Creativity

Let’s meet up at 6:15 to stretch in the parking lot on the left side of the restaurant then head out at 6:30 for an adorable 2.5 mile walk! Get that blood pumping then back to the Grove for drinks and/or dinner.

Love meeting new people? Passionate about building community and bringing ideas to life? I'm looking for enthusiastic, creative, and community-minded people to join the Leadership Team for one of Austin’s most active social meetup groups. Whether you’re an experienced event planner or just someone who loves connecting people, this is your chance to help create events, grow friendships, and make a real impact in Austin’s social scene. **Why Become an Event Organizer** Create meaningful connections and new friendships. Share your interests, whether that’s hiking, live music, happy hours, or unique local adventures. Gain valuable experience in leadership, teamwork, and event management. Be part of a growing, positive community that’s all about getting offline and meeting in real life. **Who Should Attend** Anyone curious about hosting events, volunteering, or getting more involved with the group. This is an informal, no-pressure meetup, come with questions, ideas, or just to see what it’s all about. RSVP now to join our Meetup Leadership Info Session and learn how you can help build community, create connection, and make Austin a friendlier place, one event at a time.

Open to writers of any genre! We’ll socialize for a bit at the start before beginning timed writing sprints. Each sprint will last for 25 minutes followed by a 5 minute break. Since we’ll be using tables at Panera Bread, please plan to purchase a drink, bakery item, or lunch! Can’t wait to rack up the word count with new friends!

Chess, beer and pizza! Can it get any better? Come join us for a fun filled night of casual, social chess. We will provide the boards just bring yourself.

• What we'll do: Great commercial real estate networking, excellent investment discussions! Business synergism at its very best. All levels of experience and success in commercial real estate investing - active and passive - being shared to the benefit of everybody. Lively, optimistic, open, friendly, and informative. When time permits, everyone has an opportunity to introduce themselves and tell a little about their interests. Often, we have speakers make special presentations. We welcome and invite questions, suggestions and input from all attendees. We are all about networking and education in the world of commercial investment real estate, particularly apartments. Everyone is welcome. Please join us! This is a weekly lunch meeting. You are expected to buy a buffet meal, choice from a limited menu, OR $10.00 service fee (includes iced tea and water). PLEASE PAY FIRST! EVERY Tuesday, 11:45 – 1:15 Casa Chapala Mexican Restaurant 9041 Research Blvd at Burnet Rd • What to bring: Interest in commercial real estate investing, an open mind and a positive attitude. • Important to know: Although the official meeting time is 11:45, many people arrive earlier to get their meal before the meeting starts. Casa Chapala is located on the west end of The Colonnade Center at the northeast corner of U. S. Highway 183 frontage and Burnet Road.

Join us at Red Horn Coffee and Brewing for our Business Networking luncheon in the Cedar Park & Leander area. Connect with fellow professionals, foster business growth, and enjoy the interactive and referral-driven atmosphere of our group. We also contribute to local charities, making our networking experience not only beneficial for your business but also for the community. Don't miss out—come network with us! **Agenda:** \- Open Networking and Lunch Order \- Announcements and Updates \- Introductions \- Networking Activity or Spotlight Speaker \- Open Networking 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 BXN S𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀: 👉 [Farmers Insurance](https://agents.farmers.com/tx/buda/ronald-marchiani/) 👉 [Bradenn Pools](https://bradennpools.com/) 👉 [Keyss - Think Tech. Think Keyss.](https://keyssinc.com/) 👉 [Luna Tech - Managed IT Services](https://lunatechteam.com/) 👉 [American Eagle Plumbing](https://americaneagleplumbing.net/) 👉 [Dolan Mortgage Team](https://dolanloans.com/) 👉 [Genuine Automotive & Diesel](https://genuineautomotive.net/) 👉 [Balarini Floors](https://www.balarinifloors.com/) 👉 [KingFiher Roofing](https://www.kingfisherroofing.com/) 👉 [CESHKER Group - Law & Title Offices](https://www.ceshker.com/) 👉 [Horizon Realty](BuyWithBatya.com) 👉 [Truist Financial](https://www.truist.com/) 👉 [Dynamic Electrical Service ](https://www.facebook.com/DynamicTX/) 👉 [Temperature Pro ](https://temperaturepro.com/round-rock-tx/) [Learn more about BXN](https://bxnmembers.com/) We look forward to seeing you soon! BXN Leadership Team #bxn #businessexchangenetwork #supportlocalbusinesses #networking

**Easy Walk • Fresh Air • Real Connection in Cedar Park** Looking for a simple way to unwind, get outside, and meet new people in Cedar Park? Join us for a relaxed evening **walking meetup at Lakeline Park**, one of Cedar Park’s hidden gems featuring scenic trails, open green space, and peaceful water views. Whether you’re new to the area or just looking to connect with others, this is an easy, welcoming way to get out of the house and into good company. This isn’t a power walk or a fitness challenge, it’s about **movement, conversation, and connection**. We’ll keep a relaxed, easy pace that works for all fitness levels, with plenty of space for casual conversations along the trail. The vibe is low-pressure and social, making it easy to meet new people whether you come solo or with a friend. These walking events are part of a growing effort to create **consistent, low-pressure social meetups around Austin and Cedar Park**, simple ways to show up, get outside, and build real connections. Park in the lot nearest the Kayak rental and we will meet at the launch to start the 2.5 mile loop. **RSVP Reminder:** If you RSVP, please do your best to attend or update your RSVP. Smaller events like this work best when everyone who signs up shows up.

Come draw with us at our monthly meeting at Gong Cha (RR 620 location). This is a casual drawing meetup for anyone who likes to create art/draw, no matter their experience level.

Make sure to come prepared with something to draw/illustrate with, which can include: tablets, paper and pencil, sketchbooks, notepads, paint (ex. watercolor), markers, colored pencils, etc. There is no theme; just come out and have fun! While at the event, it is *not* mandatory but encouraged to purchase an item to support Gong Cha’s hospitality. Thank you! ☺️

Saturday In-Person Writing Session – Join Us! Join us every Saturday at 9 AM for a live writing session at Lamppost Coffee on E Main in Round Rock. Whether you're diving into your novel, working on a short story, or just looking to get some words on the page, this is a welcoming space for writers of all kinds. * Drop in anytime during the session * Get feedback, give feedback, or just write * Say hello and meet fellow local writers Interested in organizing a future write-in, attending a writing conference, or submitting to a flash fiction contest? Let us know! We’re always looking for new ways to support our writing community and sharpen our craft. **Lamppost Coffee** 201 E Main St #101, Round Rock, TX 78664 If you don't see us at the big table in the front, check in the back room! See you on Saturday!

Connect with other artists, creatives, technologists, and entrepreneurs working at the intersection of art, tech, and AI. **April’s Topic: Protecting Your Creative Voice in an AI World** In a world of fast and easy generation, your unique voice as an artist matters more than ever. In this session, we'll dive into the topics of building a brand and staying true to your values and ethics: how to talk about AI with your audience, where to draw the line, and how to protect the integrity and originality of your creative work. We'll reserve plenty of time for an open group discussion addressing important questions such as: * How do you address AI in your creative business without undermining perceived value or originality? * What are your non-negotiables (where will you not use AI at all in your workflow)? * What ethical and/or legal concerns are most pressing for independent artists and creative businesses? **What to Expect:** 
We'll bring beverages, ice breakers, and discussion prompts to get the conversation flowing. You bring your thoughts, experiences, and viewpoints. ACE meetups are a warm, collegial, and inviting space. All backgrounds, disciplines, and levels of experience will be respected and given space to express their perspectives, opinions, and concerns about the current state and future of the arts, AI, and technology. **Flow of Events:**
 6:15p: Doors Open
 6:30-6:45p: Network & Mingle 6:45p-8:00p: Presentation & Group Discussion
 8:00p-8:15p: Network, Mingle, & Connections 
8:15p: Clean Up **Where:**
 We’ll be in Padawan on the 5th floor of Station Austin, which is located inside the Omni Hotel in downtown Austin. Once inside the Omni, head to the elevators near the security desk in the lobby area outside of Station Austin. Take the elevators to the 5th floor and look for the room "Padawan." **Parking:**
 You can park streetside (metered) or inside the garage under the Omni Hotel. Station Austin will validate parking in the Omni Garage to the reduced rate of $8 if you arrive after 5p and leave before 10p. **Membership Not Required:**
 Meetups are free and open to the public. All are welcome. You do not need a Station Austin membership to attend. **Supported By:**
 Thank you to Station Austin for sponsoring ACE meetups. Station Austin is the center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas. They meet the best entrepreneurs in the state and introduce them to their first investors, employees, mentors, and customers. To sign up for a Station Austin membership, [click here](https://capital-factory.officernd.com/signup?office=5d1bcda0dbd6e40010479eec).

(Rescheduled from April 4 due to weather) Handmade products from local vendors, live music& entertainment, delicious food items, family activities. Connect with neighbors & like minded individuals.

Tired of small talk and today's atomized culture? Longing to expand creatively in a community that encourages big dreams, growth, and change? Want to find your voice and support others as they find themselves too? Welcome! The Creative Friendship Lab encourages people from all walks of life to explore the rich emotional and social world around them, while pursuing individual and shared creative projects. Our Lab invites both serious artists and just-budding amateurs to come enjoy our events and experiments! This group is a project by *Difficult Friends*: [Website](https://www.difficultfriends.com/) ⟡ [Substack](https://difficultfriends.substack.com/) ⟡ [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/difficultfriends/) **This Week's Writing Workshop** This week, we'll be meeting at Central Market at 2 PM on April 12th to explore the themes of *emotion, memory, and color*. From Taylor Swift's *Red* to Frank Ocean's *Channel Orange*, the long-sought white whale of Moby-Dick to *The Bluest Eye* of Toni Morrison, color speaks to all of us through the subtle language of sense and reminiscence. Come join us in channeling what you see into words for what you feel. [This event is a prelude to next week's Sunday book club on color, in which we'll be reading ](https://www.meetup.com/creative-friendship-lab/events/313987831/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events)*[Bluets](https://www.meetup.com/creative-friendship-lab/events/313987831/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events)* [by Maggie Nelson. It's a beautiful, short work that links 240 poignant memories of lost love through the color blue. ](https://www.meetup.com/creative-friendship-lab/events/313987831/?eventOrigin=group_upcoming_events) The rough structure of our workshop will be as follows: * Saying hello to each other * Introducing the writing prompt * Independent free-writing * Sharing a couple lines from your writing in small groups * Doing a special closing-out exercise as a big group Thank you in advance for contributing your unique perspective to our workshop! Whether you’re just starting to explore your own creativity or you’ve been committed to it for decades, we hope you’ll join us in welcoming all members of this community in a spirit of vigorous encouragement, thoughtful engagement, and empathetic open-heartedness. \*\*\* ***[Difficult Friends](https://www.difficultfriends.com/)*[: Uniting Creative Friendship Lab x Dissent School](https://www.difficultfriends.com/)** There are things that can only happen between people who are genuinely present to each other. Not performing, not managing, not carefully calibrating what they show. Wholehearted creative collaboration is one of them. Real intellectual encounter is another. The kind of friendship that actually sustains people through difficulty is a third. Difficult Friends organizes two volunteer-run grassroots projects in Austin: [Creative Friendship Lab](https://www.meetup.com/creative-friendship-lab/) and [Dissent School](https://www.meetup.com/dissent-school). Our mission is to develop in members: (1) creative confidence, (2) intellectual independence, and (3) the subtle skills needed to form close friendships. We think it’s good to be a [Difficult Friend](https://difficultfriends.com/). Friendship itself is difficult to the degree that it is both genuine and built across difference. You will find our events creatively and intellectually challenging. They will put you in touch with people in ways that are energizing but unfamiliar. *But Difficult Friends are friends worth having.* Follow us on [Substack](https://difficultfriends.substack.com/) or [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/difficultfriends/) to get access to all our events. And please consider donating to us through our Meetup page. It really makes a difference. **Creative Friendship Lab's Session-Based Structure** This is a group designed to incubate close creative friendships. We run themed sessions that last 2-4 weeks of small, interconnected workshops and events. If you come to our sessions, you will get to know your creative cohort very well over a short time period. You will do cool work and make new friends who like to write, draw, take photos, etc. Your session cohort will also have the opportunity to join a Signal thread just for people in that session. The link will only be shared at in-person events for that session. And the thread will be closed and archived after the session ends. The session thread is designed to let people from the session keep in touch during their workshop period. The thread closes to encourage people to carry out individual connections away from the pressures of a continuing group dynamic. However, each event will also be able to stand on its own! So you should feel free to come by whenever, regardless of your attendance at prior events. We welcome first-timers always :-) Members are free to drop in and out of the Lab. We encourage everyone to feel a sense of freedom and lightness while doing as much or as little with the community as they please. **Creative Friendship Lab's Guiding Principles** “I am made and remade continually. Different people draw different words from me.” ― Virginia Woolf, *The Waves* “In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets.” – C.S. Lewis, *The Four Loves* "Love takes off the masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within. I use the word ‘love’ here not merely in the personal sense but as a state of being, or a state of grace—not in the infantile American sense of being made happy but in the tough and universal sense of quest and daring and growth.” — James Baldwin, *The Fire Next Time* "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." — Anaïs Nin, *The Diary of Anaïs Nin* **Statement of Welcome and Inclusivity** The Creative Friendship Lab is for everybody! We are an inclusive community space, and we particularly seek to protect and welcome our LGBTQIA+, queer, transgender, and nonbinary members. Event attendees may be asked to share their preferred pronouns and will be asked to respect the preferred pronouns shared by other participants. Women, immigrants, people of color, religious minorities, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent folks seeking a diverse community are also especially encouraged to attend! That said, no particular identity performance is needed, desired, or expected from participants in our Lab. Come as you are and know you have a seat at our table, no matter how life has brought you into our community. **Empowering All Members to Lead** Creative Friendship Lab is a volunteer-run organization focused on encouraging members' creative confidence. Towards that end, we value all our members not only as attendees and followers, but also as continually developing community leaders. [Please click on this link for an overview of this organization's skill-based path to leadership development](https://docs.google.com/document/d/14AezcXqTm2i4abJiUx68r8goXMuKEMqWuzZs5nO_3vQ/edit?usp=sharing). The Leadership Skill Tree covers everything from the powers of one-time event attendees to instructions for becoming a Co-Organizer in our community. We also offer an all-member feedback form. Please take advantage of it, knowing your feedback is important, helps us improve, and will be collected anonymously: https://forms.gle/rxP7J2XLqcZrLpwVA **Supporting Our Community** Most of our events are offered on a donation basis to minimize financial barriers. Please consider making a donation if you would like to contribute to our mission, allow us to offer more meaningful events, and help defray the costs of our [meetup.com](http://meetup.com) hosting fees. Or not! We appreciate the many ways in which everyone contributes to our community, whether via financial or other means—simply by showing up and being kind, you are doing a good thing :-) **About Me (Personally)** I'm a writer living in Austin with my dog, Cookie. If you're interested in following my thoughts, you can find me at https://substack.com/@rachelsummercheong I love long essays, fiction, and philosophy. I also like to draw and go out dancing.

