Redux

**The theme for this our next meeting is:** *'Embarrassing feelings and thoughts you don't dare or want to share with people in your life and the world around you'* Welcome to our friendly and supportive Community. Where do we meet and really connect with other gay men in London? We do in Covent Garden. We are at the City Lit College in Room 113 (First floor) **Our discussion themes would always be advertised in advance.** We advertise the topic we’ll be discussing before each meeting, so that you know exactly what to expect before signing up for each particular meeting. Please see the list on our MeetUp profile for potential universal themes relevant to gay/bisexual men, to be covered in our sessions. Ideas are always welcome! *We offer workshops unlike most other gay/bisexual men's therapeutic discussion groups.* **A Speaker** We will at times provide a Speaker for our meetings kickstarting interesting and stimulating discussions. The Speaker can be an expert in their field such as for example an author, a therapist or a philosopher but we are welcoming any of our members to be a Speaker or a demonstrator of exercises such as massage, pilates or yoga. Or perhaps you would want to talk about your profession, if you feel it has relevance to our group. You would just have to contact Dan first for a discussion and planning. **Frequency of meetings / fee** In 2026 we’ll only have one meeting per month in person at the City Lit College in Covent Garden and one meeting online. If there is a demand for more in person meetings we’ll consider having more. We are happy to confirm that our entry prices won’t be raised and that in person meetings remain at £10. Online meetings will be FREE in January and February after which it will be £5 to attend. **Walks / museum visits** We will continue offering our occasional walking trips and also now include gay/bisexual themed history walks and visits to Museums. WHAT WE ARE: We are a group of supportive and insightful great men and we are looking forward to including you - this is what we do: CONNECTING - It is a place where you will be able to connect with other gay and bi-sexual men and where you can exchange your life experiences with them and your everyday feelings, no matter what those feelings may be - and also a place where you will be able to just be with others who live similar lives to you. EXPLORING SAFELY WITH SUPPORT - It is a place where you will experience support and growth and where you can feel safe enough to explore and reflect your feelings and life stories. Sharing is at the heart of the group but you share however much you are comfortable with - you're in charge. CREATIVE STATE REGISTERED THERAPY - It is a therapeutic discussion group which at times offers workshops and borrows elements from Creative Arts Psychotherapies. The group is based on the Creative Arts Psychotherapy/Dramatherapy and counselling work I provided ongoing for the charity Positive East in London. WHO IS IT FOR: This group is for men over 18 years old who either identifies as gay or bi-sexual or men who has sex with men - or feel emotionally connected to other men. SOCIAL OPPORTUNITY: We offer a social opportunity in the local pub after the meetings. New members are always welcome as as well as our much appreciated familiar faces! Address: City Lit, 1-10 Keeley St, London WC2B 4BA Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM The social part: There is certainly an opportunity for social drinks after each meeting. Cost: £10.00 **PayPal:** **[https://www.paypal.me/wellnesssupport](https://www.paypal.me/wellnesssupport)** **Credit card:** \*\*card payment with SQUARE online: ​ \*\* **[https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLG8ZV8FJJDYS/checkout/DK4VVAQGAV3LIM2K5V4JIX2Y](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLG8ZV8FJJDYS/checkout/DK4VVAQGAV3LIM2K5V4JIX2Y)** WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU WHETHER YOU ARE A BRAND NEW TO THE GROUP OR A FAMILIAR FACE :) YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MADE TO FEEL WELCOME. Ask to join our WhatsApp group, after the workshop, if you liked and enjoyed your experience with us, for regular updates and social interactions. All the best, Dan

