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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Check out east london events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.

Discover all the east london events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.

Absolutely! Find east london events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.

East London Events Today

Join in-person East London events happening right now

English stand-up: Saturday Comedy Selection w. Shaun Eli (USA)
English stand-up: Saturday Comedy Selection w. Shaun Eli (USA)
**IMPORTANT: please reserve your seats at [eastwestcomedy.com](eastwestcomedy.com) in addition to RSVP on Meetup to guarantee a seat!** **GUEST STAR HEADLINER: TBA** ! ! Our shows have been SOLD OUT every time, so PLEASE book online and don't take chances ;) !! To start your Saturday night hangout, you deserve the best show you can get - and Neukölln's hottest comedy club is delivering just that! Come watch an extended set by a top international headliner, supported by the hottest comedy talent from Europe, UK, USA, Asia, South America and more. All in Berlin's cult theater-style venue with a bar, Oblomov Kreuzkoelln. Artisan cocktails, great local beers and amazing atmosphere of true international Berlin will help you start your weekend with a bang. Come one, come all! Google rating: 5.0 / 5.0 ★★★★★ “Laughed a lot, will come again for sure” Oliver, UK ★★★★★ “A cozy place with high quality live comedy!” Joanna, Hong Kong ★★★★★ “Great comedy show, talented comics and very nice atmosphere” Mariia, Ukraine ★★★★★ “Comedians were good, beer was good, ambiance was super nice!” Gaelle, Lebanon ★★★★★ “The humour hit us right on the spot!” Eve, China ★★★★★ “Perfect evening of laughter” Igor, Croatia ★★★★★ “Cozy stand-up venue with hilarious international artists and audience!” Elvira, Russia ★★★★★ “Great new shows at one of Berlin’s coolest venues!” James, USA Doors: 7:30 PM Show: 8:00 PM Entry: Pay What You Want\* (seat reservation required): you reserve your seat for free, and Pay What You Want at the end of the show, depending on how much you think the show is worth (recommended fee: €10-15). Reservations expire 10 minutes before the start of the show. \*It is not within our principles to promote a show as "Free Entry" and ask for a "not-so-voluntary" donation at the end. This show is paid - we just let you decide the price ;)
Real Long Term Friendship
Real Long Term Friendship
Nice! You are looking for real long time friendship! You might have already lived in Berlin or other big cities and experienced the "Anonymous" culture for a while. Meeting random people over and over and never see the same person again! In order to find "Real Long Term Friendship" in Berlin, do as follows: * You should not care how many people are joining this meetup. You RVSP. Even if only one person is joining. Because if everyone are waiting for everyone else to RVSP, nobody joins and nobody finds a new friend. * You do not care how many people of the opposite sex are joining. You are looking for friends. Finding the best romantic partner in the world, while avoiding not very attractive others, can be your other goal, for another time. Here we are looking for Friends. Real ones. * You are going to risk a very precious property of yours: Your time! Yes, there are thousands of opportunities in Berlin, there might be a rock concert for free, a birthday party you might miss, an important person might call you and invite you spontaneously, but you never find new friends until you decide to risk your time and meet people anyway. "I will check my calendar and get back to you" also does not work. Commit your time and spend it. Trust me, you won't go bankrupt ;-) * You are ready to use your phone as a real phone! You might have been using your phone as a tablet to visit Instagram and Facebook and watch movies. But if you want to find friends, you must know that people might take your phone number and give you theirs. That means they will Call you! And you have to pick up the phone and answer it. If you want to find new friends, you must be ready to do something really hard for the first time after years: Call people first, and if they called you: Answer your phone! * You are going to meet some people twice! That's the point of friendship. We already can experience random encounters with random people in random places one at a time. But that is not called friendship. If you want friends, you must be ready to meet the same person more than once. If you agree with above, RVSP and COME! You will meet other people who think the same way. P.S: Now that you've read all the way down to here, I suggest you [watch this animation](https://player.vimeo.com/video/547249272?h=22f3dd0f6f).
Laughs & Drinks in an Art Gallery 😍 (Mitte) - Saturday 8pm
Laughs & Drinks in an Art Gallery 😍 (Mitte) - Saturday 8pm
**[Reserve Seats on Eventbrite](https://ComedyinArtGallery.eventbrite.de/?aff=meetup)** **Show starts: 8pm in an upscale Mitte Art Gallery** The perfect blend of art, humour and socialising! **Laughing is contagious 😃 and has the power to bond people🙌** Welcome to an event that deserves your presence. We have booked an Art Gallery in Mitte and are showcasing a creative concept show that brings people together through laughs with a thrilling comedy game format. We will be laughing a lot. **Event Details:** Gallery Opens: 7:30pm Event starts: 8:00pm Event ends: 9:00pm **Pay what you want (at the end of the show).** This is an English language event. **[Reserve Seats on Eventbrite](https://ComedyinArtGallery.eventbrite.de/?aff=meetup)** (<= Required for entry) **Host/Comedian:** **Prateek Jajoo (IG: jazz.comedy)** Featured at Comedy Cellar NYC, New York Comedy club, Broadway comedy club. And all cool clubs of Europe. Fresh from two comedy specials in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Prateek is excited to entertain and laugh with the audience of the city he fondly calls home. IG: @jazz.comedy **Pay what you want (at the end of the show).**
Village Potluck - all welcome
Village Potluck - all welcome
**Village Potluck** organized by the **[we are village](https://wearevillage.org/) volunteers team** for **LGBTQAI+ Friends** **Free event with [registration](https://wearevillage.org/en/shop/potluck/w20-2026)** 🔵 Spending time together! With this in mind, the Village invites you to take part in this free event, have a laugh and make new friends. Just bring a dish of your choice (if possible) and we’ll eat & drink together in a relaxed atmosphere. You are also welcome to invite your friends. A casual opportunity to spend a great time together at the Village – indoors and in the garden. This event will be in German and/or English depending on participant needs. 🔵 Gemeinsam Zeit verbringen! In diesem Sinne lädt dich das Village dazu ein, an diesem kostenlosen Event teilzunehmen, zu genießen, zu lachen und neue Freundschaften zu schließen. Bring einfach etwas zu Essen deiner Wahl mit (wenn möglich) und wir essen & trinken zusammen in gemütlicher, lockerer Runde. Gerne kannst du auch deine Freunde dazu einladen – eine gute Gelegenheit zusammen eine tolle Zeit im Village zu verbringen – drinnen und im Garten. Dieses Event wird je nach Teilnehmerbedürfnissen auf Deutsch und/oder Englisch sein.
Hold My Beer: Standout Standup
Hold My Beer: Standout Standup
Every fourth Saturday at ImprovWorks Berlin, we've got an amazing lineup of standout standup comedy. Join us in our beautiful theater in Friedrichshain and laugh along with comedians from around the world! They'll make you laugh. They'll make you think. They'll make you drink. Doors 19:30, Show 20:00, Tix: [https://www.improvworksberlin.com/shows](https://www.improvworksberlin.com/shows)
Sip Happens! Saturday Social @ Cassiopeia Sommergarten 🌳
Sip Happens! Saturday Social @ Cassiopeia Sommergarten 🌳
Meet up and join other people in Berlin this Saturday! Whether you're a long-time resident or just travelling through, come and meet new people to have fun, make new friends and enjoy your Saturday evening in a safe and welcoming environment at one of Berlins fantastic bars. This week we're heading to Cassiopeia Sommergarten (link to location below). Looking forward to seeing you there! Look out for the signs on tables with our logo on. We always have several organisers there (male and female), so come say hello to us! We care to make sure that everyones enjoys themselves and we have no tolerance for bad behaviour or creepiness. Follow us on Insta: @siphappens.berlin Join us on Telegram: t.me/siphappens_berlin 👉 Other important notes: * 🍸 The locations we visit are bars and clubs, they are businesses and we are able to keep these events free ONLY if people buy drinks. Please respect the locations and the event by making purchases. * 🦹‍♂️ Remember to keep an eye on your belongings and prioritize your own well-being. We are not responsible for any lost items or personal issues. * 📷 By attending our events, you consent to being photographed or filmed. Photos and videos taken during the events may be shared on our social media. If you do not wish to appear in the photos or if you appear in a photo that we post that you would like removed, please send us a private message as soon as possible on Instagram (@siphappens.berlin).

