Literary Events

We are a multi-disciplinary group of PhDs and academic staff who write together regularly and help one another to achieve our writing goals through supportive community, focus and a structure that works. We welcome anyone who wants to get some writing done in a collegial, supportive, encouraging environment. You don’t have to be from University of Melbourne (you don’t have to be from university at all!). We use the Pomodoro method, which means we write in timed intervals of silence, then chat and catch up for 5 mins and repeat the cycle. Arrive when you like, leave when you like. The goal is to keep our writing projects progressing and reduce the isolation that can be part of the academic and/or writing life. **Session Outline:** Welcome: 9.00-9.05 (5 mins) Pomodoro 1: 9.05-9.30 (25 mins). Break: 9.30-9.35 (5 mins) Pomodoro 2: 9.35-10.00 (25 mins) Break: 10.00-10.05 (25 mins) Pomodoro 3: 10.05-10.55 (50 mins) Break: 10.55-11.05 (10 mins) Pomodoro 4: 11.05-11.30 (25 mins) **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://www.shutupwrite.com). **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: There is free public wifi available at the Melbourne Connect Superfloor (speak to the concierge for details). University of Melbourne staff and students can connect to the university wifi; staff and students from other universities can join Eduroam using their home institution's log in credentials. Travel / Parking info: Public bike parking along Swanston and Grattan Streets. Tram routes 1, 3, 3a, 5, 16. 16, 64, 67, 72 along Swanston Street (Stop 1) and 19 along Royal Parade (Stop 10). The nearest train station is Parkville Metro Station. Bus routes include 200, 207, 250, 251, 401, 402, 403, 505, 546. There is no public parking available at Melbourne Connect, however the area is well serviced by nearby public carparks, including Cardigan House Parking at 96 Grattan Street and the University of Melbourne Eastern Precinct Car Park at 375 Grattan Street. A taxi rank is located on Grattan Street.

**Welcome to 'GENESIS' - The Generative AI Filmmaking Networking Event!** ***THIS MAY BE A LIMITED EVENT - PLEASE MAKE SURE TO RSVP.*** This group is for individuals interested in exploring the intersection of generative AI technology and movie making. Whether you're a filmmaker eager to discuss movie production, a technician looking to collaborate, or simply wishing to learn more and discuss AI in film, this group is for you! Join us at the Emporium food court (located behind Grill’d Burger Restaurant in the CBD, not near Melbourne Station) to discuss AI technologies, workflows, productions, AI ethics, government responsibility and more. After 7pm, we continue the evening with Happy Hour drinks at a nearby bar and a chance to grab dinner together. Feel free to bring friends interested in AI filmmaking; it’s a great way to introduce new faces to our expanding network. RSVP to help us gauge attendance and become part of a growing network of film professionals and enthusiasts. Though the event begins in the afternoon, the relationships you build here can last well into the night and beyond. At 7 PM, we move to The Carlton Club, a five-minute walk away, where we continue networking in a more formal rooftop setting over drinks and food. This change of venue offers an ideal environment to keep conversations flowing. We want to foster a supportive network for creativity, film and television production, and collaboration between the world of cinema and AI. Connect with like-minded individuals and explore the exciting world of generative AI filmmaking together at GENESIS.

DATE CHANGE DUE TO OTHER'S BUSY SCHEDULES . DATE TBC THIS SHD BE A GREAT LAUGH. pay $5 at the door (special SideQuest discount so mention Sidequest) MEET OUT FRONT BEFOREHAND AT OR BEFORE 7.15PM SHARP SO WE CAN SEAT TOGETHER. if late you may be seated elswhere A night of laughs are 10 comedians try out their new material - special deal $5 cover charge for SideQuest (instead of $20 !) **Pls don't bring bags bigger than A4 size** [https://www.thecomicslounge.com.au/index.php/events/cl25_tues25nov-detail](https://www.thecomicslounge.com.au/index.php/events/cl25_tues25nov-detail) **Show Timing:** * If you’re only attending the show (not the full dinner package which we are not) , we recommend arriving by **7:15 PM**. * The venue seats guests from front to back as they arrive. * The show will finish at approximately **10:30 PM**. * VENUE The Comic's Lounge 1/26 Errol St, North Melbourne VIC 3051, Australia * **Parking –** Plenty of street parking around the Venue.

They have made regular appearances on Rove Live, 9am with David & Kim , Spicks and Specks, The Glass House, Thank God You're Here, The Project, & Good News Week We have a VIP Guest list under "MEET UP" with our own private tables this is where we will meet. We can meet for dinner before hand at 7pm or just for drinks at 7.30pm just before the show. Friends and family are also welcome to put their hand up for tickets. Plenty of parking. Tickets are $5 (Normally $15) pay at the door on arrival.

