Shakespeare

**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.

**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.

Casemates is one of Luxembourg's English-speaking Toastmasters clubs - here you’ll find a supportive and friendly environment which will allow you to develop your communication skills, become a confident leader and have fun! Each meeting is clearly structured with three parts: improvised speaking on various topics, prepared speeches by members, and an evaluation part where all the speakers receive feedback. Members are holding the various roles necessary for the organisation - a different one at each meeting. You can come as a guest and see how it works for yourself - we guarantee that you will feel welcomed and will have fun in our learn-by-doing environment!

**Do you want to step up to the stage with more confidence, and less self-doubt? Are you looking to be in charge of your** **thoughts, emotions and behaviours? This workshop has just the answer.** Going up on stage and exposing yourself (pun intended) can be very scary. But also very empowering. And also triggering. But also liberating. And can for sure bring on some self-doubt: Am I good enough? Why should anyone listen to me? Doesn't everyone else know more than me? Isn’t everyone else funnier? And when you get of the stage, the questions keep popping in your head: “was it good?”, “I should have said it differently”, “what was I thinking?”, “were those pity laughs?” Your inner critic is always hard at work… A lot of emotions come up when doing stand-up. No matter if you are a beginner or a more experienced comedian, it can still bring about the dread of not being good enough, making a fool of yourself, and confirming your worst fears. But, it can also be a brilliant and almost therapeutic way to overcome self-doubt, self-sabotage, gain confidence and find that sweet spot where masks come off and you find yourself flying! In this workshop, psychologist Alexandra Neves will guide you through the following: * Impostor syndrome: the pattern in which a person doubts their skills, talents and achievements * and is afraid of being unmasked as fraud, an imposter. * Identify and bring into awareness your limiting beliefs and develop practical tools for * overcoming and releasing them. * How you can tame your inner critic, and use it to your advantage, in comedy and in life. * The masks we wear, and why we wear them. * And ultimately how to develop more self-confidence. These are all transferable skills that can positively impact your stage presence, but also your professional and personal life. Participation in this workshop is by advanced registration. Places are limited. [Book your spot here. ](https://fienta.com/mental-health-in-comedy-2026) **About the instructor:** Alexandra is a psychologist and has over 20 years of experience in training, personal development, and coaching. Alexandra specializes on mental health coaching, imposter syndrome, overcoming self- sabotage, and gender equity. A newcomer to the comedy world, she has been doing stand-up for over a year, and discovering the positive effects comedy can have on mental health – and the positive effects mental health can have in comedy! Find out more about [Alexandra here](https://academy-mind-tree-coaching.lu/) **This workshop is part of [Festrogen](http://festrogenfestival.com/), a women-centric, multi-part comedy festival hosted in Luxembourg.** **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.

**Titre :** Rejoignez-nous pour une soirée de développement personnel et de convivialité avec les Orateurs de Luxembourg ! **Description :** Vous pensez que Toastmasters, c’est seulement pour apprendre à parler en public ? Détrompez-vous ! Avec les Orateurs de Luxembourg, nos réunions offrent bien plus que cela. Venez découvrir un environnement accueillant où vous pourrez non seulement améliorer vos compétences oratoires, mais aussi : * **Développer votre écoute active** pour mieux comprendre les autres. * **Socialiser et rencontrer de nouvelles personnes** dans une atmosphère conviviale et bienveillante. * **Élargir votre cercle d’amis** et créer des liens durables. * **Accroître votre intelligence émotionnelle**, essentielle tant dans la vie professionnelle que personnelle. Que vous soyez un orateur débutant ou expérimenté, nos séances sont conçues pour vous aider à grandir, à vous sentir à l’aise face à un public et à renforcer vos interactions humaines. Chaque rencontre est une opportunité d’apprendre, de s’amuser et de se connecter. **Où :** 65, Avenue de la Gare, Luxembourg Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant sur Meetup et **principalement sur** [Easyspeak](https://tmclub.eu/view_meeting.php?t=221263) **[https://tmclub.eu/view_meeting.php?t=221263](https://tmclub.eu/view_meeting.php?t=221263) ! Nous avons hâte de vous accueillir.** Pour les membres courantes du club merci de **prendre des rôles** en particulier **meneur d’improvisation**, **évaluateurs,** **rôles transverses et tout type de discours.** **Programme:** 19h : Accueil des participants 19h15 : Début de la séance 19h20 - 19h55 : Roles et improvisations 20h- 20h40 : Discours et évaluations 20h45 - 21h : Remise des prix et clôture de la séance Nous vous prions d'arriver quelques minutes en avance. La séance commence à l'heure indiquée.

**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.

The topic for April is "Water" 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!

