Vocal Harmonies

We're back - after a summer break - and we want more voices and more instruments for our workshops and for our next public performance (optional, no pressure - but I know you'll love it). Ideal entry for singers new to our workshops. Classic Soul songs in full vocal arrangements with live band. Let's bring the backgrounds to the foreground (where they belong) and put them on an equal footing with the lead vocals. Visit the "Thursday" page of our new spreadsheet to see vacancies, current members, current repertoire, and to make and see suggestions for new repertoire: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Zb1cMKrOMDvxacsw9AoRRstkx-M7r_NIrF4tZJIREU0/edit?usp=sharing This is for you if you are: • a backing vocalist • a lead vocalist • a backing vocalist who wants to develop their lead vocal skills • a lead vocalist who wants to develop their backing vocal skills • a singer who wants to develop their percussion skills • a musician who wants to accompany singers and support them • a musician who wants to develop their own vocal skills • a guitarist, keyboard player, bass player, drummer, horn player, string player, percussionist Use your existing skills and develop new ones. The Soul repertoire offers an incredibly rich variety of vocal combinations. We will be able to choose songs to suit whatever combination of leads and backing vocals we get. Have fun singing essential, but often neglected elements of the arrangements. Vocal backgrounds play an important role in Soul - using call-and-response; creating variety of texture; defining sections of the song; differentiating repeats of the same section; building excitement. The workshop will be led by Andy Dummett. Andy has been privileged to play with many of the great singers, songwriters and musicians from Stax, Atlantic, Motown and more The way we use the studio has changed. This should be reassuring for those who are hesitant or cautious. Husky is a very Covid-secure venue and it’s important that all our members are protected, especially the most vulnerable. I would not be starting up again if I wasn’t confident in their procedures. Full details are available on the studio’s website: https://www.huskystudios.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Husky-Studios-Coronavirus-COVID-19-customer-guide.pdf Please read it all. It’s too long for me to copy it all here, but I’d like to draw your attention to some of the main points. · Wear a mask when you come in · Use the hand sanitiser at the entrance · Bring your own hand sanitiser for use in the room · Bring spare masks if you need them (they are available from the office – but for £5 each!) · Let me know you’re coming. If I’m expecting you, let me know if you’re not coming. · Let me have your phone number AND postcode for NHS Test & Trace · Microphones will be available and will have been disinfected. There is a deposit of £5 per mic, refunded on return · Microphone cables are not available. If you need to use a mic, please bring your own cable These workshops can support what you do in your own bands and in band workshops run by the Institute of Rhythm & Blues (http://www.meetup.com/London-Institute-of-Rhythm-Blues-Meetup/) Please check the studio's website for the latest Covid procedures: https://www.huskystudios.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Husky-Studios-Coronavirus-COVID-19-customer-guide.pdf Fees: Per session (drop-in): £15 Your fees include the group's costs for rehearsal studio rental and hire of mic's, PA, bass amp, guitar amps and drum kit. We will work towards a public performance. See our Calendar (http://www.meetup.com/London-Institute-of-Rhythm-Blues-Meetup/events/) for all Events http://www.meetup.com/London-Institute-of-Rhythm-Blues-Meetup/events/ To see details of individual Events (past and future), you can click through from the Calendar

Looking for a relaxed, friendly board game night in London? Join us every Thursday at **Hiver Taproom**, one of the Top 20 London taprooms, just minutes from London Bridge and close to Bermondsey. Whether you're brand new to board games or a seasoned strategist, this is a welcoming space to meet people, try great games, and enjoy excellent craft beer. ## **🎲 What Happens on the Night?** We’ll have a wide variety of board games available to play — from light, social party games to deeper strategy favourites. ✔ Solo players and groups welcome ✔ An experienced boardgamer hosting and teaching games ✔ No need to bring anything, but you're welcome to bring your own games if you want! ✔ Friendly, inclusive vibe ✔ Great for after-work socialising Just turn up, grab a drink, and we’ll help you find a table. ## **🕯️ Featured Game: Blood on the Clocktower (Upstairs Room)** We’ll also be running a dedicated game of **Blood on the Clocktower** in our upstairs private room. If you enjoy social deduction games like Werewolf or Mafia, you’ll love this immersive experience filled with hidden roles, strategy, bluffing and dramatic reveals. Spaces for this game are limited, so check out our other [Meet Up](https://www.meetup.com/bermondsey-board-gaming/events/313537869/?recId=011e01f4-928d-46e7-8c80-a4f2bb539617&recSource=event-search&searchId=ef0f242b-9ae4-4596-ac34-a13066bd9b75&eventOrigin=find_page%24all) and please RSVP if you’d like to take part. ## **🍺 Why Hiver Taproom?** * One of London’s Top 20 taprooms * Known for craft beer brewed with British honey * Spacious tables perfect for gaming * Easy walk from London Bridge Station * Relaxed, community atmosphere ## **Who Should Come?** * Board game beginners * Experienced hobby gamers * People new to London looking to meet others * After-work socialisers * Anyone who prefers dice and strategy over noisy bars If you’re searching for a regular Thursday board game meetup near London Bridge, this is your new weekly spot. RSVP now and join us for great games, great beer, and great company. 🎲🍻