**The theme for this our next meeting is:** *'Embarrassing feelings and thoughts you don't dare - or want to share with people in your life and the world around you'* Welcome to our friendly and supportive Community. Where do we meet and really connect with other gay men in London? We Do in Covent Garden! We are at the City Lit College in Room 113 (First floor) **Our discussion themes would always be advertised in advance.** We will advertise the topic we’ll be discussing before each meeting, so that you know exactly what to expect before signing up for each particular meeting. Please see the list on our MeetUp profile for potential universal themes relevant to gay/bisexual men, to be covered in our sessions. Ideas are always welcome! *We offer workshops unlike most other gay/bisexual men's therapeutic discussion groups.* **A Speaker** We will at times provide a Speaker for our meetings kickstarting interesting and stimulating discussions. The Speaker can be an expert in their field such as for example an author, a therapist or a philosopher but we are welcoming any of our members to be a Speaker or a demonstrator of exercises such as massage, pilates or yoga. Or perhaps you would want to talk about your profession, if you feel it has relevance to our group. You would just have to contact Dan first for a discussion and planning. **Frequency of meetings / fee** In 2026 we’ll only have one meeting per month in person at the City Lit College in Covent Garden and one meeting online. If there is a demand for more in person meetings we’ll consider having more. We are happy to confirm that our entry prices won’t be raised and that in person meetings remain at £10. Online meetings will be FREE in January and February after which it will be £5 to attend. **Walks / museum visits** We will continue offering our occasional walking trips and also now include gay/bisexual themed history walks and visits to Museums. WHAT WE ARE: We are a group of supportive and insightful great men and we are looking forward to including you - this is what we do: CONNECTING - It is a place where you will be able to connect with other gay and bi-sexual men and where you can exchange your life experiences with them and your everyday feelings, no matter what those feelings may be - and also a place where you will be able to just be with others who live similar lives to you. EXPLORING SAFELY WITH SUPPORT - It is a place where you will experience support and growth and where you can feel safe enough to explore and reflect your feelings and life stories. Sharing is at the heart of the group but you share however much you are comfortable with - you're in charge. CREATIVE STATE REGISTERED THERAPY - It is a therapeutic discussion group which at times offers workshops and borrows elements from Creative Arts Psychotherapies. The group is based on the Creative Arts Psychotherapy/Dramatherapy and counselling work I provided ongoing for the charity Positive East in London. WHO IS IT FOR: This group is for men over 18 years old who either identifies as gay or bi-sexual or men who has sex with men - or feel emotionally connected to other men. SOCIAL OPPERTUNITY: We offer a social oppertunity in the local pub after the meetings. New members are always welcome as as well as our much appreciated familiar faces! Address: City Lit, 1-10 Keeley St, London WC2B 4BA Time: 6:30 - 8:00 PM The social part: There is certainly an opprtunity for social drinks after each meeting. Cost: £10.00 **PayPal:** **[https://www.paypal.me/wellnesssupport](https://www.paypal.me/wellnesssupport)** **Credit card:** \*\*card payment with SQUARE online: ​ \*\* **[https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLG8ZV8FJJDYS/checkout/DK4VVAQGAV3LIM2K5V4JIX2Y](https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLG8ZV8FJJDYS/checkout/DK4VVAQGAV3LIM2K5V4JIX2Y)** WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU WHETHER YOU ARE A BRAND NEW TO THE GROUP OR A FAMILIAR FACE :) YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MADE TO FEEL WELCOME. Ask to join our WhatsApp group, if you liked and enjoyed your experience with us, for regular updates and social interactions. All the best, Dan

Join us for a weekly session of friendly and focused writing time. From 6pm every Friday: We'll be at the Auberge pub, across road from Waterloo. See full location info for how to find us. There'll be a sign at our table. \*(Please see full access info, further down.) ...... * We shut up for 1 hour of scheduled focus time - 6.30 to 7.30. ...Then time to chat or carry on at your preference. This is for writing of any description or experience level. Somewhere to get on with your own work, and connect with new people. Most importantly to not feel isolated in your pursuits, however big or small. i.e. If you're looking to further your writing interests; and for a comfortable social space; ...or just need somewhere to sit and focus before you go home on a Friday - you're welcome to stop by. Please RSVP to give us an idea of who is coming / how many. ........ **6:00pm - 6:30pm** * Find our table and grab a seat. Plus any food or drink. * We'll take 5-10 minutes to say who we all are, and welcome anyone new. * (No need to say what you're working on, but feel welcome to). **6.30pm - 7.30pm** * No talking. One hour. * You can leave the table at any point. * Anyone arriving late feel free to find a seat, we'll give you a silent wave. You won't get glared at! **7.30pm** Once 'Shut Up' time is over: * You are welcome to head off straight away, no pressure to stick around. * You are welcome to stay to chat with other members, as late as you wish. * Or you're welcome to just keep writing - if you're in the zone, no need to stop just because others have. The time is for you, to get the most benefit. . **FACILITIES / ACCESS** Mobility access is limited: There is a step to enter pub, from pavement (one entrance only) - Venue will provide ramp for step-free entry. Toilets are on ground floor. \*However there is no accessible or private toilet space. Apologies. (The closest are in the main station concourse, nearby.) Do contact if you would like clearer info before attending. **FOOD** There is food served all evening / including vegan options. You're welcome to eat whilst writing. **WI-FI** There should be working Wi-Fi, if you need it! 'Auberge Secure' PW: waterloo **DOG-FRIENDLY** Dogs also welcome. . If you have additional queries re. access or other requirements, do message us via Meetup or contact the Auberge directly. . **A note about the format** We don’t host readings and feedback. (But we can signpost to events that do). Whether you're writing for a professional goal, academic project, private thoughts and wellbeing, or purely casual enjoyment, (or still deciding!) - don't worry we won't be asking each other to share details. You can just arrive, make yourself comfortable with anything you need, and get on with whatever you decide. No-one will be reading your work or judging if you've met targets. We don't set group goals and deadlines: we're just here to help each other with our own - where needed. Or to switch off and talk about something else completely, if you need that instead! This is a social event and aimed at bringing new people together. Not just a co-working space. **Respect** Please also note our Code of Conduct: [www.shutupwrite.com/code-of-conduct](https://www.shutupwrite.com/code-of-conduct) ...And be aware this is an informal event open to adults of all ages and backgrounds. i.e. We expect everyone who attends will treat each other with appropriate respect and awareness, and feel able to interact comfortably. Any concerns don't hesitate to raise them with us. For a full view of events, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://www.shutupwrite.com).