This month's prompt concerns the idea of the “warrior philosopher” (seemed appropriate in these times)--that is someone whose understanding of violence, power, and justice is forged through direct experience of war. We are looking at Major General Smedley D. Butler, a highly decorated U.S. Marine raised in a Quaker (pacifist) tradition who later became a prominent critic of American militarism (there is a wonderful biography of Gen. Butler called "Gangsters of Capitalism") Butler's argument in *War Is a Racket* (1935): that many U.S. interventions were driven less by national defense than by corporate and financial interests, with Butler portraying himself as an enforcer for business and Wall Street. We can consider the moral ambiguity of his insider critique—whether complicity strengthens or undermines credibility and also consider some of the concrete reforms he proposed (e.g., “conscript” capital before soldiers, restrict the military to coastal defense, and have only those who fight decide on war). Butler’s life arc clearly changed from pacifist upbringing to warrior to antiwar crusader—and asks whether true understanding of peace requires firsthand knowledge of war, and what that implies about the cost of suffering. So do we need to suffer to understand suffering? Do we have to experience war to appreciate peace? As one more question: in the movie "A Few Good Men" Jack Nicholson's character says that "you have the luxury of not knowing what I know" so do most of us go through life oblivious to real violence and suffering? See you at Drunken Philosophy!

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 22 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

**💖 Speed Dating on Zoom – Personality Matched for Columbus Locals** For this online speed dating version, the host and the people in the room matter as much as the agenda. The experience is designed to feel guided, welcoming, and social. Ditch the apps. Meet Columbus singles face-to-face on Zoom tonight. Quick, hosted rounds on Zoom with Columbus singles paired to your age group and personality. No awkward pauses — just natural conversation. **Register under your age group:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=18-32&face_v=2.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=30-46&face_v=2.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Columbus&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=40-58&face_v=2.0) **⚠️ Heads up — RSVPing here isn't enough.** Register through your age group link below and complete the quiz. Capacity is limited. --- 🎯 **Especially useful for:** - Anyone curious about speed dating in a relaxed setting - ⚡ Columbus locals after personality-matched dates - People fed up with swiping who want actual conversation 📌 **What to know** - **Format:** Zoom video session – short timed rounds - **Location:** From home – all you need is Wi-Fi and a webcam - **Host:** Live host handling rounds and introductions 🔄 **What to expect** 1. **Pick your age group** – Register through your link above. 2. **Take the personality quiz** – We use it to pair you with compatible Columbus singles. 3. **Hop on Zoom** – Join the call and your host will walk you through it. 4. **Meet your matches** – Cycle through short chats with compatible Columbus singles. 💡 **Tip:** Check your Zoom setup and pick a quiet, well-lit spot ahead of time. ⭐ *"10/10. The host was fantastic and I actually had fun on the dates."* – Columbus first-timer --- ✨ Register, take the quiz, and connect with Columbus locals tonight. ✨ ✨ Short-form version for faster scanning. Everything important, without the extra padding. 🤝 **Community angle** - The atmosphere is guided, social, and easy to join - The community matters as much as the session itself - Repeat attendees help create familiarity and momentum The long-term goal is a room people want to come back to, not a one-off event people forget about.

💓 **Online Speed Dating Built for First Timers – Real Connections, Zero Pressure!** **🔴 MUST READ: RSVP Alone Won't Get You In!** To attend, you must: (1) Click your age group link below, (2) Complete registration, and (3) Finish the personality quiz. Limited spots available – register now before they're gone! **📋 Choose Your Age Range Below to Register:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Indianapolis&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=18-32&face_v=2.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Indianapolis&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=30-46&face_v=2.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Indianapolis&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=40-58&face_v=2.0) - **Ages 55+** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Indianapolis&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=55+&face_v=2.0) --- 🤝 Tired of swiping with no results? Try real conversations instead! Online speed dating removes all the awkward parts of traditional dating. A friendly host guides you through each round, so all you have to do is show up and be yourself. 🎯 **Perfect for:** - Introverts who shine in one-on-one conversations - First-time speed daters seeking a welcoming, easy experience - First-timers who want to date without the pressure of face-to-face meetings - Busy professionals who value their time and comfort **How It Works** 1. **Sign Up** – Click the registration link for your age bracket above. 2. **Finish the Short Personality Assessment** – This helps us optimise your matches for the evening. 3. **Connect on Zoom** – No setup needed. Just click the link and you're in! 4. **Meet Your Matches** – Rotate through fun one-on-one rounds with Indianapolis singles who share your vibe. 5. **Discover Your Matches** – We'll notify you of any mutual interest after the event. The rest is up to you! **Event Details** - **Format:** Hosted live on Zoom – guided, fun, and stress-free - **Location:** No venue needed – just a comfy seat and a good internet connection - **Host:** Your personal guide through the evening – friendly, encouraging, and fun - **Vibe:** Light-hearted, easy-going speed dates with open-minded Indianapolis singles - **Accessibility:** Join from any device – laptop, tablet, or phone - **Duration:** About 60–90 minutes of structured, fun conversations **Frequently Asked Questions** **How long are the conversations?** Each round is a few minutes – long enough to feel a connection, short enough to keep things exciting! **What happens after the event?** We reveal mutual matches after the event. If you both liked each other, we help you connect! --- ✨ The hardest part is clicking register. After that, we make everything easy. See you there! 💘 ✨

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/55umjqta)

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.