Poetry

Join Plume, SW London's queer writing collective, for a night of playful writing exercises, storytelling, poetry and good vibes! Come hang out with Plume, a new regular queer writing collective based in SW London! This in-person event (1st and 3rd Monday of each month) is all about sharing, creating, and celebrating queer voices through the art of writing. Whether you’re into poetry, prose, or just love a good story, there’s a spot for you here. Bring your vibes, your words, and get ready to connect with a community of writers in a safe and welcoming space . See you there!

NOTE: the pub does not charge for our space on the understanding that we all purchase something from the bar. Please support them. I'll be there from around 7pm if anyone would like a social chat before we get started. **Please arrive in time for a prompt start at 7:30.** In some Christian circles there is an idea that in all of us there is a “God-shaped hole” - the idea that everyone needs God; those who seek Him find Him, but those who do not, vainly fill the “void” with other things. The origins of the idea appear to stem from Blaise Pascal, the 17th century French mathematician, physicist, philosopher, and Catholic writer. In his book *Pensées*, published posthumously in 1670, he suggests that we are all engaged in a futile search for a true happiness but that however much we have, we remain dissatisfied. This leads him to propose that “this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words by God himself”. In the 20th century Existentialist thought suggests that although the “hole” is real, it is not “God-shaped”. Instead, existentialists argue that the feeling of emptiness is the result of confronting the absurdity of a world devoid of inherent, preordained purpose. Rather than seeking to fill this void with a divine plug, existentialists believe in accepting the void and taking on the radical responsibility of creating one’s own meaning. American psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed his hierarchy of needs, the highest level being “self-actualisation”. Maslow describes this as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one can be. In later work he extended this idea to suggest that transcending the self and having a broader sense of purpose and connection to others, is the peak of human experience. Perhaps this is his approach to filling the "hole". What are our own personal experiences? Do we find ourselves searching in vain for some deeper meaning or purpose? If so, why? If not, what makes us feel adequately fulfilled? What is it, exactly, that we are searching for? How would we recognise it if we had it? To what extent has the development of scientific understanding filled any “God-shaped hole”, in the 350 years since Pascal’s writing? In what ways might some notion of “God”, possibly combined with belonging to some form of religious community, fill the “infinite abyss” we may feel? Even if a “God-shaped” solution doesn’t work for us, can we understand why it has been, and remains, so important for human societies? Is there a different sort of hole that isn’t “God-shaped”? Some optional prior reading: [Where does the concept of a "God-shaped hole" originate?](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/2746/where-does-the-concept-of-a-god-shaped-hole-originate) [Pascal’s ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pens%C3%A9es)*[Pensées](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pens%C3%A9es)*[ (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pens%C3%A9es) [Existentialism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existentialism) [Maslow's hierarchy of needs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs) Café Philo discussions always try to be respectful of everyone’s point of view. This topic is potentially more controversial than some, so please be respectful of all points of view, even if you disagree. Hope to see you there.

​Current London kicks off Tuesday. Come have a drink with us Monday night at Bokan 39 in Canary Wharf. ​Factor House, NetApp Instaclustr, and StreamNative are hosting a rooftop happy hour in Canary Wharf the evening before the conference. No talks, no agenda, just drinks, food, and good conversation with people from across the Kafka and Flink ecosystem. ​It's a good way to put faces to names before the conference week gets busy. Food and drinks are on us. Space is limited so grab a spot early. [Register](https://luma.com/48be5cgu) to join us!

So come with me on this enjoyable walk from The White Swan Pub {Wetherspoons} to Little Venice walking distance {approx 7 miles}. We will meet at in The White Swan Pub at 11 am for a hot drink, leaving at 11.30 am to start our walk to the Regents Canal, stopping off at Camley Street Natural Park {as image above}. Lunch will be in the The Ice Wharf {Wetherspoons}at Camden Lock or you can buy something from the food stalls there or bring your own} After lunch we will carry along the Regents Canal to Little Venice where the walk ends, where we will end up for a drink at The Warwick Castle. With Warwick Road Underground 5 minutes away or Paddington Station 10 minutes. We will be walking mostly along the Regents Canal, but The Camley Natural Park can get muddy, so suitable foot wear is recommended. £7 meet up fee,{please have the right change.} If you need any more info, please phone or text me on 07530 675739 {this is not a smart phone or email paulc200850@yahoo.co.uk.

