Storytelling

**A Vietnamese home-style New Year’s Eve for those spending the night in Berlin.** On New Year’s Eve, many things in Berlin revolve around noise, countdowns, and party plans made weeks in advance. For a homebody like me, I often feel a little out of place. And this year, I suddenly don’t feel like spending the holiday alone. So I’m opening my kitchen for a spontaneous, cozy and low-key New Year’s Eve gathering. **The Story** It was a culture shock for me to realize that New Year’s Eve in Europe doesn’t have a strong family focus. In Vietnam, it does. In my family, New Year’s Eve get-together has never been about showing up when dinner is ready. One family hosts, but everyone helps. We arrive hours early. We cook together, snack in the kitchen, drink a little wine, talk, and catch up. The food is finished before midnight, but we don’t eat yet. At midnight, we gather, make a toast, welcome the new year, and only then do we sit down and eat together. This evening follows that tradition. **What the evening looks like** * **Cooking together** I’ll show you how to make Vietnamese fried spring rolls using my family recipe. If you’re curious, I’ll also share how I prepare other dishes on the menu. * **Year-end reflection** Before eating, we’ll take a short pause to reflect on the year that’s ending. You’ll be invited to write a short letter to yourself for the year ahead. I’ll keep your sealed letter and send it back to you in January, and then remind you to open it one year from now. * **Midnight** We eat and celebrate together after midnight. **The NYE Menu** * **Chả giò chiên** – Vietnamese fried spring rolls *(we’ll roll them together; some will be fried for the night, and if there's leftover, you're welcome to take some home. So don't be shy and bring your Tupperware!)* * **Cánh gà chiên nước mắm tỏi** – garlic fish sauce fried chicken * **Thịt ba rọi quay** – crispy roasted pork belly * A **small, sweet dessert surprise** Drinks (tea, water, & a reasonable casual-drinking amount of wine/beer) are included. No vegan or vegetarian option will be available for this dinner. Stay up to date on future events: 📌 Meetup: https://shorturl.at/oqEOS 📌 Instagram: **@homecookedstories.trang** 📌 WhatsApp (event announcements only): https://lnkd.in/erGdGMYr **Good to Know** 📍 **Location:** Pankow, Berlin (M2 tram stop Prenzlauer Promenade / Am Steinberg — exact address shared after RSVP) 📅 **Date:** Tuesday, December 31, event starts at 8:30PM and meal starts after midnight 💶 **Contribution:** **€40 per person** (includes food, drinks, and the full experience) 👥 **Seats:** Limited to **6 guests** Payment details will be shared after RSVP confirmation.

The New Year's Eve on Drachenberg last year was so much fun that I am offering this event again this year! We will meet outside the east entrance to Nikolassee S-Bahn station on Alemannenstraße (make sure you don't get the entrances mixed up!) and follow the route through Schlachtensee, Krumme Lanke, Grunewaldsee and Hundekehlefenn. After crossing the railway tracks and the AVUS at the Grunewald S-Bahn station, we will walk through the forest to reach the summit of the Drachenberg. Ideally, we will arrive at the top of the hill at midnight, just in time to see the fireworks lighting up the Berlin sky. At 0.45am, we will start our return journey to Heerstraße S-Bahn station. From there, it's just a five-minute train ride to Savigny Platz station and Schwarzes Café, where I've reserved a table. The café staff are prepared to serve us food and drink until at least 3 am. While we will have spectacular views on Drachenberg, please also prepare for unpleasant wind and cold. For this part of the event, it would be useful to bring extra coats, windproof jackets, and hot drinks. Sekt and the like is also welcome! If you need to contact other participants during the hike (for example, to find out where to meet us if you are running late), use the WhatsApp group. (A few hours before the hike, I will privately share the link with all participants to prevent bots from hijacking the group.) For all other purposes, especially socialising and posting photos, please use the Telegram subgroup 'Event Chat & Photos': https://t.me/addlist/KAOk2PA4BDE0ZTY8 . The hike will take place if at least 6 people sign up. As long as there are more than 6 people, you can sign up and cancel as many times as you like. If there are 6 or less people, please avoid cancelling, as this might make the other participants feel insecure about whether the hike will take place (or whether there is something wrong with the hike and they should cancel as well --> [Matthew effect - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_effect)). If there are less than 6 participants, the hike will also take place unless the majority of the participants are in favor of canceling the hike.

