My meetup group for creative, curious people specifically in Somerville & Cambridge has grown to ~150 people in the past couple of months. If you'd like to make new friends without having to pick up a whole new hobby, join us!

Hey all, I started a free meetup group a couple of months back called Creative Curious Camberville. It's a social group for local creative types. Crafters, book-lovers, ttrpg players, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, artists, etc. all welcome.

You've probably heard the advice that the best way to make new friends is to pick up a hobby, but there's a lot of us who already have plenty of hobbies. Maybe they're not all the most social activities, or maybe you just don't want to carry the things you need for it, do the hobby you enjoy while others are watching, and focus on getting to know new people -- all at once. 😅

Our meetups aren't about doing specific hobbies; instead we gather like-minded folks to go together to free public festivals and arts-oriented events in the area -- walk & talk type hangouts in places where there's a lot of cool stuff to see and chat about and experience together. We've gone out to Harvard Art Museums @ Night, Cambridge Porchfest, Somerville Yart Sale, live music & BYO picnics, a vintage market street fair, and more.

I've posted an event here before, but we're about to hit 150 members 🎉 and I thought it was a good time to talk about the group as a whole and see if more Cambridge folks would like to join. Let's make friends while the sun is shining!

I'm not charging or making any money from this, just wanting to have a good outlet for us all to find cool people to hang out with and enjoy some of the awesome stuff the area has to offer, with enough curation (like-mindedness and localness) to the group that there's a better chance meetup connections can become real friendships (it's been happening for several regulars in the group; been great to hear).

Hope you'll join in, or let a friend know if this sounds like something they'd be into! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments. Cheers!

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u/JayNeely — 2 days ago

My meetup group for creative people in Somerville & Cambridge is going to a free comedy open mic tomorrow, and a live music & food trucks event on Thursday.

I've been organizing a lot of meetups-at-public-events like this to give creative types specifically in Somerville & Cambridge a way to meet each other and make more local friends. Crafters, book-lovers, ttrpg players, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, artists, etc. all welcome.

Tomorrow night we're headed to a free comedy open mic in Harvard Square. We can grab drinks and chat for a bit before the show starts, and stick around for a little while after to chat about who we liked, who bombed the bravest, what kind of comedy we like, etc. It'll be a fun break in the work week, and a good way to get to know more folks in the group.

Then on Thursday CX Summer Nights is having their final free outdoor concert of the season. It's a fun, festive gathering in a beautiful park in East Cambridge just a block away from the Lechmere T station. Two Americana bands, Jake Swamp and the Pines and the Adam Ezra Group will be performing, and there will be lawn games, food trucks, craft brews & canned cocktails from Lamplighter Brewery, and more.

If you'd like to join us for either, you can RSVP on the meetup group, or shoot me a DM introducing yourself (what are some of your creative hobbies or interests?). You're welcome to bring a partner or friend.

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u/JayNeely — 3 days ago

Somerville Yart Sale is tomorrow (Saturday); citywide artist pop-ups! My meetup group for local creative folks is getting together to explore some of it if you'd like to join us.

Hey all, this year's Somerville Yart Sale - https://somervilleartscouncil.org/yart-sale/ - a citywide event where artists and makers turn their own yards into mini-galleries and pop-up markets, has nearly 200 creators & collectors participating this year! It's a really fun event to see how many creative people are living all around us, discover a lot of cool hobbyist makers and crafts that you don't usually see at maker markets that charge for booth space, and enjoy a nice walk around town with great community vibes.

If you're a creative person in the Somerville / Cambridge area, come join us in exploring some of it! This is part of a series of meetups-at-public-festivals I've been organizing to give creative types in Somerville & Cambridge a way to meet each other and make more local friends. Crafters, book-lovers, ttrpg players, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, artists, etc. all welcome. https://www.meetup.com/creative-curious-camberville/

We'll be making a loop starting and ending in Davis Square, exploring a bunch of locations between College Ave and Cedar St. It'll be a fun walk & talk hangout with lots to see and chat about. To attend with us, please RSVP through Meetup.

u/JayNeely — 13 days ago

Creative-types in Cambridge and Somerville, want to get together for a picnic in the park at the free Cambridge Jazz Festival on Sunday?