Our second dinner to celebrate 15 years since Ian set up the original Dinner Club takes us to the fabulous Old Compton Brasserie. An all-day brasserie in the heart of Soho, committed to bringing to the neighbourhood great food, wine, beer and award-winning cocktails. Created out of a desire to address the needs of the local creative community, Old Compton Brasserie serves as a drinking and dining destination that boasts a vibrant yet relaxed setting. A village full of low-lifers and high-lifers, romantics and realists, drunks and dreamers, sex workers and bar workers” (Colin Vaines, The Guardian). While Soho has most definitely been gentrified in recent years, there is still a beautiful mischievousness to it that leaves its visitors with intrigue and inquiry. Old Compton Brasserie sits upon one of Soho’s most infamous streets, known for its buzzing restaurant and bar scene. A risqué, lively hotspot full of colourful characters ready to celebrate love and life. There is a vibrancy, exoticness, brilliance and an abundance of life that, arguably, you won’t find anywhere else. And to add to that, Old Compton Brasserie serves delicious food! A perfect venue to celebrate 15 Years of bringing people together for food and fellowship. Our evening begins with the optional pre-dinner drinks at Village Wardour Street. Join with others from 6pm for the chance to meet, mingle and chat before heading up Old Compton Street to our dinner venue. We will be eating from the £35pp menu (you can order on the night). As we are a large group, we will be sat on several tables rather than just one. [Group menu for your information](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6021eb1cf94c921352b95829/t/69ce37e0e1eec52099961aec/1775122400450/OCB+MENU+GROUP+NEW+APR+2026+%281%29.pdf) Please note, we maintain the policy of splitting the final bill evenly between the number of attendees. After Dinner we shall head to The Friendly Society to enjoy some post dinner drinks. This is optional. So, if you’d like to attend this special celebration, please rsvp. You will need to pay a deposit of £10 plus £1 and other small fees for Meetup/paypal transactions etc. The £10 you pay will come off what you need to pay on the night. It’ll be great to get this meal full. Let’s meetup and celebrate!

The Queens Pub in Crouch End! You're invited to join us for an evening of great company, and movie talk at our upcoming Pub Social in the heart of Crouch End. It's an opportunity to unwind and mingle with fellow members of the North London Film Club. Please RSVP to ensure we have an idea of numbers attending. I'll book tables for the evening under Jason. Feel free to bring friends or anyone interested in joining the group. Make sure to update the RSVP if you can’t make it. That’s very helpful! How to find us: We'll have the area by the windows along the side that can be seen in the photo. Come along and be a part of the fun! See you there! Join our Whatsapp group: Message the organiser (Jason) on Meetup with your meetup name and number. Once verified, you’ll receive the link to the WhatsApp group. Date: 26th of June! Time: 7pm until late! Location: The Queens! Address: 26 Broadway Parade, London N8 9DE

