Hello People Of Lisbon, I’m writing this week’s newsletter on a Wednesday, and the sun is shining outside. But I have to admit, I’ve fallen into a bit of a procrastination funk these past couple of days. It happens to the best of us, right? I can’t lie about it. Does anyone else get like that?

I suppose it was a holiday here yesterday—does that count as an excuse? On top of that, I’ve had a bit of a summer flu/bug/allergy situation going on. Honestly, I’m not sure what to call it. Let’s just say it’s been a lot of gunk all around. I’d probably blame the allergies more than anything else. Ever wonder what exactly we’re inhaling in this city? I mean, between the constant plane traffic overhead, the dust from endless construction, and the occasional desert sands that seem to come from who-knows-where, it’s a lot. And in the Beato area where I live, we get this regular... pong-y smell, which I’m told comes from the olives? Really? I’m not convinced. A friend of mine here is fully convinced that everyone in Lisbon has some kind of upper respiratory condition, which may explain why every bus shelter advertises Halls, Vicks, and a whole range of antihistamines. Anyway, I guess this has turned into a bit of a moan, but seriously—have you ever thought about what we’re breathing in? And how do you handle it? Alright, if you\'ve made it this far, kudos to you! Let’s push on and get to the newsletter proper... We’re going through a bit of a music phase at People Of Lisbon lately. A couple of weeks ago, we dropped a video featuring Singaporean singer Sahida. Coming up this week, we’ve got another talented voice: Vanessa Parish Crooks. And just last week, we released our latest video with the wildly popular DJ (and singer) Shugi. In case you missed it, here\'s a taste of what Shugi had to say in the video: Do you write lyrics? Of course, yeah. I write all my lyrics. Give me some lyrics. Well, the last one, the taxi love, it’s love in the taxi. C’est le taxi love. Forbidden? C’est interdit. But have you ever made love in the taxi? Shugi, who calls Lisbon home, has quite the story behind her name. It all started eight years ago in Paris. A friend of hers was a bit stressed out, and Shugi gave him a hug while counting to 20. His friend asked, “What’s up with the counting?” and Shugi explained: “It releases oxytocin.” Her friend then said, “Okay, do it in Swedish.” That’s when Shugi—20 in Swedish—stuck, and after a couple of years, she thought, “Maybe that’s my name.” Shugi, born in Paris to a Swedish mom, is no stranger to blending cultures. When she came to Lisbon during the pandemic, it was to connect with like-minded people and build community. Now, she’s a DJ, singer, and party organizer, always evolving and pushing herself. As Shugi says, “It’s working on yourself—not to be shy, which most people don’t believe about me, but I am.” See our video with Shugi here - If you like, you can watch the long-form version here or listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. What’s On in Lisbon: June Highlights Right off the bat, let’s talk about the Lisbon Book Festival, happening right now! It runs until June 22nd, so there’s still time to get lost in a sea of books, authors, and events. If you want to know more, head to their website here. We even made a People Of Lisbon video about one of the producers behind the event—check it out - Community Building in Lisbon On June 16th, a special event is happening for anyone interested in community building. It’s Led by Community’s first Portuguese chapter—a space for B2B community professionals to connect, share behind-the-scenes stories, and learn from each other’s wins (and failures). If that sounds like your thing, check out the details here. A Little Something for the Parents On June 17th in Cascais, there’s an insightful event discussing the impact of screens on kids’ mental health, with three expert psychologists. If you’re interested, grab your ticket here. Networking Alert If you’re a businesswoman in Lisbon (or just interested in networking), don’t miss the Cascais International Business Women’s meeting on June 18th. Club People of Lisbon member Kristina Kutan will explain how tapping into human connection and self-awareness can help you make a bigger impact in your community and at work. It’s happening at LACS Cascais at 6 PM. More details on their Instagram. Creative Minds It looks like the next Creative Mornings Lisbon is moving to June 20th—keep an eye on their Instagram for the announcement. Don’t miss it if you\'re into creativity, community, and inspiration! Classic Film Lovers And finally, for the film buffs: on June 22nd, Black Cat Cinema will be showing the absolute classic Cinema Paradiso. Tickets are available here. Coffee with Club People of Lisbon Members This week, I had the pleasure of meeting a couple of our Club People of Lisbon members for coffee. (Yes, you could say it’s one of the perks of joining the club—you get to meet me for a coffee, and we can chat about just about anything!) It’s always fascinating to meet the diverse people who join our community, and this week was no exception. I caught up with Kristina Kutan, a transformational life coach who’s doing amazing work in helping people reach their full potential. You can find her on Instagram here. Then, I met Roman Sorkin, who has recently opened his own medical clinic in Lisbon. His clinic focuses on providing care to expats in the city. If you’re in need of medical assistance, you can check out his Instagram here. Our next Club People of Lisbon gathering is coming up on July 3rd. Want to be part of it? Join us at www.peopleoflisbon.com. A Big Shout-Out to Our Sponsors A huge thank you to our amazing sponsors this week: Why Not Craft Soda: The perfect refreshment for these hot Lisbon days. Stay cool with their refreshing flavors! Check them out here. Practice Portuguese: The only app you need to learn (or just practice!) Portuguese. It’s fun, interactive, and really effective. Learn more here. Tribe Social Club: Lisbon’s best co-working space, and where we host our gatherings. Plus, they’ve got an app to help you find great activities around the city. Discover Tribe. Looking for more sponsors: We’re actively seeking new partners. If you’re interested in joining us, drop us a line. That’s it for this week. Have a great one, folks! Stephen O\'Regan Producer, People Of Lisbon Thanks for reading People Of Lisbon! Subscribe