Queer Books

**Hey fellow AWS enthusiasts! ✨** This April we welcome **[Philipp Hoyer](https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-hoyer-621555174/)**, Lead Engineer at Rackspace Technology. He'll walk us through a journey of AWS' popular containerization services Amazon ECS and Amazon EKS running on Fargate by discussing which fits best for which use case, where EKS can make you go nuts and when ECS might shines brighter - or vice versa. **📆 Tonight's Agenda** 19:00 - Welcoming **19:15 - Talk by Phillip** 20:15 - Networking Thanks to our friends at **[CodeCam:N](https://www.codecamp-n.com/)** who open their offices for us and sponsor food and drinks for this evening. Looking forward to seeing you 👋🏻 Nora & Frank \-\-\- The talk ⤵️ **An AWS Container Journey - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly featuring ECS and EKS** EKS on Fargate promises fully managed Kubernetes with zero node management—but the reality is often more complex than expected. This talk explores the journey of building a production workload on EKS Fargate, starting with the initial motivations and architectural decisions. It uncovers three non-obvious pitfalls that only surface during real-world implementation, including challenges with load balancing, EFS integration, and logging. For each case, the underlying issues and the required workarounds are dissected to reveal the hidden operational complexity behind the “serverless” promise. Based on these insights, the talk takes a critical look at whether ECS on Fargate would have been the simpler alternative. It provides a concise overview of ECS, highlights its own limitations, and delivers a direct comparison between ECS and EKS. The session concludes with clear, experience-driven guidance on when to choose which service—helping teams avoid costly assumptions and make better architectural decisions in AWS container environments. The speaker⤵️ Philipp is a Lead Engineer at Rackspace Technology who enjoys turning complex cloud architectures into solutions that actually work in practice. He started in software development, moved through the DevOps world of pipelines, containers, and Kubernetes, and eventually specialized in AWS. He has built and operated cloud solutions ranging from big data and streaming platforms to containerized and serverless workloads. With experience in both insurance and automotive, his focus today is on real-world cloud challenges—especially the ones that don’t show up in the docs. Get in contact with Philipp on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-hoyer-621555174/) \-\-\- **Please note:** At the event, photos and videos will be taken for marketing purposes both by our hosts and our location sponsors. We try to offer a hybrid experience by providing a video stream of the talk. There will be no recording published after the event. Please also keep in mind, that we try our best effort to provide a good streaming experience. We don't offer a professional stream, so delays, technical issues or other interference are a matter to be tolerated.

Want to practise French 🇫🇷 German 🇩🇪 English 🇬🇧 Luxembourgish 🇱🇺 — or ANY language you can find a partner for? Then join our crew of friendly expats & locals for a night of chats, laughs & global energy 🎉 In Luxembourg, speaking multiple languages is basically a superpower 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️ — but this meetup is all about connection, not perfection. Beginners, pros & “I understand but can’t speak” people — all welcome 😄 Don’t feel like practising a language? 😎 No worries — you’re STILL totally welcome! come hang out, meet people & enjoy the international vibes anyway 🥂✨ Come for the languages — stay for the laughter, friendships & drinks 🍹 ✨ What You’ll Find ✔ Super chill atmosphere 😌 ✔ Expats from everywhere 🌍 ✔ Zero pressure — just vibes ✨ ✔ “How do you say…?” moments 🤔😂 ✔ Old friends & new — ❤️ 🍹 AFTER-EXCHANGE APÉRO 🤩 Languages warm-up… Drinks cool-down… Balance restored 😌🍺 Most weeks we wander to another bar afterwards for beer, bites & bonus socialising. Just follow the organisers — they know the 🔥 hotspots 😉 🪧 HOW IT WORKS ➡️ Sit with the group for the language you want to practise ➡️ Look for the table signs 📍 ➡️ Switch groups anytime — totally chill ➡️ Rare language? Post in the group & find your match 💫 ➡️ Luxembourgish shows up too 🇱🇺 ⚠️ By attending, you agree organisers can’t be held liable for regulation violations (or accidental grammar crimes 😜)