Come along, grab a coffee, shut up, and write! We will do at least two sessions of each 45 minutes of writing and two breaks. We will start the first writing session at 10:15. For space reasons, we are limited to a certain number of attendees, so please update your RSVP if you can't come. We are typically by the large windows facing the U-Bahn entrance. If you are new, come and say hello, as we know that suddenly going quiet for 45 minutes and staring at that blank page can be intimidating when it's your first time. We have a lot of long-term regulars who will be happy to help you feel welcome. In between sessions, we have a Telegram chat: https://t.me/joinchat/ERW3pxD5kfELGeWs9SUhjw For more information, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com/).

**The traditional gaming day, returning for 2025.** No plans for Silvester? Don't like loud or large groups, or clubbing? No problem. Let us celebrate Silvester with board gaming, pen & paper roleplaying games, and food and drink. We're starting early with games for kids, then some long-form games in the afternoon, and then switch to shorter games in the evening. **Rough timeline:** 13:00 Kid's board or card games 15:00 Boardgames & RPGs (these will definitely include the now traditional *Land of Og*) 19:00 Pizza! 19:30 More gaming! 23:00 Dinner for One 23:45 Countdown with champagne **We will provide:** * board games * roleplaying games * snacks, drinks, and pizzas * champagne * nosy cats You provide: yourself! (And any specialty drinks or snacks you'd like to share.) As this is at our house, space is limited. We therefore ask you to only mark yourself as attending if you're truly coming, and to update your attendance if you can no longer make it. Similarly, if spaces have run out but you want to attend, please put yourself on the waiting list—there is generally a lot of movement close to the event. Our house is a short bus ride or a \~25 minute walk from S Mahlsdorf, where the S5 connects conveniently to Ostkreuz, Alexanderplatz, and others. If it's the same as previous years, on Silvester the S5 runs every 10 minutes until after 02:00, at which point it switches to every 20 minutes. The 395 bus to S Mahlsdorf runs every 20 minutes, and later switches to the N95 that runs every 30 minutes, so connectivity is pretty good.

The Minority Report is a weekly stand-up comedy show about identity, culture, and the expat experience. Are you a minority in Europe? Did something weird, awkward, or low-key offensive happen to you this week? This is the space to vent your feelings about it. Every week, comedians Bryan Lee and Moe Singleton take the stage to unpack life as outsiders, offering their unique commentary on topics like race, masculinity, relationships, and life between cultures. Add weekly special guest comedians and “question time” with the audience, and you’ve got Berlin’s most unhinged comedy experience. 🎟️ Want to warm up before the show? Check out our comedy workshop – a beginner-friendly stand-up class with Bryan and Moe, hosted just before the show.

FLINTA Creative + Academic Writing Circle (Berlin / hybrid) Are you writing a thesis, a paper, a story, or simply searching for your voice? This circle offers a safe and supportive space for FLINTA writers to meet weekly, share writing time, and exchange feedback. ✏️ We begin each session with a short warm-up exercise (creative or reflective). 📖 Then, we write together in quiet focus. 💬 Finally, we share thoughts, questions, or fragments. Whether you’re working on research, poetry, essays, or personal projects — you’ll find companionship and accountability

Für Mitglieder von Text Collective Berlin ist die Teilnahme an dieser Veranstaltung kostenlos. Nicht-Mitglieder werden um eine Spende von zehn Euro gebeten. Weitere Informationen zur Mitgliedschaft auf: https://textcollective.de Es handelt sich um einen moderierten Workshop. Kreative Schreibübung mit anschließender Diskussion zum Erfahrungsaustausch, Inspiration und Motivation zu sammeln.