**👇IMPORTANT event info - READ👇** 🇬🇧🇪🇸🇫🇷🇯🇵🇮🇹🇩🇪🇮🇳🇨🇳🇧🇷🇰🇷🇪🇬🇺🇸🇷🇺🇦🇺🇵🇱 Join us this Friday for our next 🌞OUTSIDE LATE 🌛 global language social. It's expected to be a very warm evening, so we're taking the fun outside from Friday evening ( READ BELOW👇) into Saturday morning! We"re Languages in London the Highest Rated 🏆 international language exchange group in London with 1700+ reviews rated 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🇷🇴🇮🇷🇹🇼🇵🇹🇨🇦🇨🇴🇸🇦🇹🇷🇺🇦🇭🇰🇱🇧🇸🇪🇲🇽🇳🇱🇯🇴 **⚡TO ATTEND THIS EVENT YOU MUST⚡** 🔘 Have your Meetup confirmation visible on your phone when you arrive. We'll be waiting to give you a "warm" 😎 welcome. 🔘 **BEFORE** buying your drinks collect & wear your languages badge as soon as you arrive. Wear your badge during the event and return before you leave 🌳♻️ 🔘Pay the £2 event fee. The fee is £6📈 if you arrive after 8:30pm. Cash✅ card✅phone✅ 🔘 Buy one or more drinks from the bar to support our friendly venue 🍻🥂🍹 [www.languages.london](www.languages.london) 🇦🇷🇲🇦🇹🇭🇰🇪🇵🇪🇳🇿🇨🇭🇬🇷🇭🇺🇻🇪🇳🇬🇧🇬🇩🇰🇱🇰🇨🇩 **WHEN & WHERE** **From 7pm on Friday until 1am on Saturday at Craft Beer Co. COVENT GARDEN** You're spoilt for choice with public transport options including lots of tube, train and buses close to the venue. **The address is 168 High Holborn, London WC1V 7AA** [https://maps.google.com/?cid=12246258418147807722&entry=gps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=12246258418147807722&entry=gps) **🇮🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇧🇪🇵🇭🇮🇱🇪🇪🇵🇸🇪🇬🇳🇴🇬🇭🇵🇷🇲🇾🇻🇳🇪🇨** **WHO** Languages in London events are organised for our community - being social, making new friends, building cultural bridges and always very relaxed. We have the largest number of languages and countries represented in our weekly language exchange and social events in London. This is **not** a dating event. Our events are open to Internationals, Locals, Expats, Students, Travellers.....Everyone! Are you an 18 to 24 year old? Come and explore our events. This is the event for a truly global community and citizens from around the World🌎 We're your languages hub in London. Is this the Intercambio you've been looking for? Want to practice your ingles, espanol , francais, italiano, Deutsch, portugues or other European languages? Asian languages ? Or maybe prefer to only speak English.... that's just fine. **All languages and all fluency levels are welcome** Spread the word...Bring your friends 💚 🇨🇱🇨🇾🇲🇩🇰🇿🇫🇮🇿🇦🇦🇹🇲🇶🇲🇬🇵🇸🇦🇿🇬🇹🇯🇲🇵🇰🇪🇷 The creator and organiser of **Languages in London - Girish**, will always be visible at the event and there to support you and help with introductions, if you prefer. We want to remain the BEST language events group in London, being the biggest isn't our focus. These are real events with real people. We don't fill our events with inflated numbers and fictitious attendees 👻 **Inactive community members and those that no-show at our events are removed from our group.** **LANGUAGES** Here's a selection of some of the languages that our community speak or have been practicing ... English, Spanish (incl Latin American), French, Italian, Portuguese (incl Brazilian), German, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), Russian, Korean, Hindi, Turkish, Arabic, Ukrainian, Polish, Hebrew, Swedish, Bulgarian, Vietnamese, Hungarian, Bengali, Dutch, Catalan, Farsi, Greek, Urdu, Welsh, Romanian, Norwegian, Czech, Slovak, Estonian, Danish, Finnish, Turkmen, Latvian, Lithuanian, Nepali, Yoruba, Filipino, Thai, Albanian, Croatian, Serbian, Ebo, Afrikaans, Tamazight, Tagalog, Creole, Malagasy, Mongolian, Tigrinya, Tok Pisin and more... you get the idea! 🇮🇶🇸🇰🇭🇷🇹🇿🇧🇴🇶🇦🇲🇰🇳🇵🇧🇩🇩🇿🇮🇩🇹🇯🇦🇪🇦🇱🇯🇴 **SUSTAINABLE** 🌎🌳 Like you, we really care about our planet. We don't like single use paper name tags, stickers or wristbands as they can't be reused or recycled and can even damage your clothing ☹️ The Solution? Our personalised and completely reusable Languages in London badges! 👍 So, please make sure you return your badge to us, before you leave the event. We'll sanitise it (anti bacterial & disinfectant cleaners) and use it again & again & again. Thanks for helping us do the right thing and keep our costs down🙏 **🇱🇦🇱🇹🇱🇻🇰🇭🇲🇳🇬🇪🇦🇫🇲🇴🇨🇺🇩🇴🇭🇳🇧🇾🇺🇿🇲🇺🇸🇴** **SAFE SPACE FOR EVERYONE** 👮‍♂️ We don't tolerate prejudice or harassment of any kind, at any time. Be polite and respectful to everyone else and they will reciprocate. Let's keep the space safe, welcoming for everyone and free of any political agendas. Please report any concerns to the Organiser immediately. Please look after your belongings, the venue is a public place. We may take photos or video at the event for future promotional use. Let us know if you'd rather not be included, we respect your choice 📸 **SPREAD THE WORD** 🗣️💬 If you enjoy our events, please tell your friends and colleagues and help us grow **your** community, thank you ♥️ **Join our community** - [https://www.languages.london/](https://www.languages.london/) @languages.in.london We're looking forward to welcoming you at Languages in London 😊👋 🇵🇾🇦🇲🇹🇲🇮🇸🇵🇬🇲🇪🇰🇼🇿🇼🇪🇹🇸🇻🇷🇪🇾🇪🇬🇱🌎

Based on Gary Owen's much lauded and widely performed monodrama, Iphigenia in Splott, 'Effi o Blaenau' is director Marc Evans' cinematic interpretation set against the wide open landscapes of North Wales. The film follows Effi (Leisa Gwenllian), a young woman desperate to escape a town where the pubs are closed, the jobs have vanished and her grandmother works night shifts in the local chip shop just to get by. A chance encounter in a Llandudno nightclub with injured soldier Lee (Tom Rhys Harries), briefly opens a door to something better. For a moment, Effi glimpses a life she never imagined.