East London Events This Week

Discover what is happening in the next few days

English stand-up: Sunday Comedy Party
English stand-up: Sunday Comedy Party
**!! IMPORTANT: please register at [eastwestcomedy.com](eastwestcomedy.com) to guarantee seating! Shows are getting super busy !!** Perfect comedy show for a lazy Sunday evening! Only experienced international comedians, professional venue and tasty, affordable drinks. **Line-up: SEE WEBSITE** **!! Welcome to Berlin's most attended Sunday night comedy show! For the 2025-26 season we have installed 15 extra seats to extend capacity, but still PLEASE book online and don't take chances - it's SOLD OUT almost every week ;) !!*Our full schedule & info at: [eastwestcomedy.com](https://eastwestcomedy.com/ "https://eastwestcomedy.com/"); subscribe to [instagram.com/eastwest_comedy](https://instagram.com/eastwest_comedy "https://instagram.com/eastwest_comedy") for updates!*** There are millions of ways to have a great time on a Sunday evening in Neukölln, but one beats them all! Come watch top class English stand-up by 6 experienced comedians from Europe, UK, USA, Asia, South America and more, in Berlin's cult theater-style venue with a bar. Artisan cocktails, great local beers and many other drinks will make your Sunday evening even warmer. Come one, come all! Google rating (220+ reviews): 5.0 / 5.0 ★★★★★ “Laughed a lot, will come again for sure” Oliver, UK ★★★★★ “A cozy place with high quality live comedy!” Joanna, Hong Kong ★★★★★ “Great comedy show, talented comics and very nice atmosphere” Mariia, Ukraine ★★★★★ “Comedians were good, beer was good, ambiance was super nice!” Gaelle, Lebanon ★★★★★ “The humour hit us right on the spot!” Eve, China ★★★★★ “Perfect evening of laughter” Igor, Croatia ★★★★★ “Cozy stand-up venue with hilarious international artists and audience!” Elvira, Russia ★★★★★ “Great new shows at one of Berlin’s coolest venues!” James, USA Show will consist of 2 halves with an interval. Doors: 7:30 PM Show: 8:00 PM Entry: Pay What You Want\* (seat reservation required): you reserve your seat for free, and Pay What You Want at the end of the show, depending on how much you think the show is worth (recommended fee: €10-15). Reservations expire 10 minutes before the start of the show. \*It is not within our principles to promote a show as "Free Entry" and ask for a "not-so-voluntary" donation at the end. This show is paid - we just let you decide the price ;)
Taekwondo (Trial Lesson)
Taekwondo (Trial Lesson)
**For registration for this class see: [https://www.kang-center.de/taekwondo-berlin/#taekwondo-kurse-berlin](https://www.kang-center.de/taekwondo-berlin/#taekwondo-kurse-berlin)** We are an international group (speaking English, German and Korean), enthusiastic and ambitious learning the art of traditional Taekwon-Do, meaning full perfection and power but no contact. Our grandmaster Kang, Shin-Gyu is a student of famous grandmaster Kwon, Jae-Hwa, so that we can learn from the originals. Sounds sophisticated? It is - and also a lot of fun! Most of us are between 20 an 30 years old, half of them male and half female. But we welcome anybody any age! As a beginner you need nothing more than some comfortable sportswear. See you in Class!
Fußball / Soccer / Football - Göschenpark (Wittenau/Reinickendorf)
Fußball / Soccer / Football - Göschenpark (Wittenau/Reinickendorf)
