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Join us in discussing Gloria Don't Speak by Lucy Apps - Longlisted for the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction. Gloria has a learning disability. She's nineteen, and there's nothing to do except wander the local parks, look for friendship and keep out of trouble - or go round Jack's. Jack needs Gloria's company, but he's unpredictable and angry at the world. After an act of violence, their friendship has to end. Now Gloria's on her own. But when she hears Jack's out of prison, her whole world is turned upside-down. Heart-breaking and beautiful, Gloria Don't Speak is an insightful portrait of a woman dealing with vulnerability, violence - and the desire for connection. Everyone is welcome, regardless of what they thought about the book; we love hearing all kinds of opinions! You can join even if it's fully booked. Hope to see you soon! You can also join our Instagram account here: [https://www.instagram.com/goodbook.bookclub?igsh=djlwMW9wYXg2anFt](https://www.instagram.com/goodbook.bookclub?igsh=djlwMW9wYXg2anFt)

In the second meeting in May, we discuss Isabella Hammad's *Enter Ghost*. Published in 2023, the novel sees a 'woman reeling from a disastrous love affair finds love and hope in Shakespeare and Palestine.' 'The author of the bestselling *The Parisian* delivers a moving, thought-provoking story about family, resistance and reconciliation, as a London actress returns to her native Palestine to visit her sister and joins a production of Hamlet in the West Bank.' -Waterstones https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/183932814-enter-ghost We will hold our meeting at Caravan City (in the Bloomberg Arcade). Please join us for some delicious food as we dive into this intriguing novel. N.B. We will be charging an event fee of £3, non-refundable, to discourage no-shows and contribute to the running costs of the group. Please only sign up if you intend to come along as space is limited to make for an effective discussion!

Pollen's out! Come hide from it indoors, and meet like-minded people with a common interest in Linux in a lively pub at the at the May Linux London Meetup "Oh, look, it's hayfever season" edition. Whether you are a complete neophyte or Linux warrior with decades of experience, come join the chat about distros, networks, open-source software, personal projects, ... or nothing related whatever. The venue is the Hand & Racquet in Wimbledon (25-27 Wimbledon Hill Rd, SW19 7NE). [https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/greater-london/hand-and-racquet](https://www.greeneking.co.uk/pubs/greater-london/hand-and-racquet) Chris and Gulraj will be sharing hosting duties with at least one of us present at each meetup. Whilst we realise that this venue is not as convenient for some people as our central London former haunts, the pub is only 2 minutes walk from the station, and Wimbledon is exceptionally well connected (only 17 minutes out of London Waterloo mainline, lies on the Sutton branch of the Thameslink, and is a terminus of both the District Line and the Croydon Tramlink). The pub is on the flat, at street level, including the toilets, although the space reserved for us (presently, at least) is a raised mezzanine area up a small number of steps at the back of the pub. We aim to be inclusive, so if this presents an issue, we'll work with the pub to adjust the arrangements in the future. Sign-ups are open. Please come join us. Directions from the station: Exit the station through the main concourse (near the District Line platforms), turn right along the main road, passing the taxi rank on Orinoco Lane. Cross Alexandra Road at the traffic lights, pass the gym on the corner, then continue past the chemist to reach the pub.

**Can’t make it to Barcelona?** A GrafanaCON Local meetup is coming to your city! This event will feature a recap of the [GrafanaCON](https://grafana.com/events/grafanacon/) keynote, combined with fresh voices from your own community. Grafana team members walk through Grafana 13 and the most impactful improvements across the platform. Learn about how Grafana is becoming easier and safer to operate as production infrastructure, with updates that improve configuration management, recovery, and long-term maintainability. The session showcases significant advances in core user workflows, including more flexible and powerful dashboards, with improved performance. Whether you’re building dashboards, scaling Kubernetes, contributing to open source, or just getting started - this meetup is for you! Speakers: * **Dee Kitchen, VP of Engineering at Grafana Labs** * **Thanos Karachalios, Group Product Manager at Grafana Labs** A big thank you to our host, BNY! **🎟 Free to attend** 🍕 Pizza + soft drinks provided 🤝 Built for connection 💡 Real talks from real practitioners **6:00 - 6:30:** Arrivals and pizza 🍕 **6:30 - 7:15:** GrafanaCON recap presentation – TBC **7:15 - 7:30:** Q & A **7:30 - 7:45:** Break ☕ **7:45 - 8:15:** Community lightning talks - TBC **8:15 - 8:30:** Wrap up ### 📸 Important Information * **Building Access (ID Required)**: Please bring a valid form of ID on the day, as it may be required for entry to the venue. * **Photography & Media**: Photos and videos may be taken during the event. By registering and attending, you consent to being photographed/recorded. These materials may be used by Grafana Labs and the event host (BNY) for social media, marketing, and internal communications. * **GDPR & Data Usage**: By signing up, you agree that your registration details (such as name and email) may be shared with the event host (BNY) strictly for event logistics, including building access and attendee management. Your data will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection regulations. * **Dietary Requirements**: If you have any allergies or dietary requirements, please inform us in advance so we can accommodate you. Note that by registering for this event you consent to related event & product communications from Grafana Labs and agree to our [code of conduct](https://grafana.com/events/events-code-of-conduct/).

