Cultural Celebrations London

Strangers to Friends – Celebrating Togetherness"

# 🌸 RAAUNAQ – The Joy of Togetherness ### 🎉 Sunday - Event Agenda **Theme of the Day: "Strangers to Friends – Celebrating Togetherness"** **Our Sunday Programme** 1. 🌸 **Welcome & Introductions** – Meet and greet fellow members, share a little about yourself. 2. 🎨 **Theme of the Day** – Introduction to the day's theme and activities. 3. 🤝 **Team Allocation** – Form fun teams and get to know one another. 4. 🎲 **Fun & Games** – Icebreakers, team challenges, quizzes and laughter. 5. 🎤 **Poetry Recitation** – Shayari, nazms, poems and storytelling. 6. 🎶 **Musical Moments** – Solo songs, duets and group singing. 7. 💃 **Dance & Entertainment** – Individual and group performances. 8. 🏆 **Fun Awards & Recognition** – Celebrating participation and talent. 9. ☕ **Chai, Conversations & Networking** – Relax, connect and make new friends. 10. 📸 **Group Photo & Closing** – Memories of the day and announcement of our next gathering. ### 🎭 Calling All Performers! Interested in singing, poetry, dancing or performing? **Please submit your name and performance category by Thursday** so we can finalise Sunday's programme. ✨ No professional experience needed — just enthusiasm and a willingness to participate! **RAAUNAQ – Come Together. Celebrate Culture. Spread Joy!** ❤️

Korean Culture - Monthly pub Social

Leyton: Desi Diwali Social - Bollywood Dance, 3-Course Meal, Mithai Demo

**N.B. Please buy your tickets via [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/121318383406) at £16.95 each (inc. £1.96 booking fee)** Celebrate [Diwali](https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Diwali) with **[Desi Vegans](https://londonvegannetwork.netlify.app)** x **[Soul Bowl](https://maps.google.com/?cid=7259623473078538957)**! 🪔 Dress up in your finery, and join us for an afternoon of food, dance and good company: • Bollywood dance class • A delicious 3-course set meal • [Mithai](https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweets_from_the_Indian_subcontinent) demo *Good food. Great people. Beautiful vibes.*

Japanese Culture Cafe Social @ Mowchi 🌸

If you can’t usually make it to our weekend events, this one’s for you - we’re bringing our café social to a weekday evening! ​普段週末のイベントに参加できない方もご安心ください！今回は平日夜の特別開催です！ ​Join us for a fun evening with people who share your passion for Japanese culture. Feel free to socialize or practice your language skills in a cozy, relaxed atmosphere. ​日本文化に興味がある仲間が集まり、楽しい時間を過ごしませんか？リラックスした雰囲気の中で、楽しくおしゃべりしたり、語学の練習をしたりと自由にお過ごしいただけます。 ​**Location | 開催場所** We’ll meet at Mowchi, a bubble tea and Japanese café in Camden Town. Just look for the small "Meetup" sign on our table. カムデン・タウンにあるタピオカ＆和風カフェ「Mowchi」で開催します。テーブルに置かれた小さな「Meetup」の目印を探してくださいね。 ​**What to Expect:** **イベントの雰囲気** Our events always have a mix of newcomers and regulars; everyone is welcome. ​いつもアットホームでフレンドリーな雰囲気です。初参加の方も常連さんも混ざって楽しんでいます。 ​Group members have a wide range of interests - including anime, food, travel, and language learning, so feel free to move around and chat with different people. You’ll definitely find your crowd! ​アニメ、グルメ、旅行、語学学習など、参加者の興味・関心は様々です。自由に席を移動して色々な方とお話ししてみてください。きっと気の合う仲間が見つかるはずです！ ​See you soon! 😊 ​皆様にお会いできるのを楽しみにしています！

