Synthpop

# **A new chapter is opening ... literally.** Dutch Testing is gathering momentum again, and the MoT Netherlands Chapter is ready for its next meetup‑turned‑Chapter moment. As the Ministry of Testing shifts from Meetup to the MoTaverse, we’re embracing the new format with the same spirit: community first, quality always. For our second Chapter event, we’re going back to the essentials: the craft, the conversations, the curiosity. Because strong foundations aren’t old‑school; they’re what make everything else possible. Join in, connect, share, learn and help shape the future of Dutch testing as we step fully into the Chapter era. **PROGRAM:** **17:00 – Arrival & Dinner** *Join us for a warm welcome and a bite to eat as we kick off the evening.* **18:15 – Opening Remarks** *Let's get this party started.* ***18:20 – Talk 1: Linda van de Vooren*** *Dashboard or Management P\*rn?* ***18:50 – Talk 2: Remco Ridder*** *Performance Testing as a Pipeline Essential* ***19:20 – Break*** *Grab a drink, stretch your legs, or catch a breath before the next speakers.* ***19:40 – Talk 3: Tom Broekmans*** *A Quest for Code Quality* *– A Short Star Wars Story* ***20:10 – Talk 4: Martijn Goossens*** *Maximum Quality with Minimum Manual Testers* **20:40** **– Closing & Lightning Talks** *A chance for attendees to share quick insights, pitches, or questions with the group.* **Followed by – Networking Drinks** *Unwind, connect, and continue the conversation over drinks. No fixed end time* – *stay as long as the energy lasts or the alarm system warns us to leave.*

Stuck behind a desk all week? Time to climb some walls instead! No skills needed, just good vibes. Join us this evening at **RijnBoulder (Arnhem)** for a fun and relaxed bouldering session! Whether you're a seasoned climber or wanna try it for the first time, everyone is welcome. We’ll meet outside at the entrance, warm up a bit, and then hit the walls. Afterward, there’s always the option to grab a drink and chat. * **Where:** [Bouldercentrum RijnBoulder, Olympus 3, 6832 EL Arnhem](https://maps.app.goo.gl/fPR4qg7wdRTJHcYU6). We will be waiting inside, in/near the café. * **Experience needed:** None! (Bring your own climbing shoes if you have them. Rentals are also available.) * **Vibe:** Casual, fun, supportive Let’s climb, laugh, and maybe even impress ourselves a little! For more information on pricing of day passes and gear rentals, [check out this page](https://mountain-network.nl/klimcentra/locaties/bouldercentrum-arnhem/tarieven-rijnboulder-2025/) on the RijnBoulder website. First time? No problem! [Some information here](https://mountain-network.nl/klimcentra/sporter/eerste-keer-boulderen/). Their website is only in Dutch, but Google Translate to the rescue: [prices](https://mountain--network-nl.translate.goog/klimcentra/locaties/bouldercentrum-arnhem/tarieven-rijnboulder-2025/?_x_tr_sl=nl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=nl&_x_tr_pto=wapp) and [instructions](https://mountain--network-nl.translate.goog/klimcentra/sporter/eerste-keer-boulderen/?_x_tr_sl=nl&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=nl&_x_tr_pto=wapp). And if you have any questions, just let us know. ⚠️ Disclaimer: Participants are responsible for their own safety.

¡Compartamos juntos con el grupo de personas más divertido de la ciudad!... ¡en español! No necesitas ser un hablante fluido o nativo.... ¡Solo atrévete a compartir! Te esperamos a las 20hrs.... ¡Entrada gratuita! ¡Nos vemos! ¡Hasta entonces! 😃 Let's share together with the funniest group of people in town!... in Spanish! You don't need to be a fluent or native speaker.... Just dare to share! We wait for you at 20hrs ....Free entry! Nos vemos! Tot dan! 😃 Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/habladores/ Meetup Link: https://www.meetup.com/nl-NL/los-habladores/ Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/los_habladores_utrecht/ Los Habladores!

