WHO SHOULD COME • internationals & expats • locals • students & travelers • anyone looking for a fun Saturday night 🌍 HOSTED BY Ljubljana International × Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Powered by Ljubljana International — the biggest international community in Ljubljana (1000+ members): • weekly events • active WhatsApp community • open, welcoming vibe 👉 come once — leave with new people in your life 📲 JOIN THE COMMUNITY 👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 👉 https://linktr.ee/ljubljanainternational ⚡ FINAL 🥨 Free pretzels 🍻 Good drinks 🌍 Great people Saturday sorted. See you there.

🎉🌍 LJUBLJANA INTERNATIONAL PRE-PARTY SATURDAYS @ LOO-BLAH-NAH 📅 Every Saturday ⏰ 20:00 – 23:00 📍 Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center Ljubljana — before the party, we meet here. Welcome to Ljubljana International Pre-Party Saturdays, the easiest way to start your night with the right people, the right energy, and the right vibe. Whether you're heading to Cvetličarna, Cirkus, Nebo, Zorica — or just figuring it out as you go — this is where the night begins. 🍻 WHAT THIS IS A social, high-energy pre-party where: • internationals, locals, Erasmus & travelers meet • conversations start instantly • drinks flow • groups form naturally Come solo or with friends — you won’t stay alone for long. 🔥 WHY START HERE • meet your crew before going out • avoid awkward solo pre-drinks • start the night in a social, open environment • connect with people heading to the same places The best nights aren’t planned — they start here. 🍺 EXPECT • a lively international crowd • music to set the mood • drinks & pre-party offers • spontaneous plans for the rest of the night 🚀 HOW IT WORKS Show up from 20:00 Grab a drink Meet people Decide where the night goes Around 22:30–23:00, we head out — together or in groups — to the hottest spots in the city. 🌍 THE LJUBLJANA INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY This event is powered by Ljubljana International — the biggest international community in Ljubljana, with 1000+ members and growing every week. What makes it different: • an active WhatsApp group where people connect daily • real friendships — not just one-time events • a mix of expats, Erasmus students, digital nomads, and locals • people who are open, social, and actually want to meet others 👉 You don’t just come to an event — you join a community. Before the event: • meet people in the WhatsApp group After the event: • continue the night together • join other events • build your social circle in Ljubljana 🌍 WHO SHOULD COME • anyone going out on Saturday • people new to Ljubljana • anyone looking to meet others before the party • anyone who wants a better start to their night ✨ HOSTED BY Ljubljana International × Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center 🌎 JOIN THE COMMUNITY 👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 👉 https://linktr.ee/ljubljanainternational 🎉 Don’t pre-party alone. Start your night here — with the right people.

🌊 SISTIANA BEACH + TRIESTE DAY TRIP 🇮🇹 📅 Sunday, 26 April 🕘 10:00 departure at Parkirišče Tivoli II (Ljubljana) ☀️ This is your official escape from Ljubljana. Beach. Sun. Swimming. Aperol. Pizza. Good people. One full day of Italian vibes with an international crew. 🔥 WHAT YOU GET 🏖 Beach day in Sistiana 🍕 Italian dinner in Trieste 🍷 Aperol, gelato, sunset walks 👥 Meet new people (locals + internationals) 🚗 Easy ride-sharing (we organize everything) 🚗 DRIVER INCENTIVE Drivers earn €15 per person they take. 👉 Easy money + fun trip 📲 IMPORTANT (READ THIS) All logistics happen in the WhatsApp group: 👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/EHrqqlrtKNg6thM8KUlTPE If you’re coming, JOIN. 🗓️ PLAN 10:00 → Leave Ljubljana from Parkirišče Tivoli II 11:30 → Arrive Sistiana + quick grocery stop 12:00 → Beach time (swim, chill, music) 16:00 → Head to Trieste 17:00 → Pizza + drinks 18:30+ → Explore or head back 🎒 BRING • ID • Swimsuit + towel • Sunscreen • Snacks / drinks • Good energy ⚡ WHO THIS IS FOR • You want a fun Sunday • You like meeting new people • You want beach + Italy in 1 day ⚠️ FINAL NOTE These trips always turn out 🔥 Don’t overthink it. 👉 Join the group & come.

🍺 NEW DROP @ LOO-BLAH-NAH — SPRUCE TIPS IPA 🌲 Something new just landed. LOO-BLAH-NAH has released a brand new IPA — brewed with spruce tips. 👉 fresh 👉 piney 👉 aromatic 👉 not your usual beer And tomorrow… you get first access. 🍻 BE AMONG THE FIRST TO TRY IT We’re pouring it for the first time at the pub. 👉 limited batches If you like discovering new things before everyone else… this is your night. 🥨 BONUS: PRETZEL DAY Also… it’s International Pretzel Day 😄 👉 free soft & hard pretzels all night (simple, no big deal… just makes the beer even better) 📅 DETAILS 🗓 Saturday, April 25 🕗 20:00 📍 Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center ⚡ THE VIBE • try something new • meet good people • relaxed Saturday energy 👉 Come early. First pours won’t last forever. 🔗 Stay Connected Join the WhatsApp community with 1000+ members to meet people before & after events: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK Explore our upcoming events and follow us on our social media to stay up to date: https://linktr.ee/ljubljanainternational

