Memoir Writing

Struggling with motivation and focus as you hammer away on your manuscript at home? Want to join a community of writers as we embrace the joys and pains (mostly pains) of writing together? Bring your laptop, pen & paper, old-school typewriter, or futuristic writing gadget, and join an enthusiastic community of science fiction and fantasy writers as we work on our current projects in the same space. The format will be similar to our online writing sprints: 30-minute blocks of focused, quiet writing time (the sprints), interspersed with breaks where we can chat, ask questions, and share our writing experiences.

We are now at **Yonge Sheppard Centre** in the **food court** near **Dazzle Mi**. We start a bit past 1pm, so if you're late, please find a seat and start writing -- we'd love to hear about your story or your day -- afterwards. :) **Coworking for writers in your area!** Join us for some focused writing time. All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. When you show up, say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! **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://shutupwrite.com) **Travel / Parking info:** Public Transit: 1. Take the TTC subway to Sheppard-Yonge Station. 2. Use the Yonge St. Sheppard Ave exit **Driving & Parking:** Parking Entrance to Yonge Sheppard Centre is located on Greenfield Avenue and Doris Avenue. Accessible parking is available on P1, P3 and Concourse. Be sure to check for parking limits or fees. **Location:** We gather around the tables in the food court near **Dazzel Mi**. If you spot a group of people with laptops out, that’s probably us! **RSVP:** Please do RSVP. But be advised that seating is first-come, first-served, even if you have RSVP'd. Seats are not reserved and we can't control how many other people are in the cafe. **SCHEDULE:** 12:45 to 1:15 PM: Arrive and get settled in -- come in early if you want to get lunch. 1:15 to 2:15 PM: Write in silence for an hour. \*\*If you arrive after 1:15, please silently find your own place to sit. We'll welcome you to join the group at 2:15.\*\* 2:15 PM: Introduce yourself. We'll go in a circle; just say your name and 1–2 sentences about what you're writing. (E.g., "I'm Rudolph and I'm writing a non-fiction book about red-nosed reindeer.") 2:20 PM onwards: Chat, hang out, keep writing if you want, leave whenever.

For May, we'll read Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe 313 pages First published in 1722 About the book: Born and abandoned in Newgate Prison, Moll Flanders is forced to make her own way in life. She duly embarks on a career that includes husband-hunting, incest, bigamy, prostitution and pick-pocketing, until her crimes eventually catch up with her. One of the earliest and most vivid female narrators in the history of the English novel, Moll recounts her adventures with irresistible wit and candour-and enough guile that the reader is left uncertain whether she is ultimately a redeemed sinner or a successful opportunist.

**Vancouver • North Vancouver • Whistler • Squamish • Vancouver Island (Victoria)** **Date:** May 31 – June 6, 2026 (7 days/ 6 nights) **Group Size:** Approx 30 people **Tour page:** https://funtours.ca/tour/best-of-british-columbia **Places We Will Visit:** * Vancouver City & Downtown * Stanley Park, Vancouver * Panoramic views from Downtown Vancouver * Gastown Steam Clock * Vancouver Lookout * Granville Island * Grouse Mountain * Capilano Suspension Bridge * Whistler Village * Whistler Peak-to-Peak Gondola * Squamish (Shannon Falls Provincial Park) * Victoria Island * Victoria Downtown * Butchart Gardens, Victoria **PRICING** Per person, Double occupancy: CA$ 2600 + Tax = CA$ 2938 (Flights, Hotels, Tours are included) Per person, Single occupancy: CA$ 3600 + Tax = CA$ 4068 (Flights, Hotels, Tours are included) Only a $500 deposit per person is required to secure your spot. **What’s Included** * 6 nights accommodation in a 3–4-star hotel (Excellent 8.6 rating) * 6 Continental breakfast * Round-trip flight to Vancouver (on Flair) * Airport Transfers * Accompanying Tour Guide * All transportation and sightseeing tours are by a comfortable coach bus **Your tour includes all of the following Ammission fees:** * Ferry to Victoria Island ($20 + tax) * Grouse Mountain admission ($80 + tax) * Capilano Suspension Bridge ($75 + tax) * Butchart Gardens ($42 + tax) * Whistler Peak-to-Peak ($160 + tax) * Vancouver Lookout ticket ($20 + tax) * Total Cost Included: $397 + BC taxes \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have any particular questions about the tour details, you may text/call the "tour leader, Shamseddin" @ 647-671-6711, or leave a comment under this post. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **IMPORTANT NOTE:** \>\> RSVP in Meetup means you are "interested"\. You are NOT confirmed until you pay the deposit\. \>\> This event has been published on other meetups/platforms\. Some people book directly through the website without RSVPing for the meetup\. So\, the participant count displayed here may not be updated\. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Hope to see you on board :) Noushin **This tour is operated by: Toronto Fun Tours** 📧 Email: info@funtours.ca 📞 Phone: 416-477-2087 (Mon–Fri, 10 AM – 5 PM) 📱 WhatsApp: 416-477-2087 🌐**Web:** [https://funtours.ca/](https://funtours.ca/)