We've been working this term on some new material for our summer concert. Come and see what we are about. Supporting The Harington Scheme - harington.org.uk **Tickets at take twenty.co,uk**

We've got the songs, the charts, the enthusiasm and some of the people. All we need is more people and your enthusiasm and your song choices. All the standard elements of a Soul band plus orchestral instruments. Exploring the best Soul songs and the best arrangements - especially those featuring strings (violin, viola, cello), French horn, flute, brass, woodwinds, percussion, background vocals. Let's have fun learning and playing a bunch of great tunes from the Soul / R&B back catalogue. There will be well-known standards and lesser-known or even obscure gems chosen from anywhere in the entire history of R&B. This is for: lead vocals, backing vocals, guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, trumpet, trombone, French horn, flute, baritone sax, tenor sax, alto sax, woodwinds, violin, viola, cello, percussion. Visit the "Thursday" page of our new spreadsheet to see vacancies, current members, current repertoire, and to make and see suggestions for new repertoire: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Zb1cMKrOMDvxacsw9AoRRstkx-M7r_NIrF4tZJIREU0/edit?usp=sharing We'll learn some classic tunes by ear and play them. You do not need to be able to read music. Support is given in learning the parts (this may sometimes include written charts / tab). The workshop will be led by Andy Dummett. Andy has been privileged to play with a number of Soul legends including Stax, Atlantic and Motown recording artists - Eddie Floyd, Solomon Burke, Ben E King, Percy Sledge, Edwin Starr, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, the Memphis Horns, Steve Cropper, Teenie Hodges, Sam Moore (Sam & Dave), Leon Ware, Dorothy Moore. Please check the studio's website for the latest Covid procedures: https://www.huskystudios.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Husky-Studios-Coronavirus-COVID-19-customer-guide.pdf Fees: Per session (drop-in): £15 Your fees include the group's costs for rehearsal studio rental and hire of mic's, PA, bass amp, guitar amps and drum kit. We will work towards a public performance. See our Calendar (http://www.meetup.com/London-Institute-of-Rhythm-Blues-Meetup/events/) for all Events http://www.meetup.com/London-Institute-of-Rhythm-Blues-Meetup/events/ To see details of individual Events (past and future), you can click through from the Calendar

Please BOOK A FREE TICKET VISIT IN ADVANCE, on the British Museum website. This is to avoid queuing. I have a few spare tickets so you can message me with your email address or Whatsapp number if you want to use one of them. Meet on the seats in the Great Court opposite the information desk. The event is free to join. Please consider contributing contribute £2 toward the cost of the event and for my time. Alternatively, I can provide tuition at a cost of £10 for the session. All welcome! Please bring your own drawing materials. There are stools you can borrow. Please note MUSEUM POLICY - use a hand-held pad and only draw with pencils. We will draw in the galleries from 10.40 am. We will meet again in the Great Court Cafe nearest the Egyptian Galleries at 12:30 pm.