Please contact me on WhatsApp if you’d like to join our group, as this group will soon be deleted from Meetup. 017684589930 Thanks, Marco We play every Sunday—year-round—and are looking for a few players who are willing to join regularly. Average age is around 27-50. We play on grass using poles as goals, which allows us to adjust the field and goal size depending on the number of players. Please arrive on time, as we need to divide the teams. Game starts 11:30 sharp. Wir spielen jeden Sonntag - ganzjährig - und suchen nach ein paar Spielern, die sich vorstellen können, regelmäßig dazuzukommen. Alter im Schnitt ca. 27-50. Wir spielen auf Rasen mit Stangen als Toren, wodurch wir die Platz- und Torgrösse flexibel a die Anzahl der Spieler anpassen können. Bitte pünktlich da sein, weil wir die Mannschaften aufteilen müssen. Das Spiel beginnt pünktlich um 11:30 Uhr.
DEU/ENG - QUIZ #86.1 @ Alte Turnhalle - Sun, 24th of May - Start: 6:30pm
DEU/ENG - QUIZ #86.1 @ Alte Turnhalle - Sun, 24th of May - Start: 6:30pm
## QUIZ #86.1 @ Alte Turnhalle GERMAN BELOW/DEUTSCH UNTENSTEHEND **Trivia Night – English & Deutsch** A fun, social trivia night for locals, expats, newcomers and long-time Berliners alike. The quiz is **open to everyone** and played **bilingually in English & German**. ### The quiz setup: 📅 **Sunday, 24th of May** 🕔 Doors open: 5:45 pm \| 🕡 Quiz starts: 6:30 pm 📍 **Alte Turnhalle**, near Bhf. Ostkreuz 💰 **4 € per person** 👤 **Solo players welcome** or play as a team (max. **6 people**) 🤝 No team? We’ll match you with others at mixed tables ✍️ \*\*3 to 4 rounds à 10 questions (\*\*Topics include: music, picture riddles, pop culture, general knowledge & more) Languages: 🇬🇧 & 🇩🇪 🏆 **Prizes** for the top 3 teams + the legendary **Lucky Loser** 📍 **Venue:** Alte Turnhalle, Berlin-Friedrichshain, (Holteistraße 6–9, 10245 Berlin) **Good to know:** Most questions are designed to be broadly accessible. However, from time to time there *may* be questions related to **German history, culture, or German-speaking pop culture**. No need to be an expert though – **teamwork is key**, and mixed teams are very welcome. 📸 **Photos & promo:** We occasionally take photos during the event for promotional purposes (website & social media). If you prefer **not** to appear in photos, just let us know briefly during the event – no problem at all. Come solo, bring friends, or find a team on the spot – we’ll take care of the rest. See you there! 🧠✨ *** **Quizabend – Deutsch & Englisch** Ein geselliger Quizabend für Berliner:innen, Zugezogene, Expats und Quizfans aller Erfahrungslevel. Das Quiz ist **für alle offen** und wird **zweisprachig auf Deutsch & Englisch** gespielt. ### Die wichtigsten Infos: 📅 **Sonntag, 24. Mai** 🕔 Einlass: 17:45 Uhr \| 🕡 Quizbeginn: 18:30 Uhr 📍 **Alte Turnhalle**, nahe Bhf. Ostkreuz 💰 **4 € pro Person** 👤 **Solo-Anmeldung möglich** oder als Team (max. **6 Personen**) 🤝 Kein Team? Wir setzen euch an **Mixed Tables** zusammen ✍️ \*\*3 Runden à 10 Fragen (\*\*Themen: Musik, Bilderrätsel, Popkultur, Allgemeinwissen u.v.m.) Sprachen: 🇩🇪 & 🇬🇧 🏆 **Preise** für die ersten 3 Teams sowie den **Lucky Loser** 📍 **Location:** Alte Turnhalle, Berlin-Friedrichshain, (Holteistraße 6–9, 10245 Berlin) **Gut zu wissen:** Die meisten Fragen sind allgemein verständlich gehalten. Dennoch kann es **hin und wieder Fragen mit Bezug zur deutschen Geschichte, Kultur oder deutschsprachigen Popkultur** geben. Dafür muss man kein Profi sein – **Teamwork ist entscheidend**, und gemischte Teams sind ausdrücklich willkommen. 📸 **Fotos & Promotion:** Während des Quiz machen wir gelegentlich Fotos für **Promo-Zwecke** (Website & Social Media). Falls ihr **nicht** auf Fotos erscheinen möchtet, gebt uns beim Event einfach kurz Bescheid – völlig unkompliziert. Ob alleine, mit Freund:innen oder spontan im Team vor Ort – wir freuen uns auf euch! **Bis bald und viel Spaß beim Quizzen!** 🧠🎉
Men50+ _ Leben in Farbe
Men50+ _ Leben in Farbe
**Men50+ _ Leben in Farbe** mit *Florian Filtzinger* für **LGBTQIA+** **[kostenlos mit Anmeldung](https://wearevillage.org/shop/men50plus/w21-2026/)** Queere Menschen über 50 sehen sich in einer von Jugendlichkeit, körperlicher Attraktivität und Heteronormativität geprägten Gesellschaft mit verschiedenen Problemen konfrontiert. In dieser Gruppe triffst du auf Gleichgesinnte. Gemeinsam wollen wir die Herausforderungen des Älterwerdens annehmen – und das Leben in vollen Zügen genießen!*out the program [here](https://wearevillage.org/village-quartiere/addressing-queer-lonliness).* Selbst in der queeren Community kann es „Altersdiskriminierung“ geben, bei der ältere Menschen als weniger relevant oder interessant angesehen werden. Auch der Mangel an familiären Strukturen oder Freund:innen kann in der Lebensmitte zu Isolation führen. In dieser Gruppe triffst du auf Gleichgesinnte, die sich ebenfalls mit den Herausforderungen des Älterwerdens auseinandersetzen. Hier können wir uns gegenseitig stärken, Erfahrungen teilen und voneinander lernen. Gemeinsam wollen wir die Herausforderungen des Älterwerdens annehmen – und das Leben in vollen Zügen genießen! **Sprache**: Dieser Workshop wird auf Deutsch gehalten, damit alle teilnehmen können, unabhängig von euren Englischkenntnissen. Ein grundlegendes Verständnis der deutschen Sprache wird dir helfen, aktiv teilzunehmen. **Kosten**: Die Veranstaltung ist kostenlos mit Anmeldung. *\*\* Diese Veranstaltung ist Teil unseres Programms ‘****[Gemeinsam statt einsam](https://wearevillage.org/village-quartiere/addressing-queer-lonliness)****‘, unterstützt von der* ***[LADS](https://www.berlin.de/sen/lads/en/)****.* *Erfahre mehr über das Programm* ***[hier](https://wearevillage.org/village-quartiere/addressing-queer-lonliness)****.*
Laughs & Drinks in an Art Gallery 😍 w/ Prateek - English Comedy Special
Laughs & Drinks in an Art Gallery 😍 w/ Prateek - English Comedy Special
**[Reserve Seats on Eventbrite](https://ComedyinArtGallery.eventbrite.de/?aff=meetup)** (<= Required for entry, Only 30 available) **Show starts: 8pm in an upscale Mitte Art Gallery** The perfect blend of art, humour and socialising! **Laughing is contagious 😃 and has the power to bond people🙌** Welcome to an event that deserves your presence. We have booked an Art Gallery in Mitte and are showcasing a creative concept show that brings people together through laughs with a thrilling comedy game format. We will be laughing a lot. **Event Details:** Gallery Opens: 7:30pm Event starts: 8:00pm Event ends: 9:00pm *\*Sunday event runs till 9:30pm* **Pay what you want (at the end of the show).** This is an English language event. **[Reserve Seats on Eventbrite](https://ComedyinArtGallery.eventbrite.de/?aff=meetup)** (<= Required for entry) **Host/Comedian:** **Prateek Jajoo (IG: jazz.comedy)** Featured at Comedy Cellar NYC, New York Comedy club, Broadway comedy club. And all cool clubs of Europe. Fresh from two comedy specials in Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Prateek is excited to entertain and laugh with the audience of the city he fondly calls home. IG: @jazz.comedy **Pay what you want (at the end of the show).**
Saturday Coffee Afternoon
Saturday Coffee Afternoon
### About this Event Weekends in Berlin are for slowing down. Whether you’ve lived here for years, just moved to the city, or are just passing through, come join us for a caffeine-fueled afternoon! The goal is simple: **Good coffee and even better conversations.** No forced networking, no strict agendas—just a relaxed group of people enjoying a break from the city hustle. ### Why join us? * **Meet Locals & Expats:** Expand your social circle in a low-pressure environment. * **Discover Berlin’s Cafe Scene:** We’ll explore one of the city's many cozy hidden gems. * **Perfect Weekend Kickoff:** It’s the best way to transition from your Saturday errands into the evening. We meet at W66. A cafe at Leipziger Straße! Looking forward to seeing you all there and sharing a slice of cake! 🍰☕

East London Events Near You

Connect with your local East London community

Saturday Mornings @ East Market
Saturday Mornings @ East Market
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 enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."
Let's Discover the Discovery District
Let's Discover the Discovery District
Free In-person Meeting: Unwanted Emotions & Loneliness, How to Get Over Them
Free In-person Meeting: Unwanted Emotions & Loneliness, How to Get Over Them
This is an in-person meeting. Did you know that unwanted emotions like loneliness, sadness, hopelessness, anger, fear, anxiety, or feelings of irritation don’t just fall on you for no reason. They are not random occurrences that simply happen to people's minds. They are definitely not chemical imbalance in your brain due to some nebulous chemical reactions by chance. Your negative emotions are the symptoms of the painful experiences that you have which are not healed, and which are still affecting you. The effects of these painful experiences are exacerbated by the pressures or difficulties of the other problems in your life. For instance, let's say you are already carrying a huge load on your back, then you cannot take on much more, but, let's say something else happens to you, such as the difficulties from the Pandemic, then the resultant combined weight on you can take you over the edge, kind of like the straw that break the camel's back. When this happens, people's attention usually goes to the straw that was added, but actually the majority of the weight had come from the huge load that were already there, holding a person down and causing a person issues. So how do you remove the huge load that was already there? How do you lighten them up? Is it possible to get rid of them? That is what this meeting will be all about. Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.
CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group
CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group
Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.
Trails & Ales! Blendon Woods Metro Park / Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
Trails & Ales! Blendon Woods Metro Park / Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
**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.
Feel Good Friday: POWER BALLAD  at the Gateway Film Center + SHAKE NO. 8!
Feel Good Friday: POWER BALLAD at the Gateway Film Center + SHAKE NO. 8!
Join us as we get together to see Paul Rudd in the latest comedy-drama-musical from John Carney, POWER BALLAD! The film follows a washed-up wedding singer, a fading boy band singer and a stolen hit song. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. Power Ballad is written/directed by John Carney, the master of the modern musical and creative mind behind Once, Begin Again and Sing Street! It stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival where critics call it “a sure-fired crowd-pleaser” that “just might be the feel-good hit of the year!” Others say, “Paul Rudd delivers a career-best performance in this charmer” that’s both “hilarious and deeply moving!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus in 2024, this is the perfect place to kick off our Summer of Ice Cream and grab a sweet treat after the show! Their menu features an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, and more! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Once showtime is announced, advance ticket purchase is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. We'll head to nearby Shake No. 8 immediately following the show! Should be a fun one, Dan