Hi all, This will be our sixth meetup. It will be inside at our local watering hole; Mick O'Connells. We have the right side reserved just for us. When you walk in, turn right at the bar and walk **passed** the dart boards. Its the single side room. Bring your smiles, your stories and your good vibes. This can be a place to discuss business, to meet like-minded people and/or to let a load off. Truth be told, we deserve it! All we ask, is that you are an Entrepreneur, Freelancer or plan to be in the next 3 months. (If you're not, the timer starts then😉) **Follow our new grey and brown gnome in the photo below to find us - Our new mascot.** Any questions, feel free to ask.

Fancy some Thursday night laughs? Then come on over to Tierney's Irish Bar & Restaurant for some top headline acts from the UK and European comedy circuits! Seats will be reserved based on RSVPs, so please do introduce yourself to me (Sharon) at the door and I will introduce you to any other meetup attendees at the show. Tix via Eventbrite/ Tix4All and link below: https://fienta.com/nl/international-stand-up-comedy-attierney-s-nijmegen-93570 Headliner in February is Tamer Kattan, a powerhouse of a comedian who sharpened his skills over 13 years across Los Angeles, NYC & London. He has lived in Berlin and often found at in the renowned Cosmic Comedy Berlin. He maintains a heavy touring schedule & has been tearing up the European comedy scene. He is the proud owner of multiple 4 & 5 star reviews from The Edinburgh Fringe in Scotland and was recently featured on Seth Rogen’s Hilarity for Charity event with Todd Glass and Hannibal Buress in the U.S. He is the winner of The World Series of Comedy, Comedy Knockout on truTV, “Best of Fest” at Big Pine Comedy Festival, The Portland Comedy Festival and multiple others. He holds several TV & Radio credits on BBC and SkyTV in the UK as well as in the U.S. on Fox, HULU, Netflix, Amazon & truTV. In 2022 he joined the writing staff of the soon to be released animated series “Tantrum Jesus” as Writer/Producer. Don't delay get your ticket soon as the show sells out! See Tamer & Support acts at an hilarious monthly show featuring some top names in comedy, a great night out with friends, a date, you work crew or just come alone and meet other comedy fans.

**The human side of data: systems thinking before AI** Many data and AI initiatives struggle not because of technology, but because of unclear questions, missing structure, and overlooked human behavior behind the data. In this Almere Tech Meetup, [Lauren Haan-Gilbert](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-haan-gilbert/) explores why many data problems are not really data problems at all. Using systems thinking and human centered analysis, Lauren shows how teams can ask better questions before applying analytics or AI. This leads to more reliable insights, better decisions, and solutions that actually work in practice. This talk is for anyone working with data, AI, products, or decision making, and for those curious why AI succeeds in some organizations and quietly fails in others. **Almere Tech** is the meetup for the larger Almere area for startups, entrepreneurs, developers and those interested to discuss new technology. Everybody can join in for a drink and hopefully interesting and inspiring conversations. The program is as follows: * **17.30** Door open, welcome drinks * **17.45**: Word of welcome by [Wouter ten Brink](https://www.linkedin.com/in/woutertenbrink/), serving of snacks * **18.15** Talk of [Lauren Haan-Gilbert](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-haan-gilbert/) * **18.45** Q&A, discussion * **19.00** Drinks and talks * **20:00** End Just show up, bring your curiosity, and join the conversation.

**A Genuine Contact Exploration** As professionals who help people to organize getting things done in better ways, it can sometimes be pretty tough to keep going. Almost inevitably, at some point, we will all experience a ‘dark night of the soul’, where nothing we’re doing seems to be working, nothing is changing, and we’re finding it hard to even still care... And yet, we continue to find ways to show up again and again with the energy to inspire others, the patience to step back and see what emerges, the wisdom to understand what’s happening, and the strength to continue learning - and helping others to learn - truly valuable lessons from the whole experience. One of the things that can nourish and restore us in these moments is uncovering, connecting to, and exploring the essence of our work, and drawing from the deep well of what really matters to us. At this meetup, you will be offered an opportunity to experience how some of the methods and tools of the Genuine Contact approach can add value to your professional and personal life, by explicitly working on the ‘essence’ that drives you: your deeper perspectives, beliefs, and principles; and the conduct and attitudes that they require. You will come away with: * An understanding of Genuine Contact as an approach * Experience of a participatory meeting method * Experience of working with one Genuine Contact tool applied to your own situation * The potential to adapt pieces of what you are learning into your own practice * Information on how to learn more about the Genuine Contact approach. Schedule: 17:00 Walk‑in 18:00 Dinner & Start of the workshop (please let us know if you have any allergies) 21:00 Drinks Main language: English