## Details **FOR GENERAL INFO, ADDRESS & DIRECTIONS, PLEASE SEE THE MAIN PAGE DESCRIPTION.** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **AGE GROUP** Over 18 **LEVEL OF SKILL** Any **GENRES** Anything, including **classical \| jazz \| contemporary pop songs \| musicals \| arrangements \| improvisation \| own compositions \| exam pieces \| duets\.** **COSTS** The **STANDARD TICKET** is £10 for pianists, including up to **5 minutes playing time**. **Longer Playing Slots** £15 for up to 10 minutes playing time £20 for up to 15 minutes playing time £25 for up to 20 minutes playing time\* **PAYMENT LINK** https://the-red-hedgehog.sumupstore.com/products?category=272b68a2-d1e7-4ed3-ad2f-2c5104ebfe00&sortField=price **Grade Exam or Music Competition Preparation\*** Longer slots are sometimes available for pianists who wish to play through their entire repertoire in one go as preparation for an upcoming advanced exam or music festival entry. \* If the playthrough has a high number of attendees, it may be necessary to allocate a longer time to another playthrough, due to time constraints. **Audience: £5** **MIC & SOUND SYSTEM** Let me know if you would like to accompany yourself singing so the mic can be set up ready for you. **COFFEE BREAK** There will be a 20 minute coffee break (hot drinks & biscuits provided). **PRE-EVENT ACCESS TO TRY OUT THE PIANO** Prior to every publicised START TIME is a half-hour period when you may, if you wish, **try out the piano** or even run through your whole piece, depending on how many other people are waiting to do the same. **EVENT LENGTH** I allocate 3 hours for the playthrough (+ 30 minutes for pianists to try out the piano) but with fewer attendees, it may end earlier. **SUPPORTING OTHER PIANISTS** Unless you have a pressing reason to leave early, please stay to hear all your fellow pianists play, as the point of these sessions is mutual support in our piano playing journeys! \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **BOOKINGS PROCESS** 1 Please leave an **RSVP** against this event here on **LONDON MEETUP** 2 then make payment direct (to include the ticket and the playing time as outlined above). **The Red Hedgehog** Sort Code: **08-71-99** Account: **12697825** **PAYMENT UPON BOOKING IS REQUIRED TO CONFIRM YOUR SLOT!** When you RSVP, please **PAY** immediately otherwise your name will be removed from the list of players. Sorry - 'tis necessary. **CASH ON THE NIGHT** No, sorry... Our numbers are sorted and paid for prior to each event. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MEETUP CAN BE FOUND ON THE RED HEDGEHOG WEBSITE** https://theredhedgehog.co.uk/m.pianoplaythroughoverview.html **WAIT-LIST** If a place subsequently becomes available for a sold-out playthrough, it will automatically be allocated to the next person on the wait list. **CANCELLATION POLICY** In the event you are unable to attend the event, please find another pianist to take your slot. (A powerful reason for providing your mobile and being part of our whatsapp group is that it's easy to reach out there to find someone to take your place, who can then reimburse your fee direct to you.) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **SOCIALISING...** Afterwards everyone is welcome to join us for a drink across the road (the **BOOGALOO)** (30 secs from the tube). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **CONTACT THE ORGANISER** Hello. I'm Clare and I run The Red Hedgehog where these meetups are held. If you have questions about anything at all, please just call or text. Happy to chat about anything. **07817 109093**

Wine Not? is a women-only gathering before the Balancers Saturday social. Most attendees come solo, so it’s an easy and welcoming place to meet people and settle in before the night gets busier. London can make meeting new people feel awkward, especially if you're coming alone. This early social creates a comfortable environment where you can chat, laugh, and get to know a few friendly faces first. Expect a relaxed atmosphere, a few light games, and plenty of time to connect naturally. At **7.30 pm the main Balancers social begins**, and the room fills as over **150 people usually join the night**. Wine Not? naturally flows into the rest of the evening, so you’re welcome to stay and enjoy the full experience. Coming solo is completely normal. Our hosts will be there to help everyone feel comfortable, included, and connected from the start. **Check out our past events here:** **[https://www.instagram.com/_balancers/](https://www.instagram.com/_balancers/)** **Want to stay in the loop? Join our WhatsApp community: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O](https://chat.whatsapp.com/IJKXDkwUTlmDsYTOCIUg7O)** *Remember, our pillars are Openness, Respect, Kindness and Authenticity. Attendance at this event is subject to our [Code of Conduct](https://www.balancers.app/code-of-conduct) and [Terms of Service](https://www.balancers.app/term-of-service). By joining, you may receive emails about Balancers events and community updates. You can unsubscribe at any time.*

YOU MAY BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE ON OUR WEBSITE, INSIDE INSTEAD: https://www.writeandpint.com/events/love-desire-a-creative-writing-workshop-food-drinks-a-free-book ... Hi there ✨ Whoever you are, you’re warmly invited to join us for a full-day writing workshop exploring the themes of Love & Desire on Saturday 27th June in Old Street, London 📍 We’ll spend the day reading excerpts and poems about love and desire, then writing to prompts, with food & drink, space to think, and time to write something honest, strange, or quietly intense ☕🍷 Together, we’ll be exploring love in a variety of forms: tenderness, lust, queer desire, and heartbreak 💌 We’ll be drawing inspiration from poets such as Sappho, Audre Lorde, Pablo Neruda, Adrienne Rich, John Donne, Ocean Vuong, Carol Ann Duffy, Natalie Diaz, and Richard Siken 📚 Alongside short readings and extracts, we’ll be writing throughout the day using guided prompts and exercises 🌿 **What do we mean by Love & Desire?** Tenderness: affection, intimacy, and the quiet ways love shows up in everyday life 🤍 Desire: attraction, lust, obsession, and the intensity of wanting or being wanted 🔥 Heartbreak: endings, longing, memory, and what lingers after love changes shape 🌙 We’ll move through these themes using poems as sparks rather than rules, letting language unfold naturally 🌀 **So, what’s the plan? 🗓️** * Arrive at the venue for tea or coffee and a gentle warm-up writing session ☕ * Settle into reading, conversation, supported exploration, and lots of writing ✍️ * Break for lunch together nearby 🥗 * Head back in for an afternoon of deeper writing and creative experiments 🌿 * End the day with a drink and optional sharing of work in a relaxed space 🍷 **What’s included? 🎁** * A full-day poetry workshop with guided writing exercises ✨ * Tea or coffee on arrival ☕ * Brunch included 🥗 * A drink in the afternoon 🍷 * Literary handouts and prompts to take home 📄 * A small book gift to continue your writing beyond the day 📚 **What do you need to bring? 🎒** * Yourself, and your attention 🙌 * A notebook and pen, or a laptop if you prefer 🖊️ * Curiosity, openness, and a willingness to write without pressure 🌱 **Our style 🌿** We create a friendly, inclusive, and supportive atmosphere, and everyone is welcome 💜 No prior experience with writing is needed 🌈 There is no pressure to share your writing unless you want to 🙅 You can participate quietly, actively, or somewhere in between, at your own pace ✨ Warm wishes for now, Sean (A Write & a Pint)

