Songwriting and Recording for Beginners

**Message Graig in advance for location, usually a pub or beer garden in new cross** Come along and join some fellow writers. We'll write together and chat together. Take two hours to get creative! All you need is yourself and a pen and paper (or laptop) :) You can either work on your own project, or pick one of the provided prompts to fire your imagination.

**Hello there!** Our Face-to-Face Afternoon Classes are back this May in London! Are you learning English as a second language and looking for an opportunity to practise your English? Interested in **free, in-person classes**? We’ve got you covered! Here at **Stafford House,** our teachers-in-training are gaining hands-on experience by teaching enthusiastic English learners. Each lesson is interactive and fun, with plenty of opportunities to practise speaking, meet other learners, and improve your English along the way. We also offer **free online English classes**. Check out our other events for more information! Please see the **updated** details below! 🕑 **When:** From **4th May - 28th May (4 weeks)** ➡️**Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays** 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ➡️**Fridays** 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m 📍 **Where:** Stafford House London, 2 Southampton Place, WC1A 2DA (just 2 minutes from Holborn Station) 📚 **Level: Both levels available** **\- Pre\-Intermediate \(A2\-B1\)** **\- Upper\-Intermediate \(B2\)** Spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please arrive **15- 30 minutes early** to secure your spot. We will ask for your name and email upon arrival. *Please note⚠️ confirming attendance on Meetup does not guarantee a place in the classroom.* **Please note that class times or dates may occasionally change due to the nature of the course. If this happens, we will inform you by email.** We look forward to seeing you all very soon! Got Questions? send us an email at [[teachertraining@staffordhouse.com](mailto:teachertraining@staffordhouse.com)]

This week we will be looking at the work of **Georges-Pierre Seurat** the famous French art of the 19th century. All welome!

Let's write at night! This writing meetup is moving to Tuesday evenings at the Crouch End Art House. Join us for a casual, no-pressure writing session. It’s exactly what it says on the tin: we meet, introduce ourselves, and then write in focused silence. You're welcome to talk about about what you're working on and if you made progress, but also you don't have to. * **No Critiques:** We don't share work, so you can focus entirely on your own project. * **All Genres:** Novels, screenplays, academic papers, poetry, or journals—all welcome. * **The Vibe:** Relaxed, quiet, and productive. We'll meet at 7:15p Then we'll write from 7:30 to 8:30. Then we'll have 15 minutes to (optionally) chat. Bring your laptop or notebook. Please support the Crouch End At Hours by purchasing a drink or snack! Thanks!!!

***Pizza Express Live The Pheasantry Group's favourite venue. Its lovely stage, lighting and great sound, complete with the classic Pizza Express menu make this a winner.*** **WE HAVE SOLD OUT ALL OUR PHEASANTRY 2025 SHOWS SO BOOK ASAP TO HEAD BACK TO THE KINGS ROAD!** We are thrilled to welcome Turkish/Danish Soul Pop Artist **Hazel Rose**, with support from gorgeous French soul-jazz-latin artist **Edna Louise -** both with fantastic and talented bands! **About Hazel Rose** Hazel Rose is a London-based Swiss-Turkish-Danish singer, songwriter, and independent artist crafting a sound that blends alt-pop, indie, soul, and electronic influences with cinematic storytelling. Known for her emotive vocals, sharp lyricism, and refined aesthetic, she creates songs that feel both intimate and expansive—equal parts diary entry and film scene. Following the release of her EP Soft Whispers in a Crowded Room and a string of singles including Meet You There, Shadow, Spare Key, 2D, and Hush, Hazel Rose has continued to build a growing international audience drawn to her honest songwriting and distinctive sonic world. Her music explores love, distance, identity, and emotional nuance, often pairing vulnerability with quiet confidence. Equally at home on stage with a full band or in a stripped-back acoustic setting, Hazel Rose’s live performances are immersive and emotionally resonant, showcasing both her vocal range and her natural connection with audiences. With new music on the horizon—including a forthcoming Bossa Nova-inspired pop project—she is steadily establishing herself as one of the most compelling emerging voices in Europe’s independent pop scene. **[WATCH HAZEL ROSE HERE](https://youtu.be/4-GMMk36bx8?si=CHyHEsJrghv0WgtS)** **Edna Louise** London based Edna Louise is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from the French Riviera. Her musical inspirations take their roots from the Neo-Soul Music mixed with Jazz, Funk and Disco, distilled in the Pop Music canvas, to create a unique sound. She has played widely at jazz venues across London and recently headlined a sold out show at The Lower Third. **[WATCH EDNA LOUISE HERE](https://youtu.be/-uaHw4fWvt0?si=kUFXBCDxSMWNbQ7y)** * *We meet at 6.30pm (order food and drinks and catch up)* * *It's a group table or adjacent tables so that we can all enjoy the great vibe together. (remember to mention on booking you are with LondonLive)* * *Live Music at 8pm sharp (food and drinks still discreetly served) with a lovely listening audience vibe and really class artists always.* ***\*\*General Tickets £20 via the Pizza Express online Link HERE*** ***[Book Tickets](https://www.pizzaexpresslive.com/whats-on/hazel-rose)*** ***DISCOUNTED TICKETS FOR EARLY BOOKERS*** ***We have just 20 tickets available at a special £15 discount if you are quick! These are only available by calling the Box Office on 020 3798 9192 and mentioning LONDON15 when booking.\*\**** IMPORTANT - Could you please quote **"LONDON LIVE MEETUP"** in the special requests/comments box when booking online or when calling the box office, to ensure we are all sat togethe. Cant wait to see you there!! Lorraine xx

