Anime Conventions

If you work with Kirby CMS let's meet up, get to know and learn from each other! Basics09 invites us to their beautiful studio close to U Schlesisches Tor. Talks: – Phone Number Formatter Plugin (Felix) 5 Minutes – Speed up the Panel when you have lots of pages (Ove) 30 Minutes – Show & Tell (Simon Lou) 30 Minutes

Ice skating time! Let’s meet at Eisstadion Neukölln for a fun, low-pressure evening on the ice with other vegans. This is a simple meet-up where we go in together and skate, chat, and have fun. * **Where**: Eisstadion Neukölln (main entrance), Oderstr. 182, 12049 Berlin * **When**: Wednesday, 21 January, 7:00 pm (please be on time) * **Plan**: Meet at **7:00 pm sharp**, go in together, then skate at our own pace * **Costs**: **Entry €4.** Skate rental available inside (**bring cash**, price may vary), or bring your own skates * **If you’re late**: Please go in and look for us on the ice We want everyone to feel safe and comfortable. Please respect boundaries — harassment or disrespectful behaviour isn’t welcome and may mean removal from future events.

NEW STARTING TIME: 18H30! Come along, grab a coffee or other drink, shut up, and write! We will do at least two sessions of each 45 minutes of writing and two breaks. We will start the first writing session at 18:45. And don't forget to **order drinks to support the place and its amazing owner** who hosts us! *Please **update your RSVP if you can't make it**, so that other people on the waiting list can join. **I will prioritize other people's registration if someone does not show up twice without updating their RSVP.** * Looking forward to see you at the meetup! In between sessions, we have a Telegram chat: https://t.me/joinchat/ERW3pxD5kfELGeWs9SUhjw For more information, visit https://shutupwrite.com.

Welcome to **ChessBar Events! 🍻♟️** We host **weekly chess tournaments** in different bars across the city — the perfect mix of strategy, drinks, and good vibes. The tournament is organized directly through our **ChessBar app**, where you can see your next opponent, enter results, and gain ranking points throughout the season. ✨ **What to expect** \- 5 games in **rapid format** (10 minutes per player) 🕹️ **\- Free entry** 💸 **\- Open to all levels** \- Up to 32 players can participate \- No need to bring a board or pieces — we provide all the material\! **How to join** 📲 Please make sure to **register through the ChessBar app** (signing up on Meetup alone is not enough). 👉 [https://onelink.to/chessbar-s](https://onelink.to/chessbar-s) 🌐 **More info** Website: [www.chess-bar.com](https://www.chess-bar.com/) Instagram: [@chess___bar](https://www.instagram.com/chess___bar/) WhatsApp group (for participants): [Join here](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GtZP0Ec4SlnF1qiZd2t5uM)