From a prize-winning Turkish novelist, a heady, political tale of one man’s search for identity and meaning in Istanbul after the loss of his memory. A blues singer, Boratin, attempts suicide by jumping off the Bosphorus Bridge, but opens his eyes in the hospital. He has lost his memory, and can't recall why he wished to end his life. He remembers only things that are unrelated to himself, but confuses their timing. He knows that the Ottoman Empire fell, and that the last sultan died, but has no idea when. His mind falters when remembering civilizations, while life, like a labyrinth, leads him down different paths. From the confusion of his social and individual memory, he is faced with two questions. Does physical recognition provide a sense of identity? Which is more liberating for a man, or a society: knowing the past, or forgetting it? Embroidered with Borgesian micro-stories, *Labyrinth* flows smoothly on the surface while traversing sharp bends beneath the current.

We’re heading into the heart of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug for a beautiful loop hike starting and ending at station Driebergen Zeist. From the station we quickly enter the wide open heather fields of Groote Heidestein, with heather fields, sandy paths, and a wonderfull spacious feeling. We follow these open landscapes all the way to the forests surrounding the Pyramid of Austerlitz. After about 10 kilometers we take a well deserved break at the pyramid. You can grab a snack or drink there, or enjoy your own packed lunch. This is the area where the famous wolf Bram once roamed and made the news. The situation has since settled, so the coast is clear again, but it adds a touch of wild history to the landscape. From here we loop back towards Driebergen Zeist through landgoed Heidestein. This section is full of surprises, including narrow passages and small tunnels that make the walk feel playful and slightly adventurous. We finish back at station Driebergen Zeist, completing a varied and scenic hike through one of the most beautiful parts of the Utrechtse Heuvelrug. **📍When and where to meet?** We’ll meet at 10h30 under the tracks of train station Driebergen Zeist. https://maps.app.goo.gl/JdRccArNqxzvFb6U8 ⏰ We **start walking a few minutes after meeting up** — we don’t wait for latecomers, as the forest calls and daylight is short this time of year. **🚗 Coming by car?** You can park here but please also do your own research: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WSMa4XaaP7U5awwf8 **⏸️ Planned Breaks** After 10 km: Lunch break at Pyramid of Austerlitz (Speeltuin & Restaurant) https://maps.app.goo.gl/XKazfvaa24VvWrq66 **💸 Payment** Please pay as soon as you sign up: To keep things fair for everyone, if we don’t receive your payment within 48 hours, we will need to remove you from the participant list. If there’s a waiting list, this will happen sooner (in less than 48 hours). If that happens, no worries — you’re always welcome to sign up again if there’s space. 🌟 Early Bird Deal! Join now for just €4 — available for 3 days (72h). After that, the price will be €5. The event is full, so the payment link has been removed. **👟 Good to know** * Refund policy: Cancellations are fully refundable up to 1 week before the event (This is Friday 13 January at 23h59). After this period, the fee becomes non-refundable. * Hike difficulty: Our hikes are moderately challenging. Please only join if you’re confident you can keep up with the group’s pace (5 km/ h)— it’s more fun for everyone when we can walk together without long waits. * If the pace is too challenging: We may kindly suggest you continue at your own pace. We’ll give you clear directions to the nearest bus or train so you can return comfortably. * At your own risk: You participate at your own risk, so please make sure you have appropriate insurance coverage for outdoor activities. * Payment note: With Tikkie we only see initials (e.g., J. Doe instead of John Doe). Please include your Meetup name in the payment note so we can match it easily. * Friends joining: If you bring a friend, make sure they also register and pay. * What to bring: Snacks, lunch, and water/ or hot thee/ coffee. * Stay connected: Join our WhatsApp group to be the first to hear about future hikes — ask for the QR code during the hike. * T-shirts: Fairwear-certified organic cotton, eco-friendly inks — €25. Sustainable, odor-resistant, and perfect for hiking. Let us know your size and we’ll bring one for you.

## 🎨**Activity for EXPATS & English Speakers** ☕ Are you an art enthusiast living in or around **Amersfoort, Hilversum, Utrecht, Nieuwegein, IJsseltein, De Bilt and the rest of cities of the Utrecht's province** who love painting or drawing? Maybe you've felt the joy of creating but struggled to find others who share your passion and speak **ENGLISH**? **You're not alone! 😉** ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ## 🖌️**About this event** You will meet other Art Lovers like you to Draw, Paint and have some drinks Together ! Our events are not just about sketching or creating art—they’re about building connections. Every two weeks, we meet at a café to have a relaxing time drawing a painting. Please keep on mind that **ENGLISH i**s the official language we will use to integrate everyone in our conversations. ⭕⭕⭕➡️ **IMPORTANT ⬅️** ⭕⭕⭕⭕ ### 👩🏻‍🎨**Book formally your Seat 🪑via [WHATSAPP](https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f)** **If you want to confirm officially your attendance and separate your seat🪑. Book your seat in meet-up, and contact us via [WHATSAPP HERE](https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f) to receive more information on the address of our activities.** **Thanks a lot for your understanding!** 💐🥰 ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ### 👩🏻‍🎨**How Does It Work?** This event is simple, this initiative takes 2 Hours. Most of the participants use pencils, water pencils or watercolours. Main aim is to socialize while we draw. There will be plenty of time to talk and get to know each other. We have to mention that this event is suitable for all levels. Many have started to draw in our event actually. Also it is very important that you **[JOIN US AT OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY](https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f),** to stay up to date on our upcoming events and participate in our Drawing and Painting Contests! **👉: [https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f](https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f)** 🍀 ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ### ☕**Where?** We will meet in different cafes mainly in the *center of Amersfoort ( and some occasions in other cities around)*. I will inform you of the exact place some days in advance this event. The place will depend on the number of attendees. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ### **🎟️ What is included?** 🟢 **2 HOURS TO HAVE FUN!** 🟢 **15 mins warming-up creative activity and paper material**🖌️🎨 🟢 New friendships and **conversations in ENGLISH** in a relaxed atmosphere 🟢 **Souvenir picture** with you and the rest of Art Lovers 📷 🟢 Exclusive **access to our Art Lovers Community** on which you will receive: ***\~\~\~ Drawing challenges,*** ***\~\~\~ Training content,*** ***\~\~\~ FREE Entries only to members*** ***\~\~\~ Drawing Competitions*** 🟢 Time to **create alongside fellow artists and amateurs** 🟢 The freedom to **work at your own pace** 💃🕺🎈 ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ### 🖼️**Art Materials?** Bring your own practical art materials to be adaptable to sketch on a coffee table. Like your sketchbook, pencils, watercolor, markets, pencils, your Tablet..etc ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ## **See you to Paint, Draw, and drink together!🌟☕🍷🍪🍰**