Cambridge Jazz Festival is a free event happening this weekend in spacious Danehy Park, a short walk from Porter Square. I'm getting together a group to check it out on Sunday through my meetup group - https://www.meetup.com/creative-curious-camberville/ - If you're a creative-type in the Somerville / Cambridge area you're welcome to join us! We'll be doing a bring-your-own picnic and chatting over card games with the live music in the background. There are food vendors at the event as well.

Crafters, ttrpg players, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, artists, etc. all welcome. I've been organizing a lot of meetups-at-public-events like this to give folks like us a free, low-effort way to meet each other and make more local friends.

Previously we've gotten groups together for Cambridge Porchfest, an art gallery & drinks at Bow Market, a rooftop garden picnic in Kendall Sq, Harvard Art Museums @ Night, ice cream in the park at Cambridge Common, and more. It's been a fun summer!

If you'd like to join us on Sunday, RSVP on the meetup group for where & when to meet. You're welcome to bring a friend or partner!

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u/JayNeely — 27 days ago

ArtBeat is tomorrow (Saturday) in Davis! Any creative folks here want to go together with a group?

ArtBeat has 70+ craft vendors, two stages of music, a dance showcase, roaming performers, food vendors, a parade, and more! It's one of my favorite free street festivals in Somerville.

Eight of us from my meetup group - https://www.meetup.com/creative-curious-camberville/ - are getting together to check it out. If you're a creative-type in the Somerville / Cambridge area you're welcome to join us!

Crafters, ttrpg players, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, artists, etc. all welcome. I've been organizing a lot of meetups-at-public-events like this to give folks like us a free, low-effort way to meet each other and make more local friends.

Previously we've gotten groups together for Cambridge Porchfest, an art gallery & drinks at Bow Market, a rooftop garden picnic in Kendall Sq, Harvard Art Museums @ Night, ice cream in the park at Cambridge Common, and more. It's been a fun summer!

If you'd like to join us tomorrow, RSVP on the meetup group for where & when to meet. You're welcome to bring a friend or partner!

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u/JayNeely — 1 month ago

Any creative peeps in Somerville or Cambridge want to join for Cambridge Porchfest tomorrow (Saturday)?

Cambridge Porchfest is this weekend, a free music festival with bands of all different styles playing on porches and in parks across the Cambridgeport neighborhood.

Six of us from my meetup group - https://www.meetup.com/creative-curious-camberville/ - are meeting at 12:55 near Central Square to check it out together. I've been organizing a lot of meetups-at-public-events like this to give creative types in Somerville & Cambridge a way to meet each other and make more local friends. Crafters, book-lovers, ttrpg players, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, artists, etc. all welcome.

Porchfest is a great excuse to get out on a nice day and see more of the city. It'll be a fun walk & talk hangout with our group, easy to move around and chat, lots to hear from the bands and see from the crowds and quirky sights around Cambridgeport.

If you'd like to join us, you can RSVP on the meetup group, or shoot me a DM introducing yourself (what are some of your creative hobbies or interests?). You're welcome to bring a partner or friend.

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u/JayNeely — 1 month ago

Any creative peeps in Somerville or Cambridge want to join for a rooftop garden picnic & live music after work today?

The Urban Park Roof Garden in Kendall Square is hosting Charlie Weld, a singer-songwriter "inspired by artists like Kelsea Ballerini, Kacey Musgraves, and Taylor Swift" for free live music after work today (we'll be meeting at 5:50). If you've never been to the rooftop garden in Kendall before, it's an awesome hidden gem.

7 of us from my meetup group are going for a bring-your-own-picnic at it: https://www.meetup.com/creative-curious-camberville/ - I've been organizing a lot of meetups-at-public-events like this to give creative types in Somerville & Cambridge a way to meet each other and make more local friends. Crafters, book-lovers, ttrpg players, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, artists, etc. all welcome.

So come out this evening and meet some new people, hear some good music, chat about your week. 🙂 Kendall Square has a Brothers Marketplace grocery store to pick up snacks from beforehand, or a whole bunch of grab-and-go food options in the area like Dig Inn, B.Good, the Eastern Edge food hall, Chipotle, Clover, etc.