[*Registration form required below*] **Interested in Japanese sword fighting or Japanese culture? Come join a trial and experience the traditional Samurai art at Katori Shintō-ryū in Schöneberg.** **Trial Fee**: **25€**/ session (2hr). Classes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 19:00 to 21:00. **!!SIGN UP HERE**: [Katori Shinto-ryū Berlin Sign-up (google.com)](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBt4A13VgnEcgQQ2PDaruthmYMRWineG4KtUCKsuC9KBsCUQ/viewform) Registration is required before your participation so that we can prepare enough training equipment. **Address**: Belziger Str. 25, 10823 Berlin. **No previous experience required!** The classes are in English and German. **Our website**: [Kenjutsu Berlin - Official school of Katori Shinto-ryu in Berlin (katoriberlin.org)](https://katoriberlin.org/) **Katori Shintō-ryū** is one of the oldest Japanese sword fighting traditions (koryū) still practised today and is recognized by the Japanese government as a cultural intangeable asset. The school was founded in the middle of the 15th century by Iizasa Chōisai Ienao at the Katori Shrine (Katori jingū) and has become the origin of numerous other martial arts schools over the course of its almost 600-year history. The training consists of the continuous repetition of fixed sequences of movements (kata) and includes the use of classic Japanese weapons such as the sword (iai-jutsu, battō-jutsu, ken-jutsu, ryōtō-jutsu, kodachi-jutsu), the long staff (bō-jutsu), the lance (naginata-jutsu) and the spear (sō-jutsu), as well as unarmed disciplines, tactics and spiritual aspects. **The Katori Berlin dojo** is the only official shibu of Otake Nobutoshi-shihan’s dojo Shinbukan in Germany and fully dedicated to the transmission and study of one martial tradition: Tenshinshō-den Katori Shintō-ryū. Through these efforts we aim to contribute to the cultural preservation of this martial tradition. The dojo has one officially appointed shidosha. **Our sensei**: Sebastian Graetz has been active in martial arts since 1997. After almost 15 years of taekwondo in Berlin, he started with Katori Shintō-ryū in Asia in 2014. Since then, he has studied in Japan with Ōtake Risuke-shihan and Ōtake Nobutoshi-shihan, and in Vietnam with Malte Stokhof-shihandai. In 2023, he received his Menkyo license and permission to set up a training group in Berlin the following year.

Hello fellow writers, This is our Sunday meet-up at café Peppe. Come along, grab a coffee, shut up, and write! There will be two sessions of writing, each lasting 45 minutes, and two breaks. \- The first writing session will start at 10:45 am\. \- Second session will start at 11:45 am\. PS: We have limited space of 18 peoples. Please sign up accordingly. See you all on Sunday.

Wir proben jeden Sonntag. Falls du mitmachen möchtest, bist du herzlich zu unseren offenen Proben eingeladen, die einmal pro Monat stattfinden. **Voraussetzung für die Teilnahme: Du sprichst Deutsch und Chinesisch mindestens auf Niveau B1.** 我们周日都排练，想来试试吗？每个月有一次公开排练，欢迎参加！**要求很简单：德语和中文B1以上就行。** **Anmeldung \| 报名方式，请见：** [https://www.ticketsource.com/improtheater-deutsch-chinesisch](https://www.ticketsource.com/improtheater-deutsch-chinesisch) **Worum geht’s?** Eine Improtheater-Gruppe für Menschen, die Deutsch und Chinesisch sprechen – und Lust haben, spontan kreativ zu sein. **这是个什么活动？** 欢迎所有会说中文和德语、想要即兴发挥创意的人加入我们的即兴戏剧小组！ **Was ist Improtheater eigentlich?** Impro ist Theater ohne Drehbuch. Alles entsteht im Moment – Figuren, Geschichten und Dialoge. Szenen entstehen zum Beispiel auf Zuruf von Begriffen durch Mitspieler oder das Publikum. **即兴戏剧到底是什么？** 即兴戏剧是一种剧场表演形式，在没有剧本或预设剧情的情况下由演员即兴创作。演员在舞台上根据观众的提示、建议或现场情境，临场创作角色、对话和剧情。 **Wer kann mitmachen?** Jeder, der Spaß am Theaterspielen hat sowie beide Sprachen (Deutsch und Chinesisch) auf gutem Niveau spricht. **谁可以参加？** 只要你喜欢表演，并且能流利地使用德语和中文，就能加入我们！ **Proben \| 排练安排** **Wann?** Immer sonntags, 14–16 Uhr **时间：** 每周日下午2点到4点 **Wo?** Brunnenstraße 145, 10115 Berlin **地点：** Brunnenstraße 145, 10115 柏林 **Kosten:** 5 Euro pro Mal **费用：** 5欧元一次