Once a month, we slow things down. No courts. No rushing. Just good food, easy conversation, and a social that actually feels… social. This is the **Second Serve Supper Club** — a more relaxed, sit-down version of the group. *** ### 📍 Venue (Croydon / easy access) We rotate between: * Cosy restaurants with bookable tables * Private/semi-private dining spaces * Quiet venues where we can actually hear each other (Final location shared after approval) *** ### 🕒 Format (Monthly Saturday) * **6:30 – 7:15pm** → Arrivals + dinner orders * **7:15 – 8:15pm** → Dinner & natural conversation * **8:15 – 9:45pm** → Games + guided social * Wrap up on time — no dragging the night out *** ### 🎲 The Twist (What makes this different) This isn’t just “dinner and hope for the best.” We structure it lightly so it never gets awkward: * Small tables (4–6 people max) * Subtle **table rotations** (optional, not forced) * Simple games that spark conversation, not competition *** ### 💬 Conversation Style No cringe icebreakers. We use light prompts that are easy to answer and easy to build on. *** ### 👥 Who this is for * People who don’t want loud, chaotic nights * People who actually want to talk and connect * People who prefer structure over randomness *** ### ✅ Approval & Attendance * RSVP approval required * Limited seats (kept intentionally small) * Priority goes to consistent attendees 👉 If you RSVP, we expect you there (No-shows affect future approvals) *** ### 💷 Cost * Small organiser fee (covers hosting + setup) * Food/drinks paid individually at venue *** ### The vibe A proper social. Not loud. Not forced. Not endless. Just a good evening, done right.

**FREE FOR MEMBERS OR SIGN UP WHEN YOU ARRIVE** Hello music enthusiast, We're excited to invite you to our Songwriting Class held right here in the heart of musical Camden every Saturday at 2 p.m! Whether you're a budding songwriter or just looking to explore your creative side, this class is designed **for people under 30s and all skill levels.** Come be a part of our community!!! No matter your background or experience, all are welcome. Let's turn your musical ideas into real songs! If you want to know more information, text or call Thomas: 07310801741