We have curated a beautifully classy night of female. singer-songwriters in the lovely setting of Piano Smtifhfield, Barbican. Three VERY DIFFERENT but super complimentary artists share the stage. Saachi Sen, an Asian-British artist will bring her band, to celebrate her new music release, and is joined by special guests Itialian alt-pop artist Lilla Shy and dreamgaze meets ameriana-pop Nottingham singer-songwriter Leah Wilcox. Join us at 7pm Live Music at 7.30pm Mumbai born Londoner **SAACHI SEN** weaves her cross-cultural roots and mathematical mind into emotive, lyrical, meticulously crafted alt-pop. Drawing on formative years spent in classical training, jazz collectives and world famous choirs, her post-pandemic project saachisen arrives at a sound that is truly hers – imaginative and diverse pop exploring themes from identity to science fiction. Recorded at the likes of Apple Music’s PLATOON and Abbey Road Studios, her award-winning songs have gained industry support from BBC Introducing, Atwood Magazine, Earmilk, CLASH, and more. A past resident artist of the iconic London Roundhouse and a joyous live performer, Saachi has performed widely, notably at Cambridge Junction, Oslo Hackney The Southbank Centre, a sold-out headline show at the Indian Embassy in Berlin, Elderflower Fields, Cambridge Big Weekend and Pride in Trafalgar Square, London. In 2025, Saachi won Best Emerging Artist at the Eastern Eye ACTAs and performed her song “The Gap” live onstage together with multi-platinum-selling artist Tom Odell. She is currently working on her debut EP. With special guests **LILLA SHY** is a London based singer, songwriter and producer. Her self-produced debut album “Layers” gained support from John Kennedy at Radio X, BBC Introducing and and BBC5Live, plus multiple Spotify and Apple editorial playlists. **LEAH WILCOX** is a rising singer-songwriter from Burton-on-Trent who is attcracting ever greater interest. A fascinating blend of shoeglaze, jazz, indie and americana - shes a true original. As ever we have discounted tickets for our LONDONLIVE members. Just use code **LONDONLIVE** when booking your tickets here, for £9 **[BOOK TICKETS](https://link.dice.fm/pd88cca21bfa)** This should be a fabulous evening - Im really excited for fhis one! Lorraine xx

**This is a paid event, tickets available [here via eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/workshop-the-sacred-geometry-of-sound-tickets-1990188956744?aff=oddtdtcreator&_gl=1*6our0c*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTIzNzU4NTQxLjE3Nzk0ODUzNTk.*_ga_TQVES5V6SH*czE3Nzk0ODUzNTgkbzEkZzEkdDE3Nzk0ODYxMjUkajQxJGwwJGgw&keep_tld=true).** **3-hour workshop will explore how the harmonious intervals of music serve as a model for universal structural principles.** There is a long history of connection between music, mathematics, science and philosophy. From the ancient idea of the *music of the spheres* to the cosmological reflections of Kepler, Leibniz, Fludd, Newton and later thinkers such as Hans Kayser, sound and harmony have been understood not only as a musical phenomenon, but as a geometrical pattern inherent in nature. Myths across many cultures also express the concept that the universe was created by sound, and according to modern quantum field theory matter and energy fundamentally behave like vibrating waves. The aim of this workshop is to share these ideas with a wider audience and popularize the interdisciplinary field called *harmonic research* or *harmonics*, in which the harmonious intervals of music serve as a model for universal structural principles. **Content:** * Fundamental harmonic principles in music and mathematics, including practical demonstrations on the monochord * Harmonic proportions in nature and architecture * The concept of harmony as a universal organizing principle and how we can apply this to our individual and collective lives * The workshop leader, Sabine Leitner, has an MA in music and completed the 2-year course 'Fundamental Research into Harmonics' at the Hans Kayser Institute at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna (1990-1992). She also has an MA in Philosophy and an MA in Leadership Coaching. She is the director of the New Acropolis School of Philosophy in London. This workshop has been organized to celebrate the International Day of Music and to promote the theme of 'Philosophy and Science'. **Admission:** £50 (concessions £30) There will be 2 breaks of 15 minutes (refreshments included in the price)