We are planning to have monthly potlucks (or picnics in the spring/ summer at local parks) or other activities including potluck/ picnic + hikes/ walks in the warmer weather. This potluck will start with an arrival time of 12:15 p.m. We will start eating at 1 PM SHARP followed by a walk (see below). There is an outdoor picnic area at the centre with picnic tables, so if it is a nice day we can eat outside. PLEASE bring your own utensils, plates, bowls, and cup as the centre does not always have an adequate supply of these. You are responsible for your own clean-up and if you borrow the items at the centre please clean them. All are welcome veg-curious, vegetarian, and vegan as long as what you bring to the potluck is vegan! 3 p.m.: After eating we will go for a walk to Doris McCarthy Trail/ Gates Gully. Here is some information about this walk: [https://www.blogto.com/.../doris-mccarthy-trail-gates.../](https://www.blogto.com/.../doris-mccarthy-trail-gates.../?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExR0ZMUmVUUHhPMkZNdTNQUXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR6IjVP2Y2F-Kajh1Onnb1MM2V7bk5O3RrPJcSg_M6vsuHkK5_jocjCxkQo4VA_aem_5DqbkP8qqq7dLLiJdtsDeA) We will go at a slow, easy pace and take breaks as needed. Bring water and wear comfortable shoes. Note: If the weather does not cooperate we will stay inside and play games. It is too steep to walk the trail when it's raining. We hope that you will join us!

\*\***The Toronto History Walks Yearly Pass is available. Get it now for $125.00 for 1 year of unlimited tours, email** [torontohistorywalks@gmail.com](http://torontohistorywalks@gmail.com%2A%2A/) **for more information or for signing up!\*\*** \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** [torontohistorywalks@gmail.com](http://torontohistorywalks@gmail.com%2A%2A/) The area was first settled in 1794 by the Ashbridge family, whose name is remembered by the nearby bay and park. Their homestead on Queen Street East was well to the west of the area currently identified as the Beaches. A later generation of the Ashbridge family rebuilt the family home in 1854 and can be seen on Queen Street East opposite the TTC barns near Kingston Road. The Beaches remained a sparely settled community until the end of the 19th century when extension of the Grand Truck Railway, the draining of the northern parts of Ashbridges Bay, and the construction of street car tracks on Queen Street and Kingston Road, opened the area to settlement. From Sunnyside Amusement Park built in 1922 to Scarboro Beach built in 1906, it seemed that Toronto cornered the market on summertime chills and thrills. We had 5 major amusement parks along our waterfront, and two smaller parks, Victoria Park and Munro Park, virtually unknown to Torontonians today, but extremely popular summertime places, years ago as pleasure parks. This walking tour is for all walking levels and fitness skills. Please dress for the season and bring water. And remember to bring your love of history. It begins outside the Beaches Branch of the Toronto Public Library at Queen Street East, and Lee Avenue adjacent to Kew Gardens. The tour ends at the Neville Park Queen Street Streetcar Loop. This tour has a ticket price of $15.00 per person. \*\* **Please note: Please e-transfer the ticket price when booking your space for this tour! You can e-transfer to the following email at:** [torontohistorywalks@gmail.com](http://torontohistorywalks@gmail.com%2A%2A/)

I think we're ready to start this group's running season! 5K every week till the snows come down! Or try to! This seems like a good Sunday to start as the temperature and sunlight should all be moderate. Also, plenty of time to prepare with stretch and strength if you haven't run since last year! BTW, I've learned there is a lot of benefit to starting with slow jogging - rather than walking. Please look that up, if you are slow - like me - and want to improve your endurance, consistency, aerobic and anaerobic capacity. We'll meet by the track. I'll be there early to warm up. We will start the 5K exactly at 9:30am. As mentioned in the About Us, * Using the park track we can all go at our own pace and never really be left behind unless we all finish way ahead of you. :D I think an hour is enough time to dedicate to the run. I'm pretty slow, so you will likely have me around for most of the hour. * Members are free to leave the run whenever they want. * Bring your kids, your pets, your partners, etc. * All encouraged to stick around afterwards and enjoy the park or neighbourhood on your own. * Let's get stronger, healthier and foster a great community at the same time. * As part of our kick-off, I am open to heading off to get some brunch on the Danforth afterwards, if anybody is interested! Lots of great options there! We also welcome runners who are not in our neighbourhood and want to join us spiritually and run from their own neighbourhoods. :-) Imagine how much healthier and communal the world would be if we all stopped for an hour once in a while to run together; re-centring and re-charging together?

