True Crime

Hello, Jakarta Writer! **Are you a member of [Jakarta Friends](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/) yet?** Want to see **pictures** of past events? **[Take a look here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/photos/)**[!](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/photos/) And feel free to upload a few pictures you might take at the event 😊 JakCre and JakFri is **the** biggest, oldest, most active, and most inclusive MeetUp community in Jakarta… and we invite you to join us for this **SHUT! UP! AND! WRITE! Vol. XXXXVII** Everyone is always welcome to join our events. Our community is all about creating authentic in-person connections in this urban jungle. Come as you are... it’s the best version of yourself. **ABOUT THE EVENT** So, you want to write? Then shut up and write! Writing is 0.01% "inspiration" and 99.99% getting down to it. We will meet for a circa **2,5 hour writing session at Ngoepi in Cilandak**, a cozy café with some tasty bites and a lovely garden near the MRT station Fatmawati Indomaret. It doesn't matter if you are an established writer or if you are picking up pen and paper for the first time. **Just show up, get down to it, and start writing.** Everyone will be working on their own thing, and we won't talk during writing. If you need some prompt or suggestion on what to write, I'll be happy to give you some ideas. After the circa 2,5 h writing session session, we will switch off our laptops and close our notebooks (but if you want to keep going, feel free!) and chill down. We can also share each other texts and give feedback, if that's something someone would like to do. **The rules of the game:** 1. We aim to start together in order not to disrupt the process for everyone. Please be on time. 2. No talking at the table during writing! After arriving at the table, we will focus on our own writing 3. You can take as many breaks as you want of course Don't be late as we want to start writing together, and please do **update your RSVP at least 24h before the event** if you cannot come, else you will take away a spot from a person in the waitlist. Don't be that persons! **Repeated no-shows will be kicked from the group.** We have organised this event before! You can see a few past events here: * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at ngoepi, CIlandak (Jan 2026)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/312325439/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at Rasea Haji Nawi (Nov 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/311510658/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at Mad for Coffee, Cipete (Oct 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/311064766/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at ngoepi, Cilandak (Sept 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/310532158/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at Unifinished Coffee, Blok M (July 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/308766899/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at ngoepi, Cilandak (May 2024)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/306901326/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at M Bloc Space (Feb 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/305775525/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at Kios Ojo Keos, Lebak Bulus (Nov 2024)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/304408423/) * [Shut! Up! And! Write! at ngoepi, Cilandak (Nov 2024)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/303766280/) **ABOUT THE VENUE** **Ngoepi** is a lovely cafe with a cozy book corner and great coffee and snacks. There's an indoor area with airco (non smoking), and a garden/patio outside. * Let's meet directly there. There will be tables prepared for us * Here is a link to the venue for more information: [https://www.instagram.com/ngoepi](https://www.instagram.com/ngoepi) * We encourage you to reach the event by public transportation MRT Fatmawati is just 10 minutes walk! **ABOUT THE HOST** Corrado Nai has a Ph.D. in microbiology and writes mostly about science. His feature articles has been published in Smithsonian Magazine, New Scientist, Asimov Press, Small Things Considered, and many more. Currently he's writing [a graphic novel about agar-agar's surprising role in science](https://fanny-hesse-graphic-novel.site/), called "The Dessert That Changed the World" which can be followed and supported on Patreon at [https://www.patreon.com/corradonai](https://www.patreon.com/corradonai) **HOW TO REGISTER TO THE EVENT?** To register, just click “Attend”! There are a few simple rules * We kindly ask attendees who cannot manage to join to **update RSVP at least 24 h before the event** as a courtesy to other attendees and event organisers. * **Be on time! Don’t be early!** * People in the waitlist cannot attend, and are encouraged to check a few hours before the event if they got a spot * Repeated no-show (3X) without updating RSVP will be removed from the group * Cancellation a few hours before the event unless for force majeur is unfriendly towards organisers, venue, and other attendees and counts as no-show! * People who brings a guest need to make sure that the +1 understands and agrees to our community rules of respect and inclusivity Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! **WE HAVE A MEMBERSHIP FEE. HOW DOES IT WORK?** As this group is slowly unrolling into a Writers' Group, it will be soon possible to join through Patreon, too: https://www.patreon.com/corradonai Monthly membership through Patreon will grant access to **all** events of Jakarta Writers (this group) **and** of [Jakarta Friends](www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends). Our community has a **monthly membership fee** that can be paid through the app (**2 USD/month or about 33k IDR/month**). Membership can also be paid as a **yearly membership of 320k IDR** valid for 365 days after payment. Membership fee is offered with a **promo discount to first-timers**, who can become members for **240k IDR/year** (**Option A**). First-timers can decide to join with a **sneek peak price of 50k IDR & pay the remaining 270k IDR at the next event** they attend (**Option B**). Registered +1 can attend for free. Renewals (after 365 days) and upgrades (to join JakFri) are offered at a special rate. All this is aimed at encouraging people to sign up, and then to attend as many events as they like! Yearly membership can be paid at an event (cash/bank transfer/Gopay) or beforehand (bank transfer/Gopay). Text Corrado (+62 8211 489 3580) if you have any questions about membership. Membership to **both** Jakarta Jakarta Writers and Jakarta Friends is offered for **only** 390k IDR/year (**Option C**). Membership gives **access to all events** plus exclusive perks available only to paying members, like for example our [Give Away Birthday Celebrations with lucky draw](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/300470498) (Sept 2024) or [FREE pasta cooking (and eating 😉) workshop](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/304253623/) (Nov 2024) or [Museum visits with FREE GUIDED TOURS](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/301738408/) (Sept 2024). To most events, attendees can **bring a +1 for free**, and we have some events open to all (paid and unpaid) members. To all members we **guarantee** to keep organizing plenty of events. You will receive a **full refund** if the group closes down, or if there’s no event happening in three months. In the past 3 years we have organised up to 2-3 events per week (browse past event [of JakFri here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/?type=past) and [of JakWri here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/?type=past)). That is, with your membership you can attend up to 5-10 events! We **guarantee** to keep organising plenty of events. You will receive a **full refund** if the group closes down, or if there’s no event happening in three months. **THE RULES OF OUR COMMUNITY** Our communities are: * **Jakarta Friends**: [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends) * **Jakarta Writers (former Creatives)**: [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/) Members often participate in events of both groups. Over the past two years, we held over 250 events with over 2,000 attendees. Attendees rate our events **very positively** and give wonderful feedback, with an average of **4.8**⭐ (out of 5⭐) afrom over 500 reviews ([take a look at our reviews here!](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/feedback-overview/)) We value diversity, inclusivity, respect, and authenticity. We **do not tolerate** harassment or discrimination of any kinds. * You are invited to join our WhatsApp group where we announce our events regularly: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx) * Feel free to tag us on Instagram, and we will repost! [www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives](http://www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives) * For questions about the event, please post a comment on the event page, or DM the event organisers

Most product people aren't struggling to find AI tools. They're struggling to actually ship something real with them. What gets shared publicly is the outcome. What gets left out is everything that makes it hard: the constraint that reshaped the whole idea, the version that almost worked, the moment where your instinct had to carry the work because the tool couldn't. Behind the Build is a room for that conversation. Two speakers, two honest accounts of what building with AI actually looks like. And for the first 10 builders who want to show their work — a stage to do exactly that. # **Event Format** **Speaker #1 — Building AI as the Product A PM** who has shipped an AI-powered product shares the real story behind it. What shaped the decisions, what broke along the way, and what they would do differently. **Speaker #2 — Building AI for the Workflow A PM** who has built internal AI tools to make their own work faster and sharper. Real examples, real constraints, real output. Including tools most people would consider too small to talk about but that changed how they work every day. **Builder Showcase** *(first 10 to opt in)* You get 2 minutes and a screen. Show something you built — finished or not. What it does, how it went, what surprised you. No slides, no pitch. Just an honest look at the work. Then the room gets one question. **Closing Reflection** Before you leave, write down one thing you want to try after joining the event

**Let's make your work day fun! Welcome to our social co-working event where you can get some work done and make new friends at the same time, which is the way co-working should be.** The event is totally fee. We will be co-working at CROCO by Monsieur Spoon Teluk Betung, which is a lovely large cafe with great food and drinks and free Wi-Fi. We will work from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a break for lunch for an hour around midday or 1 p.m. However, you can come and work at anytime that suits you. There will be plenty of time make new connections and chat throughout the day, so come along and give it try. **📢 IMPORTANT: Attendance Reconfirmation Required** To ensure accurate headcounts and reduce no-shows, we're implementing an updated reconfirmation system for all events. **Here's how it works:** * All events start with unlimited RSVPs. * 4 days before each event, a reconfirmation form will be posted in the event comments and shared in the WhatsApp group. * You must reconfirm ASAP by submitting the form. Your spot is guaranteed only after you reconfirm. * The form closes once we reach the target attendance number. * Anyone who hasn’t reconfirmed when the form closes will be removed from the attendee list. * If you can’t attend, change your status to Not Going. **Two‑strike rule: If you don’t reconfirm or change your status to Not Going two times, you will be removed from the group.** Thanks for helping us keep things running smoothly. Looking forward to seeing you all there. Please feel free to let me know here or join our active and friendly WhatsApp Group Chat: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FBQsf4Cv4yWACNs9gbiYNH](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FBQsf4Cv4yWACNs9gbiYNH) Instagram:[ [https://www.instagram.com/jakartasocialgroup](https://www.instagram.com/jakartasocialgroup)]

Let's get mad with laughter at this special comedy event in English! Join other Jakarta Writers (former Jakarta Creatives) to attend this fun afternoon, make new friends, and avoid being roasted alone in the audience! 😄 Everyone is welcome to join! **This event is FREE to attend!** The event is organised to support our friends "Mad for Laughs". Please take a look at their page too and consider joining their group to support local creatives, artists, and comedians in the city! https://www.meetup.com/english-open-mic-stand-up-comedy/ Come alone of with a friend/partner/family/colleague! At the end of the event we can gather and mingle outside the venue! **ABOUT THE EVENT** 🎤 Expect anything from bold new comics to people just testing the waters. No script, no filter, just raw, unpolished fun. 📍Doors open at 3:30PM \| Show starts at 4:00PM 🎟 Free entry\. Bring your friends\, your date\, or just yourself just make sure to RSVP the total pax\, because we have limited seats\! Interested in performing? Sign up [here](https://forms.gle/x1YsKfoNBSsFXsd29)! **With Jakarta Writers (former Jakarta Creatives) we have organised many comedy events before! Take a look here:** * [ENGLISH COMEDY SHOW at Mad For Laugh (April 2026)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/314031311/) * [ENGLISH COMEDY SHOW at Mad For Laugh (Feb 2026)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/313406747/) * [ENGLISH COMEDY SHOW at Mad For Laugh (Jan 2026)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/312964219/) * [ENGLISH COMEDY SHOW at Mad For Laugh (Nov 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/311725577/) * [ENGLISH COMEDY SHOW at Mad For Laugh (Sept 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/311180281/) * [ENGLISH COMEDY SHOW at Mad For Laugh (Aug 2025)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/310350396/) * [Comedy night (December 2023)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/297393682/) * [Comedy night open mic (July 2023)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/294474235/?eventOrigin=your_events) * [Comedy night (July 2023)](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/294901153/) **ABOUT THE VENUE** **Mad for Coffee Cipete** is a cozy café with a dedicated area for the show! I guess they have coffee, as well 😉 **HOW TO REGISTER TO THE EVENT?** To register, just click “Attend”! There are a few simple rules * We kindly ask attendees who cannot manage to join to **update RSVP at least 24 h before the event** as a courtesy to other attendees and event organisers. * Attendees who bring a +1 need to make sure that the guest abide to our rules our respect and inclusivity Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! **THE RULES OF OUR COMMUNITY** Our communities are: * **Jakarta Friends**: [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends) * **Jakarta Writers** (former Jakarta Creatives): [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/) Members often participate in events of both groups. Over the past two years, we held over 250 events with over 2,000 attendees. Attendees rate our events **very positively** and give wonderful feedback, with an average of **4.8**⭐ (out of 5⭐) from about 400 reviews ([take a look at our reviews here!](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/feedback-overview/)) We value diversity, inclusivity, respect, and authenticity. We **do not tolerate** harassment or discrimination of any kinds. * You are invited to join our WhatsApp group where we announce our events regularly: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx) * Feel free to tag us on Instagram, and we will repost! [www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives](http://www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives) * For questions about the event, please post a comment on the event page, or DM the event organisers

Main Bareng Pickleball at Ancol Tennis Warehouse. Join us for fun, socialising and sports at Ancol Tennis Warehouse.