If you'd like to join us, you can RSVP on the meetup group, or shoot me a DM introducing yourself (what are some of your creative hobbies or interests?).

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u/JayNeely — 2 months ago

Harvard Art Museums @ Night is happening this Thursday (free event). I'm gathering a group to go together; any creative peeps in Somerville or Cambridge want to join?

On the last Thursday of every month, Harvard Art Museums hosts a free evening event. They bring in bartenders with drinks for purchase, there's three floors of art to explore, and sometimes fun activities like "collage & chill," renaissance photo stand-ins, or holiday card-making. It's a great event to explore some art, grab a drink, wander & chat together.

https://preview.redd.it/cwcov6qle19h1.jpg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7ab5a9c65e914057cce7409f4e654fc771e9d92d

If you're a creative person in the Somerville / Cambridge area, you're welcome to join the group I'm gathering to go together. Crafters, book-lovers, ttrpg players, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, artists, etc. all welcome.

I've been organizing a lot of meetups-at-public-events like this to give creative types in Somerville & Cambridge a way to meet each other and make more local friends. We've got a growing meetup group here - https://www.meetup.com/creative-curious-camberville/ - last weekend several of us met up in Harvard for the vintage block party and grabbed some pizza & drinks together too. Next week we're gonna check out some free live music at the Kendall Square rooftop garden, have a little picnic there.

If you'd like to join us this Thursday, you can RSVP on the meetup group, or shoot me a DM introducing yourself (what are some of your creative hobbies or interests?).

Have a great week all; cheers!

reddit.com
u/JayNeely — 2 months ago

Harvard Art Museums @ Night is happening this Thursday (free event). I'm gathering a group to go together; any creative peeps in Somerville or Cambridge want to join?

On the last Thursday of every month, Harvard Art Museums hosts a free evening event. They bring in bartenders with drinks for purchase, there's three floors of art to explore, and sometimes fun activities like "collage & chill," renaissance photo stand-ins, or holiday card-making. It's a great event to explore some art, grab a drink, wander & chat together.

If you're a creative person in the Somerville / Cambridge area, you're welcome to join the group I'm gathering to go together. Crafters, book-lovers, ttrpg players, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, artists, etc. all welcome.

I've been organizing a lot of meetups-at-public-events like this to give creative types in Somerville & Cambridge a way to meet each other and make more local friends. We've got a growing meetup group here - https://www.meetup.com/creative-curious-camberville/ - last weekend several of us met up in Harvard for the vintage block party and grabbed some pizza & drinks together too. Next week we're gonna check out some free live music at the Kendall Square rooftop garden, have a little picnic there.

If you'd like to join us this Thursday, you can RSVP on the meetup group, or shoot me a DM introducing yourself (what are some of your creative hobbies or interests?).

Have a great week all; cheers!

reddit.com
u/JayNeely — 2 months ago

There's a vintage-market street fair in Harvard Square tomorrow; I'm putting a group together to check it out. Any creative peeps in Somerville or Cambridge want to join?

Tomorrow (Saturday the 20th) there's a big "Vintage Block Party" in Harvard Square. "50+ vendors, free drinks, live music, and more!" I'm putting a group together to check it out; even if you're not looking to shop, these kind of markets always have great social vibes and a lot to see and chat about. It'll be a fun walk and talk hangout. The weather's supposed to be great tomorrow, too.

If you're a creative person in the Somerville / Cambridge area, come join us; we're gonna meet at noon at a spot just outside the festival. I've been organizing a lot of these meetups-at-public-festivals to give creative types in Somerville & Cambridge a way to meet each other and make more local friends. Crafters, book-lovers, ttrpg players, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, artists, etc. all welcome.

We've got a meetup group here - https://www.meetup.com/creative-curious-camberville/ - last weekend a bunch of us went out to the Dragon Boat Festival, did a little picnic and got drinks together after. Next week we're gonna check out the free Harvard Art Museums @ Night event.

If you'd like to join us tomorrow, you can RSVP on the meetup group, or shoot me a DM introducing yourself (what are some of your creative hobbies or interests?).