Join OverBoard to play the brilliant social deduction game Blood on the Clocktower in person at the incredible board game cafe Otter Chaos in Brixton. This session will be geared towards players that have more experience with the game (to give the opportunity to play more advanced scripts) but we will always find ways to accommodate you if you are new to the game. Please note that a gaming cover charge of \~£5 will be payable by each attendee to the venue so that we can make use of the space. We also encourage you to buy food and drink from the bar so we are supporting the business (I can highly recommend their pizzas!) If you want to know more about the rules of the game check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-aZP47Nm9g

Join us for an unforgettable evening of joy at our guest event featuring a Free Three-Course Dinner! You will meet new people from all over the world and have lots of conversations in English. Explore the topic "One God, Many routes?" Do all roads to one God? Date: May 27, Wednesday Time: 7:00 PM Location: The Crypt, EC1R 0EA Come hungry for good food, great company, and a time that you won't forget. RSVP soon as space is limited!

Live poker tournament game at the Long Room Bar, Tooting Broadway, SW17 9NH **Every Thursday 7 pm - 11.30 pm** This game is for anyone wanting to learn how to play friendly and inexpensive tournament poker in a relaxed atmosphere. We're a bunch of friendly recreational players and are always happy to explain the rules, answer questions and we just want the game to be fun for everyone. If you already know how to play you're more than welcome to test your poker skills, reads and bluffs. Come join us we would love to see you here. £10 single entry for 10K chips. Details about the tournament structure will be explained in person. More info: John 07411 207 234 - please communicate via text or Whatsapp message as I don't answer phonecalls from unknown callers thanks Edit: We only limited spaces and have had to turn people away. If you plan to come down please text/whatsapp me directly as early as possible and I'll try to hold you a seat until 7.40pm. If you only RSVP via Meetup I might not see it in time. Thanks

Hi all If you are interested in joining an Ottolenghi potluck, look no further! Join us for an afternoon of delicious food and great company 🍷🍴 I’ve created a separate event page for our meetup - you will need to RSVP and pay to confirm on here: [Link to event page](https://partiful.com/e/WSOtSPiPVJuzT6KKr8UD?c=R0YXGgJv)

Triple Monkey Poker Club is a friendly poker group in central London. We host weekly games for players who want a better atmosphere than a casino, but more competitive cards than a home game. Saturdays: Tournament from 7pm Invite only. Respect the game. To request a seat: hit Attend on the next event you'd like to play, or WhatsApp 07398 426275 to introduce yourself. New players welcome — we'll have a brief chat to make sure the room stays right for everyone. SATURDAY TOURNAMENT — TRIPLE MONKEY POKER CLUB ▸ Starting stack: 25,000 chips ▸ Early bird bonus: extra 5,000 chips if seated by 7:00pm ▸ Late registration: until 9:00pm ▸ Jungle League points awarded — top 9 of the season qualify for the year-end finale ▸ Doors close to new players at 9:00pm sharp Please get in touch on 07398 426275 for more info! 📍 Central London private venue. Exact address shared on confirmed RSVP. Press buzzer on arrival; poker room is on the top floor. 💷 Cash on arrival, or bank transfer in advance (details sent with your RSVP). No card facilities at the door. 🚫 No-shows after RSVP'ing affect future invites. Please cancel by 4pm Saturday if you can't make it. ###