THIS EVENT IS ADVERTISED IN OTHER SITES TOO. So the numbers shown attending here does not reflect how many may attend ! :) £10 cash to tutor on the day Further class info at www.hulaboogie.co.uk Come and learn to dance 1950s style in the fabulous 1930s pub The Stag's Head, in Hoxton N1 NRA ! Come early and have a drink and learn a great new skill and open up your social life! No experience required No need to come with a partner Classes are easy, fun and friendly £10 per person for the class. Pay cash to the teacher on the night or online in advance http://www.hulaboogie.co.uk/mondays---absolute-beginners-hoxton-n1.html After class you can sit, dance and socialise with your fellow students. THIS EVENT IS ADVERTISED IN OTHER SITES TOO. So the numbers shown attending here does not reflect how many may attend! Further class info at www.hulaboogie.co.uk email: info@hulaboogie.co.uk See you there! Julie

**The Talbot Room at the George Inn** The George provides the room free of charge (they are awesome), and we encourage you to purchase drinks (and food – the burgers are great!). As it’s a pub and not a picnic area, please don’t consume your own food and drink there. We usually meet in the Talbot room which is on the top floor on the left hand side of the pub as viewed from the courtyard. If lost please send a message here shortly before the meeting starts. **We are sorry to say that there is no step-free access to the Talbot room, and it is at the end of three flights of stairs.** **Format** We start at 7pm and run until 9pm. We hear approximately six readings of 10 minutes (\~2000 words), then discuss the piece for 10 minutes. Email your work to: london60transmitter@emailitin.com as an attachment (It must be an attachment). A link for access to googledocs will be given at the start of each session to enable people to read along, which in turn enables more considered feedback. Work submitted will be automatically deleted after 10 days. We decide on readers/pieces at the beginning of each session. **Safe and respectful space** The group is run by volunteers, and we don’t have the capacity to read submitted work in advance. If there is anything in your work that might distress or disturb some readers, for example concerning any kind of abuse, please give a trigger warning before you read. Be specific and concise. If it becomes apparent during a reading that a piece is inappropriate, the moderator will stop the reading. In discussing others’ work, please be mindful of how you express yourself and do not use discriminatory language, even if such language features in the piece.

IN PERSON EVENT - POETRY EVENING WITH BARNABY TOBIAS AND IAIA CHIESA **Join us in the bookshop on the third Thursday of every month for the sharing of poems; either yours or another’s you admire. There will be some discussion around the poem and short tea break halfway through.** **Iaia is a poet and activist, who’s published several volumes of poetry.** **Barnaby is an actor and playwright, who’s worked for Netflix, RSC and written plays to critical acclaim.** **Drop in event with no need to book.** **Cash donations are welcome.** **More Information:** **rsh-bookshop@anth.org.uk** This group is run under the auspices of the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain.

Dear Poetry enthusiasts, Newham Poetry Group focuses on amplifying marginalised voices, supporting young locals, LGBTQ+ individuals, migrants and people from the global majority. We know poetry has the potential to change not only individuals' lives but also communities. **Full programme** available at [www.newhampoetrygroup.com](http://www.newhampoetrygroup.com/). We have a maximum capacity of 20 participants per session, so book early to secure your spot. **Event details** Location: The Gate Library, 6-8 Woodgrange Road, E7 0QH Date: Every Thursday Time: 6:15 pm - 7:45 pm Our sessions are free of charge. However, we welcome donations. Light refreshments are provided. We look forward to welcoming you to our poetry sessions and creating meaningful experiences together.