Have a great weekend all; cheers!

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u/JayNeely — 2 months ago

Creative peeps in Somerville or Cambridge, I'm putting together a group to check out the Dragon Boat Festival and do a bring-your-own picnic in Harvard Square on Sunday. Want to join?

The Boston Dragon Boat Festival is an annual river race and cultural fair on the bank of the Charles River near Harvard Square. There's a live performance stage, food & craft vendors, lots to see and chat about as we browse through.

It'll be a fun walk & talk type hangout, and I'll bring a picnic blanket for us to sit down and enjoy some afternoon food together at some point. You can bring some snacks, pick something up in Harvard Square beforehand, or check out the food vendors at the festival itself. (Be sure to bring water + sunscreen!)

We've got 5 people RSVPed through the new meetup group I created so far; we're looking for more creative, curious people in Camberville who want to meet others in the area without having to pick up a whole new hobby -- because you already have a bunch of them! Crafters, book-lovers, ttrpg players, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, artists, etc. all welcome.

No group size limit on this so you're welcome to bring a friend, partner, etc. If you're interested in joining, you can RSVP on the meetup group, or shoot me a DM with at least a few sentences introducing yourself (👇) please.

Me: Late-30s guy, bookish but social. Into art, RPGs, crafting, organizing, generally wholesome reality TV (The Amazing Race, Masterchef, Making It) and a couple guilty popcorn pleasures (Below Deck, Survivor). I used to be a community organizer in the Boston startup scene, was getting more into the digital media industry when the pandemic hit, and have spent the past few years running marketing for a game studio.

I'm looking to meet new people in the area to hang out with, grab a beer, go on the occasional adventure, etc.

--

If you're not available for the Dragon Boat Festival, I'm also gathering groups to check out a vintage-market street fair the weekend after next, and the Harvard Art Museums at Night on June 25th. Hope to see you out at something; cheers!

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u/JayNeely — 2 months ago

I made a meetup group to gather creative, curious people specifically in Somerville & Cambridge for local events and hangouts. If you'd like to make new friends without having to pick up a whole new hobby, join us!

Hey all, I've been using r/BostonSocialClub to organize groups to check out local events together like Open Studios, Porchfest, Mayfair, etc., but that subreddit only has so many people specifically in Somerville / Cambridge, and who are also "my kind" of people. So I've started a meetup group called Creative Curious Camberville.

You've probably heard the advice that the best way to make new friends is to pick up a hobby, but there's a lot of us who already have plenty of hobbies. They're just not the most social activities, or are better suited to sharing with a small group of friends than trying to carry out the things you need for it to a meetup, trying to do the hobby you enjoy, and making conversation to get to know people. 😅

I think a lot of us would prefer to just have a good occasion to meet and chat with more like-minded people. If for you also that means creative & curious types, please join us! Crafters, book-lovers, ttrpgers, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, etc. all welcome.

I'm organizing meetups to check out larger public festivals and arts-oriented events -- walk & talk type hangouts in places where there's a lot of cool stuff to see and chat about and experience together.

I'll plan more as the summer goes on. Very open to co-organizers if you have ideas and we're on the same page about how to grow the group. I'm not looking to make any money from this, just wanting to have a good outlet for us all to find cool people to hang out with and enjoy some of the awesome stuff the area has to offer, with enough curation (like-mindedness and localness) to the group that there's a better chance some of these connections could become real friendships.

Hope you'll join in, or let a friend know if this sounds like something they'd be into! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments.

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u/JayNeely — 3 months ago

Any Somerville / Cambridge folks want to check out some art + grab a drink at Bow Market tomorrow (Friday) evening?

Bow Market’s hosting a group of artists displaying their work for the community to browse and ask questions about, their June Art Salon. I'm gathering a group to check it out together!

We’ll meet up first and do some intros / meeting-each-other chat for a bit, then head in to the event to hang out and browse the art. If people are up for it afterwards, we’ll grab drinks at Remnant Brewing or Rebel Rebel downstairs.