🥨🍻International Pretzel Day @ Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH 📅 Saturday, 25 April ⏰ From 20:00 📍 Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center Ljubljana — we’re celebrating International Pretzel Day the right way. Simple idea: 👉 free pretzels 👉 good drinks 👉 fun, social energy 🥨 THE CONCEPT Pretzels are made to be shared. So this night is about: • meeting new people • easy conversations • a relaxed, slightly chaotic Saturday vibe 👉 come for the pretzels 👉 stay for the people 🥨 FREE PRETZELS ALL NIGHT We’ll be serving: • FREE Gourmet Soft Pretzels (The warm, buttery classics) • FREE Artisanal Hard Pretzels (The ultimate beer companion) • simple snacks to keep the energy going 👉 no catch — just grab and enjoy 🎯 WHAT TO EXPECT • international + local crowd • social, open atmosphere • easy interactions (perfect if you come solo) • games, laughs, and spontaneous moments 🍺 PERFECT PAIRING Pretzels + drinks = unbeatable combo 👉 grab a beer, meet new people, enjoy the night 🎉 THE VIBE Not a heavy party. Not a quiet meetup. 👉 something in between — social, playful, and fun 👥 WHO SHOULD COME • internationals & expats • locals • students & travelers • anyone looking for a fun Saturday night 🌍 HOSTED BY Ljubljana International × Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Powered by Ljubljana International — the biggest international community in Ljubljana (1000+ members): • weekly events • active WhatsApp community • open, welcoming vibe 👉 come once — leave with new people in your life 📲 JOIN THE COMMUNITY 👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 👉 https://linktr.ee/ljubljanainternational ⚡ FINAL 🥨 Free pretzels 🍻 Good drinks 🌍 Great people Saturday sorted. See you there.

🎉🌍 LJUBLJANA INTERNATIONAL PRE-PARTY SATURDAYS @ LOO-BLAH-NAH 📅 Every Saturday ⏰ 20:00 – 23:00 📍 Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center Ljubljana — before the party, we meet here. Welcome to Ljubljana International Pre-Party Saturdays, the easiest way to start your night with the right people, the right energy, and the right vibe. Whether you're heading to Cvetličarna, Cirkus, Nebo, Zorica — or just figuring it out as you go — this is where the night begins. 🍻 WHAT THIS IS A social, high-energy pre-party where: • internationals, locals, Erasmus & travelers meet • conversations start instantly • drinks flow • groups form naturally Come solo or with friends — you won’t stay alone for long. 🔥 WHY START HERE • meet your crew before going out • avoid awkward solo pre-drinks • start the night in a social, open environment • connect with people heading to the same places The best nights aren’t planned — they start here. 🍺 EXPECT • a lively international crowd • music to set the mood • drinks & pre-party offers • spontaneous plans for the rest of the night 🚀 HOW IT WORKS Show up from 20:00 Grab a drink Meet people Decide where the night goes Around 22:30–23:00, we head out — together or in groups — to the hottest spots in the city. 🌍 THE LJUBLJANA INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY This event is powered by Ljubljana International — the biggest international community in Ljubljana, with 1000+ members and growing every week. What makes it different: • an active WhatsApp group where people connect daily • real friendships — not just one-time events • a mix of expats, Erasmus students, digital nomads, and locals • people who are open, social, and actually want to meet others 👉 You don’t just come to an event — you join a community. Before the event: • meet people in the WhatsApp group After the event: • continue the night together • join other events • build your social circle in Ljubljana 🌍 WHO SHOULD COME • anyone going out on Saturday • people new to Ljubljana • anyone looking to meet others before the party • anyone who wants a better start to their night ✨ HOSTED BY Ljubljana International × Pub LOO-BLAH-NAH Center 🌎 JOIN THE COMMUNITY 👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/KB3YaX1GuqY4eYcYUh3TpK 👉 https://linktr.ee/ljubljanainternational 🎉 Don’t pre-party alone. Start your night here — with the right people.

We’re launching a beginner Bachata & Salsa course together with one of the best dance schools in Ljubljana — @utripplesa. You’ll learn the basics, get comfortable with the movements and simply enjoy dancing in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Perfect for those who have been wanting to try partner dancing but didn’t know where to start. 📅 **Sundays at 17:00 (starting 05.04)** ⏱ **4 classes (1.5 hours each)** 💶 **Price:** €45 for the full course €40 per person if you join with a partner or a friend If you didn’t attend the trial class, you can join the **first session for €10** to see if you like it before committing to the full course. 👉 **Register here:** [https://forms.gle/Gp47pWi8Pk2QsKTu5](https://forms.gle/Gp47pWi8Pk2QsKTu5) Please make sure to **check your email and WhatsApp after registering** — we’ll send all confirmations and updates there. Let’s dance ✨

Dodgeball is back again! If you’ve been wanting to come out, this is an easy one to join. We’ll be playing for about 1.5 to 2 hours, you do not need to bring any equipment, and no experience is needed. We use a specific set of rules and equipment to make the games run better and keep them fun for everybody, not just people who already know how to play. If it rains, the event will be canceled.

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [Grandview Grind](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063534163841)!

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. 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."

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.