Festival & Gig Friends

**Welcome to our Thursday Social + Language Exchange Meetup 🌍** We meet weekly at **Asian Beer Café** **Level 3, Melbourne Central** **211 La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC 3000** We ask that you **purchase a drink at the bar** or **pay $3 at entry**. *** ### 💬 Find your people (New!) Looking to practice a specific language? Post in the discussion using: * **#LearnSpanish** * **#LearnEnglish** * **#TeachEnglish** * **#LearnJapanese** * etc. 👉 This helps others find you faster and makes it easier to connect. *** ### 📲 Join our WhatsApp Community Stay connected before and after the event, meet people, and find language partners: 👉 **Join here:** [https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bi7FlhHP91e0eP7MfdeWcZ](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bi7FlhHP91e0eP7MfdeWcZ) *** ### ⏰ What to expect We consistently have **100–120 attendees** every Thursday (across multiple Meetup groups). People arrive at different times — **best time to come is between 6PM and 9PM.** Come solo or with friends — most people come alone and join conversations naturally. *** ### 🌏 Who attends? A mix of: * Native & non-native English speakers * International students * Backpackers & working holiday travellers * Professionals & expats * Local Australians You’ll meet people from: Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Latin America, and more. *** ### 🗣️ Why join? 👉 A relaxed, social way to practice English 👉 Meet people from around the world 👉 No pressure, no structure — just conversations *** ### 🍕 FREE DRINKS & FOOD FOR FRIENDLY VOLUNTEERS! We’re looking for **friendly volunteers** to help welcome newcomers and keep the vibe social. 👉 You’ll get: * Free drinks (beer/soft drink) * Food (pizza, wedges, etc.) * A fun team to hang out with No experience needed — many of our volunteers are **first-timers too**. Interested? 👉 [www.Linguas.au/Volunteer](www.Linguas.au/Volunteer) *** 📲 **More info:** [https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU](https://instagram.com/Linguas.AU) or **@Linguas.AU**

Join me for an evening of live classical music at Hamer Hall as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performs Jaime conducts Dvořák, Smetana & Coll. We’ll meet outside Hamer Hall first, say hello, then head in together for the 6:45pm pre-concert talk in the Hamer Hall Stalls Foyer before the 7:30pm concert. The program includes Smetana’s Vltava, Francisco Coll’s Piano Concerto, and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7. MSO lists Francisco Coll’s Piano Concerto as the Australian premiere of an MSO co-commission. The performance duration is listed as approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, including a 20-minute interval. This will be a relaxed, low-pressure meetup for anyone interested in orchestral music, whether you already attend classical concerts or just feel like trying something different. You’re very welcome to come solo. We’ll meet before the talk so people do not have to arrive alone, and after the concert we can optionally grab dinner nearby if anyone is interested. **Links** Meetup start point: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/xjaqi6gBm3z7q8ai7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/xjaqi6gBm3z7q8ai7) Event: [https://www.mso.com.au/performance/2026-jaime-conducts-dvorak-smetana-coll](https://www.mso.com.au/performance/2026-jaime-conducts-dvorak-smetana-coll) Please check your eligibility for the promo code here: [https://www.mso.com.au/first-look-seats/first-look-seats-faqs](https://www.mso.com.au/first-look-seats/first-look-seats-faqs) **Rough timeline** 6:20pm — Meet outside Hamer Hall 6:45pm — Attend the pre-concert talk in the Hamer Hall Stalls Foyer 7:30pm — Concert begins Interval — Short break 9:15pm — Concert finishes and meetup wraps up Afterwards — Optional dinner nearby if people are interested **Tickets** You’ll need to purchase your own ticket for the concert. I’ve already bought mine. My seat is Stall R35, and I purchased it for $23 using the FIRSTLOOK promo code, though prices, promo eligibility, and availability may vary depending on what is still available. Please check your own eligibility before using the promo code. MSO’s First Look Seats page says these tickets are for first-time MSO attendees, with limited allocations and conditions. **What to bring** * Your concert ticket * Anything you need for the evening * Optional: money/card for dinner afterwards **Important notes** Please arrive on time if you want to join the pre-concert talk with the group. If you are running late, you can still attend the concert independently, but it may be harder to meet once we have gone inside. Everyone is responsible for buying their own ticket. Seating may be separate depending on what tickets are still available. You’re welcome to leave straight after the concert. Dinner afterwards is optional and will depend on who is interested on the night. **Other info** This is a social meetup, not a formal music lecture or guided event. The main idea is to enjoy the concert together in a relaxed way and make it easier for people to attend live classical music without feeling like they have to go alone.