Flamenco Club: Rumbas & Bulerías | International Day of Flamenco

Join us for a friendly flamenco social at Jamon Jamon Soho! Learn approachable rumba steps and get an introduction to bulerías, then put your new moves into practice on the dance floor. We’ll also celebrate International Day of Flamenco, which falls on 16 November. Beginners are welcome, and you don’t need a partner. **Sunday 15 November 2026, 5:00–8:30 pm** Jamon Jamon Soho, 3 Caxton Walk, London WC2H 8PW Doors open at 5:00 pm for a welcome drink, and the class starts at 5:30 pm. Expect a 1.5-hour class with a short break, followed by social dancing. Your ticket includes one drink: a soft drink, small wine or sangria. Tickets and further details: [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/flamenco-social-rumbas-bulerias-soho-tickets-2004008113213](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/flamenco-social-rumbas-bulerias-soho-tickets-2004008113213)

Discuss & Social 🍷 Manosphere & modern masculinity: snake oil for insecure men?

**Make new friends and discuss a new topic every week - we rotate between big world issues and daily life. This week’s topic:** Young men these days are flooded with intense "alpha male" content spreading harmful narratives about women, dating and life. While supporters claim these online spaces give men much-needed confidence and lifestyle focus, more and more critics argue they are just profitable scams or even dangerous political channels built on insecurity. When self-improvement trends turn into deep social anger, is it a real reaction to women empowerment and gender equality, or are deeper economic and digital pressures just creating a convenient scapegoat? We'll discuss... • What are the biggest myths spread by the "alpha male", e.g. about women, dating, life success? • Are masculinity influencers building real male confidence, or just selling scams to lonely men? • Do men join these groups because of feminism, or because of other changes in society - the economy, the digital loneliness, and more? *Skip the small talk and join a room of global minds and cosmopolitans for our weekly conversation lounge. Find meaningful and international perspectives on modern culture, relationships, and society. No expertise needed - just an open mind and your life experiences. Come for the perspectives. Stay for the connections.* **🍸 THE VIBE** * **Curated Conversations:** Thoughtful, intriguing, and deep. It's more about our personal journeys and lived experiences, less about academic point-scoring. * **Cinematic Backdrop:** Hosted in a moody lounge perfect for late-night drinks and cozy conversation. * **Fluid Mingling:** A balance of guided group discussions and casual socializing over drinks. * **A Global Collective:** Connect with international graduates, London's creatives, open-minded travelers, etc. **🕒 THE RUN SHEET** * **19:30 – 20:00 \| The Warm Up:** Arrive, grab a cocktail, and chat casually as everyone settles into the lounge.. * **20:00 – 21:30 \| The Discussion Circles:** We move into our hosted conversation circles. We shuffle groups so you meet new faces. * **21:30 – Late \| The After\-Chat:** Shift to casual socializing. The lounge bar stays open late for socialising and drinks. **📜 OUR DISCUSSION CODE (rules of engagement)** 1. **Curiosity over judgement:** We're here to explore how different people think. Listen, ask questions, learn from each other. Every view is a puzzle and we want to understand all angles without judging the people who bring them. 2. **Respect the mic:** This is a shared space, not a soapboxing stage. Give everyone a chance to speak. 3. **Don't take it personally:** We can explore different views while remaining completely kind and respectful to the people sharing them. 4. **Be Present:** We put our phones away during the conversation to truly connect with the people around us. **📍 THE LOGISTICS** * **Where:** The lounge bar/cafe at Curzon Aldgate, 2 Canter Way, E1 8PS. * **Entry:** Free to join the discussion. The bar/cafe requests all guests to order drinks or snacks - we ask everyone is to spend minimum £4 as soon as you arrive.. * **Dress Code:** Smart/City Casual * **Transport:** Aldgate East, Aldgate, Tower Hill/Gateway stations are all within a 5-minute walk. **✅ "Pending approval" to group?** Please wait until you are approved as we're balancing participants across different channel pools. *IMPORTANT: Our events are 100% free and volunteer-run, but we gather at a fantastic café that expects all guests to purchase food or drink - we ask everyone to buy at least £4 worth of food/drink (e.g. a tea, coffee, drink and snack) after you arrive. It's not allowed to bring outside food or drinks.* **🌎 ABOUT US** **World Citizens** is London's premier cosmopolitan collective. For over 15 years, we have curated high-vibe spaces, salon discussions, and cultural mixers for global minds, young professionals, and international expats living in the capital. **\*Our other weekly events\*** \- Friday evening socials every week \- Cafe tour around London every Saturday \- Canary Wharf socials every other Wednesday \- Outdoor fun \(hiking\, kayaking\, etc\) every weekend \- Dining\, cultural and travel activities on\-demand **JOIN OUR TEAM!** We're all volunteers, so if you enjoy organizing activities or events in your spare time, while meeting great people every week, send a message to our team account "TP"! **DISCLAIMER** We are a 100% volunteer-run team. Though we have high standards in planning, this is a private informal activity so we cannot be liable for any damage or inconvenience. However, we put safety and comfort first. We take all complaints seriously, and take severe action against any harassment, verbal or non-verbal, and anti-social behaviour, towards our guests or team members. We collaborate with the police when needed. We take photos and videos which may include you to help promote the community in line with GDPR Data Protection law, as well as stock photos from Pexels or Unsplash. We may restrict or prioritize guests at our own discretion for safety, quality and logistics reasons. While our team's decisions may not be perfect we ask that you follow our decisions first and raise any disputes to discuss with us later and privately. By attending you understand, agree with and respect all terms of this disclaimer.