This is our Beehive Poetry Club meet-up. This is a space to both read poetry that we have felt inspired by and also a chance to have a go at writing something or having a go at a technique. Roughly each week will look like the following: 13.30 - Arrive for coffee + intoduction 13.40 - Poetry reading (anything you may have written or enjoyed reading) 14.20 - coffee break 14.30 Free write or writing activity 15.30 - finish

**Join us in celebrating 10 years of building a poetry movement** **Would you like to be part of our 10 years poetry book and secure a spot at the open mic during the Newham Poetry Festival?** What’s included? 1.⁠ ⁠FREE co-creative poetry sessions 2.⁠ ⁠FREE tailored coaching to support your writing 3.⁠ ⁠Opportunity to be published in the anniversary book 4.⁠ ⁠Chance to perform at the festival open mic Dates Wednesdays from 13 May to 29th July 6.15 -7.45pm Stratford library (3 The Grove, E15 1EL) **Commitment Participants must attend a minimum of 9 sessions to be included in the publication and the open mic** **Register at newhampoetrygroup@gmail.com**

YOU CAN ALSO BOOK DIRECTLY AT OUR SITE: https://www.writeandpint.com/events/day-of-poetry-a-full-day-of-creative-writing-food-drinks-a-free-book ... Hi there ✨ Whoever you are, you're warmly invited to join us for a full-day poetry workshop ✍️ with food & drink 🍴☕🍷, a pub quiz 🧠, and plenty of space to say something true, something strange, something yours 🌿 Together, we'll be writing poetry, one of the oldest, strangest, and most surprisingly honest ways we have of telling the truth about being alive. From Ted Hughes to **Sylvia Plath**, to **Sonia Sanchez**, **Pablo Neruda**, **Rainer Maria Rilke**, **Stanley Kunitz**, **Claudia Rankine** and **Ocean Vuong**, poetry keeps showing up, and keeps telling the truth. This day isn't just about reading or analysing those poets (though we'll do a little of that). We'll also be having our own go at writing new poems, using three ideas as our lens: **nature, city life, and the inner self**. By the end of the day, you'll leave with some fresh drafts, images, and lines to take home and develop in your own time. **What do we mean by Day of Poetry? 🤔** We'll be writing through three territories that poets have always returned to: * **Nature -** What does the organic world outside us reveal about the world within? * **City life -** How do we find language for the crowd, the commute, the stranger on the platform...? * **The inner self -** Exploring grief, longing, memory, wonder, what are we carrying, and what happens when we put it into words? We'll read short extracts from some of the poets named above, then use them as springboards for our own guided writing exercises. No dogma. No right answers. Just curiosity, attention, and honest language. 🌿 **So, what's the plan? 🗓️** * Arrive at Finch's Pub for teas/coffees ☕ and a gentle warm-up writing session ✍️ * Settle into reading, conversation, supported exploration, and lots more writing 💬 * Break for lunch 🥗 at the pub * Dive back in for an afternoon of deeper writing and creative experiments 🌀 **What's included? 🎁** * A full day of poetry workshops & exercises ✨ * Tea or coffee to start ☕ * Lunch at Finch's Pub 🥗 * A drink of your choice in the afternoon 🍻🍷🥤 * A free Penguin mini modern classic book! * Thoughtful literary handouts 📄 **What do you need to bring? 🎒** * Yourself 🙌 * A pen & pad 🖊️📓 (or a laptop 💻 if you prefer) **Our style 🌱** We create a friendly, supportive, and inclusive atmosphere 💜 Everybody is welcome. No experience necessary 🌈 There's no pressure to share or perform in front of the group 🙅 You can take part quietly, actively, or anywhere in between. If you have any doubts or questions, feel free to text me on 📱 +44 (0) 7534 981 636 and I'll do my best to help. Warm wishes 🌞, Sean (A Write & a Pint)

Join us at the top of the biggest bookshop in Europe to work in company on your own writing, be it a book, blog, screenplay, dissertation, poem, song, coursework, memoir, play, journal, travel writing, work stuff or anything else. Newcomers always welcome. No one will see what you're writing or give you unsolicited advice. Now that our regular Saturday events are filling all the seats we're adding some Sundays when we're able to - check Meetup for dates. Same format but an hour later. WHERE? FIFTH FLOOR CAFÉ, Floor 5, Waterstones, 203-206 Piccadilly, W1J 9LE TIMINGS:- 12.00 - Shop and café open 12:30 - Host will be there. Say hello, especially if you’re new. 12.40 - Brief introductions from everybody - your name and what you’re working on 12:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 13:30 – Break, chat to your neighbours if you like 13:45 - Timer starts: write for 45 minutes 14:30 - The End…feel free to stay and keep writing or chat some more. Bring whatever you need to be able to write. It’s a café, there’s some noise so earbuds/headphones/earplugs are handy. There’s very few mains sockets so charged-up laptops are a good idea too. And please remember everybody, thank our venue by buying a drink or food, and don’t consume anything from outside while you're here. We’re looking forward to writing with you, your hosts, Sarah, Nick, Laura, Anna, Solitaire and John