Welcome to the PyData Berlin January meetup! We would like to welcome you all starting from 18:30. There will be food and drinks. The talks begin around 19.15 and the doors will close at 18:45. **Make sure to arrive on time!** Please provide your first and last name for the registration because this is required for the venue's entry policy. If you cannot attend, please cancel your spot so others are able to join as the space is limited. **Host**: **Spiced Academy** is excited to welcome you to this month's version of PyData. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* The Lineup for the evening **Talk 1: From Grape Stomping to Gorilla Trekking: AI-Driven Discovery of Novel Interests at GetYourGuide** **Abstract**: UX research shows that discovering new, unexpected and unique things to do in a destination is among the most important needs for travelers. However, surfacing these “hidden gems” at scale is a major challenge for any dynamic marketplace. At GetYourGuide, we tackled this by combining large language models, semantic vector embeddings, and a robust human-in-the-loop process to automatically identify and categorize novel customer interests. Join me as I dive into how we created this AI-driven solution and how we achieved scalable, granular and relevant categorization of our activities. **Description:** How do you help a traveler find something they never knew they wanted? In this talk, I will explore the exciting journey of developing an AI-driven solution to identify novel customer interests at GetYourGuide. With thousands of new activities onboarded weekly, manual categorization became impractical, prompting the need for automation. This talk will walk you through our end-to-end solution: * The problem: the challenges travelers face in discovering relevant and unique experiences, the organizational complexity of this on our platform and its business impact * The AI journey: From raw LLM-based extraction to vector embeddings, clustering, all the way to a robust human-in-the-loop pipeline. I’ll share how we iterated from noisy prototypes to an impactful system, launching 300+ new interests and driving significant engagement and net revenue uplifts * What we learned: The realities of working with LLMs in production-like settings, more specifically hallucinations and issues with relevance, granularity and semantic deduplication. We found out that the line between useful innovation and unwanted noise can be surprisingly fine when using LLM’s. I’ll share practical examples of these challenges and how we addressed them. * Impact and future directions: How we achieved a 10x increase in manual acceptance of AI-suggested interests in just two iterations, and what’s next for AI-driven discovery at GetYourGuide **Bio**: **Morena Bastiaansen** holds a master’s degree in Econometrics from the University of Amsterdam and currently works as a Data Scientist at GetYourGuide in Berlin. She combines her passions for machine learning, language, and travel to build impactful systems for travelers worldwide, with a current focus on personalization in email marketing. Morena is also actively involved in the local tech and ML community. **Talk 2: Deep dive into data streaming security** **Abstract**: Data streaming is powering everything from fraud detection and real-time analytics to patient monitoring and order fulfillment. But as the role of streaming grows, so does the risk - because many streaming platforms, like Apache Kafka, aren't secure by default. In this talk, we’ll take a practical look at data streaming security through the lens of Kafka, one of the most widely adopted streaming platforms in the world. We'll walk through what can go wrong - real examples of exposing 14M patient-doctor messages, or years of real-time delivery info to the internet - and what it takes to do it right. We'll cover the key pillars of securing a streaming system: encryption in transit and at rest, access control, monitoring, and key management. Along the way, we’ll look at the trade-offs like disk encryption vs. end-to-end encryption, what is behind field-level and envelope encryption, and the realities of using customer-managed keys in regulated industries. We'll also explore how streaming security has evolved, how real vulnerabilities (like CVE-2019-12399) highlight the need for patching and monitoring, and what successful multi-layered security looks like in production - from financial institutions to healthcare platforms. If you're building, running, or scaling streaming systems, this talk will help you see the security blind spots and give you concrete steps to protect the data flowing through your pipelines. **Bio**: Olena Kutsenko is a Staff Developer Advocate at Confluent and a recognized expert in data streaming and analytics. With two decades of experience in software engineering, she has built mission-critical applications, led high-performing teams, and driven large-scale technology adoption at industry leaders like Nokia, HERE Technologies, AWS, and Aiven. A passionate advocate for real-time data processing and AI-driven applications, Olena empowers developers and organizations to use the power of streaming data. She is an AWS Community Builder, a dedicated mentor, and a volunteer instructor at a nonprofit tech school, helping to shape the next generation of engineers. As an international speaker and thought leader, Olena regularly presents at top global conferences, sharing deep technical insights and hands-on expertise. Whether through her talks, workshops, or content, she is committed to making complex technologies accessible and inspiring innovation in the developer community. **Lightning talks** There will be slots for 2-3 Lightning Talks (3-5 Minutes for each) between the two main talks. Kindly let us know if you would like to present something :) \*\*\* NumFOCUS **Code of Conduct** THE SHORT VERSION Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down others. Behave professionally. Remember that harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary jokes are not appropriate for NumFOCUS. All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate. NumFOCUS is dedicated to providing a harassment-free community for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of community members in any form. Thank you for helping make this a welcoming, friendly community for all. If you haven't yet, please read the detailed version here: https://numfocus.org/code-of-conduct \*\*\*

Please make sure to RSVP on Luma: https://luma.com/k4wnmkgy **Are you an angel investor — or aspiring to become one?** Join us for **Angels & Beers** — a relaxed, no-pitch evening dedicated to connecting current and future angel investors in the Berlin community. ​​This edition is organised together with Start-Up investment Accelerator, Leapfunder and [Startups.Berlin](https://startups.berlin/). ​​**Startup Investor Accelerator**, by Mossy Ventures, helps build stronger, more investable startups while growing the next generation of angel investors within local ecosystems through hands-on learning and real investment experience. Their 3-month program brings together aspiring investors to evaluate real startups, conduct due diligence, and make a group investment, all while gaining practical insights into early-stage investing. ​​**Leapfunder** is a European platform that connects startups with early-stage angel investors through a simple, standardized investment structure. It allows investors to easily diversify their portfolio, support promising startups from the ground up, and benefit from improved access, transparency, and seamless cross-border investing across Europe. ​​**Startups.Berlin** is the largest startup network in Berlin. Powered by the [Flock](https://joinaflock.com/) team, it brings together founders and investors for bi-weekly networking events. ​​​This gathering is **exclusively for individuals who are actively investing in startups or considering stepping into the world of angel investing**. Whether you're just getting started or already have a portfolio, it's a chance to share experiences, exchange insights, and grow your network — all in an informal setting over a drink.

**Hello every boardgame enjoyer!** We'll continue our weekly boardgame evenings every Wednesday in Drehmoment (Glasgower Str. 29, 13349 Berlin) from 19:00. You are all invited to join us! You can expect a lot of fun light games suitable for the location. We have a small library of games you are free to use (but you are also encouraged to bring your own). The games are fast so feel free to join any time! Gamers of all experience levels are welcome. Drehmoment is a classic Berlin bar, they offer varius drinks and have the best coctails in Wedding. We are allowed to bring your own food and they have snacks for sale. A couple of ground rules that we take seriously: 1. We are guests at Drehmoment, please treat their staff with respect. 2. There is no entry fee but please support the bar by buying drinks or snacks while you are playing. 3. Be efficient in your seating and kind to other patrons. See you on Wednesday

Join us for a relaxed Sunday meetup at Futurium. We’ll explore the exhibitions together and chat as we go. It’s free entry and a great winter option because it’s indoors and warm. * **Where:** Futurium main entrance, Alexanderufer 2, 10117 Berlin * **When:** Sunday 25 January, 14:00 * **Meeting plan:** 14:00 sharp. I’ll wait **5 minutes max**, then go in. After that I won’t check my phone. If you’re late, you can find us inside or tour the museum on your own. * **Costs:** Free entry * **Plan:** Quick hello, then we explore in a relaxed loop and regroup now and then. Depends on how we feel, we might go for drinks afterwards. We want everyone to feel safe and comfortable. Please respect boundaries. Harassment or disrespectful behaviour isn’t welcome and may mean removal from future events.

As our regulars know, we have experimented with different venues in various Berliner districts. For the first time ever in our group history, we have the honour to make an appearance at a co-working space – a special shoutout to **[Saftladen](https://saftladen.berlin/)**, a non-profit and very professional (wink wink if you know the German joke here 🍊) collective for indie game developers in Berlin! 👾 Here's an overview of what you could expect: * **Mandatory donation (amount of your choice)** – this supports essential costs like the Meetup subscription and keeps our community thriving 🌱 You can either submit a **physical donation** to the event host in person or make a **digital donation** **[here](https://paypal.me/origamiberlin?locale.x=de_DE&country.x=DE)** (and inform the host afterwards). * In-person folding practice for all levels – beginners and experienced folders are equally welcome. * Origami paper + model instructions will be provided (from the host’s collection, for reference only). Feel free to bring your own favorite sheets or tools! * Photos may be taken for memories & our archive (Meetup, Instagram, Telegram) – let the host know if you prefer not to appear. * **We kindly encourage everyone to buy at least one drink (€2 each) to support [Saftladen](https://saftladen.berlin/) for hosting us!** ⚠️ **RSVP Policy – