Fun and Laughter

'KAFKA ON THE SHORE' by Haruki Murakami 'The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle. Kafka on the Shore follows the fortunes of two remarkable characters. Kafka Tamura runs away from home at fifteen, under the shadow of his father's dark prophesy. The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. Their parallel odysseys are enriched throughout by vivid accomplices and mesmerising dramas. Cats converse with people; fish tumble from the sky; a ghostlike pimp deploys a Hegel-spouting girl of the night; a forest harbours soldiers apparently un-aged since WWII. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle. Murakami's new novel is at once a classic tale of quest, but it is also a bold exploration of mythic and contemporary taboos, of patricide, of mother-love, of sister-love. Above all it is an entertainment of a very high order.' ***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **PLEASE NOTE:** This is an IN-PERSON event in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Please cancel your attendance in advance if you are unable to join, so that those on the waitlist can participate. Looking forward to seeing you all IN REAL LIFE then! Best regards, Sandra

📍 Hilversum Station, 10:30 → finish at Baarn railway station (~17:30) We meet inside the station near piano. 🚶‍♂️ ~10 km total | ~6–7 hours | relaxed pace with sketching stops 🎯 Main destination: Kasteel Groeneveld We’ll walk together through nature from Hilversum to the castle (~7 km), making several short sketching stops (15–30 min), with a longer session near the castle. After that, we continue ~3 km to Baarn station. There’s a café at the castle (coffee, sweets, late lunch), but we’ll arrive later — bring your own food/snacks so you don’t get hungry. Bring along: * Sketching materials * Water * Foldable chair or blanket (there is no guaranteed seating in forest) * Comfortable walking clothes * Extra layer (it gets cold when sitting still) * Sandwich or snacks to keep energy going No pressure on skill level — all styles welcome. Come for the walk, the nature, and the sketches 🌿✏️

## Love is in the air…! After the crazy success of our first event, we're back with more connection games! This time, the games will be much shorter (15-20 mins each) to allow for easier rotation. For those who're new here, Affinitee hosts slow dating events focused on discovering relationships built on compatibility over superficiality! **No more swiping, skip the bad dates!** ### *This is how it works:* 1\. Before you arrive at the meetup\, you fill in a fun 5\-10 minute questionnaire before registration below \(if you haven't already\)\. We explore different aspects of relationship compatibility using this questionnaire\. To make use of the pre-matching facility, we recommend registering on the website as well. You may sign up here [https://affinitee.eu/au-event-3](https://affinitee.eu/au-event-3) 2\. A match will be automatically assigned \(if available\)\, based on your given criteria \(age range\, children\, location etc\.\) as well as the overall compatibility score based on your questionnaire answers\. 3\. At the event\, you will be able to try out a multitude of board/card games that are specifically chosen to explore various aspects of relationship compatibility \(moral values\, decision making etc\.\)\. 4\. After each game\, you can choose to switch partners\, or continue with the same person\, based on input from either parties\. 5\. At the end of the event\, IF you did indeed feel a spark with someone at the event \(and it is reciprocated\)\, we help you arrange a date with them\. You do not even have to exchange contacts\! **[!!IMPORTANT!!]** We recommend signing up through our website to guarantee a match as early as possible. But of course, even if no match isassigned to you due to late registration or gender imbalance, a majority of the games are still played as groups! *So nobody gets left out and everyone has a chance to meet and match with other singles.* We believe in conscious, compatibility based matchmaking. Don't waste your time dating the wrong people!

Join us for the XXL edition celebrating the 3rd anniversary of our (board) games meetup at our local community center! We’re doing things a little differently this time, so make sure to read everything below and we hope to see as many of you as possible on this special day! This event is part of an ongoing series organized through our Discord server [[discord.gg/utrecht](http://discord.gg/utrecht)] • Free entry for everyone, as always! • Bring your favorite (board) games • Meet new friends and fellow gaming enthusiasts • A night filled with exciting challenges and friendly competition • Warm food, snacks, and drinks will be provided for everyone! (e.g. fries, sauces, chips, fried snacks, sodas) There will also be a Nintendo Switch 2 available with games like Mario Party, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros and other party games, so feel free to bring a controller if you’d like to play! Whether you're a board game aficionado or a video game guru, this event is for you. Bring your friends, bring your favorite games, and let’s celebrate three years of gaming together! Note that due to limitations of the location, we cannot open the door for you after 19:00. Make sure to read the ''How to find us'' carefully and join the Discord if you have any questions.

