I have to say i was utterly suprised and shocked while checking the 'Save Ron Orp English' crowdfunding project yesterday. Several firms have pledged large amounts for the 'business goodie', and catapulted us forward to two-thirds of the needed funds. Wow ♥
With these new pledges, plus all of you lovely Ronsters who have already shown your love (thank you!), we're almost there! Please, keep spreading the word so that 2019 becomes the Year of the Ron.

Give my love to the city,

Similar to an 'Open Mic' night for comedy or music, the Offene Leinwand (Open Screen) evening at Rote Fabrik lets non-professional film-makers show the world what they've got, even when their enthusiasm and creativity might trump technical talent. The screenings begin at 8 pm, but if you have something you want to show yourself, then your 'masterpiece' should be handed over by 6 pm. They're looking for anything from experimental films and splatter movies to cartoons and home movies on DVD, Mini DV, S-8 and 16mm formats. A prize will be given to the best film, as chosen by the audience. Free entry.

In this age of digital overload, the idea of going to see a black and white silent movie may not seem like the most riveting thing to do, but the IOIC (which stands for the wonderfully named Institute of Incoherent Cinematography) may have something to say about that. Starting tonight, and running until Sunday, they are having a Marathon vom Leben und Tod (Marathon of Life & Death) silent film festival at Kunstraum Walcheturm. As most films and stories have the premise of life and death somewhere at their core, the festival will be screening many film genres from science fiction and horror to crime and romance. Each evening runs for around twelve hours (you see why they've called it a marathon), but each film is relatively short, and the films are all accompanied by a live soundtrack of music played by bands covering folk to classical to electronic music. Full programme here.

There are '80's nights', and then there are 'Kosmos 80's nights'. If you want to completely smother yourself in the gooey neon glory of the 1980's then, on Thursday, Kosmos can give you a double-helping of the stuff with their Cocktails & Dreams night. First, they'll ease you into the time-machine with a screening of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Yes, the "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it" 80's classic, and then you'll get free access to the club, where the 80's will be pumped directly into your ears, which we all know are connected to your dance and nostalgia bones.

When pop music is at its best, it has a brutal honesty at the core of its sweet, melodic heart. Like a spoonful of sugar helping the medicine go down. Lily Allen has been the mistress of this difficult balancing act since she released her first album back in 2006, and continues with her latest, No Shame, released earlier this year. If you want to hear the sometimes dark, often funny, confessional inner thoughts of a simultaneously strong and fragile woman, sang in an angelic voice and wrapped in coolly subdued electro-pop tunes, then she'll be playing live at Komplex 457 on Saturday, and i have 2 x 2 tickets to give away. To contest.

'These violent delights have violent ends'. If you're a fan of the TV series, Westworld, you will already be very familiar with these words, but, as i'm sure you know, they actually originate from Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, that tale of star-crossed lovers forever doomed to die (oops, spoiler alert!). A new production of the play, named Violent Delights, is being performed by the Close Encounters Youth Theatre at Dynamo on Sunday and Monday. As if the young lovers didn't have a hard enough time already, this new production reimagines them in the post-apocalyptic horrors of a world in chaos. Parting is such sweet sorrow, indeed. In English.

The idea of human rights are often only noticed when human wrongs highlight their absence. In the case of the Human Rights Film Festival at Riff Raff and Kosmos, film makers have had a world in flux to point their cameras at over the last few years, and will be exploring the human stories behind the news headlines. Whether it's the war in Syria, LGBT rights, migration, women's rights or the responsibilities of multinationals, the festival focuses on the humans, as much as their rights. They'll also have 'hang outs' with guests at the Kasheme, Riffraff and Kosmos bars if you want more insight and discussion. Most films are in English, or have English subtitles, but not all. So check before going. Full programme here.

Early winter gives new spring feelings! At least half the city seems to be taking part in a dating marathon. To help you out, i've put together some great ideas for a perfect winter-date with tips for different budgets.

PS. Falling in love is at your own risk.
PPS. All tips are very suitable for happy couples too.
PPPS. If any babies result from this dates, might i suggest 'Ron' as a great name for either sex...