Come along, grab a coffee, shut up, and write! We will do at least two sessions of each 45 minutes of writing and two breaks. We will start the first writing session at 11:15. **For space reasons, we are limited to a certain number of attendees, so please update your RSVP if you can't come**. We often have a large waiting list, and not updating your RSVP or not showing up if you do RSVP yes means that others miss out. We also ask that if you do change your RSVP, do it with reasonable notice. Thanks! We typically take over all of the cafe, but try to share tables if you can to allow space for other customers. If you are new, come and say hello, as we know that suddenly going quiet for 45 minutes and staring at that blank page can be intimidating when it's your first time. We have a lot of long-term regulars who will be happy to help you feel welcome. In between sessions, we have a Telegram chat: https://t.me/joinchat/ERW3pxD5kfELGeWs9SUhjw For more information, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://shutupwrite.com/).

**⭐ NEW LOCATION! ⭐ PLEASE ARRIVE BEFORE 8PM! ⭐** The Creative Code Stammtisch is a casual show-and-tell for artists, makers, designers, coders, performers, learners and anyone interested in the use of computing skills for artistic expression. The event is free and open to all, regardless of age, origin, gender or experience. Beginners and first-timers should feel especially welcome! You don't have to be a coder yourself 😃 HOW TO FIND US? Find Prachtsaal Studio by crossing the courtyard next to Cafe Augusta on Jonasstr. 22, 12053 Berlin. **NOTE: NEW LOCATION!** WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? We start with quick introductions, then open the floor to anyone who wants to present something. There are usually around six 10-minute slots available, plus time for questions from the audience. First-timers are encouraged to share their work. Topics range from net art to computational design and interactive installations all the way to wearable electronics or generative poetry. If you’re wondering whether your own project might fit, take a look at the [Stammtisch archive](https://creativecodeberlin.github.io/Stammtisch/) to see what others have shared in the past. This event is *not* just for coders! New-media artists and anyone working with technology in their art are very welcome to share. If you enjoy art and/or technology, you’ll likely have a great time, and maybe even learn something new! BEGINNERS WELCOME! If you’re new to creative coding, you can find beginner-friendly resources at [creativecode.berlin/learn](https://creativecode.berlin/learn). THIS IS YOUR SPACE We do our best to create a welcoming environment for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. People from group generally underrepresented in open-source, art, and technology fields are warmly encouraged to come by. And if you know someone who might enjoy this meetup but isn’t sure it’s for them, let them know they’ll be welcome! SAFE SPACE POLICY We support the Berlin Code of Conduct: [berlincodeofconduct.org](http://berlincodeofconduct.org/) Please read and make sure you agree with its content. ACCESSIBILITY Prachtsaal Studio is located on an easy to access ground floor. We're very sorry to say that the bathrooms are not wheelchair accessible yet. DO I NEED TO SPEAK GERMAN? We speak mostly English so international guests are more than welcome! Our team also speaks French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Finnish and German... though language availability may vary depending on which organizers are present :) CONTACT Raphaël de Courville team@creativecode.berlin +49 (0) 176 70070572 or get in touch via [creativecode.berlin](https://creativecode.berlin/) *** The featured artwork of the month is by aBe. We'd love to feature your work on the cover for the next Stammtisch! Please send an image at team@creativecode.berlin