🌲🥾 **CROTHERS WOODS TRAIL HIKE & DAIRY QUEEN STOP** 🥾🍦 Real Trails, A Solid Climb & An Ice Cream Finish Toronto doesn’t have many *true* hiking experiences — but this is one of them. Join us for a more active, nature-focused walk through Crothers Woods, one of the city’s best spots if you’re looking for something that actually feels like a hike. This isn’t your typical flat city stroll. There are hills, forest paths, and a proper climb — especially at the end (Pottery Road 👀). But don’t worry… we’ve got a reward waiting. This is not a formal tour. It’s a social hike — a bit more effort, a bit more nature, and a great group to do it with. 📲 **Join Our WhatsApp Group:**[ Click here to join](https://chat.whatsapp.com/DRFTkxRlHS4B3IL1lMleUd) \*\*\* **🚶‍♂️ What We’ll Do** We’ll start at Broadview Station and head south along Broadview before making our way down Pottery Road into the Don Valley. From there, we’ll connect to the Don Valley trails and enter Crothers Woods, where we’ll hike through forested paths and take a short break along the way. After the hike, we’ll make our way back — finishing with the climb up Pottery Road (the final challenge 💪). And then… we reward ourselves with a stop at Dairy Queen for some well-earned ice cream. 🍦 We’ll end back near Broadview Station. \*\*\* 🌦️ **Weather & Expectations** This hike happens rain or shine. Please come prepared — trails may be muddy, and conditions can vary. This is a slightly more challenging walk than most of our events: ✔️ Uneven trails ✔️ Some hills ✔️ One bigger climb at the end Good footwear is important. Also — this is NOT a guided or historical tour. It’s about movement, nature, and being social. \*\*\* 🧢 **Meetup Details** 📍 Meetup Location: Outside Broadview Subway Station 🫎 I’ll be wearing my Moose Hat ⏰ Meetup Time: 11:00 AM I will only wait 5 minutes. Early is on time. On time is late. We’ll head out promptly. End Point: Broadview Subway Station \*\*\* 🎟️ Meetup Fee: $5 cash in person or e-transfer to 📧 \*\*[mathewmaclean@hotmail.com**](http://mathewmaclean@hotmail.com%2A%2A/) This helps support the group and allows us to keep hosting events like this. Thank you for supporting community! 💖 \*\*\* 🎒 **What to Bring** Water Good hiking/walking shoes (important!) A snack Weather-appropriate clothing (trail-ready 🌧️🌿) Optional: cash/card for ice cream 🍦 **Please also use the washroom before arriving, as stops are limited.** \*\*\* 🌈 **Who Is This For?** This group is open to anyone who wants to be social and make friends — whether single or not. **We also host:** 🎬 Movies 🚶 Walks & hikes 🎭 Arts & culture outings 🍽️ Restaurant gatherings There’s always something happening. \*\*\* **REMEMBER:** You’re welcome to just show up on the day if you’re unsure about your schedule. And as always, sometimes plans shift and events may need to be canceled — please keep an eye on updates. \*\*\* 👤 Organizer: Mathew Questions? Post on the event wall or email 📧 [torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com](mailto:torontomoviesandoutings@hotmail.com) Come for the trail. Stay for the challenge. Leave feeling like you actually *earned* that ice cream. 🍦🌲✨

Yoga & Meditation : We will move through yoga postures, energize with some breath work and end the session with short sweet meditation or a relaxation. Journaling : We will spend 10 minutes journaling after the session.(Stream of consciousness writing & some other journaling prompts) \*Make sure you bring a mat, water and a small towel. \*Carry a book and pen. \*All levels welcome. Modifications will be given. \*We will meet at 8:50 am, find a suitable spot and start by 9:00 am. \*Please be on time so we can respect everyone's time and commitment. \*Keep your phones on silent for the class. \*Remember that this is about you and not about anyone else practicing with you. \*A whatsapp group may be created for confirmed attendees. Reach out to me at 437 345 3411 and confirm your attendance.I look forward to our time together! :) Payments can be cash. For interac - info@payalkhanwani.com. \*Exact location will be shared on the day. \*Please book in advance and avoid last minute cancellations!