Whether you're looking for a short, light game or a longer strategy-heavy game, come join the Melbourne Asian Board Gamers on Tuesday night at Marché Board Game Cafe for some fun! To **check in**, please head to the front counter and show your RSVP for the Meetup event to a Marché staff member. They will then point you towards the event host for the evening to take down your attendance. **⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆ Cost ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆** Attendees who have registered for the event on Meetup can play at discounted rates, with the following payments to be made: * **$7 in total per session” to cover Meetup subscription and cafe costs. Payment of $7 should be made to Marche at the front counter upon notification to the staff member that you are here for the scheduled meetup. There is now no minimum spend on items at the cafe as there were before. The cafes menu can be found here https://mbgcafe.com.au/menu.pdf . Only attendees on the "going" list are entitled to the discount. attendees that are on the waitlist or didn't register on Meetup are still welcome to come, but will need to pay the regular Marche rate of $22 for three hours of board games (includes one free drink). **Attendance** As our events are highly popular, if you have RSVP as going but can no longer attend, please amend your RSVP to allow others a chance to attend. If we notice people are not showing up when they have RSVP, you will be moved to the waitlist the following week and give priority to those who actually turn up. We appreciate everyone's understanding and co-operation. We really appreciate your support and look forward to playing with you.

To BOOK you must GET a FREE TICKET from the Nomads website by following: **[https://thq.fyi/se/af29fbc627c2](https://thq.fyi/se/af29fbc627c2).** Click on **Get Tickets.** **Note:** *An RSVP on Meetup is **NOT** a booking.* Please visit the Nomads website for full and early details of events. Our regular monthly social night - this month at The Royal Melbourne Hotel, 629 Bourke St, Melbourne. **GRADE**: Social. **ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION**: Join us for our monthly social evening where members can enjoy a meal, compare notes and float ideas on events they would like to see run, and simply have a chat. Do you want to see more of a particular activity, or do you have a particularly favourite area of Victoria you would like to share with others? Do you have an idea for a walk we haven't done before? If so, we'd love to hear from you. Everyone is welcome – new members are especially invited to any of the monthly Nomads social evenings. See **[The Royal Melbourne Hotel website](https://www.rmh.com.au/)** for more details, including **[their menu](https://www.rmh.com.au/food-drink#FOODMENU)**. Tuesday night is Parma Night - with various types of parma, including vegetarian, plus wine, beer or soft drink for $26. **BOOKING**: By Sunday 12th April. To BOOK you must GET a FREE TICKET from the Nomads website by following: **[https://thq.fyi/se/af29fbc627c2](https://thq.fyi/se/af29fbc627c2).** Click on **Get Tickets.** **Note:** *An RSVP on Meetup is **NOT** a booking.*

For those who aren't coming to the Discworld convention in Sydney, we will also be attending DandyCon, so come say hi if you're free. From the website: Get ready for a vibrant, nerdy day out at Dandy‑Con 2026 on Saturday 11 April, 11am–4pm. Back bigger than ever across Dandenong Library, Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre and the Drum Theatre, this free festival is bursting with hands‑on fun, colour and community energy. Explore the stallholder exhibition where you can buy your favourite merch and fanart from fandoms like Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen and more. Meet creators, play games, craft your own merch, snap a photo‑booth moment and dive into tabletop adventures, roving characters and a lively cosplay competition. A perfect day out for fans of all ages.[https://libraries.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/dandycon](https://libraries.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/dandycon "https://libraries.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/dandycon") [https://www.facebook.com/events/1445901587257994/?active_tab=discussion](https://www.facebook.com/events/1445901587257994/?active_tab=discussion "https://www.facebook.com/events/1445901587257994/?active_tab=discussion") When: Saturday, April 11th, 11 am–4 pm Where: Dandenong Library, Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, and the Drum Theatre

We are moving to a new platform and will be only running the new platform in 2025. please signup here: [https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers](https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers) This is the time to write whatever it is you want to write. \-\-\-\-\-\> IMPORTANT <\-\-\-\-\-\-\- We ask for the Nook which is to your left as you go in, but it is not always available. Ask for the table under "Mat Clarke". Sometimes we do not have an official host, so please say hi to people as they arrive and make everyone feel welcome. Thanks. No limitations. Come along and bring your laptop or pen and paper and work on whatever you want. There are no rules :) You can write. You can chat and write. You can share your work. Or not share your work. (If you need silence to concentrate then headphones are a good idea considering it is in a cafe/bar.) Coffee, hot chocolate, etc., available to buy. Also food and drink. Please buy something to show our thanks for the space they give us free of charge. There are some people that will want to chat, but most will be writing. So bear that in mind. See you there :) \-\-\-\-\-\-Please only RSVP if you can make it\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \-\-\-\-\-\-Un\-RSVP if you need to cancel\-\-\-\-\-\-\- We're booking the area, so we will need you to turn up if you say you are coming. Thanks. Thank you, Melbourne Writers. Great Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters Website: www.worldwriterscollective.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelbCityWriters Blog: http://melbournewriters.wordpress.com **Help us by adding to these social pages and site**

This is April meeting, not March. On second week of month due to Easter. We read Florence Knapp’s novel The Names, about (I think) a family’s conflicts symbolised by the disagreement over what to name a baby son.