Join us for a special edition of Deeper Discussions, where we dive into thought-provoking **fiction** that challenges perspectives, sparks imagination, and opens doors to meaningful conversations. Whether you're a lifelong reader or rediscovering the joy of novels, this is a space to explore stories that stay with you long after the final page. **This Month's Book - The Passion According to G.H. by Clarice Lispector** It follows a wealthy woman whose encounter in her maid’s room unravels her sense of self and reality. Strange, intimate, and philosophical, it’s a landmark novel of inner transformation. IMPORTANT - Please only RSVP if you are planning to FINISH the book. If you have RSVP'd but think you won't be able to finish the book please change your RSVP to No to make space for others. **How does it work?** *Brief introductions and reflections on what struck you most - Moderated discussion exploring plot, themes, and characters *Open conversation where different interpretations are welcomed ️ - We wrap up by sharing insights and connections made **What to Expect?** **Close Reading:** We go beyond surface-level plot summary. Expect discussions that examine the author's choices, narrative techniques, and the questions left lingering in the silence between pages. **Thoughtful Dialogue:** This isn't a race to share opinions—it's a space for genuine exploration. We listen, we reflect, we build on each other's insights. **Meaningful Connections:** Great fiction holds up a mirror to the human experience. Through discussing characters' choices and moral dilemmas, we often discover something about ourselves and each other. **How to get the most out of this event?** **Finish the Book:** Please attend only if you've completed the book. Spoilers will flow freely, and the richest discussions come from those who've made the full journey. **Ground it in the Text:** Bring your interpretations, but anchor them in what's actually on the page. Quote passages. Reference scenes. Let the author's words guide us. **Respect & Openness:** Every interpretation matters. Make space for quieter voices. Challenge ideas, not people. Stay curious rather than defensive. **Why a Fiction Book Club?** **Explore the Human Condition:** Fiction lets us inhabit lives we'll never live, forcing us to confront questions about identity, morality, love, and loss. **Sharpen Your Thinking:** Close reading develops critical thinking—noticing what the author chose to include, exclude, and how the story is told matters as much as what happens. **Deepen Connections:** Discussing characters' choices and moral dilemmas creates surprisingly intimate conversations with fellow readers. **Who is this event for?** *You find yourself thinking about books long after you've finished them - You want more from book discussions than "I liked it" or "I didn't" *You're curious how others interpret the same story differently - You value thoughtful dialogue over debate ️✨ *You're looking for meaningful connections with fellow readers **What's in it for you?** - **Fresh Perspectives:** Discover interpretations you'd never have considered alone ***Deeper Understanding:** Unpack themes and symbols that enrich your reading ***Genuine Connection: **Bond with others over shared literary experiences *** A Space to Think: **Slow down from the noise and engage with ideas that matter **Ready to dive deeper into stories that matter?** Join us for an evening where fiction becomes a gateway to understanding ourselves and each other. ✨ **We really hope to see you there!** **About Deeper Connections** We have a mission at Deeper Connections to improve the quality of people's lives through conversation. All our events are centred around the concept of connecting deeply, because we believe we all deserve to be seen, felt and understood for who we really are. To have the 'deeper conversation' approach when relating with others can change our lives and can change the world. **Our Values** *** Respect: **Treat everyone with kindness and consideration. ❤️ *** Open-mindedness: **Be open to different perspectives and ideas. *** Active Participation: **Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful discussions. ️ **Staying in touch** Interested in finding out about all the events sooner than on Meetup or staying in touch beyond the events, you can join our WhatsApp channel and community using [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Channel](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6CBAdIN9ijrEYdv33z) [Deeper Connections WhatsApp Community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/EqGsmF3021RKTwBpGcuR80) **Keep This Event Free** If this event brings you something meaningful, you can help others access the same transformational experience. Whether it's £5 or £15, every contribution keeps these events accessible to everyone in our community. You'll find a QR code on your conversation sheet during the event, or you can contribute here #SupportYourCommunity [Ko-Fi](https://ko-fi.com/deeperconnections) [Buy Me A Coffee](https://buymeacoffee.com/deeperconnections) [PayPal](https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/DDSNCCFCYUEB2)