Bond Street Christmas Lights

🔭NASA Confirms Life on Mars: View With Wine, Music & Telescopes ☾P Date☽🪐

If you're looking for sensational headlines - this group is defo not for you! But seriously - do you look up and marvel with insatiable curiosity at both the beauty and the wonder of the **universe?** How it began, our place in it, how life evolved and where else in the cosmos other non-microbial life might live (99% of stars have exoplanets orbiting - some similar to Earth )? And nah I didn't make it up - unless you live in hibernation or have zero idea about our greatest endeavours - you'll know **NASA really did find the best evidence to date of ancient life on Mars.** This follows scientific verification of the biological signatures of microbe life discovered on Venus a few years ago So we'll defo take a look at the red planet as well the majestic rings of **Saturn** and it's potential life harbouring moon, the international space station, Tau Ceti star with **2 Earth like planets** orbiting in the habitable zone, remnants of **supernova** witnessed by our early ancestors plus a range of other fascinating celestial wonderments (comets, star systems, **galaxies**) over drinks and engaging chats and banter this Sept fully hosted by me - a passionate amateur astronomer and former global Reuters journalist covering cutting edge big picture science related stories. In between observing - we'll have **drinks and engaging chats** on all astronomy related topics for those inclined (Astrobiology, SETI/Femi Paradox, cosmology, space exploration, exoplanetology, astrophysics etc) as well as non space chatter and banter too. No doubt I'll hear the usual jokes we've all heard hundreds of times before! If those don't make you laugh, then my impersonation of Los Angeles ET will! 👽 **====Free Astronomy Club =====** Over the years we have enjoyed numerous social evenings of stargazing and thought provoking chatter with people of all ages and varying levels of astronomy knowledge - so complete beginners that are genuinely curious about the universe are very welcome. If you are just looking to meet generic randoms that you have nothing in common with / share passio**ns** then there are other groups that easily cater for that. The world renowed **BBC Television Sky at Night** also attended our events pre covid and interviewed some of us for it's show that aired on BBC1 in Feb 2019. BBC **Radio London** (94.9 FM / digital) were there Aug 2023 to cover our meteor shower event broadcasting live to millions of Londoners for 3 hours You don't need a telescope as you will be able to view through scopes belonging to me and other club members (as long as you behave responsibly and don't temper with expensive equipment). If you have your own telescope/binoculars feel free to bring along and I can help you setting it up if you're a newbie. **====ITINERARY=====** We will meet outside Camden Station. After a short wait for anyone delayed, I will escort everyone to our observation point in the park about 15-20 minutes walk away and brief you in terms of what to expect, observing etiquette, tips, equipment handling and take any questions you have - weather general or astronomy/cosmology related. **After Drinks:** on work nights - unless I have a important 9AM deadline for a client presentation or something - most of us usually head our way back to Camden for another drink till about 1am - yes even on a skool night. I will annouce the pub to all on the walk back. **===What Can You Expect To See (this time of year)? ====** * Orion Nebula * Jupiter and 4 moons * Meteors * Andromedia Galaxy * Saturn, rings & moon * Star clusters such as the Pleiades & Owl Cluster etc * International Space station fly by * Venus & Mercury * Binary & tripple star systems (think planet *Tatooine in* Starwars!), * Neptune * Uranuus * Mars * Our moon * A look towards the galactic centre where that supermassive £22b black hole sits (Sagittarius A) More here from Jodrell Bank Observatory/Astrophysics Centre: [http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/](http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/) Guide to viewing the cosmos for beginners: [https://phys.org/news/2018-05-universe-distant-starstips-cosmology-backyard.html#jCp](https://phys.org/news/2018-05-universe-distant-starstips-cosmology-backyard.html#jCp) **===Weather Dependent=====** The event is subject to clear skies forecasts on the night so if on the actual afternoon of the event the weather forecasts looks unsuitable beyond doubt then I will postpone so please check the event status on the day of the event . If this event is still listed here at 5PM on the day, it will be going ahead at the designated day and time! Happy Stargazing Lucas Skywalker (Amateur Musical Astronomer)