“**Paradia** in Cilandak adds to the excitement of the city’s burgeoning lifestyle compounds, gathering on-the-rise brands from popular baked pasta and donburi eatery to a 3D nail salon from Bali.”—Manual Jakarta ([read article here](https://manual.co.id/directory/paradia-compound/)) Let's explore together this hip pop-up in the heart to JakSel! Enjoy the start of the long weekend after a day of hard work. Come anytime and mingle for food or drinks. Register today to get your spot! **ABOUT THIS EVENT** The week is over and the long weekend is starting! Let's wind down and have some social time. Come any time and mingle at the **urban modernist hub Paradia Complex**: https://www.instagram.com/pa.ra.dia/ We will get food and drinks and chit-chat in this fantastic open space with plenty of eateries and sit downs. Get to know like-minded people who like to have authentic connections and make new friends in an informal setting. We are the biggest, first, most active, and most inclusive MeetUp community in Jakarta and get excellent ratings from attendees (see below)! **Prompts to get the conversation started and if anyone needs help to break the ice** 😊 What brought a smile to your face this week? What are you looking forward to for this long weekend? I kindly ask everyone to repsect and update their RSVP for facilitate organisation, otherwise just arrive anytime between 6.30-9.30 PM! **ABOUT THE VENUE** Pizza Krust, Demie, Bruule, Gokyo Donburi, Strange Coffee,... There are plenty of great eatieries and cafés at Paradia. Grab a beer or a drink at Kap It All, it that's your thing. And take a look at the nice small shops! The urban and modernist style of Paradia Complex make it a perfect setting for spontaneous sit-downs. Places like Paradia Complex make a city like Jakarta vibrant and exciting to explore! Take a look at their Insta (https://www.instagram.com/pa.ra.dia/) and Google link (https://maps.app.goo.gl/osDDsUprHRdTGA3c9) for all info you need. **HOW TO REGISTER TO THE EVENT?** To register, just click “Attend”! There are a few simple rules: * We kindly ask attendees who cannot manage to join to **update RSVP at least 2 h before the event** as a courtesy to other attendees and event organisers. * You can arrive anytime after 6.30 PM for this event. Post a message in the event page in case you cannot find everyone! * People in the waitlist **cannot** attend, and are encouraged to check a few hours before the event to see if they got a spot * If you'd like to come with a +1, you can. Please contact the organiser * 3X no-show without updating RSVP = removal from the group. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! **WE HAVE A MEMBERSHIP FEE. HOW DOES IT WORK?** Our community has a **membership fee** that make sure we can keep organising plenty of events as we did over the past 4 years. Membership can be paid as a **yearly membership** of 340k IDR valid for 365 days after payment. Pay online **ahead** of the event to get **10% off**! Membership gives **access to all events** plus exclusive perks\*\*(\*)\*\* available only to paying members. As a first-timer, you have several options: * **Option A**: Join with a *promo discount* for first-timers for 250k IDR/year. Get 10% if you pay online ahead of the event! * **Option B**: Not sure if you want to join for a year? Join with a 50k IDR *sneak peek option* & pay the remaining 290k IDR at the next event * **Option C**: *Bundle offer* to join both Jakarta Friends **and** **[Jakarta Writers](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers)** for 390k IDR instead of 680k IDR. First-timers only. All three options can be redeemed with an additional **10% discount** when paid online **ahead** of an event. In the past 3,5 years we have organised **\~2-3 events per week** (browse past event [of JakFri here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/?type=past) and [of JakWri here](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/events/?type=past)). That is, with your membership you can attend up to 5-10 events/month! \*\*(\*)\*\*This is a non-exhaustive list of *special events* we have had for paying members only. A [Give Away Birthday Celebrations with lucky draw](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/300470498), a [Free pasta cooking (and eating 😉) workshop](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/events/304253623/) or a [Museum visits with free guided tours](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/events/301738408/). We **guarantee** to keep organizing plenty of events. You will receive a **full refund** if the group closes down, or if there’s no event happening in three months. Yearly membership can be paid beforehand (bank transfer/Gopay) or at an event (cash/bank transfer/Gopay). Text Corrado (+62 8211 489 3580) if you have any questions about membership. It's easy! **THE RULES OF OUR COMMUNITY** Our communities are: * **Jakarta Friends**: [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends) * **Jakarta Writers** (former Creatives): [https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-writers/](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-creatives/) Members often participate in events of both groups. Over the past two years, we held over 250 events with over 2,000 attendees. Attendees rate our events **very positively** and give wonderful feedback, with an average of **4.8**⭐ (out of 5⭐) from around 600 reviews ([take a look at our reviews here!](https://www.meetup.com/jakarta-friends/feedback-overview/)) We value diversity, inclusivity, respect, and authenticity. We **do not tolerate** harassment or discrimination of any kinds. * You are invited to join our WhatsApp group where we announce our events regularly: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx](https://chat.whatsapp.com/BR0sC0BrPbc9xTqvj1qLfx) * Feel free to tag us on Instagram, and we will repost! [www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives](http://www.intagram.com/jakarta.friends.creatives) * For questions about the event, please post a comment on the event page, or DM the event organisers