An elevated evening above the city. [AVIARY SKYBAR : HOW TO GET IN](https://www.instagram.com/p/DYO8UV0MGjF/?next=%2F) Join a carefully curated rooftop gathering hosted inside one of London’s luxury 5-star hotels, where skyline views, ambient music, and unexpected conversations set the tone for the night. Should the weather shift, the evening will continue seamlessly inside the skybar lounge What to expect: • Panoramic views stretching across London after dark • An international crowd of creatives, professionals, travelers, and curious minds • A relaxed yet refined atmosphere designed for genuine connections • Cocktails, conversations, and a rooftop experience hidden above the city. . **Dress Code: Smart** **18+ Only** **Ticket Price:** TICKET PRICE **£5** :[ ](https://buy.stripe.com/4gMeVf6DzesY9ET8TjfUQ06)**[BOOK YOUR TICKET](https://buy.stripe.com/5kQ4gB5zvdoUeZdglLfUQ07)**[ ](https://buy.stripe.com/5kQ4gB5zvdoUeZdglLfUQ07)

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

The theme for May is Thriller. • The book we will be discussing is A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. (determined by votes from April Book Club. Let me know if you'd like a free digital copy of the book) • This event will be at the main library. 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! Let me know if you’d like to volunteer to bring snacks or drinks for the group.

Join us as we get together to see the top-reviewed comedy-drama, I LOVE BOOSTERS! The film comes from writer/director Boots Riley and follows a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. Here are details, trailers and our plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: The film follows a group of shoplifters who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. It is written/directed by Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You) and stars Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige, Poppy Liu, Eiza González, LaKeith Stanfield, Will Poulter, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore. BUZZ AND ACCLAIM: I Love Boosters was the opening film at this year’s SXSW Festival and premiered to rave reviews! It is currently earning a tremendous 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes where critics call it, “an unexpected celebration of friendship, community, and solidarity.” Others call the film “an exercise in radical empathy,” a “masterful” and “optimistic” film designed to “provoke discussion” while making the audience laugh. TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lPRISgr9c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lPRISgr9c) SUMMER OF ICE CREAM: GRAETER’S! Established way back in 1870 in Cincinnati, this historic, family-owned brand is famous for their delicious small batch ice cream and any chocolate chunk flavors! They are currently the only commercial ice cream maker using the French Pot method that they’ve been using since they first opened! Plus, those chocolate chunks, oh my goodness! Vegan options are available. PLAN: Details for this event have just been confirmed! We got a later than usual showtime, so we’ll go with ice cream BEFORE the show! Here’s the plan: Meet at Graeter’s at 6:30pm for a pre-show sweet treat! Then, get ready for a fun and wild one! Purchase your ticket for the 7:30pm showing and meet in the lobby area between 7:10 and 7:20pm. Advance ticket purchase not required but be sure to mention you’re with the Movie Group for admission and concession discounts! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Big Ohio Book Con "A convention for book lovers all over Ohio (and beyond)! Author panels, signings, bookish vendors, meet & greets, and more!" Featuring more than 100 authors, more than 50 bookish vendors, and plenty of exciting activities throughout the event! Travel with fellow book lovers or meet us at the event. Park for free at the Medina Convention Center, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, Ohio 44256, then hop aboard one of the free shuttles whenever you’re ready for your next bookish adventure! The convention spans three neighboring locations, giving you even more to explore and enjoy.

[Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3351321) Location: The Goat River South 219 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215 Street parking is free on Sundays [Menu](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/686d3ed16745133042482c5f/t/68ff654dbb03b96875430bde/1761568077220/all_brunch-20250311.pdf) Book summary: On a hot day in Bethlehem, a twelve-year-old Palestinian-American girl is yelled at by a group of men outside the Church of the Nativity. She has exposed her legs in a biblical city, an act they deem forbidden, and their judgement will echo on through her adolescence. When our narrator finally admits to her mother that she is queer, her mother's response only intensifies a sense of shame: 'You exist too much,' she tells her daughter. Told in vignettes that flash between the U.S. and the Middle East--from New York to Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine--Zaina Arafat's debut novel traces her protagonist's progress from blushing teen to sought-after DJ and aspiring writer.

Welcome, readers! Our May read is **_Kindred_ by Octavia E. Butler.** The story follows Dana, a Black woman living in 1976 California, who is suddenly pulled back to a Maryland plantation before the Civil War. She learns her survival is tied to a white slaveholder’s son. Forced to move between centuries, she must endure the brutal realities of slavery while fighting to hold on to her identity. Tense, intimate, and unforgettable, Kindred explores how the past refuses to stay buried. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Let’s meet and share discussion of the James Baldwin short story collection, Going to Meet The Man.