join us for a fun night out with drinks, dinner and new friends! We’ll hangout, watch sports, play games, converse and have a great time. Feel free to bring your friends with you and we’ll see you there!
Disclaimer: The host of this event and meetup are not liable for any injuries, loss of funds, or any type of unfortunate event that happens to any attendees of the meetup.

**This Real Estate Mastermind Group often has lively discussions about real estate and other creative means of investing. Beginners welcome!** Come join us for informative networking, deal pitching, discussing real estate and investing strategies, and creative ways to leverage your success. 11:30-Noon, order food, networking Noon-1PM, introductions, deal pitching, questions, current trends, any other real estate topic. The Galaxy Cafe 8127 Mesa Drive, Ste A100 Austin, TX, 78759 Free parking

In April WQC's Creativity Circle will be making beaded bracelets and keychains! All supplies provided, open to all, bring yourself (and a friend or two) for when you are able to make it in the two hour window. Note: Seats are Limited to the provided space at the Westerville Public Library in Meeting Room D.

AI is changing how art is made. But when does it stop being your work and start being the machine’s? This month we're going to be doing a panel with with digital image, music, and written word artists, talking about at what point, while using AI in the creation process, does the work become not the artist creation? We encourage audience participation during this event that will be moderated by Chris Slee. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.transformlabs.com/services)

(Note: RSVPing here on Meetup does NOT reserve your seat. To do that, you'll need to register at our website, **[HERE](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=IN-PERSON-in-Columbus-Creative-Deal-Autopsies-Wholesaling-101-14-4-7-2026)**.) The market changed—and most investors are still operating like it didn't. Deals that used to work don't. Buyers want different things. And a lot of what's being taught right now is outdated or just wrong. And, since 2011, it's been our job to make sure that our members are armed with the most up-to-date, real-world strategies for building wealth in Central Ohio real estate… …so our mission with this meeting (and every meeting) is to give you the no-hype, warts-and-all info you need to succeed. First, Wholesaling 101—a clear, real-world look at how wholesaling actually works today, what to pay, and how to stay out of trouble. Then, Creative Deal Autopsies—real investors breaking down real deals with real numbers, real conversations, and real outcomes. You'll also get the chance to put the presenters in the hot seat and ask any and every question you have about how they did their deals. You'll learn: 1. What wholesaling actually is 2. How to calculate real offers 3. Where deals are coming from now 4. What buyers want 5. How creative deals are structured 6. What contracts and terms are used 7. What can go wrong—and how to avoid it **Agenda:** 5:00–6:00: Free Light Dinner and Networking 6:00: Earlybird Meeting – Wholesaling 101 7:00: Buy-Sell-Trade (members only) 7:30: Creative Deal Autopsies Members: Free First-time guests: Free Non-members: $35 (or join for $30 instead) Remember, to actually reserve your seat, you have to go **[HERE](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=IN-PERSON-in-Columbus-Creative-Deal-Autopsies-Wholesaling-101-14-4-7-2026)** and register on our website!

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 22 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

Let’s get together at the Crowne Plaza and talk deals, creative finance, problem solving, whatever you want! Hubert Bruce Hosts, COREE members share ideas and resources. Open to the public!

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Pay attention! We’re delaying a week for those of you who may be on Spring break and/or celebrating the holiday. Ok, no pancakes, but waffles-a-plenty. Join the local UX and Digital Design community for a casual monthly breakfast. Look for us upstairs!