**FREE in-person communication skills training and group practice, recurring fortnightly, with optional pub social afterwards. Hosted by [Your Charisma Coach](https://www.yourcharismacoach.com/)** You’ll be welcomed at the College Arms Pub by one of our hosts as people arrive. At midday, we’ll head downstairs to a quieter area where the session begins, led by our trainers on the evening’s topic. Group participation is encouraged, with some simple exercises to help you practice conversations in a relaxed, non-judgemental space. At 1.30pm, we’ll head back upstairs—feel free to stay for a drink and socialise or head off, whatever suits you. **What to expect:** Ever get stuck in conversations that feel flat, predictable, or just… boring? This event is your chance to break free from autopilot and discover how playful conversations can spark connection, playfulness, and lasting impact. Hosted by **[Your Charisma Coach](https://www.yourcharismacoach.com/)**, this interactive evening is all about building spontaneity, learning the art of risk-taking, and finding the confidence to keep conversations flowing with ease. Discover practical insights that spark better conversations, learn through fun and focused exercises, and wrap up the evening with new friends and a relaxed social to keep the connection going. 🔑 **What You’ll Learn:** * **How to turn dull chats into playful sparks** that actually go somewhere * **The art of spontaneity** (no improv class required) * **Staying cool when the convo stalls** so you never feel awkward or stuck * **Simple tricks to stay flexible and quick on your feet** in any exchange **🌍 More From Us** This event is part of our Bi-weekly **Your Charisma Coach** series in London. Each week, we explore a different pillar of charisma — from storytelling to confidence to presence. * Follow us on instagram 👉🏼 [Come join our community](https://www.instagram.com/yourcharismacoach/) * Follow us on YouTube 👉🏼 [Learn charismatic tricks and hacks](https://www.youtube.com/@YourCharismaCoach) * See what people are saying 👉🏼 [Event Testimonial](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RHkQQ7MNE3A) * See what a session looks like 👉🏼 [Easter 2026](https://youtube.com/shorts/nFysbIzp6ow?feature=share) * Take a peak at us 👉🏼 [Hanging out after the session](https://youtu.be/0Qz67Rr3Gg4) **📩 Questions or Contact** Got a question about the event or future sessions? * Email: john.w@yourcharismacoach.com * Website: yourcharismacoach.com Please feel free to ask any questions about the event in the comment section and we'll get back to you ASAP **Photo Notice:** Photos and videos may be taken during this event for promotional use. If you’d prefer not to appear, please let a member of the team know.

I am proud to announce that we having our jam at the Temple Of Art & Music in Elephant & Castle!! Chord Flow: A structured improvisation session where players explore a shared chord progression and key, creating music organically in the moment. Lineup (on stage together): • 2 guitarists • 1 bass • 1 drummer • 1–2 singers • 1 additional instrument (sax, trumpet, percussion, etc.) How It Works: 1. A simple chord progression and its key are written on a whiteboard opposite the stage. 2. The group has 5 minutes on stage to explore the progression together. 3. Tempo, time signature, style, and chord changes are left open — the music’s direction is determined by the group. 4. When the timer starts, the music begins. Musicians respond to each other in real time, building the flow organically. 5. No planning or discussion — focus on listening, reacting, and creating a shared musical experience. 6. After 5 minutes, the group rotates and a new set of musicians begin. The Temple Of Art and Music is a live music venue and bar in Elephant & Castle so I encourage anyone attending to bring friends as it will be great fun for them even if they are not playing. The venue has a PA system, drum kit, mics and guitar/bass amps. There is no guarantee that there will be cymbals or drum accessories with the drum kit at the venue. Drummers please being your own if you can. Like all our other jams it will be a chance to jam with other musicians playing the music that you love in a gentle environment with no judgement and no pressure. This jam also uniquely gives the opportunity to play in front of a crowd! Tickets are **£10 online** message us let us know what instrument you play and we will confirm if there is space and send you the Eventbrite link for the jam. Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information about this jam and London Jam Sessions. At London Jam Sessions we have an active community on WhatsApp where we all discuss the upcoming jams and future events. Everyone in the community is encouraged to ask questions and bring forward new ideas. Dm me and I can add you to our Whatsapp group.

update: full for drums, 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-10-12pm-june-20-vortex-upstairs (Note you must already be accepted as a member of this group, otherwise your ticket will be cancelled) **Note the Vortex rehearsals will be starting at 10am and 12pm in the coming weeks.** 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 June 20)** * Take the A train in C (warm up) (Vache, Allen) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8JJv13K3WU * Stolen moments in Cm (solo on Cm blues) (Oliver Nelson) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbaGDDbpcQ4 * Little Boat (O Barquinho) in Bb (Eric Alexander) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiMVlSVMMPw * Let's cool one in Eb (Chad LB) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6ke8l3H-qg 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 June 27)** * Sonnymoon for two in Bb (Sonny Rollins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCzV9PxGS30 (can attempt the solo breaks) * St Thomas in C (Sonny Rollins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iStOzl51cbw * Footprints in Cm (Miles Davis) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-rrt8IYhe0 * Yesterdays in Dm (Paul Jeffrey) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgDT7s6d3UQ **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!