No group size limit on this so you're welcome to bring a friend, partner, etc. If you're interested in joining, shoot me a DM and at least a few sentences introducing yourself (👇) please.

Me: Late-30s guy, bookish but social. Into art, RPGs, crafting, organizing, generally wholesome reality TV (The Amazing Race, Masterchef, Making It) and a couple guilty popcorn pleasures (Below Deck, Survivor). I used to be a community organizer in the Boston startup scene, was getting more into the digital media industry when the pandemic hit, and have spent the past few years running marketing for a game studio.

I'm looking to meet new people in the area to hang out with, grab a beer, go on the occasional adventure, etc.

You?: Mid-20s to early 40s, any gender / ethnicity / orientation, similarly just interested in meeting people and having good conversations. Shared interests welcomed, minor craziness like the rest of us assumed, curiosity and kindness essential.

If you're interested in this kind of event but can't make it tomorrow, I've started a meetup group, Creative Curious Camberville, to help more people find fun events to meet like-minded locals through.

u/JayNeely — 3 months ago

Cambridge / Somerville folks, who'd like to get a group together to explore Harvard Square Mayfair on Sunday?

Mayfair's a big annual street festival Harvard Square closes off the roads for and fills with live music & dance stages, food & craft vendors, beer gardens, etc. It's a fun event to browse, walk & talk, grab some food, and see all the people who come out to it.

If you'd like to meet some new people and check out the event together, I'm organizing a group! We'll meet in Harvard Square at noon, browse the event for a while, then split up to grab whatever food each person wants and rejoin each other for an afternoon picnic.

No group size limit on this so you're welcome to bring a friend, partner, etc. If you're interested in joining, shoot me a DM and at least a few sentences introducing yourself (👇) please.

Me: Late-30s guy, bookish but social. Into art, RPGs, crafting, organizing, generally wholesome reality TV (The Amazing Race, Masterchef, Making It) and a couple guilty popcorn pleasures (Below Deck, Survivor). I used to be a community organizer in the Boston startup scene, was getting more into the digital media industry when the pandemic hit, and have spent the past few years running marketing for a game studio.

I'm looking to meet new people in the area to hang out with, grab a beer, go on the occasional adventure, etc.

You?: Mid-20s to early 40s, any gender / ethnicity / orientation, similarly just interested in meeting people and having good conversations. Shared interests welcomed, minor craziness like the rest of us assumed, curiosity and kindness essential.

u/JayNeely — 3 months ago

Any Cambridge / Somerville folks want to take a short afternoon field trip for books and drinks tomorrow?

Saturday morning edit: Anyone who wants to split an Uber over to Everett, we're meeting at 12:30 to call it. If you'd like to meet at the distillery, please shoot me a PM before then to make a plan to find each other; I won't be checking my phone once we're there and browsing the bookfair.
--
Short Path Distillery in Everett is hosting a popup bookfair tomorrow, from noon to four. They've got a local bookstore bringing a big variety of books in, and have a cafe with food, coffee, and of course spirits & cocktails.

I'd love to get a little group together to browse and chat about the books and maybe do a whiskey or gin tasting as well. Would anyone like to join, and meet up there around 1 (or a bit earlier in Porter Square if you'd like to share an Uber over)?

No group size limit on this so you're welcome to bring a friend, partner, etc.

--

Me: Late-30s guy, bookish but social. Into art, RPGs, crafting, organizing, generally wholesome reality TV (The Amazing Race, Masterchef, Making It) and a couple guilty popcorn pleasures (Below Deck, Survivor). I used to be a community organizer in the Boston startup scene, was getting more into the digital media industry when the pandemic hit, and have spent the past few years running marketing for a game studio.

I'm looking to meet new people in the area to hang out with, grab a beer, go on the occasional adventure, etc.

You?: Mid-20s to early 40s, any gender / ethnicity / orientation, similarly just interested in meeting people and having good conversations. Shared interests welcomed, minor craziness like the rest of us assumed, curiosity and kindness essential.

If you're interested, shoot me a DM and at least a few sentences introducing yourself (☝) please.

reddit.com
u/JayNeely — 3 months ago

It's going to be a rainy Porchfest tomorrow 😕 ...want to go anyways? ☔😄 Gathering a group to check out singer/songwriters, folk bands, and whatever else we get interested in along the way.

