Our November fireside chat at Heliopolis brought together two inspiring voices—Mark Hopkins and Bethel Afework. Mark took us through his artistic journey with Swallow-a-Bicycle Theatre and his contributions to Reimagining Fire: The Future of Energy, blending social impact with artistic expression. He shared how his early advocacy was shaped by listening to women’s stories as a young man, a spark that continues to fuel his passion for change.

Just when we thought the evening couldn’t get any better we learned that The Guitar Guy’ talents extend beyond music. We became the close-up audience of a stunning yo-yo performance, choreographed to music. And when he needed a volunteer? Who else than Zac Wulf of Haven who would take the lead and step up to add to the fun?

It was a night that started with reflection and ended in unforgettable fun—a reminder that at Heliopolis, the best moments are often the ones you never see coming.

But Heliopolis is never just a conversation—spontaneity is our signature, and last night was no exception. The music kicked off beautifully with Denzel, aka the Guitar Guy, and took an unexpected turn when percussionist Steve Cho joined in, creating a spontaneous jam session that brought the house down.