Join us for a beautiful hike on the Amerongse Berg * We **start at 12:00:** P+R Veenendaal West Dichterslaan, 3906 EN Veenendaal https://maps.app.goo.gl/VVjPTE2c6HsmLqQi6 * Length: \~16 km (4 - 5 hr hiking) * What to bring: lunch, water, snack. * For whom: As always, sporty folks that like to combine social event with being active in nature. **Getting there by Train:** * To train station: Veenendaal West https://maps.app.goo.gl/H7LyWsb8KRdenzWT6 **Getting there by Car:** * Free car parking at P+R Veenendaal West Dichterslaan, 3906 EN Veenendaal https://maps.app.goo.gl/VVjPTE2c6HsmLqQi6 **Note:** * Please **pay a small fee (3 euro)** to help us cover the (increased) yearly Meetup contribution of 240 euro. We'll ask you to pay before the start of the hike (can be on the day itself). No refunds, but in the unlikely event that hike would be cancelled and you already paid, you don't need to pay for your next hike. Thank you so much! Use the **safe link** here: https://betaalverzoek.rabobank.nl/betaalverzoek/?id=vezo1ouZS0yORJXINF58jA * Keep in mind that the hike can be canceled when the weather is very bad (**always check the event before you go**). * If you RSVP 'yes' we expect you to show-up. Please do not cancel less than 24 hours before the hike. **No-shows** will lead to your removal from the group. Thanks for the understanding. * By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organizers from any responsibility and liability in all claims. As the participation is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves.

Build with AI 2026: Agentic Hackathon 📢 Important Participation Rule ⚠️ Hybrid Speakers, In-Person Builders: While our expert speakers may join both online and in-person, this hackathon is an In-Person Only experience for participants. To form a team, build your agent, and qualify for the final prizes, you must be physically present at the venue in Ahlen. Let's build the future together, face-to-face! 🤝 About Build with AI Hackathon Build with AI 2026 is here! This is a community-led, hands-on hackathon where developers of all levels acquire and apply skills to prototype, build, and deploy applications using the latest Google AI technologies: Gemini 3, Vertex AI, AI Studio, and Antigravity. Our hackathon is a two-week intensive sprint focused on AI Agents and the ADK (Agent Development Kit). Participants are actively engaged in rapid problem-solving, moving from initial ideation to a functional, tangible prototype. Goal: Transform an idea into a working solution using Google’s AI ecosystem to solve real-world challenges. Hackathon Schedule & Format The event is structured into two Saturday sessions to allow for deep building and technical excellence: Part 1: Ignition & Agent Construction (First Saturday) Introductory Session: Direct deep dive into Gemini 3 and the Antigravity IDE. Tools Exploration: Hands-on setup of the ADK (Agent Development Kit). Team Building: Finalizing teams and brainstorming agentic workflows. Building Phase: Immediate start on prototypes with direct support from mentors. Mid-Week: Development Sprint Continuous building and remote collaboration. Access to Google Cloud resources and community technical channels. Part 2: Final Sprint & Pitch Day (Second Saturday) Project Finishing: Final technical polish, debugging, and deployment. Live Presentations: Teams showcase their functional agents and "Skills" to the community. Judging & Awards: Evaluation by industry experts followed by the Gift Giving ceremony and exclusive Google AI swag. Participant Resources Cloud Resources: Claim your Cloud OnRamp credits to use Google Cloud Platform at no cost during the event. Official Recognition: All participants receive the Build with AI 2026 Attendee Badge on their Google Developer Program profile. Expert Guidance: Work directly with trainers and experts to master agent creation. Part 1 : Build with AI 2026: Agentic Hackathon Part 2 : Build with AI 2026: Agentic Hackathon 🎁 Exclusive Rewards To celebrate your progress, we have special Google AI Swag for the top performers: 👕 Limited Edition T-shirt 🎒 Premium Bag Prizes will be awarded during the Final Ceremony in Part 2! #BuildWithAI This is a hybrid event. Join the event virtually at https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-ahlen-presents-build-with-ai-2026-agentic-hackathon-part-1-2026-02-21/ or in person at Initiative Bürgerzentrum Schuhfabrik e.V. - 7 Königstraße Ahlen, 59227 *** Agenda 3:00 PM: 👋 Check-in & Welcome Registration and informal greeting of participants. 3:30 PM: 🎤 Keynote: The Era of Agents Intro to Gemini 3, Vertex AI, and the vision of Antigravity. 4:00 PM: 🛠️ Tech Deep Dive: ADK Presentation on the Agent Development Kit and AI Studio workflows. 