Hobby Groups London

M is for.... Marilyn: A Portrait @ National Portrait Gallery

*“It's all make-believe, isn't it?”* (Marilyn Monroe) Join us at **Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery** to explore the life, career and legacy of Marilyn Monroe through portraits created by some of the greatest photographers and artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Bringing together works by Andy Warhol, Pauline Boty, Marlene Dumas, James Gill, Rosalyn Drexler and Audrey Flack, alongside over 20 era-defining photographers, including Cecil Beaton, Philippe Halsman, Bernard of Hollywood, Sam Shaw, Richard Avedon and George Barris, the exhibition will foreground Monroe’s collaborative approach to image making and her creative agency. The exhibition will also include personal belongings such as books, scripts and clothes to enrich understanding of the woman behind the image. From the earliest ‘cheesecake’ pin-ups made when she was a young model named Norma-Jeane, to the most poignant final photographs taken on the beach in Santa Monica in 1962, Marilyn Monroe was one of the most photographed people in the world. A defining presence in popular culture, she captivated audiences with performances in much loved films such as *Some Like it Hot*. **Read more here:** **[https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2026/marilyn-monroe-a-portrait](https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2026/marilyn-monroe-a-portrait)** **MEET DETAILS:** **FROM 1.45pm: MEET AT AUDREY GREEN CAFE** Address: Ground Floor, NPG, St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE **2.30pm: ENTER THE MUSEUM/EXHIBITION** Address: Ground Floor, NPG, St Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE **4.30pm-Late: PUB SOCIAL at the BREWMASTER (optional)** We'll head to a local pub for a social chit chat over drinks. Address: 37 Cranbourn St, London WC2H 7AD **TICKETS:** **You will need to purchase your own ticket for this event.** **Please book [here](https://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2026/marilyn-monroe-a-portrait#dates)** and choose the **2.30pm slot** (or thereabouts). Ticket: £27 Ticket with Art Pass: £13.50 Members: free, no need to book **GETTING THERE:** **See 'Visit' page of website [here.](https://www.npg.org.uk/visit/?_gl=1*3jbiem*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..*_ga*MTQ1NjE5NDQwOS4xNzc0ODEwNTQ1*_ga_3D53N72CHJ*czE3NzQ4MTA1NDUkbzEkZzAkdDE3NzQ4MTA1NDUkajYwJGwwJGgw&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm6POBhCrARIsAIG58CLQ-vKfzVdSiI57rKFMPG4RbqxNc4GHPHsyuuN-_JtcWj_9JEqV_X0aArUQEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAA9abo5aycXhzScHgcm4chfCVMAqJ3)** **EVENT WHATSAPP GROUP:** Please join the event WhatsApp group to help you find the group on the day. The link will be posted in the Event Comments 48 hours before the event, for those on the confirmed going list. *NB* *Joining this WhatsApp group will make your phone number visible to other members in the group.* **PLEASE READ:** LoMAZ events are run by volunteers. This event has an attendee limit as we prefer a smaller, friendlier group. If you RSVP but can no longer attend, please change your RSVP as soon as possible, **otherwise you will be marked as a 'no show'.** We remove members from the group who: * repeatedly sign up for events then 'no show'. * repeatedly change their RSVP to 'No'. * are on the event waitlist or have not RSVPd but turn up anyway. Please see the **[About Us section](https://www.meetup.com/london-museums-a-z-for-30s-40s/)** for more information about the group and how it works. **Thank you for your interest in the group & being part of LoMAZ.** 📸 Follow LoMAZ on **[Instagram.](https://www.instagram.com/londonmuseumsatoz/)** Image credit: *Marilyn Monroe, Ballerina Sitting*, 1954, by Milton H. Greene, Milton H. Greene © MHG Collective, LLC.

May's second Science Fiction meetup.