New and Experienced Players Welcome! Ever played Werewolf, Mafia or Secret Hitler? Well this game is like that but on steroids! 😈😇 Ever watched The Traitors and wished you could have a turn? Well now you can! We Play **'Blood on the Clocktower'** a game where you never know who you can trust... A great way to meet new people in a fun interactive way, in Regents Park enjoying the lovely weather! Continue reading for a general description of the game: Blood on the Clocktower is a bluffing game enjoyed by 5 to 20 players on opposing teams of Good and Evil, overseen by an experienced Storyteller. During a 'day' phase players socialize openly and whisper privately to trade knowledge or spread lies, culminating in a player's execution if a majority suspects them of being Evil. At 'night' time, players close their eyes and some are woken one at a time by the Storyteller to gather information, spread mischief, or kill. Use all your powers of deduction and deception to survive this game of murder and mystery. The game will be fully explained at the event. However if you'd like to learn more now watch: https://youtu.be/M-aZP47Nm9g?feature=shared

We are back again for another day of fun, silly laughs and making new friends! The event is a picnic in London for ADHDers, neurodivergent people, and friendly chaotic sorts. You don't need ADHD, or a diagnosis. Cool, nice people are welcome. We’ll be in **Lincoln's Inn Fields** from 3pm ([The women only picnic starts at 1pm)](https://meetu.ps/e/Q29Wk/YBzrR/i) and finish at... whenever. A loose ending feels on brand. Expect: *snacks, chats, and fresh air - wandering conversations and abrupt topic changes *people arriving late, leaving early, and forgetting what they were saying - a friendly mix of regulars and new people Bring: *something to sit on - food and drinks *water - layers / suncream / emergency crisps Lincol's Inn Fields is central, easy to get to, and near cafés, pubs and toilets, which is all very helpful for a picnic and for being alive. Come for twenty minutes or all day. Lurk gently. Overshare magnificently. Get distracted by a dog. Plenty of people come alone, so solo arrivals are very normal. If you are a feeling a bit shy or awkward, please ask for Kieran, (that's me) and we can have a chat. A nice, low-pressure London ADHD social meetup where you overstimulated folks can touch grass for a few hours. **Directions:** Come into Lincoln's Inn Field, look for a tree where a bright yellow blanket will be hanging. It's not a big space, we'll be easy to find. **A note: This is a consent-led space. Please consider not everyone wants to be asked for their phone number on meeting for the first time or to go out on a date. This is a strictly not a dating event. People come here to connect and build community. If anyone has any concerns, please speak to Kieran, (me) directly** A message for you robots out there: ADHD London \| Neurodivergent London \| New in town \| Make new friends \| picnics in Londo

Join us as we get together to get together to help those in need at this CMG Gives Back event! We have a great little community of Movie Group friends so rather than see a movie this time, we’ll help “Create a better world” by helping serve those in need. NOTE: We’re switching it up this time and going with a DINNER shift on Mon, 7/6. Here are complete details and our plan for this event: FAITH MISSION – GRANT KITCHEN: The Faith Mission kitchen and dining room serves residents 3 meals a day, every day of the year. For this event, our group will help prepare food, serve meals, assist residents in the dining room, wash dishes, and clean surfaces. PLAN: We will be preparing / serving / cleaning for DINNER from 4:30 to 6:30pm and have space for a total of 7 volunteers. Please arrive at 4:20pm and wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. LOCATION: Faith Mission – Grant Kitchen is located at 245 N. Grant Ave. Enter the kitchen at Dock 1 (in the back of the building), indicated in the attached map. On-site parking in the adjacent lot and street parking are available in the surrounding area. Below are some links / attachments with additional info/details: IMPORTANT REMINDER: Our group will be providing all of the volunteers on this day so a firm RSVP count is essential. Please only sign up if you are certain you’ll be able to attend. If something unavoidable comes up, please try to update your RSVP no later than one week prior to the event. With few exceptions, no shows or cancelations within 1 week of the event will not be eligible for future CMG Gives Back events. I appreciate your understanding as we try to ensure the agencies have the volunteers needed to provide the essential services they provide to the vulnerable population they serve. Our Partner Agency for this event is Lutheran Social Services! A huge THANK YOU to those volunteering at this (or any of our previous or future) CMG Gives Back events! Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