4:30 PM: 💻 Workshop: Hands-on Setup Live coding: Setting up the environment and deploying a basic "Hello World" agent. 5:30 PM: 💡Idea Pitching Open mic: Anyone with an idea shares it in 60 seconds to attract teammates. 6:00 PM: 🤝 Team Formation Creating teams, assigning roles, and initial brainstorming of the agentic workflow. 6:15 PM: 🍕 Networking & Kick-off Teams start their project outlines. Mentors provide feedback on feasibility. *** Hosted By Chidera Onuma, Hassan Adams, GDG Organizer passionate about building inclusive developer communities and helping people grow through technology. Data analyst with a focus on business analysis and business intelligence. Background in mobile development, mathematics, statistics, and computer science, with a strong interest in startups and real-world problem solving. Startup founder and current Business Informatics student at Fachhochschule Südwestfalen. I enjoy connecting people, sharing knowledge, and supporting developers at every stage of their journey. Suzan Aydın, Subsidies Management (Working Student) Background in information security, AI governance, and technology risk, with a strong interest in how AI systems are built, deployed, and governed in practice. Passionate about responsible AI, secure-by-design systems, and bridging the gap between engineering, regulation, and real-world use cases. Denys Doroshev, GDG Organizer I'm a Product Manager and Organizer for Google Developers Group (GDG) Ahlen, where I work to foster innovation, collaboration, and growth within the developer community. In my professional career, I serve as a Senior Regional Sales Manager at Metal Work Pneumatic, focusing on B2B sales in industries like metallurgy, machine building, and agriculture across Ukraine. I also work as a Technical Director at Bray International, Inc., where I specialize in system integration and providing engineering solutions for large enterprises. With over a decade of experience in technical management and sales, I am passionate about connecting people, ideas, and businesses to drive impactful change in the tech and industrial sectors. Adewumi Saheed Adewale, GDG Organizer Anna Muzykina, GDG Organizer Passionate Flutter Developer & AI Engineer \| Google Developers Group Ahlen Organizer \| Flutter Ahlen Organizer \| Women Techmakers Ambassador \| Quantum Computing & ML Explorer \| Mentor at Groundbreaker \| Community Builder Passionate about empowering women in tech through community building, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. I’m a skilled Flutter developer with a strong foundation in Dart, Firebase, and AI ecosystems, and I’m proficient in cross-platform development using frameworks like Flutter and React. Currently, I’m exploring the potential of AI and ML, with a focus on Vertex AI and Gemini, to bring innovative solutions to mobile app development. Known for my ability to quickly adapt to new technologies and consistently deliver high-quality results, I thrive in collaborative environments and approach each challenge with a growth-oriented mindset. Complete your event RSVP here: https://gdg.community.dev/events/details/google-gdg-ahlen-presents-build-with-ai-2026-agentic-hackathon-part-1-2026-02-21/.

Bring your Raspberry Pi, Arduino, microcontroller, or any other electronic project and join fellow electronics makers for a night of creativity and collaboration! This session is open forum to share your current projects—whether complete or in progress, it’s all interesting! Whether you’re deep into embedded systems, exploring new ideas, or just getting started, you’ll find a welcoming space to collaborate, share, and get inspired. (NOTICE - Location change!) This session will be at the Karl Road Branch of the Columbus Library in the Conference Room 2.

**Caller: Frank Buschelmann** **Band: The Rosenthorns** **Big Scioty Contra Dance** **temporarily returning to our long ago location for Jan-March - First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks to share are always welcome!

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

# **Band: Old Possum's Menagerie; Caller: Richard Ades** Beginner lesson at 1:30, regular dancing begins at 2:00 pm NOTE THAT WE ARE TEMPORARILY DANCING IN THE AFTERNOON INSTEAD OF EVENING. Dance with us in the afternoon then you can still go out in the evening! **Sponsor: All Soles Contra and Square Dancing, First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd., Columbus OH 43214** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 1:30 - 2:00, followed by dancing 2:00 - 430. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. Please bring your own refillable water bottle.