Join us for Pink Ink - our LGBTQ+ creative writing support group! Pink Ink offers a safe writing space to all LGBTQ+ people to come together to write, share and discuss work. Each workshops will offer up 2-3 creatives writing exercises in a a fun sociable setting - refreshments, snacks and an opportunity to chat about writing, poetry, authors and a whole lot more! Our January workshops will also include a poetry exercise which will support any creative writers looking to enter the LGBT Swichboard [Poetry Competition ](https://switchboard.lgbt/switchboard-news-poetry-comp/) Every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month 7-9pm 86 Caladonian Rd

The topic for May is "Ink" 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!

We'll get in around 4 miles at Three Creeks Metro Parks, primarily natural trails. 17-18 minute miles, no one left behind, and faster walkers are free to lead out. Optional lunch after! If you're joining for hiking all the metro parks, this is the sixth one!

**Welcome to Drunken Philosophy** a casual, curious social discussion **Optional topic for this meetup: What's up with all the AI hate?** A recent survey found that 74% of Americans have a negative view of AI, and I want to know why. Come out and debate whether AI is good or bad. My hot take: a labor-saving tool that could potentially help cure cancer gets called dangerous because it might raise unemployment or cause a speculative investment bubble, that tells you a lot more about capitalism and the economic system we live under than it does about the tool itself. As a computer programmer, I think AI is a wonderful tool that has increased my productivity by at least an order of magnitude. I'd go so far as to say Claude Code is the best tool I have ever used. Debate me and name a better one. Is AI potentially dangerous? Yes, but so are a lot of tools. Chainsaws. Steam engines (early ones would occasionally explode and kill everyone in the room). Do you think cavemen sat around debating whether fire could be used as a weapon or for self-harm, and decided not to discover it? I have two friends who hate AI for opposite reasons: one thinks it's a fad and not useful, and the other thinks it's going to take over everything and cause human extinction. Come out tonight, have a friendly debate, and make some friends. No lectures. Friendly crowd. Drop in for one drink and stay if it's fun.

**PLEASE BUY TICKETS THROUGH EVENTBRITE. RSVP THROUGH MEETUP IS NOT A TICKET PURCHASE CONFIRMATION.** Strive welcomes you to 'General Business Networking', Columbus' hottest networking event! We are set in the perfect central location in Downtown for all to join. Are you interested in business? Want to elevate your career? Meet Consultants, Analysts of all types, Bankers, Software Engineers, Entrepreneurs, and more who are active in the space or are eager to get started. **\*\*This will be a multi-vertical event\*\*** **There will be professionals with backgrounds in the arts, finance, tech, real estate, healthcare, and more. Come with an open mind, and leave with connections that wouldn't be possible otherwise!** Pack some business cards and come with an open mind! Meet your future business partners, employers, coworkers, investors, and friends. You don't want to miss this opportunity to expand your network and create a brighter future. We will have a space for our event to check-in. The event will go from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (feel free to come at any point in this timeframe). Name tags will be provided. Business casual dress code. Job fair attire. **Remember, it's not who you know, it's who you meet tomorrow!** We look forward to meeting you at the event! Sincerely, Strive Networking Team *Refund requests are permitted up to 24 hours after purchase, so long as we are not within 48 hours before the event start time. Refunds will be made in full and repaid to your method of payment. Note that we are unable to reimburse PayPal fees.* *Disclaimer: By attending Strive Networking events you agree to photos/videos taken during the event being used to promote future events.*

Main Library, Meeting Room 2B Join us for a welcoming evening of reflection, gentle music, and meaningful conversation. We’ll begin with a short grounding moment, followed by a brief reading from spiritual or philosophical traditions, and an open reflection circle where participants can share (or simply listen). Libera Animae is an interfaith community focused on inner growth, creativity, and authentic connection. All backgrounds are welcome.

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.