FRIDAY NIGHT: Ecstatic Dance & Cacao Ceremony with Ecstatic Dance London

**🌿 FRIDAY NIGHTS ARE BACK!!** **🌍CACAO DANCE TRIBE🔥** **Ecstatic Dance • Live Percussion • Afro-House • Brazilian & World Beats** **Move. Stretch. Shake it out.** Every Friday night in North London, **we gather to dance…** fuelled by ceremonial cacao, **carried by the power of Live Afro-Percussion,** nourished by deep global rhythms and **held in a sober *(drug & alcohol free)* community.** **✨ WHAT TO EXPECT** * Opening cacao ceremony * Ecstatic Dance journey * Live percussion with Master Afro-Brazilian Percussionist: ROMARIO * An Immersive Sonic SoundWave * Afro-House • Brazilian • Latin • World Beats * Fresh fruit social and grounded connection A sober dance experience - a rite of passage for the uninitiated onto a dance floor without alcohol, drugs, phones, and with a “no talking on the dancefloor” agreement, so we can go deeper! No choreography. No pressure to perform. Just music, movement, freedom and presence. 📍 Tufnell Park, North London **🕰️ Most Friday nights • 7pm-10pm** **Please note:** an RSVP here on meetup is not a ticket. To reserve your place please book via eventbrite, thank you. **🎫 More info & Booking:** [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ecstatic-dance-london-cacao-dance-tribe-friday-night-dance-cacao-tickets-498619222517](https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ecstatic-dance-london-cacao-dance-tribe-friday-night-dance-cacao-tickets-498619222517) Come as you are. Leave feeling more alive, vital & refreshed. The perfect way to begin your weekend! 💛 📹 *Checkout some of our videos throughout the years to get a sense of the history of Ecstatic Dance in the UK, and our work pioneering the scene since 2009:* ***\- @ the Legendary Ministry of Sound Night Club\, London*** **1) ECSTATIC RAVE® with Ecstatic Dance London:** [https://youtu.be/qcGCC649ZVQ?si=08SqPru3ROvDjwbY](https://youtu.be/qcGCC649ZVQ?si=08SqPru3ROvDjwbY) **2) ECSTATIC RAVE® with Ecstatic Dance London:** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEbXxPVeT7Q](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEbXxPVeT7Q) **3) ECSTATIC RAVE® with Ecstatic Dance London:** [https://youtu.be/j2JeBaeactk?si=T8sd6LI0Mb4Bf_vl](https://youtu.be/j2JeBaeactk?si=T8sd6LI0Mb4Bf_vl) **\- LIVE Music Ecstatic Dance with Afro\-Brazilian Master Drummers: URUBU** **\* URUBU'S 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY:** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwM2H2OJpHE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwM2H2OJpHE) **\* URUBU'S 13-YEAR ANNIVERSARY:** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGVpUHOSeNE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGVpUHOSeNE) **-FESTIVALS & RETREATS** **\* ECSTATIC DANCE FESTIVAL - PORTUGAL:** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfkBWdMIV4o](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfkBWdMIV4o) **\* ECSTATIC DANCE FESTIVAL - UK 2022:** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqcnlb_WAYs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqcnlb_WAYs) **\* ECSTATIC DANCE RETREAT:** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7xDAk6kGFw&t](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7xDAk6kGFw&t)