Lieve leden, Vanaf 19:30 op onze oude vertrouwde locatie, MFA Safari Maarssen Dan nog een veel gevraagd onderwerp.. de entree! Vanaf deze post gaan we wel starten met de mogelijkheid tot doneren. Heb je het de afgelopen jaren naar je zin gehad? Overweeg dan te doneren, zo kunnen we blijven vernieuwen! Weet je niet hoeveel? Met 5,- kunnen we al een hoop. Bij binnenkomst op de club zullen we ook een QR-code plaatsen die je kunt gebruiken en natuurlijk.. de vertrouwde spaarpot. ## Tot de Gamenight! Board game fanatics and beginners, assemble! We host a GameNight every two weeks on a Friday. We have our own game collection that you can use, but we encourage you to bring some of your favourites as well! No entrance cost. We have coffee, tea and drinks from the fridge for low prices! Parking is free and there are over a hundred spaces in front of the building. Please use the stairs at the back of the MFA Safari building outside to get into the club.

You’re invited to join us for a cycling trip from Utrecht to Amsterdam, following the historic [Dutch Waterline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Waterline). As we cycle through green polders and along quiet waterways, you’ll discover how the Dutch once used water as a powerful defense system, by flooding the land in order to stop enemies from invading Holland and taking all our cheese and bicycles :) We’ll pass old forts and scenic Dutch landscapes, where history and nature are coming together. Come along and experience the beautiful nature and the story of this unique Dutch landscape. All you need is to bring a bicycle, good mood and hopefully some sunscreen! The meeting point is at Utrecht Central Station and from here it is about 55 km cycling to Amsterdam, and we will have some lunch on the way. Hope to see you then!

**Hi Everyone!** **Details:** This is the very first UV Resin shaker keychain workshop experience in Amsterdam! Habe you ever seen those really cool resin shaker keychains with liquid and glitter inside? They look like a mini snow globe. In this workshop we will teach you how to make you or persoanl and totally unique keychain! Select from one of our twelve mold designs. MIx the UV resin with your favourite coloured dye and add some glitter. Pour the mixture into the mold and then cure it under a UV light to harden. Embellish the model with beads, charms and sprinkles tomake it uniquelly yours! Next cover the top with a clear film and doming it with clear resin. Finally we drill a small hole into the side before adding an eyelet hook and attaching your finished shaker to a keychains. **Date:** The workshops are on the second Sunday of every month at 2pm. **Workshop Description:** The workshop is about 2 hours All equipment, materials and instructions is included. It wil be a fun time of crafting, laughing and chatting with people in a nice environment with an excellent soundtrack. An apron and gloves are provided but it is recommended to wear old or dark coloured clothes. **Venue location:** [Maakplaats Room](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [1st Floor](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) **[OBA CC Amstel](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5)** [Cullinanplein 1,](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [1074 JM](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [Amsterdam](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) **Cost and payment:** €30 for one keychain design. The workshop has a maximum of 10 people as such your place will only be confirmed once payment has been made. **Payment:** Please email me at [origamicrane@gmail.com ](http://mailto:origamicrane@gmail.com/)before making payment Please make payment to the following account Name: Samuel Tsang IBAN:NL41 ABNA 0248 6878 40 Payment reference: **[your full name],** Resin shaker workshop **[Month]** **Refund and cancellations:** 100% refund if cancelled at least 7 days in advance. 50% refund if cancellation is less then 7 days. No refund if cancellation is less than 48 hours before the workshop. In the unlikely event that I need to cancel the workshop I will automatically issue full refunds within 24 hours. Let me know if you have any questions. **Additional information:** Please note that this is a hand on crafting session. We will be very happy to guide and assist you but we can not do the drawing and decorating for you. You are purchasing an arts and craft activity with instruction, material and tools provided. The resulting artwork you create is dependant on your own skill and creativity, we can not be held responsible if you are unhappy with the end result. The workshop is suitable for complete beginners. Children are welcome to attend but we only recommend the workshop for children over 10 years old as it require several hours of concentration and fine motor skills. Please note children must be accompanied by a responsible adult during the workshop. We are not a child minding services and can not take responsibility for children.