**As the grand finale of Festrogen Festival, this all-star comedy showcase brings together five of the sharpest, funniest feminist voices from across Western Europe.** Expect a night of razor-sharp wit, bold punchlines, and unapologetic hilarity, all wrapped up in the festival’s signature feminist and fun vibe. Taking place in the cosy basement of Le Croque Bedaine, this is the perfect space to spend a memorable Saturday—with a packed house, roaring laughter, and a show you do not want to miss. Tickets cost €20 in advance €25 on the door. **[Book your tickets here.](https://fienta.com/time-of-the-year)** Please note that the venue is not wheelchair accessible. However, if you have other specific needs, we will do our best to accommodate them. Please just drop us a line to let us know how we can help (info@festrogenfestival.com). ## About the artists **HP Loveshaft** is a time-traveling mad-scientist who came eye-to-eye with the Cosmic Anus & comes bearing Bad News: no-one is coming to save us. We must save ourselves & perhaps then we may save each other. HP Loveshaft incarnated in the former Soviet Union & came of age in Hollyweird USA. His studies of sex, sushi, swing dancing, sociology, sadomasochism & astrophysics made him insufferable at parties, so he turned to drag, where he could monologue to a captive audience at leisure. When the Jewish transsexual diaspora brought him to Berlin, he was inspired to minister to his own spiritual needs in a characteristically indecent manner. To reduce reliance on billionare-owned social media platforms, he has a monthly newsletter. You can [sign up here](%5Bhttps://app.keila.io/forms/nfrm_LPRGjqVj%5D(https://app.keila.io/forms/nfrm_LPRGjqVj)) & read the archive at [patreon](%5Bhttps://www.patreon.com/hpLoveshaftDrag%5D(https://www.patreon.com/hpLoveshaftDrag)) **Erin Crouch** Erin Crouch is an American comedian based in Germany. In 2025, she was paid by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs to tell jokes about Germans. She has been featured in Germany's largest comedy festival, Cologne International Comedy Festival in 2024, Boom Chicago Amsterdam (2021 and July 2024) Utrecht International Comedy Festival (2022) and Summer Comedy Marathon festival in Ohrid, N. Macedonia (2023). [https://www.instagram.com/erin_hahahaboohoo/](https://www.instagram.com/erin_hahahaboohoo/) **Jess Bauldry** is a writer and comedian who claims to have quit being a people pleaser, but let’s be real—she’s still saying “yes” to things she hates. These days, she’s hard at work perfecting her resting bitch face—just kidding, she still smiles at strangers in grocery stores like a weirdo. When not performing around Europe, Jess is the author of Substack The Alternative Expat Guide to Luxembourg and likes to steal other people’s chips. [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/bauldryjess/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/jess.bauldry.3/) **Sharon VS** spent many years suppressing her comedic talent inside a full time corporate HR career. Finally realising that she's terrible with people, in 2022, she co-wrote a stand-up show and took it to Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This completely changed her life. She now only works part time in HR. Off-stage you will find Sharon VS gathering more material by raising a teenager in Germany. Sharon VS is a co-producer of Festrogen, the Luxembourg-based comedy festival for feminists of all genders, and a co-founder of Random Things Comedy Cologne, an inclusive open mic. **Mari Volar** is a comedian, MC and event producer from Estonia. She can often be seen on stage in various cities across Europe, where she performs as an independent comedian, or hosting comedy events with her various comedy collectives. Mari proudly brings more feminism into her comedy and more comedy into her feminism, creating a over-the-top mix in both that simply cannot be missed. She is a co-founder of Festrogen. [Website](https://marivolar.com/) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/marivolar/?hl=en) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/marivolarcomedy/) This event is organised by [Festrogen Festival](https://festrogenfestival.com/), a platform that aims to inspire and support women in comedy while levelling the playing field for performers from under-represented groups. The festival is organised with the support of the Luxembourg Culture Ministry. Have specific needs or questions? We'd love to help make this place as welcoming as possible. Drop an email to [info@festrogenfestival.com](mailto:info@festrogenfestival.com) and tell us how we can do that.

**You’re already getting up on stage. You’re writing. You’re performing. You’re grinding it out at mics.** But if you’re honest… some of those jokes could hit harder. Welcome to **The Tag Lab**, an accelerated, punch-up intensive designed specifically for comics who are past the “how do I hold a mic?” phase and ready to level up their material. This workshop zeroes in on the two things that separate solid jokes from killer bits: **1\. Finding the true kernel of your joke** We’ll strip your material down to its comedic engine, the sharpest, funniest core idea, and rebuild from there. **2\. Writing tags that stack laughs** Because one punchline is nice. Three punchlines? That’s applause breaks. You’ll learn how to: * Identify where your joke is ending too early * Add tags that feel organic, not bolted on * Heighten patterns without losing clarity * Tighten wording so every syllable earns its place This is not a beginner class. It’s for comics who are already performing regularly and want their existing material to punch above its weight. Bring jokes that are “pretty good.” Leave with jokes that consistently hit. If you’re ready to stop hoping for laughs and start engineering them, this workshop is for you. Participation is by advanced registration. Places are limited. [Book your spot here.](https://fienta.com/taglabfestrogen) **Your instructor** Erin Crouch is an American comedian based in Germany. In 2025, she was paid by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs to tell jokes about Germans. She has been featured in Germany's largest comedy festival, Cologne International Comedy Festival in 2024, Boom Chicago Amsterdam (2021 and July 2024) Utrecht International Comedy Festival (2022) and Summer Comedy Marathon festival in Ohrid, N. Macedonia (2023). She teaches stand-up comedy for teens at the KMC Onstage summer camp in Kaiserslautern, Germany as well as starting stand up and roasting classes for adults with Festrogen for the last five years. Her comedy is neither dirty nor clean but a secret third thing. This event is organised by [Festrogen Festival.](https://festrogenfestival.com/) Have specific needs or questions? We'd love to help make this place as welcoming as possible. Drop an email to [info@festrogenfestival.com](mailto:info@festrogenfestival.com) and tell us how we can do that.