FREE Jazz Festival Double Bill

Free, no tickets required. [https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/whats-on/guildhall-jazz-festival-hatchling](https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/whats-on/guildhall-jazz-festival-hatchling) 19:00 - 19:40 Molly Davies presents an exploration of the work of award-winning bassist and composer Linda May Han Oh. Performing repertoire taken from across various records, this project considers the position of the artist and the challenges that she faces in her journey, from the transient nature of time to the complexity of being an individual working to belong. [https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/whats-on/guildhall-jazz-festival-dark-days-neil-charles-mark-sanders-and-cleveland-watkiss](https://www.gsmd.ac.uk/whats-on/guildhall-jazz-festival-dark-days-neil-charles-mark-sanders-and-cleveland-watkiss) 20:00 - 21:15 Dark Days is a new work by bassist and composer Neil Charles. It responds to the uncompromising clarity and poetic force of James Baldwin’s reflections on psychic survival, resistance and the emotional toll of racial injustice. Scored for acoustic jazz quartet, the piece features some of the UK’s most revered improvisers. *See comments below for updates*

Diwali Celebration with Isha London

Join us to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, with an afternoon of live music, children's activities, home cooked food and good company. Whether you've celebrated Diwali all your life or this is your first time, you're warmly welcome. Bring your family and friends! Across India, Diwali is a time when homes and streets glow with light and people come together to share food and joy. As the London evenings draw in, it's a lovely moment to gather and celebrate together. Sounds of Isha: Live music Potluck Dinner: Bring a vegetarian dish to share (no meat, fish or eggs) Children's Activities: Games, arts & crafts, storytelling and lots more **About us:** This celebration is run by Isha Foundation volunteers in London. Isha is a non-profit, volunteer-run organisation offering yoga and meditation programmes worldwide. Everyone is welcome, no experience needed, just come as you are.

Cultureseekers Monthly Meal - Nando's, 25 Mile End Road

Come along on Saturday 14th November at 6:00pm for a meal! **About the meal** Come along for the group's monthly meal in the area of the walk. Its open to all, whether you came on the walk or not. It's a chance to chat and get to know people in the group. When you get to the restaurant, look out for the 'London Cultureseekers Group' table. The food is Afro-Portuguese. You can view the menu here: [https://www.nandos.co.uk/food/menu/](https://www.nandos.co.uk/food/menu/) Lookout for the group signs when you get to the restaurant. Hope to see you there! Robert 07905 901 834 (prefer text) or email: general@cultureseekers.org ***On the day, if you can’t make the visit, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it.*** ***Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.*** *Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing -* ***[https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/)***