Join us as we get together for a CAPA Summer Movie event to see the romantic, funny, heartwarming, feel-good classic, PRETTY WOMAN! Julia Roberts and Richard Gere star in this modern-day fairy-tale romance! Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: A wealthy corporate raider hires a Hollywood escort as his date for a week of high-society business events. But what starts as a business transaction blossoms into genuine love, challenging both of their lives and leading to an unexpected romance. The film is directed by Garry Marshall and stars Richard Gere, Julia Roberts, Héctor Elizondo, Ralph Bellamy (in his final performance), Laura San Giacomo and Jason Alexander. MINI TRAILER: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-JghOdhAwc](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-JghOdhAwc) SHORT BONUS CLIP #1 - DIRECTOR GARRY MARSHALL Recalls Famous Scenes from the Film: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpIMOzieGPs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpIMOzieGPs) SHORT BONUS CLIP #2 - RICHARD GERE on the Film’s Impact all these years later: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0T3O94dAA8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0T3O94dAA8) SHORT BONUS CLIP #3 - JULIA ROBERTS Remembers a Gift from Director Garry Marshall: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ4AZSjbMsA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ4AZSjbMsA) BUZZ & ACCLAIM: A huge box office hit at the time of its release, PRETTY WOMAN has since gone on to become a modern-day classic! The film catapulted Julia Roberts to superstardom and earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress and her first Oscar nomination! Critics praise Julia Roberts’ star-making performance, the undeniable chemistry between her and Richard Gere, and its warm, funny feel-good story about kindness, self-worth and transformation! The film’s “intelligence and wit,” “first-class performances” and “sharp, funny script” have made Pretty Woman a classic and truly “something special!” THE OHIO THEATRE: The Ohio Theatre is located at 39 E. State Street, between 3rd and High Streets, across the street from the Ohio Statehouse. From classical music to modern dance, yearly family traditions to hot concerts, the world’s best artists come to the 2,791-seat, historic Ohio Theatre. The breathtaking details (including the 21-foot-high chandelier!) of its opulent, Spanish-Baroque architecture make any night at the Ohio Theater an event to remember! PRE-SHOW ENTERTAINMENT: Now celebrating his 33rd year as featured organist for the CAPA Summer Movie Series, Clark Wilson will again provide pre-show entertainment at the keyboards and controls of the Ohio Theatre’s treasured “Mighty Morton” theatre organ 30 minutes prior to each screening. PARKING: Parking is available at Columbus Commons Parking Garage off 3rd or Rich Streets or in Statehouse Parking Garage off 3rd Street. You can find out more about parking in Downtown Columbus by visiting the Downtown Columbus website. PLAN: Purchase your ticket for the 7:30pm showing and we’ll meet outside the theater between 6:50 and 7:00pm. We’ll head in at 7pm to get good seats and enjoy the pre-show organ music! TICKETS: Tickets just $6 adult / $5 senior! Parking is available under the Capital building, in the nearby garage, or on the nearby streets. You can purchase your ticket at the box office on the day of the event or online here: [https://www.capa.com/capa-summer-movie-series/](https://www.capa.com/capa-summer-movie-series/) Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

**Improving Office in Franklinton** Physical location: Improving Office 330 Rush Alley Suite #150 Columbus, OH 43215 Schedule: 6:00 p.m.: Socialize, eat, and drink. Improving will be providing pizza and beverages. 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Main meeting and presentation(s). Topic: This month Chris Pazsint will be talking about Agentic Coding. How does one use CLI Based Agents, and Agentic IDEs such as Cursor, Kiro, Antigravity? How to include agentic coding plugins for IDEs you already love such as Visual Studio Code. We meet on the last Monday of each Month. Presentations are given by members and friends of this group. If you would like to do a presentation (small or large) on a python topic, please contact Central OH Python at centralohpython@gmail.com

PLEASE NOTE!!! This event will be In-Person for our 2nd Improving collab! If you know the [Columbus Unity group](https://www.meetup.com/columbus-unity-user-group/) location, we'll be at the same place. This is our 2nd event at this location so bare with us as we grow into this space. There's paid street parking on Saturdays but you can also pay to park in any of the local garages. See image of [parking map here](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Mr9_LFIggbs-0_Zd3AJTGNqEhgMf2TzQ/view?usp=sharing). \-\-\- On the last Sunday of the month, we're having our usual end-of-the-month social gathering with our GameDev Meetup meeting. There will be announcements and presentations followed by some social networking Let's continue the conversations with good vibes and friends. All are welcomed from all ages and backgrounds to this public event. If we can, we'll be streaming or uploading the video later via our COGG YouTube channel here: [https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams](https://www.youtube.com/@TheCOGG/streams) (Also please do subscribe if you have not done so!) No game development experience required! If you are interested in doing a 20 minute game development related presentation, please fill out our form online here: [https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1](https://goo.gl/forms/lVdTJZiNJewlPJuj1) Or e-mail us at [info@thecogg.com](mailto:info@thecogg.com) with the following: Your Name, Company/Affiliation, Name of Your Game/Topic, Description, Tech Needs, and Your Contact. Be sure to check out our Discord for real time news updates: [https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ](https://discord.gg/NrBhuNQ)

Based on the novel Roadside Picnic, it is NO picnic, but rather one of the masterpieces of world cinema. Andrei Tarkovsky's 1979 Soviet sci-fi classic, recounts the expedition of a writer and professor led by a mysterious guide called "The Stalker." to a futuristic wasteland called "The Zone." Dripping with existential dread, it continually presents strange occurrences that will have us debating the meaning of what we've just viewed right through the ending. *Stalker* (1979) can be streamed for free on HBOMax, the Criterion Channel or Kanopy. It's also available for rent on Amazon Prime and AppleTV. The Columbus Library has two copies on disc.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/a/9/6/600_348310902.jpeg Instructor - Crow, HPS Class fee is $30 at the door or approved exchange RSVP with Advance pay of $25 (discounted) by PayPal on the web or by contacting Enchanted Elements (614) 437-2642. Reservations made directly to Enchanted Elements will be added to the class list manually not online. Private Instruction ~ Closed to the Public ~ Initiated Members Only Please come prepared for ritual. Blessings ~ Crow