Get ready to **laugh, cringe, and cheer** at the **Festrogen Festival Open Mic Comedy Night**, your chance to support local comedians trying out new jokes! Whether they've been sharpening their jokes in our workshops or are a first-timer with a killer one-liner, this show has it all. Happening just before the **Gala Show** and, who knows, it might just steal the show before the main event! Let us know you're coming by **[booking your place here.](https://fienta.com/2026-open-mic-comedy)** **🎭 What’s in store:** * A **no-pressure, high-energy** space for comedians to try out new jokes or debut their stand-up persona. * A lovely venue in the gorgeous basement of Le Croque Bedaine. * The chance to **connect with comedians** and festival-goers. **💸 Pay-What-You-Can:** The event is free, but we’ll pass around a collection at the end to support the comedy community and keep the laughs coming. **Want to perform? Drop us a line to info@festrogenfestival.com** This event is organised by [Festrogen Festival](https://festrogenfestival.com/), a platform that aims to inspire and support women in comedy while levelling the playing field for performers from under-represented groups. The festival is organised with the support of the Luxembourg Culture Ministry. Have specific needs or questions? We'd love to help make this place as welcoming as possible. Drop an email to [info@festrogenfestival.com](mailto:info@festrogenfestival.com) and tell us how we can do that.

**Join esteemed jokester Erin Crouch for a workshop that will take you from HUH to HA.** Whether you're starting from zero or you have a few open mics under your belt, this workshop will provide you with the prompts, structure and motivation to start making people laugh. With over a decade of comedy experience, Erin will walk you through everything you need to know and inspire you to get out there on stage. Participation in this workshop is by advance registration only. Limited places are available. [Book your spot here](https://fienta.com/starting-stand-up-comedy-2026) About the instructor Erin Crouch is an American comedian based in Germany. In 2025, she was paid by the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs to tell jokes about Germans. She has been featured in Germany's largest comedy festival, Cologne International Comedy Festival in 2024, Boom Chicago Amsterdam (2021 and July 2024) Utrecht International Comedy Festival (2022) and Summer Comedy Marathon festival in Ohrid, N. Macedonia (2023). She teaches stand-up comedy for teens at the KMC Onstage summer camp in Kaiserslautern, Germany as well as starting stand up and roasting classes for adults with Festrogen for the last five years. Her comedy is neither dirty nor clean but a secret third thing. This workshop is suitable for those completely new to comedy and those who have tried comedy a few times and need to write more material. It is taught in English. This is a Festrogen Festival event. It is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Rainbow Center! Have specific needs or questions? We'd love to help make this place as welcoming as possible. Drop an email to [info@festrogenfestival.com](mailto:info@festrogenfestival.com) and tell us how we can do that.

Join us for our April Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Stop Me if You've Heard This One](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/stopmeifyouveheardthisone)* by [Kristen Arnett](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/about) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

Join us for our May Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Cantoras](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)*[ ](https://caroderobertis.com/books/cantoras/)by [Caro de Robertis](https://caroderobertis.com/bio/) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

**Our April novel is: *The Hong Kong Widow* by Kristen Loesch** **This month’s novel blends gothic atmosphere with historical fiction and chilling horror, set against the haunting backdrop of China. The book is 368 pages in print and 10 hours and 42 minutes on audiobook.** In 1950s Hong Kong, Mei is a young refugee of the Chinese Communist revolution struggling to put her past in Shanghai behind her. When she receives a shocking invitation—to take part in a competition in one of the city's most notorious haunted houses, pitting six spirit mediums against one another in a series of six séances over six nights, until a single winner emerges—she has every reason to refuse. Except that the hostess, a former Shanghainese silent film star, is none other than the wife of the man who once destroyed Mei’s entire life. It is promised the winner will receive a fortune, but there is only one prize Mei wants: revenge. Decades later, the final night of that competition has become an infamous urban legend: The police were called to the scene of a brutal massacre but found no evidence, dismissing it as a collective hallucination. Mei knows what she saw, but now someone else is convinced they know what she did. She must uncover the truth about the last night she ever spent in that house—even if the ghosts of her past are waiting for her there. . . .

* 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.

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. 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! 📖