**Let's escape the hustle and bustle of Jakarta with a late afternoon stroll through Senayan GBK Park and make some new friends along the way!** Senayan GBK Park is located in the heart of the city and is a nice place to visit and explore. Starting from Entrance 7 (Pintu 7), we will walk around and through the park and then over to Senayan Park Complex. Afterwards, we'll go to Lucy in the Sky at Spark, located on the rooftop of Senyan Park Mall for some refreshing drinks and food. This last part is optional for people who want to go. The walk will be a casual stroll around several connecting parks. The walk will take approximately 1:30 hours. We will meet just outside Entrance 7 near the main road. Please be on time, as once we start the walk it will be very difficult to locate us. However, we will post the live location on the WhatsApp Group chat. This is a fun and social event, and everyone is encouraged to get to know each other and make new friends. **📢 IMPORTANT: Attendance Reconfirmation Required** To ensure accurate headcounts and reduce no-shows, we're implementing an updated reconfirmation system for all events. **Here's how it works:** * All events start with unlimited RSVPs. * 4 days before each event, a reconfirmation form will be posted in the event comments and shared in the WhatsApp group. * You must reconfirm ASAP by submitting the form. Your spot is guaranteed only after you reconfirm. * The form closes once we reach the target attendance number. * Anyone who hasn’t reconfirmed when the form closes will be removed from the attendee list. * If you can’t attend, change your status to Not Going. **Two‑strike rule: If you don’t reconfirm and don’t change to Not Going two times, you will be removed from the group.** Thanks for helping us keep things running smoothly. Looking forward to seeing you all there. If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know here or join our friendly and active WhatsApp Group Chat: [https://chat.whatsapp.com/FBQsf4Cv4yWACNs9gbiYNH](https://chat.whatsapp.com/FBQsf4Cv4yWACNs9gbiYNH) Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/jakartasocialgroup](https://www.instagram.com/jakartasocialgroup)

IMPORTANT!!! THE DATE OF THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO SUNDAY MAY 17, 2026!!! A very unusual choice for his group... Unknown Number: High School Catfish is an American [true crime](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_crime "True crime") documentary film directed by [Skye Borgman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skye_Borgman "Skye Borgman") and released to [streaming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streaming_media "Streaming media") on [Netflix](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix "Netflix") on August 29, 2025. The documentary explores the events and investigation into an unknown person [cyberbully](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberbullying "Cyberbullying") and [harassing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harassment "Harassment") teenagers in [Beal City, Michigan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beal_City,_Michigan "Beal City, Michigan") using an unknown number via insults and sexual claims. It also explores the increasingly great impact of the harassment on the community, the eventual reveal of the culprit, and the trial that followed. IMPORTANT INFO: I strongly suggest not reading anything about it online before seeing it. It's best viewed with no previous knowledge. This documentary contains crude terminology and deals with cyberbullying, which may be a trigger for some folks. Please be ready to discuss the movie by 7PM. Thanks. Unfortunately, it is only available on Netflix. If you would like to attend but do not have Netflix, say so and maybe we can figure something out.

Join us as we get together to see your choice of two VERY different movies – one sweet and wholesome – the other a terrifying folklore horror! Option 1 is the fun whodunnit-action-comedy-mystery led by Hugh Jackman, THE SHEEP DETECTIVES! Option 2 is the top-reviewed supernatural-horror-thriller starring Adam Scott, HOKUM! Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: THE SHEEP DETECTIVES: Every night a shepherd reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand. When he is found dead, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it. The film is directed by Kyle Balda and take a look at this ensemble cast: Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau and Emma Thompson and the voices of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O'Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Brett Goldstein and Rhys Darby. TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyZI5oM6hWk HOKUM: In this film, a horror writer visits an Irish inn to scatter his parents' ashes, unaware the property is said to be haunted by a witch. It is written/directed by Damian McCarthy stars Adam Scott, Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh and Austin Amelio. Hokum premiered to rave reviews at this year’s SXSW Festival and is being release by Neon. It is earning a stellar 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which calls it, “A classic haunted house story enriched with atmospheric folklore and perfectly-timed shocks!” TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVCIK_MPyhc PLAN: For those seeing HOKUM, please purchase your ticket for the 7:00pm showing and meet inside the theater lobby at 6:50pm! For those seeing THE SHEEP DETECTIVES, please purchase your ticket for the 7:15pm showing and meet inside the theater lobby at 7:00pm! For BOTH films, we’ll plan for a pre-show bite at nearby El Vaquero! For those joining for dinner, we’ll meet at El Vaquero at 5:45pm! Should be a couple of fun movies and a good time together, Dan

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!

Join Neurospicy Columbus at the Stauff's for coffee and then a stroll through the Book Loft nearby! This will be a friendly chat for like minded individuals with Autism and/or ADHD (or somewhere on the Neurodiverse Spectra).

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.