Would you enjoy a relaxed evening with fellow Science Fiction and Fantasy fans? If so, we’d love to meet you. Our next gathering takes place on **Saturday 23rd May from 6pm** at **The Mad Hatter**, just by Blackfriars Bridge. Drop in, say hello, and join us for a drink. We’re a long‑running group that’s been meeting since **1998**—long before meetup sites existed. Over the years we’ve hosted celebrity meet‑and‑greets, attended conventions together, run role‑playing games, organised cinema trips, LARPs, and plenty more. These pub meetups are all about socialising and connecting with other Sci‑Fi and Fantasy enthusiasts. To help break the ice, we’ll be running a fun **team quiz at 8.30pm**. There’s no fee to attend—just pay for whatever food or drink you order at the venue.

🚀Stargazing With Wine, Telescopes & DJ Space Anthems 🌕

🌌Ever look up and marvel with insatiable curiosity at the beauty and wonder of the **universe?** That wild sobering thought that somewhere in the chaos of creation - through the emergence of us - the universe became **conscious** enough to look back in time and not just ask the existential questions, but try to answer them. 🚀 Join fellow big picture and deep thinkers to take a look at **Venus,** **Jupiter** along with planet's potential life‑harbouring **moons**, iconic beautiful **star fields**, the remnants of supernovae witnessed by our earliest ancestors, **multi‑star systems** reminiscent of the twin suns of *Star Wars* and even **Tau Ceti**, a star hosting two Earth‑like worlds in its habitable zone. All of this under the spring evening - with drinks, engaging conversation, and good‑natured banter — this May. In between observing - we'll have **drinks and engaging chats** on all astronomy related topics for those inclined: Space exploration \| Fermi Paradox \| Astrobiology \| Cosmology \| paleontology\, \| SETI & Drake Equation for alien civilisations estimates \| exoplanetology etc as well as non space chats and banter too\. No doubt we'll hear the usual jokes we've all heard before\! If those don't make you laugh\, my impersonation of Los Angeles ET will\! 👽 And to help set the mood and make the night feel even extra stary, I’ll put my DJ hat to play some space‑theme tunes and songs about the stars! 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 H&I Station in Highbury Islington. After a short wait for anyone delayed, I will escort everyone to our observation point in the local park 5 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:** Unless I have a very important 9AM Tue deadline for a unfinished client presentation or something - most of us usually head to a cosy bar for a drink. If so - I will annouce the pub when we leave the park **==== What Can You Expect To See (this time of year)? ====** * Orion Nebula * Jupiter and 4 moons * Meteors * Andromedia Galaxy * Star clusters such as the Pleiades & Owl Cluster etc * International Space station fly by * Binary & tripple star systems (think planet *Tatooine in* Starwars!), * Neptune * Uranuus * Our moon * A look towards the galactic centre of the Mlikyway where that supermassive £22b Labour 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! Lucas Skywalker - The Singin, Dancin, DJ-in Astronomer

Cosy Silent Reads☕️📚📖

Hello, This event is for anyone who enjoys reading and wants to do it in the quiet company of others. We’ll be reading together in complete silence no pressure to talk, just bring whatever you’re reading and settle in. When you arrive, grab a drink from the café if you like, find a comfy spot, and start reading. We’re usually there for about 2 hours, but feel free to come and go whenever it works for you. Looking forward to meeting you! Dee

Book Swap Meetup 📚📚📚

Basic Ideas: 🌞 📚☕ Any books sitting there collecting dust? Some holiday gifts? Or it’s a book that has changed your life that you want to share? Feel free to bring book(s) to discuss or swap, we usually have more books than people in the end, so feel free to pop along just to have a chat as well. Aiming for every 4 weeks book swap meetup. Note: The event is free to attend, so the only cost for you will only be buying a drink at the location, so coffee/tea/beer etc.