Join us for a relaxed and welcoming coffee meetup designed for parents of young musicians. This is your space to ask questions, share experiences, and explore practical ways to support your child at home — in between lessons, where the real growth happens. No question is too small, and you’ll have time to delve deep and get the guidance you need. Meet other parents navigating the same journey, exchange tips, and feel supported along the way. Led by a professional musician and music educator with 26 years’ experience, we’ll explore topics including exams, practice habits, motivation, opportunities, parent involvement, career pathways, and more. Come with your questions, leave with clarity, confidence, and practical strategies to help your young musician thrive. Event fee: $25 Free for 'Music Parent Network' Skool Premium members https://www.skool.com/parents-of-young-musicians-5413/about

Join us for the Twentieth Page! Theme: music This month we're reading books that are music-centric. Biographies by musicians are a great option, but it can be anything which has music as a central theme. Feel free to bring along any discussion questions you can think of or theme suggestions. Happy reading :) See you there!

**🎭 *If you can't get to Europe right now, come along to LOL at Europe's best comedians, as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival*** **🤣.** **\* You need to purchase your own ticket for this event for Saturday, 11 April, 7pm show ($32).** **Tickets 👉🏼 [Comedy Festival Ticket](https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1506332) 👈🏼** Its GA, we'll meet out front at 6:30pm and go in together. Tickets are subject to availability. If you want to come, get your's before they sell out! *Comedians of Europe* is a collaboration across the best European comedians, performing their hilarious stand-up routines right here in Melbs 🤩.

The topic for April is "Water" 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 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 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!

Join us for lunch and meet our very successful group. We are each others sales team...always looking for referrals for our members. If you are looking for new clients, let us help you out! Bring your business cards and brochures to share with us. We have a speaker each week so that we can learn about their business. Because we have only one member per business, we have many of the spots filled. However, we are specifically looking for an estate attorney, a handyman/electrician, and an event planner. We have referrals for you! All visitors are welcome. Any questions contact [pmarchio@farmersagent.com](mailto:pmarchio@farmersagent.com)

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 22 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

Come assist Van Buren Shelter (https://ymcacolumbus.org/locations/vanburen) staff in serving dinners and cleaning up on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Dinner for the women is 5-6 pm and for the families is 6:15-7:15 pm. There is ample free parking available in the shelter's lot. The recommended area to park is in green in the image above. There will be a new entrance for the time being. We are asking all volunteers to enter through the Donation Dock door, the orange mark on the image above. This door is located between the Single Adults and Family Shelter. You will see 2 large garage doors with a large green trash compactor in the center. Please head to the closest garage door to the building wall, with a ramp leading up. There, you will see a door with a sign stating instructions on how to enter the building. Please ring the doorbell, and a staff member will come and escort you into the building. If a staff member takes longer than 5 minutes, please call the front desk at 614-689-2020. This is a new process for us, and we do not want to keep you waiting! We appreciate your patience as we navigate this temporary change. The shelter needs a volunteer count the day before the event so sign-up ends Monday at 4:50 PM. Afterwards some of us go to the Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup in progress to have a bit to eat or drink (http://www.meetup.com/omnipresentatheists/). Volunteers must be 14 or older. Since we will be working around families, the YMCA does not permit volunteering by individuals with convictions for violent or sexual crimes. The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on volunteers. For questions, comment on this page or contact: Andrew, awhit12@yahoo.com, (614)937-5802 (cell). Please let Andrew know if you volunteer anytime other than our COUNT events so that he can count your hours toward our service record.

* Second ever book club! April meet up. All are welcome. * The book will be Play Nice by Rachel Harrison (determined by votes from March Book Club. Let me know if you’d like a free digital copy of the book) * This event will be at the main library, meeting room 1B, the location will not be changed for this event due to the number of people attending, we will just add more chairs if needed! * Feel free to come whether or not you’ve started or finished the book ◡̈ * Small snacks will be provided. You’re welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Starting in June I will try to keep future book clubs at the Dublin Library. Now that I understand their reservation system, I will be on top of it with booking that location as soon as the date is released for the month. Thanks for your understanding with the varying locations in the meantime.

Love getting lost in a good book? [The Book Loft](https://www.bookloft.com/) of German Village is an iconic independent bookstore packed with hard-to-find literary treasures! This isn’t your run-of-the-mill bookstore; it’s a 32-room literary wonderland that would make even the most seasoned bibliophile’s head spin (one of the largest in the country)! **MEET**: We'll gather outside the storefront and then start browsing... **DESSERT**: We'll grab some famous macaroons to start our foodie tour. [Pistacia Vera](https://www.pistaciavera.com/) is a delicious bakery and cafe in the German Village. This charming shop is especially known for its classic macarons. **HAPPY HOUR**: Italian drinks and bites at [Cento's happy hour](https://centogermanvillage.com/menus/). **PARKING**: Street parking all around here. Check the parking time limit. The bookstore and the foodie stops are all on 3rd Street within 4 blocks on the same side of the street.