Cultural Heritage

Celebrate Lunar New Year with Bondaroo & The Couch! Kick off the Year of the Horse with games, laughter, stories, and a sprinkle of good luck 🍊🧧 📅 Thursday, 5 February ⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM 📍 The Couch – International Student Centre, 69 Bourke St, Melbourne Whether you're new to Lunar New Year or have celebrated it before, this session invites you to learn something new, practice your English, and enjoy hands-on activities with a cultural twist. 🌟 What to Expect: 🗣️ Spark conversations and practise casual English while making friends 🌍 Discover how New Year is celebrated in different countries 🎨 Get creative with a festive take-home activity 🧠 Test your knowledge in a fun mini quiz 💬 Share stories, customs, and laughs in a friendly space ✨ This session is perfect for international students looking to connect, learn, and celebrate together. No experience needed — just come along with an open mind and festive spirit!

🍻Come to the language exchange in Melbourne! 🌍Practice your preferred language while making new friends and getting to know more about new cultures. THURSDAYS 👉🏻Where? DIESEL BAR, 202 Little Lonsdale St. ⏰What time? From 18:00 to 22:45 👨🏻‍🎓🍻The first 50 international students who register at the QR CODE entrance will get a free drink. 🤩5$ ENTRY + 1 free drink for non-students.

1 Crockford St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207 EVERY FORTNIGHT THURSDAY! 2週間に一度の開催! PRIVATE EVENT! 完全プライベート語学交換会！ 🇯🇵🇦🇺 \[FREE Language Exchange:無料\! 2週間ごと開催！！日本語と英語で話しましょう\!\] \[MUST READ\!\!\! English below\] 🎉hosted by: MELLIFE 🎉 メルライフ主催🎉 概要は下に！ We do most of the announcements on Instagram! Check us out! インスタフォローもよろしくお願いします🙏 IG: @mellife2022 [毎月2回木曜日開催] Location: The Cornerstone 1 Crockford St, Port Melbourne VIC 3207 Entry fee: Free !!! Time: 6pm\~ 8pm [Schedule　当日のスケジュール] 6:00 - 6:30 Entry opens 入場開始 6:30 - 6:45 Japanese time　日本語タイム 6:45 - 7:00 English time　英語タイム 7:00 Announcement from staff members, crowd shuffle, find different partner/group スタッフからのお知らせ、注意喚起等。違うパートナーを探す時間 7:00 - 7:15 Japanese time　日本語タイム 7:15 - 7:30 English time　英語タイム 7:30 - 8:00 Socializing time　社交タイム 💡メルボルン最大の日英ランエク【会場変更のお知らせ🎊】 長すぎたロックダウンを終え、新しく皆が楽しめる場所を提供したいと始まった私たちMELLIFE🇦🇺🇯🇵 初回は30名ほど集まる小さなコミュニティでしたが、結成から半年が経ち、あっという間に毎回200人を超える方々に参加頂けるメルボルン最大の日英ランエクグループに成長する事が出来ました😊 今後のMELLIFE が更に成長して、より楽しい時間を提供するために次回のイベントから会場を変更し、最大４００名ほどの大きな会場へ移る事を決めました🥳 今回からはメルボルン市内でもとても有名でおしゃれな会場、The Cornerstoneで開催を決定いたしました。 ぜひ次回のイベントからもMELLIFE をよろしくお願い致します😆🤲 メルライフ一同 日本語を学びたい世界の方が集まるので、英語が得意でなくても、コミュニケーションが取れます😆(日本語、英語喋れる人も) お互いの得意な言葉を教え合って一気に語学上達しちゃいましょう✨ メルボルンで新しい友達が出来るチャンスです🌍 ぜひ参加表明をお願いします！ 途中参加の方も受け付けております！ [下記を必ずお読みください] メルライフが主催するイベントはどのような方も歓迎しています。しかし、"お酒などの強要・いじめ・ハラスメント・暴言"　など他のメンバーが不愉快に感じる行為は絶対におやめください。このルールを守れない方は積極的に処置をとらせていただきますので、これらを経験した、または見つけ次第メルライフスタッフにいつでも言いつけをお願いいたします。メルライフを　”いつでも気軽に来れて安全なコミュニティ”　をモットーにするため、皆様のご協力をお願いいたします。 Social event: JAP/ENG language exchange at a fancy venue with great vibes! FREE ENTRY!!!! ✨️ Thursday from 6pm\~✨️ Do you want an opportunity to have a conversation and make friends in person? Say no more! We are organising a language exchange event at a trendy venue near the CBD!!! Feel free to join at any time throughout the event, but good things may happen to those who come in early ;) We had WHOPPING 🎉250+ PEOPLE🎉 on previous events and we've tried to reserved enough space to fit everyone wishing to attend this time as well! 🔥ENROLL EARLY TO SECURE YOUR SPOT🔥 See you guys then👋👋👋 PLEASE READ BELOW (Everyone is welcomed to MELLIFE events. However, we ask that all attendees treat each other with respect and be polite. Our community does not tolerate innappropriate behaviour or any form of HARRASMENT!!!!! When you see or experience any, please call it out or reach out to Mellife staff members ASAP so we can address this and keep the community a safe space.)