**Details:** Hi everyone! This is the first ever Decoden workshop experience in Amsterdam! Decoden is a Japanese art form where you decorate objects with fake cream and cute gems and charms. Decoden is a short form of "Decorate DenWa" which means decorate mobile phone. Typically phone cases are elaborately covered with a fake plastic whipped cream to look like real cake icing and then embellished with cute charms, gems and jewels and finished with colourful sprinkle and glitter. You can do decoden on any object you like and we will offer 4 options. **Date:** Workshops are on the Second Sunday of every month at 1:30pm. **Workshop Description:** The workshop takes about 2-3 hours depending on the item you want to decorate. All equipment, materials and instructions is included. The workshop will start with an introduction and then you will select your charms and coloured creams. We will instruct you on how to design and plan your decoration on paper first. You will then make you artworks and decorate it with charms. Once complete we will place your artwork in a box and you will then take it home to dry. Drying time usually take 2-3 days. The workshop is a fun and relaxing afternoon of hands on art and craft. It wil be a fun time of crafting, laughing and chatting with people in a nice environment with an excellent soundtrack. Please bring a carrying bag to take home your art work. An apron and gloves are provided but it is recommended to wear old or dark coloured clothes as the decoden cream can stain clothes. **Venue location:** [Maakplaats Room](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [1st Floor](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) **[OBA CC Amstel](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5)** [Cullinanplein 1,](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [1074 JM](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) [Amsterdam](https://maps.app.goo.gl/V9H9ya9xKFpNKt7s5) **Cost and payment:** The workshop price is €30 and you can select one of the following items to decorate. You will get to choose 16 charms and 2 creams. 1\. One claw hairclip and two small hairclips\. 2\. Mirror 10x15cm\. 3\. Photoframe 10x15cm\. 4\. Three Toploader photocard holders\. 5\. Mobile phone case \* (Please note you will need to **provide your own** polycarbonate phone case to decorate. Silicone phone cases are not recommended as the decoden cream does not adhere properly.) If you require additional creams and charms they can be purchased on the day. We will be able to accept cash, direct bank transfer or tikkie payments on the day. The workshop has a maximum of 20 people as such your place will only be confirmed once payment has been made. **Payment:** Please email me at [origamicrane@gmail.com ](mailto:origamicrane@gmail.com)before making payment Please make payment to the following account Name: Samuel Tsang IBAN:NL41 ABNA 0248 6878 40 Payment reference: **[your full name],** Decoden workshop **[Month]** **Refund and cancellations:** 100% refund if cancelled at least 7 days in advance. 50% refund if cancellation is less then 7 days. No refund if cancellation is less than 48 hours before the workshop. In the unlikely event that I need to cancel the workshop I will automatically issue full refunds within 24 hours. Let me know if you have any questions. **Additional information:** Please note that this is a hand on crafting session. We will be very happy to guide and assist you but we can not do the decorating for you. You are purchasing an arts and craft activity with instruction, material and tools provided. The resulting artwork you create is dependant on your own skill and creativity, we can not be held responsible if you are unhappy with the end result. The workshop is suitable for complete beginners. Children are welcome to attend but we only recommend the workshop for children over 10 years old as it require several hours of concentration and fine motor skills. Please note children must be accompanied by a responsible adult during the workshop. We are not a child minding services and can not take responsibility for children. **FAQ:** **Q: Is there a minimum age requirements to enter the event?** A: This workshop is designed to be a parent and child activity. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult during the workshop. This workshop is recommended for children over 10 years old. From our previous experience children less than 10 years will not have the necessary fine motor skills or patience to complete the models. **Q: Do I need to bring anything?** A: All materials are provided. Please bring a bag or cardboard box to take home your creations. **Q: How can I contact the organiser with any questions?** A: Yes just email us.

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🎭 Improv Utrecht Presents a Show Like No Other! 🎭 The graduates of the course of trainer Emma Holmes at Improv Utrecht will take the stage at Villa Concordia to showcase their skills in a very fun and interactive show, called Time Well Wasted! Expect games like Whose Line Is It Anyway, De Lama's and even improvised singing! 💡 What is Improv? Improv is live, unscripted theatre where anything can happen! The performers create characters, scenes, and entire stories from scratch, all based on audience suggestions and their quick-thinking creativity. It’s spontaneous, electric, and completely unique—no two shows are ever the same! 🎟 Tickets Now Available! Don't miss this one-night-only spectacle of storytelling and laughter. Secure your tickets online before they’re gone! Book your ticket at [improv-utrecht.weticket.io](http://improv-utrecht.weticket.com/) : €12 plus €1 service fee Before and after the show we have a very nice bar to meet & greet people. 📅 When? Sunday 12 April 15:00h. Bar open 14:00 📍 Where? Villa Concordia. In your ticket confirmation mail you find directions to the theatre. Limited free parking spots available, close to Utrecht Central station. Join us for a night of creativity, comedy, and community—we can’t wait to see you there! Find out more about Improv Utrecht, our other shows and courses at [www.improvutrecht.nl](http://www.improvutrecht.nl/)

Dodgeball is back again! If you’ve been wanting to come out, this is an easy one to join. We’ll be playing for about 1.5 to 2 hours, you do not need to bring any equipment, and no experience is needed. We use a specific set of rules and equipment to make the games run better and keep them fun for everybody, not just people who already know how to play. If it rains, the event will be canceled.

Dinner and dancing

**Let’s catch up and take an afternoon break.** **Grab a coffee or snack and let’s chit chat! Gayle and I will bring adult coloring books and/or a simple craft if you’d like to unwind and relax.😊**