**Cookie!** It's been a long time since we were at Cookie - join us for socialising with options for drinking and eating. We will be in the beer hall on level 1 of Curtin House. **Enjoy Happy Hour at Cookie 4pm-7pm** \- there are perks to being early: $10 Pints $10 Wines $15 House Martinis, Negroni, Margarita and Espresso Martini 📍 **Location: Cookie**, Level 1, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 On Swanston Street, look for Cookie's logo on the side of the building. From the footpath, enter the doorway and go up the staircase to level 1. There is an elevator but I don't recommend using it in case it stops working. [https://www.cookiemelbourne.com.au/](https://www.cookiemelbourne.com.au/) Most people come along by themselves so don't worry if you don't know any of the other members. New people are always welcome. **How often do we have events? Weekly!** Join us at a different bar/pub each week to meet new people and see the familiar faces of the regular members. This is a regular weekly group for socialising and unwinding for the weekend. **Events are also on:** Meet New People, Make Real Friends [https://www.meetup.com/casual-catchups-and-cool-connections/](https://www.meetup.com/casual-catchups-and-cool-connections/) Bartopia [https://www.meetup.com/bartopia/](https://www.meetup.com/bartopia/) Bartopia [https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/](https://www.facebook.com/groups/bartopia/) Follow us on Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne/](https://www.instagram.com/bartopia.melbourne/)

GOOD VIBES IMPROV JAM (Free!) Jump up onstage and get silly with us in a super relaxed, low-pressure environment where you can unleash your inner clown. It’s the most energetic place to be each week so bring your friends, or come make a bunch of new ones! After the Jam, everyone gets a free ticket to our show, ‘Thursday Night Improv’ straight after. We’ve got a fully stocked bar as well as a popcorn machine!

Hey everyone 🙂 After a great first event, I’m hosting a second relaxed afternoon music jam in Melbourne for people who enjoy creativity, connection, self-expression, and meeting new people. This will be a safe and welcoming space to explore expression through music, whether you’re experienced or just starting out. Vocalists, instrumentalists, loop artists, songwriters, and people of all skill levels are welcome. An amp, acoustic guitar, keyboard, and RC300 Loop Station will be provided, but feel free to bring your own instruments as well. If you’ve been working on original songs and would like to share them and get supportive feedback, that’s also very welcome 🙂 Feel free to bring food, drinks, instruments, snacks, or anything else you’d like to share with the group. Please RSVP on the Meetup platform and also message me before the event date to confirm your attendance, as there will only be space for 3 females and 3 males to help keep the group balanced. We’ll meet near Coulson Gardens Playground 35–55 Chifley Dr, Maribyrnong VIC 3032 If you have any questions or you can’t find us on the day, please text me (Deborah), the event organiser, on 0422410522 🙂

TO MAINTAIN A GENDER BALANCE ALL MALES MUST ATTEND WITH A FEMALE FRIEND, NO EXCEPTIONS. All females are welcome to attend alone but encouraged to attend with a female friend too for free drinks and food! MUST TAP “ATTEND” and include all guests. UNLIKE other meetups which are overwhelmingly male dominant, we provide ONLY gender balanced events where females also have a chance to meet other females, not only men. 8PM EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY (LAST ENTRY STRICTLY 8.30PM) AT 215 QUEEN’S

TO MAINTAIN A GENDER BALANCE ALL MALES MUST ATTEND WITH A FEMALE FRIEND, NO EXCEPTIONS. All females are welcome to attend alone but encouraged to attend with a female friend too for free drinks and food! MUST TAP “ATTEND” and include all guests. UNLIKE other meetups which are overwhelmingly male dominant, we provide ONLY gender balanced events where females also have a chance to meet other females, not only men. 8PM EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY (LAST ENTRY STRICTLY 8.30PM) AT 215 QUEEN’S

Westerville Pride Festival Sat\. June 6\, 2026 \| 5 PM \- 8 PM If you're thinking of attending, or being a sponsor, vendor, or volunteer, visit our website at https://www.westervillequeercollective.org/pride for more information! Location and other info will be announced soon :)

Now in its 26th year, [The Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival](https://www.creeksidebluesandjazz.com/), in Gahanna, gathers world famous groups and performers at a single place for you to enjoy the best Blues & Jazz in Ohio. *SATURDAY NIGHT features: The Urban Jazz Coalition with Special Guest Brian Simpson, North Mississippi Allstars, The Deal Breakers & More.* The three-day cultural celebration features musicians on 3 stages, local food trucks and beverage stations, treats, artisans, and more. **Tickets are $15 for adults online.** Link to purchase tickets: [Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival Tickets](https://tickets.creeksidebluesandjazz.com/e/2026-creekside-blues-jazz-festival). $20 at the door. Military are free. WHAT: Here's the festival [EVENT MAP](https://www.creeksidebluesandjazz.com/Event-Map/). Also, here's the [SCHEDULE](https://www.creeksidebluesandjazz.com/Schedule/) map to help you determine who to see. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* **Parking -** The Creekside Parking Garage will be open throughout the festival weekend. Entrance is located near the intersection of Mill and North Streets; accessible only by traveling south on Mill Street. **Event parking rate is $5 and collected at entrance to garage. Cash ONLY is accepted at garage entrance for parking.** Although off street parking in the Creekside District is permitted, it is very limited and not recommended. **Shuttle Service** pickup will be at the following location: [AEP Ohio 700 Morrison Rd., Gahanna, OH](https://goo.gl/maps/K9GgvgEdxCHaXsKDA) **Shuttle Service Hours:** Saturday: 1 PM - 12 AM **BRING**: *Be sure to bring a **chair** since there is limited available seating. Also $ or paycard for food and drink.*