COASTAL WALK - Whitstable to Herne Bay 🦞🐠🌿

Alert : 2 brand new coastal summer walks coming soon ! 😀 Join us for an invigorating coastal walk starting in beautiful Herne Bay, with time to explore the crafts and atmosphere around the pier, before continuing along the coast to the picturesque old-world seaside town of Whitstable. Expect whitewashed houses, sea views, characterful streets and of course the chance to sample some fabulous local seafood 🦞 ⭐️ Bring your camera! 📷 PHOTO CONTEST – Best photo of the day wins a local seaside-themed print If the weather is kind to us, we may stop for tea at the beautiful Whitstable Castle & Gardens ☕🌷 …and for the brave, perhaps even a little dip in the sea 🙂🌊 ⭐️ Optional food and drinks in a local pub afterwards 🍻 ⭐️ Walk details: • Approx. 5.5 miles • Linear walk • Gentle social pace 🚆 Meet: St. Pancras station by top of escalators at 9.45 🚆 Train departs: 10.20 train to Herne Bay ( gets in at 11.42am) (Approx. 1/3 off with GroupSave – I recommend a Network Railcard for regular trips) 💳 Organiser’s fee: £8 (cash/contactless) 📞 Contact Mairead – 07816 866300 Looking forward to a lovely day by the sea 🌊✨

Gay Geek Boardgames and mini social

F1: Canadian Grand Prix 2026

Casual get-together to watch the F1 Race. The location is Redwood. WhatsApp Group Chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DGyMcSSe2rZCNjUUF8dHy1

Autism/ADHD Women’s: Let's Get Crafty ✨ @The People's Letters

**PLEASE NOTE:** The location is: **The People's Letters Bookshop** Address: **395 Cambridge Heath Rd, Cambridge Heath, London E2 9RA** ✨Hi all, Let's Get Crafty is back! ✨ Join us for an afternoon of arts and craft at The People's Letters Bookshop. We will provide yarn, needles, hooks, clay, colouring pencils and books, origami paper, etc, or you can buy a colouring book from the store. You're also welcome to bring your own projects along. The bookstore provides a separate and private space for us which is perfect for us auties and ND folk. The store also provides free hot drinks. Accessibility: the store has an accessible entrance and toilet. The People's Letters is a worker-led, cooperatively run bookstore and community event space in East London. Help support what they do: https://peoplesletters.org/support https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VyYX6pPn Support us: Please support us on Kofi so we can keep providing more free events in the future! https://ko-fi.com/neurodissidentcafe *Please only RSVP if you can make it.* If you cannot make it anymore, please be sure to update your RVSP so we can adapt accordingly. Please do not come if you have not RSVPed.

Garden Candle making experience with iced matcha & refreshments in Chelsea

Hosted in our shaded private garden with chilled refreshments (under a beautiful canopy) CRE8 & SIP is a creative lifestyle community for people looking to try new hobbies, explore their creativity, and enjoy beautiful experiences in London. From a luxury candle-making workshop to a wholesome afternoon event, this is a space to slow down, create something meaningful, and romanticise your free time in a beautiful garden setting . Solo guests or groups are always welcome. •The experience involves •Iced matcha welcome drink •Choosing / blending scents •Personalising your jar •guided instructions •Pouring your candle •Enjoying a delicious summer version of afternoon tea with chilled refreshments given the Beautiful weather, while your candles set •Taking home your finished candle.

Hobbies & Coffees☕️🃏🎨🧶♟

FREE INTRODUCTION TO CERAMIC AT ISLE OF DOGS

**FREE TO MEMBERS, BECAME A MEMBER WHEN YOU ARRIVE** Sometimes the best therapy is simply slowing down, using your hands, and sharing a moment with kind people. 💛 If life has been a little busy or stressful, why not take a small break in the middle of the week? Join us for our **free ceramic classes** — a relaxed and friendly space where we make simple clay pieces, chat, laugh, and meet new friends. You don’t need any experience. Just come as you are and enjoy the moment. 🎨 Playing with clay 💬 Friendly conversations 🌿 A little pause from everyday life 📅 Every Wednesday ⏰ 7–9 pm Everyone is welcome. It would be lovely to see you there. 😊 Any questions, call/text Rodrigo +44 7535 272361 or Rita +44 7454 044190