**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

The Alliance is part of the Greater Central Ohio Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. We are an all-voices chorus dedicated to providing an inclusive environment for all those who love to sing, regardless of their race, gender identity, sexual orientation or musical background. The Alliance is the first and only all-voices barbershop chorus in Central Ohio. **Who:** Anyone with a passion for singing at a high level. Previous barbershop chorus/quartet experience not required. **When:** The Alliance rehearses weekly on Thursdays from 7pm-10pm. **Where:** Lord Of Life Lutheran Church: 2480 W Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43235 To become a full member of The Alliance, we welcome you to start by visiting us for a few rehearsals to experience the group and sing with us! Then, you may begin the 2-part audition process for membership: the assessement, and audition. We strive to make our auditions as stress-free as possible to help you let your best singing self shine.

Start your week the right way with Manic Mondays. Giving you an enjoyable Bachata lesson with a push of cool moves. The second hour has Beginner/Intermediate Salsa on 1. You must understand basic Salsa skills to participate. 730pm-830pm Bachata Cool Moves 830pm-930pm Salsa On 1 (Beginner/Intermediate) 15 for One Class 20 for Both Free Parking & Plenty of Dance Space. Viva Dance Columbus 2809 Festival Lane Dublin OH 43017

Welcome to Drunken Philosophy, a casual, curious, social discussion club. Come grab a drink and a seat at The Oracle. **Optional topic for this meetup: Where is everybody?** In 1950 the physicist Enrico Fermi was talking about aliens over lunch and asked a question that still has not gone away: if the universe is so vast and so old, and even a fraction of those billions of stars have planets, where is everyone? By the numbers the galaxy should be crowded with civilizations. Instead we look up and hear silence. That gap between "they should be everywhere" and "we see no one" is the Fermi Paradox. One of the most unsettling answers is the idea of a **Great Filter**: somewhere on the road from dead chemistry to a galaxy-spanning civilization, there is at least one step that is almost impossible to get past. Maybe the filter is behind us. Maybe life starting at all, or simple cells becoming complex, or intelligence ever evolving, is the freak accident, and we already cleared the hard part. Or maybe the filter is ahead of us, and advanced civilizations reliably wipe themselves out before they spread. Here is the part that messes with people. If we ever found life somewhere else, even pond scum on Mars, most people would call it the greatest discovery in history. But it might be the worst possible news. It would mean life is common, the early steps are easy, and the hard step is still in front of us. So the eerie silence overhead might actually be the best sign we could ask for. **Questions to wrestle with:** * Is it better to be alone? Would you rather we find alien life and learn we are not special, or find nothing and quietly improve our odds of surviving? * Where do you bet the filter sits, behind us or ahead of us, and why? * If it is ahead of us, what is it? Nuclear war, climate collapse, AI, something we cannot even picture yet? And can we do anything about a filter we cannot see coming? * Two principles pull opposite ways here. The principle of mediocrity (the Copernican principle, Sagan's "no privileged place in the universe") says we are ordinary, so what happened on Earth probably happened everywhere, which makes the silence scream louder. The anthropic principle says of course we find ourselves somewhere life was possible, since we could not observe anything else, so our being here may say almost nothing about how common life is. Which lens do you trust, and does the silence still demand an answer once you account for observer selection? * And if we did confirm life out there and had to accept we are not special, what would that do to belief in a higher power, and would shedding (or keeping) that belief help or hurt our odds of pulling together as one species? * Does any of this change how you live, or how humanity should be spending its time and money right now? As always the prompt is optional. Come for the conversation, stay for the drinks, and bring your own questions.

Welcome, readers! Our June read is ***Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible*** ***Voyage*** **by Alfred Lansing.** A work of nonfiction, and one of the most astonishing survival stories in history, we follow Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew after their ship is crushed by Antarctic ice. Stranded in one of the harshest environments on Earth, the men endure months of isolation, freezing temperatures, and near starvation—yet refuse to give up hope. Lansing brings their ordeal to life through vivid detail and firsthand accounts, capturing both the brutality of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. At its core, the story is a powerful testament to leadership, perseverance, and the unbreakable will to survive against impossible odds. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **all** **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