### Details This event is for women in their late 20s to 40s in Toronto who want to get outside, move a bit, and enjoy a day in nature together. We’ll explore Taylor Creek Park, walking through wooded ravines, creekside paths, bridges, and open green spaces. The focus is on a relaxed outdoor experience, good company, and spending time away from the city pace while still staying within Toronto. ### What we’ll do * We’ll meet at the Main Street Station (exact location is sent in private message) and set out on a 7–9 km walk depending on the group’s pace and how the day unfolds. * The route follows Taylor Creek through forested areas, gentle ravines, and natural trails with light elevation changes. * We’ll pause along the way for photos, conversation, quiet moments, or simply enjoying the surroundings. * After the walk, there’s an optional stop at a nearby cafe or bakery for anyone who wants to continue the day together. * If parts of the trail are muddy or uneven, we may adjust the route slightly while staying in the same area. * Total time is around 2–2.5 hours of walking, plus optional cafe time afterward. ### Why join This is a simple outdoor day designed to step away from routines and spend time in nature with other women who enjoy walking, fresh air, and easy conversation. Taylor Creek offers a mix of forest, water, and open paths that feel like a break from the city without leaving it. ### Transit & Parking: * Trail is accessible by TTC * Street parking is available in the surrounding residential areas near the metting point. * Route will be out-and-back, returning to the starting location ### What to Bring: * Walking shoes (path is mix of paved and nature trails) * Water if needed **Disclaimer**: This group is designed to offer a peaceful, enjoyable space for women to connect and spend time outdoors together. Participation fee helps cover meetup costs. Please note that I am not responsible for any personal belongings, injuries, or incidents that may occur during our events. Participants are responsible for their own safety and items. Photos may be taken during events for future promotions or group memories, and by joining, you consent to being included in these images unless otherwise specified. By joining, you agree to respect the privacy of others and engage in a positive, supportive environment. Please note: the fee is non-refundable.

[Toronto Climate Film Festival](https://www.tcff.ca/) and [ClimateFast](https://www.climatefast.ca/) present: **Emergence: Women In The Storm** **Sunday May 31, 2026 – 6:30-9pm** Doors open @ 6:30 pm. Screening starts @ 7 pm. Join acclaimed directors Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper at the Toronto premiere for a Q&A to discuss ‘wisdom from the storm’ — how finding your community is one of the best ways to prepare for emergencies. Presented by The Toronto Climate Film Festival and Climate Fast. Doors at 6:30pm, screening at 7:00; Q & A to follow moderated by legendary feminist activist Judy Rebick. Trailer: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ytX_0KiQnM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ytX_0KiQnM) Tickets: [https://cool.world/event/emergence-toronto-premiere/](https://cool.world/event/emergence-toronto-premiere/) (Your Meetup RSVP will not get you a ticket!) About the film: Climate change is here. As heat domes, atmospheric rivers, and wildfires reshape our world, how do we protect what matters most? EMERGENCE: Women in the Storm goes beyond the headlines to explore how women are navigating climate emergencies. Recent disasters, including the wildfire that burned the town of Lytton to the ground and the devastating floods in the Fraser Valley, are seen through the eyes of survivors, while emergency responders and community organizers provide perspectives on preparing for – and moving beyond – the worst. Meghan Fandrich’s reflective readings from Burning Sage: Poems from the Lytton Fire, written after losing her town to the blaze, are woven together with stories of healing, resilience and hope in the face of an uncertain future. Intimate and beautifully crafted, the film offers insights on how to live in this new reality, finding ways to carry on without giving up. Website: [https://emergence.film/](https://emergence.film/)

**Overview** A full moon evening of soulful music, mantra & meditation by Lake Ontario, to nourish your mind, body, & spirit. **Moonlight Mantras** **by the Lake** A full moon evening of soulful music, mantras & meditation by Lake Ontario, designed to nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Step out of the city, without ever leaving it. Join us for an evening retreat at Ashbridges Bay Yacht Club, where the noise of Toronto fades into the background and the stillness of the lake and full moon takes over. For a few hours, you’ll feel as though you’ve traveled far beyond the city to bathe in the soothing mantras and soulful melodies of our live musicians. Hosted in the gorgeous clubhouse with sweeping views of the bay, you’ll be guided through a soothing blend of music, mantra chanting, and meditation. Rooted in ancient traditions, mantra works through sound and vibration - subtle frequencies that calm the mind, settle the body, and gently uplift the spirit. Sing along and sway for an embodied experience. The full moon has long been associated with heightened awareness, emotional clarity, and reflection. It’s a powerful time to pause, reset, and turn inward. This evening is designed to help you tap into that energy effortlessly. Afterward, you’re invited to linger around, sit on the patio, walk along the docks, and take in the quiet glow of the moon over the water. Whether you’re new to meditation or already on your journey, this experience offers a rare opportunity: to feel completely transported, while still in the heart of the city. ✨ Expect a serene, calming, and uplifting evening ✨ Soulful live music and guided mantra chanting ✨ Meditation under the full moon by the lake ✨ A peaceful, welcoming community atmosphere Come as you are - and leave feeling lighter, calmer, and renewed.

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do 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 10AM on Saturday mornings. 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: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. 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, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

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

[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.

The topic for June is "Roadtrip" 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!