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your lamp, use the MEETAMC10 coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** Join us for a hands-on workshop where families can learn the art of creating beautiful Turkish lamps together. This unique and engaging class will guide parents and kids through crafting intricate and colorful lamps. No prior experience is required, as our expert instructors will provide step-by-step instructions on design, assembly, and decorating techniques. This workshop is perfect for families and friends to bond, unleash their creativity, and take home a stunning handmade craft that can brighten any room. Come discover Turkish lamp-making's magic with your little ones in a fun and supportive environment. In this 2.5-hour workshop, you'll lose track of time and end up with a beautiful lamp to take home!

Turn your Thursday evening into something special! Join us at **600 Little Collins St, Melbourne** for a **free beginners Salsa class** that’s all about great music, great people, and unforgettable energy. You don’t need a partner or any experience — just come ready to have fun and learn something new. ✨ **What makes it amazing:** * Easy-to-follow steps designed for first-timers * A vibrant, welcoming crowd * The perfect mix of fun, movement, and social connection 📍 **Where:** The Salsa Foundation — 600 Little Collins St, Melbourne 🕕 **When:** Thursday 6 PM (arrive 5–10 mins early to check in) 🎟️ **Cost:** Free — bookings essential (spots fill quickly!)

**This Meetup account will be deleted soon**, but the **Language Exchange hosted by JAPANEASY will continue to be held every week**. **★Notice: JAPANEASY Meetup Account Closure★** Hello everyone, Thank you very much for always joining JAPANEASY’s Language Exchange events and cultural workshops. We are writing to inform you that the JAPANEASY Meetup account will be closed in the near future. Please rest assured that JAPANEASY will continue to run events and programs as usual. If you are interested in our upcoming activities, please visit the links below: (1) **Language Exchange** https://japaneasy.com.au/events/language-exchange/ (2) **Cultural Workshops** https://japaneasy.com.au/workshops/ (3) **Japanese Lessons (Group courses & Private lessons)** https://japaneasy.com.au/courses/ (4) **日本語教師養成講座** https://japaneasy.com.au/courses/日本語教師養成講座/ We sincerely appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you at our future events. Warm regards, JAPANEASY \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- JAPANEASY Japanese Language & Culture Learning Centre Tel：0422-266-308 Address：Level 1, 183 Exhibition Street, Melbourne Email：[reception@japaneasy.com.au](mailto:reception@japaneasy.com.au) Website：[www.japaneasy.com.au](http://www.japaneasy.com.au/) Facebook：[http://www.facebook.com/EasyPeasyJapaneasy](http://www.facebook.com/EasyPeasyJapaneasy) Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/japaneasymel/](https://www.instagram.com/japaneasymel/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

If you’d enjoy a relaxed Sunday afternoon wandering through beautiful spaces, sharing thoughtful conversation, and ending the day over a lovely dinner — you’re warmly invited to join us. This is a women-only gathering designed to make connection feel **easy, unforced, and nourishing**, with art, movement, and shared experience doing the heavy lifting. ### Meet time & place **4:00pm – Meet inside the NGV, Great Hall** Please enter the **NGV (180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne)** and walk through **Federation Court**. We’ll meet in the **Great Hall**. (This meeting spot is easy to find once inside — see map/photo in the event images.) ### Gallery wander + conversation **4:00pm – 5:00pm** We’ll spend the afternoon **wandering a limited area of the NGV together**, moving at an easy pace and allowing conversations to unfold naturally as we explore. This is a relaxed, unstructured wander — there’s no rush and no expectation to see everything. The gallery provides a beautiful backdrop for: * Gentle conversation * Reflections sparked by art and design * Easy connections without small talk pressure As with other **Good Conversations Club** events, you’re welcome to arrive exactly as you are. I’ll have **conversation prompts available** that you’re welcome to use if you’d like — or not at all. They’re simply there to support ease, connection, and meaningful conversation if you want them. ### Walk to dinner The NGV closes at **5:00pm**, so we’ll meet out front, then take a **short walk (approx. 10 minutes)** together towards Flinders Street Station. ### Dinner **5:30pm – 7:00pm** **Chocolate Buddha** (very close to Flinders Street Station) Dinner is a chance to sit, slow down, and continue conversations over (shared?) food. You’re welcome to join for the gallery wander only, or both — dinner is optional but encouraged. ### Who this event is for This is a **women-only** event for those who are: * Young at heart and open-minded * Interested in art, culture, and meaningful conversation * Comfortable in mixed-age groups * Looking for connection without pressure or performance There’s no strict age range — you’ll likely meet women across different life stages who value presence, curiosity, and good conversation. (In general, ages of people attending our events have been around 25-50 years) ### Important notes * Entry to the NGV is free * Dinner is pay-your-own * Please arrive on time so we can begin together * Comfortable shoes recommended for walking This event is about **shared experience first**, followed by **nourishing conversation** — in beautiful surroundings, with ease.

This is a relaxed, social meetup for anyone interested in practicing Korean or English — no teachers, no lessons, no pressure! We’ll just hang out, chat, and get to know each other while switching between Korean and English as much (or as little) as you like. Whether you’re a fluent speaker or just learning “안녕,” you’re welcome here. Bring good vibes, maybe a drink or snack, and let’s have some fun conversations together! Last attendees must arrive by 8:30pm!

Inspired by the successful events like "Pot Luck in the Park" and "Saturday Mornings @ East Market," this meetup promises a fun and engaging atmosphere where like-minded individuals can connect over a shared love for languages and cultures. Whether you're a language learner, ESL student, or simply passionate about exploring new cultures, this event is perfect for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a diverse and welcoming community. Come join us for an enlightening afternoon of language, culture, food, of course, and connections! (Everyone will individually choose from the buffet and pay for their own meal, by weight.)

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."

Ciao a tutt\*! Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the **Columbus Public Library (Northside Branch)** in **Meeting Room 3** to speak in Italian for 1 hour. \*Note the change in location this week due to no space the Upper Arlington library.\* Keeping Monday for consistency but we can discuss if there are better days/times/locations! Perhaps we can do two times a week as well. TBD.

Dale Gnidovec, Curator of the Orton Hall Museum of Geology at The Ohio State University, will be presenting a program he has wanted to share with us for a long time: Plate Tectonics. His description of his program: Continents on the move - Nothing in Earth history makes sense without moving continents - it tells us why mountains, volcanoes, minerals, and fossils are where they are. This talk examines the evidence for continental drift, why it was disbelieved, and explains how the more-encompassing theory of plate tectonics was developed and eventually proven. Dale is an energetic, incredibly knowledgeable, and very entertaining speaker and this will be another wonderful program by Dale. Hope to see you there! Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

Join us for a vibrant gathering that honors the heart and hustle of local entrepreneurs. It Takes a Village is more than an event it’s a movement to uplift and spotlight small business owners who pour passion into their craft and creativity into our community. From authors and bakers to jewelry makers, t-shirt designers, candle crafters, and beyond. This is your chance to meet the makers, support their work and celebrate the spirit of collaboration. **_Expect_** * Local vendors showcasing handmade goods * Live demos and storytelling from featured creators * Food, music, and community vibes * Opportunities to shop, connect and be inspired * Celebrate the power of small businesses and we all rise

**Caller: Dan Kappus** **Band: Trillium** **Big Scioty Contra Dance** **temporarily returning to our long ago location for Jan-March - First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks to share are always welcome!

Celebrating February Birthdays at Forno Kitchen and Bar! Complimentary mimosa for the birthday attendees