We are going to be seated together at **the big table on the 1st floor** of the cafe. As always, we will do **two sessions of each 45 minutes** of writing with **one break of 15 minutes** in-between. We are making reservation and counting on you to show up, so please register only when you are going to be there, don't forget to update your RSVP if you can't come. Unfortunately cafes in Berlin are getting less and less laptop-friendly, please don't forget to order your drink or snack to support the cafe which will have us. If you are new to the meetup, don't worry, just come and say hi to the organizer. We also have many long-term regulars who will be happy to help you out and feel welcomed. We also have a **Telegram chat**: https://t.me/joinchat/ERW3pxD5kfELGeWs9SUhjw For more information, visit: https://shutupwrite.com Looking forward to see you! 😊

The topic for January is "Chemistry" 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 7:00 pm, show starts at 7:30 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!

The topic for February is "Transitions" 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 7:00 pm, show starts at 7:30 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!

First Sundays are free admission at Franklin Park Conservatory. Sunday, January 4th, is also the last day The Palm House will be open before renovations begin. Let’s meet, enjoy a respite from January weather, and wander the gardens. Free neanthe bella palms are available to guests, beginning at 10am, while supplies last. Afterwards, we can visit the nearby East Market (212 Kelton Avenue).

[The Board Walks](http://www.theboardwalks.com/) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** and join us for a 5-mile walk (10,000+ steps!). **HOW IT WORKS** **Step 1: Bring a topic** Before you arrive, think of **one** topic you want to explore. A question. A thought that's been on your mind. An obsession you want to geek out on. This is your ticket to the event. **Step 2: Circle up & share** We gather in a circle. Your friendly walk host gives a speech to set the tone. Everyone shares: your name, what you're grateful for, and your topic. That's it. 60 seconds. **Step 3: Walk, talk & float** We walk 5 miles. You naturally drift into conversation with 2-3 people at a time, pulled by topics that spark your curiosity. When you're ready to move on, just say: "I'm going to float!" **Step 4: Feel more alive** Two hours flies by. You're back where you started — but you feel different. More alive. More energized. More connected to yourself and others. That's why regulars join 20+ times. *For more details, read our [Orientation Guide.](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation)* **HOW TO BRING A GREAT TOPIC** A great topic = something you're genuinely curious about. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. **WHAT TO EXPECT** This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together, beyond small talk. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **FAQ** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We have multiple first-timers at each event. We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * We welcome people of **all** ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **LOGISTICS** * If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we suggest skipping the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and your host can't answer messages during the event. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). This format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. * Read our [Orientation Guide](https://www.theboardwalks.com/orientation) for full details. * If you enjoy the event, send **[this](http://www.theboardwalks.com/)** to a friend or sign up for our **[newsletter](https://theboardwalks.beehiiv.com/)**. We're in multiple cities with more on the way. 🤠👋 **IF YOU WANT TO GO DEEPER...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. Apply [here](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board).

Try new games, meet new people, and find out what story games are all about! Explore the reaches of space! Witness kingdoms rise and fall! Create and explore tragedies! All within a single game night. We play story games like Fiasco, Kingdom, Polaris and Microscope that encourage everyone at the table to participate creatively. We also have one-shots of indie, OSR, and narrative-focused RPGs such as Apocalypse World, Dread, Lady Blackbird, and Old School Essentials! Everybody's welcome! It doesn't matter if you've never tried story games before or never played roleplaying games at all! Just bring your brain and a good attitude and come try it out! *** **IMPORTANT** * When you arrive look for the marked Story Games Columbus Tables. Each table will have a separate game. Seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis. * If all tables are full, look for a Facilitator. We will find a way to get you into a game! * There is a flat $3 cover charge for events at Tabletop. *** **Facilitators!!** Please arrive early so that we can get you set up with a table. Please reach out to me ASAP if you would be willing to help facilitate. You can reach me on the SGC Discord here - https://discord.gg/jUTvWUu

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [5 Bean Coffee](https://5beancoffee.com/)!

We’ll be reading Brigands and Breadknives by Travis Baldtree this month! We recommend readingading “Bookshops and Bonedust” and “Legends and Lattes” before reading Brigands and Breadknives.