Saturday morning edit: Looks like our odds have slightly improved for the first couple of hours of Porchfest; 47% chance of light showers. Still bringing an umbrella. 😛

We have 4 of us planning to meet so far with a fifth joining along the way. I'll keep checking reddit PMs up until 11:50ish, so send a message and introduce yourself if you'd like to join. 👍 Have a good day all!

--

It's Somerville Porchfest on Saturday, a city-wide music festival with bands playing outside homes across the city. Although it's currently forecasted (65% by 1:00) to be raining during most of the day, the event site says it will go on rain or shine. Some individual bands may have to cancel if they can't get a canopy, but I've seen enough of them planning to do so that I think there will still be a lot to see for those of us willing to carry an umbrella or throw on a poncho.

Would anyone like to join me?

We can all meet up on the early side of the event in Davis Square at 11:50, make a loop to check out groups from Davis to up around Teele and back to Davis again by 2ish. If folks want to keep hanging out, we can grab a late afternoon lunch together. I'll probably peel off after that but Porchfest's nearby second of three phases will still be running until 4:00 if you and others want to keep checking out more of it.

I'll be aiming us mainly toward some singer/songwriters and folk groups, but we can stop and listen to anything the majority of the group is liking the sound of along the way. We'll probably stay for 2-3 songs at each stop, then wander on. It'll be a fun walk & talk hangout as well. And if you only want to hang for a bit, or if you hear something you really love and want to keep listening to it, it'll be easy to part from the group and do your own thing at any time.

--

Me: Late-30s guy, bookish but social. Into art, RPGs, crafting, organizing, generally wholesome reality TV (The Amazing Race, Masterchef, Making It) and a couple guilty popcorn pleasures (Below Deck, Survivor). I used to be a community organizer in the Boston startup scene, was getting more into the digital media industry when the pandemic hit, and have spent the past few years running marketing for a game studio.

I'm looking to meet new people in the area to hang out with, grab a beer, go on the occasional adventure, etc.

You?: Mid-20s to early 40s, any gender / ethnicity / orientation, similarly just interested in meeting people and having good conversations. Shared interests welcomed, minor craziness like the rest of us assumed, curiosity and kindness essential.

You're very welcome to bring a friend as well; even if our group gets large, Porchfest is a crowd-friendly event. 👍

--

If you're interested, shoot me a DM and at least a few sentences introducing yourself (☝) please.

reddit.com
u/JayNeely — 3 months ago

Saturday afternoon edit: we're headed out, shoot me a message if you'd like to join later. Should be at Aeronaut Brewery around 3:00 and then head out to a few more studios after. 🙂

Somerville Open Studios is happening this weekend, where artists across the city open up their studios to the public. It's pretty fun to not only see a big variety of art but also the creative spaces so many of the makers have set up.

I'm planning on checking it out tomorrow, and thought I'd see if anyone wanted to join. We can all meet up at a spot in the Union Square area around 1pm, and around 1:30/1:40 start wandering to check out some of the nearby studios.

Me: Late-30s guy, bookish but social. Into art, RPGs, crafting, organizing, generally wholesome reality TV (The Amazing Race, Masterchef, Making It) and a couple guilty popcorn-drama pleasures (Below Deck, Survivor). I used to be a community organizer in the Boston startup scene, was getting more into the digital media industry when the pandemic hit, and have spent the past few years running marketing for a game studio.

I'm looking to meet new people in the area to hang out with, grab a beer, go on the occasional adventure, etc.

You?: Mid-20s to early 40s, any gender / ethnicity / orientation, similarly just interested in meeting people and having good conversations. Shared interests welcomed, minor craziness like the rest of us assumed, curiosity and kindness essential.

If you're interested, shoot me a DM and at least a few sentences introducing yourself (☝) please. I'd like to stick to a max of 6 people for this so we can easily chat / move around the studios together, but if there's a ton of interest I'll try and put together additional groups and coordinate us all meeting back up at the end at a local brewery.

reddit.com
u/JayNeely — 4 months ago