full for drums, bass, piano, 1 of 3 spots taken for lead instruments **Please use this link to sign up and pay** [https://tickts.co.uk/events/novice-11-2pm-may-9-9m-studios](https://tickts.co.uk/events/novice-11-2pm-may-9-9m-studios) (Note you must already be accepted as a member of this group, otherwise your ticket will be cancelled) *\*\* The 9M Studios sessions are now 3 hours long. The group is encouraged to use the last hour to call additional songs that are not on the repertoire list - similar to an open jam, or to experiment with arrangements such as intros and endings for the original repertoire. \*\** full list of scheduled sessions: https://www.meetup.com/Practice-Jazz-Jam-Sessions/events/ **What is it** The novice rehearsal sessions provide an opportunity for people who are relatively new to jazz, to play in a friendly, low-pressure environment. With a short set list that attendees can prepare in advance, it becomes a little less daunting to play and get the most out of practising in a group. See below for this week's setlist. Please sign up before attending. already full for your instrument? Please check back on Wednesday mornings, when new sessions go live. If you keep not being able to get a spot, please message the organiser (Xie). Location: 9M Studios, SE17 1DX **Who's it for** anyone who has practised following the forms (chord progressions) of jazz tunes - maybe on their own at home - and would like to build up playing experience, expand repertoire and practice performing with other musicians. There are various introductions on how jazz jams work - see e.g. https://jazznightschool.org/pages/jam-session-basics You don't need to get all these details right for these novice practice sessions. The set list format should offer opportunities for those at different levels of developing their playing. While at the beginning one might struggle to follow/comp the chords or play through the melody, it gets easier over time and one can start to develop approaches to improvisation, harmonise lead lines, add intros/endings, work on communication between band members, and even listen to recordings together and pick up specific arrangements. Bass players are expected to be able to play a walking bass line on swing tunes, and simple bossa lines for bossa novas. Playing the melody, or "head" - the responbility is shared between horns players (e.g. sax, trumpet, violin), guitar and piano. Feel free to discuss among the group before each song - different parts of the head or the starting / ending heads can be played by different players. Some melodies will better suit several voices at the same time, whereas others are sensitive to variations in how they are played and may prefer a single instrument at a time. **What it's like** A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere - please put aside any worries of making mistakes if you’re thinking of joining us for the first time. To ensure the group is accessible for those at different levels, I ask that each novice session should work on only the below four songs of the set list, unless each and every attendee feels they prefer to move on. Each novice session is limited to up to: 1 drummer, 2 bass, 2 keys, 2 guitar, 3/4 lead instruments. The tickts.co.uk page will have tickets available only for the instruments/vocals with spots remaining. **Tunes this week (Sat May 9)** * Blue bossa in Cm (warm up) (Joe Henderson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUxv3AAaK_Y * Sidewinder in Eb (Joshua Redman) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86lBeSUeh1U * There will never be another you in Eb (Modern Jazz Quartet) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ00miCbQrs * Don't Get Around Much Anymore in C (Sonny Stitt) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHa1bXtsP6M Everyone is encouraged to listen to a variety of recordings for each song, but please ensure you are familiar with the recording provided as a primary reference. (Note the recordings provide stylistic reference, but may not be in the key listed, with the latter based on common real books) **Tune preview - next novice session (Sat May 16)** * Bolivar Blues (aka Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are) in Bb (warm up) (Thelonious Monk) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU-UjXwFi2Y * How insensitive in Dm (Wes Montgomery) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAoXA4IoSyE * Caravan in Fm (note: the form is AABA, first chord C7) (Cohen, Zenon) https://youtu.be/6kxD24KE__k?si=tNFOe16zHexe3VTZ&t=104 * Beatrice in F (Sam Rivers) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2lnek_Z_Zs **Preparing for the session** The chordal form of each song follow the iReal Pro app as a common reference, or you can use sheet music from Real Books. Resource for sheet music: https://www.seventhstring.com/fbindex.html http://therealbook.info/ Try to immerse yourself in the songs by listening to recordings by different artists on youtube, spotify etc. Learn the head (main melody) of the song if you can. Don't hesitate to let the band know you can play it so you can start things off **Playing well together** The rehearsal groups are often quite large for a jazz ensemble setting. Please follow the below arrangements, which are designed to help the group be mindful of each other's volumes, and to build good habits for playing as a group * Every tune should be played at least twice. Swap the bass, piano and guitar players between the two renditions (if there are two attending) * Only one guitarist should comp - i.e. play chords - for each rendition (both guitarists can solo, and comp without amplification) * After each rendition of the warm up tune, the whole group should take a moment together and help each other to check on volumes, including: \*\* Can everyone hear themselves? \*\* Are the drums too loud? \*\* Can everyone hear the bass? \*\* Is the guitar comping too loud? \*\* Is the piano loud enough? (staff at the office can turn this up) \*\* Feel free to revisit volumes after subsequent songs * For any song, if at least two people in the group feel it would be better, the guitar and piano should share the choruses for comping (instead of comping together) - e.g. guitar comps the first time through the head, then piano, then guitar, etc. **Equipment** there is a piano, drum kit (no cymbals or high hat clutch), bass and guitar amps, and microphones. Limited number of music stands. Drummers: please bring cymbals (none available for rental) and hi hat clutch **Percussion** Percussionists are welcome to join with their instruments, alongside the drummer. Feel free to sign up to any session, even one that says "full for all instruments" at the top, unless it explicitly mentions "full for percussion". **Vocalists** singers very welcome though usually I suggest you come to the intermediate sessions where you can pick your own song and key (as chances are many of the above are not in the right key for your range) **Cancellation policy** Please try to make it to any session you sign up to, as the jams are organised around a particular mix of instruments. However, if things do come up and you can no longer make a session, please send a message to the organiser, Xie, as soon as possible. Places are non-refundable if your plans change, but if you provide over 1 week notice it may be possible to carry over the fee for a future session. \-\-\-\- any questions do get in touch!

We meet for informal chat about anything you like. Conversation is free flowing and friendly. We always leave knowing something new! So as to find us easily there will be a GREEN BALL on our table.

**We will be at The Mitre pub in central Greenwich.** This meetup is free and casual. We just sit around for a few hours and write together. Bring a laptop, or use a pen and paper or clay tablet and stylus if that's what works for you. The structure of the session is roughly: 2pm: chat 2:20–3:25: writing time 3:25: chat/coffee break 3:40–4:45 writing time 4:45: chat But our Saturdays are very casual, so feel free to drop in and out. **This is usually in the meeting room at the Mitre. If you arrive a bit later, you may need to ask the bar staff to show you through to the room.**

full for bass, piano, lead instruments, vocals, 1 of 2 spots taken for guitar **Please use this link to sign up and pay** https://tickts.co.uk/events/novice-9-11am-may-9-vortex-upstairs (Note you must already be accepted as a member of this group, otherwise your ticket will be cancelled) full list of scheduled sessions: https://www.meetup.com/Practice-Jazz-Jam-Sessions/events/ **What is it** The novice rehearsal sessions provide an opportunity for people who are relatively new to jazz, to play in a friendly, low-pressure environment. With a short set list that attendees can prepare in advance, it becomes a little less daunting to play and get the most out of practising in a group. See below for this week's setlist. Please sign up before attending. Already full for your instrument? Please check back every other Wednesday, when new sessions go live. If you keep not being able to get a spot, please message the organiser (Xie). Location: Vortex upstairs **Who's it for** Anyone who has practised following the forms (chord progressions) of jazz tunes - maybe on their own at home - and would like to build up playing experience, expand repertoire and practice performing with other musicians. There are various introductions on how jazz jams work - see e.g. https://jazznightschool.org/pages/jam-session-basics You don't need to get all these details right for these novice practice sessions. The set list format should offer opportunities for those at different levels of developing their playing. While at the beginning one might struggle to follow/comp the chords or play through the melody, it gets easier over time and one can start to develop approaches to improvisation, harmonise lead lines, add intros/endings, work on communication between band members, and even listen to recordings together and pick up specific arrangements. Bass players are expected to be able to play a walking bass line on swing tunes, and simple bossa lines for bossa novas. Playing the melody, or "head" - the responsibility is shared between horns players (e.g. sax, trumpet, violin), guitar and piano. Feel free to discuss among the group before each song - different parts of the head or the starting / ending heads can be played by different players. Some melodies will better suit several voices at the same time, whereas others are sensitive to variations in how they are played and may prefer a single instrument at a time. **What it's like** A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere - please put aside any worries of making mistakes if you’re thinking of joining us for the first time. To ensure the group is accessible for those at different levels, I ask that each novice session should work on only the below four songs of the set list, unless each and every attendee feels they prefer to move on. Each novice session is limited to up to: 1 drummer, 2 bass, 2 keys, 2 guitar, 3/4 lead instruments. The tickts.co.uk page will have tickets available only for the instruments/vocals with spots remaining. **Tunes this week (Sat May 9)** * Blue bossa in Cm (warm up) (Joe Henderson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUxv3AAaK_Y * Sidewinder in Eb (Joshua Redman) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86lBeSUeh1U * There will never be another you in Eb (Modern Jazz Quartet) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ00miCbQrs * Don't Get Around Much Anymore in C (Sonny Stitt) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHa1bXtsP6M Everyone is encouraged to listen to a variety of recordings for each song, but please ensure you are familiar with the recording provided as a primary reference. (Note the recordings provide stylistic reference, but may not be in the key listed, with the latter based on common real books) **Tune preview - next novice session (Sat May 16)** * Bolivar Blues (aka Ba-Lue Bolivar Ba-Lues-Are) in Bb (warm up) (Thelonious Monk) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU-UjXwFi2Y * How insensitive in Dm (Wes Montgomery) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAoXA4IoSyE * Caravan in Fm (note: the form is AABA, first chord C7) (Cohen, Zenon) https://youtu.be/6kxD24KE__k?si=tNFOe16zHexe3VTZ&t=104 * Beatrice in F (Sam Rivers) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2lnek_Z_Zs **Preparing for the session** The chordal form of each song follow the iReal Pro app as a common reference, or you can use sheet music from Real Books. Resource for sheet music: https://www.seventhstring.com/fbindex.html http://therealbook.info/ Try to immerse yourself in the songs by listening to recordings by different artists on youtube, spotify etc. Learn the head (main melody) of the song if you can. Don't hesitate to let the band know you can play it so you can start things off **Playing well together** The rehearsal groups are often quite large for a jazz ensemble setting. Please follow the below arrangements, which are designed to help the group be mindful of each other's volumes, and to build good habits for playing as a group * Every tune should be played at least twice. Swap the bass, piano and guitar players between the two renditions (if there are two attending) * Only one guitarist should comp - i.e. play chords - for each rendition (both guitarists can solo, and comp without amplification) * After each rendition of the warm up tune, the whole group should take a moment together and help each other to check on volumes, including: \*\* Can everyone hear themselves? \*\* Are the drums too loud? \*\* Can everyone hear the bass? \*\* Is the guitar comping too loud? \*\* Is the piano loud enough? (staff at the office can turn this up) \*\* Feel free to revisit volumes after subsequent songs * For any song, if at least two people in the group feel it would be better, the guitar and piano should share the choruses for comping (instead of comping together) - e.g. guitar comps the first time through the head, then piano, then guitar, etc. **Equipment** there is a piano, drum kit (no cymbals or high hat clutch), bass and guitar amps, stands, and microphones. Drummers: please bring cymbals (none available for rental) and hi hat clutch **Percussion** Percussionists are welcome to join with their instruments, alongside the drummer. Feel free to sign up to any session, even one that says "full for all instruments" at the top, unless it explicitly mentions "full for percussion". **Vocalists** Singers are welcome, however please note that the songs have fixed keys, and some of the repertoire are likely not in the right key for your range. If you are an experienced singer, it may be possible to arrange sessions with repertoire catered to you - to explore this, please first come to the "Afternoon Open Jams" so I can get a sense of your singing. **Observing** Would you like to attend a session without playing/singing, to get an idea of the format or to get a sense of what to practise first at home? You can sign up as usual to any novice session, and send me a message that you'd like only to watch the session. When you feel ready, the fee paid can be carried over toward any future session where you join to play or sing at the rehearsal. **Cancellation policy** Please try to make it to any session you sign up to, as the jams are organised around a particular mix of instruments. However, if things do come up and you can no longer make a session, please send a message to the organiser, Xie, as soon as possible. Places are non-refundable if your plans change, but if you provide over 1 week notice it may be possible to carry over the fee for a future session. \-\-\-\-\- any questions do get in touch!

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

**✅ Bachata Mondays with Todd Smith!** **👉 Beginner Bachata Class** **$15 In Advance / $20 At the Door** 7:00 pm – 7:15 pm … Registration 7:15 pm – 8:15 pm … Beginner Class **👉 Intermediate Bachata Class** **= $15 In Advance / $20 At the Door** 8:15 pm – 8:30 pm Registration 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm Intermediate Class **👉 If You Take Both Bachata Classes** **= $25 In Advance / $35 At the Door** **👉 Buy Advance Tickets Now at:** https://columbussalsadancing.com/bachata-mondays-dance-class-tickets/

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do 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 10AM on Saturday mornings. 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: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. 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, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

The emotional pain from past bad experiences easily lingers in the present, making it hard to enjoy life and create your future. Even when you think you've moved on, the negative emotions can be triggered, sending you back into the pain of that experience. And we are talking about pain; emotions such as grief, depression, anxiety, fear (or terror), boiling anger, simmering resentment, feelings of shame, blaming and regret can leave you incapacitated to a greater or lesser degree. In this local event we will be discussing the reasons why these past bad experiences have the power to affect you long after they occurred. We'll go over why the emotional pain can be so strong. We'll also discuss some simple solutions to overcome your emotional pain and be free to fully enjoy your life again. Examples of painful experiences include: * A broken relationship or divorce. * Death or loss of a loved one. * Death of a pet. * A sudden shock or bad news. * A betrayal. * Being part of an abusive relationship. * A bad injustice. * Loss of a job, position or business. * A grave illness or injury. The negative emotions from these experiences don't just go away on their own. But the good news is there is a way to clear them out of your way. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored the Dianetics & Scientology Self-Improvement Center.

The topic for May is "Ink" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

Come join our welcoming, low-pressure environment where you can practice performing, build confidence, stay motivated, and connect with others who play piano. Each session is intentionally structured and hosted to ensure everyone has time to play (if they choose), feel supported, socialize, and enjoy the experience. It’s not a class, but a thoughtfully guided space to help you stay consistent and make meaningful progress. **Details:** * Gatherings take place in a private home setting in the Northwest Columbus area (location to be shared after RSVPing) * Small group (max 7–8 participants) to keep the sessions personal and ensure everyone has time to play * Light snacks and refreshments provided * Small fee to support hosting and keep the group high quality and motivated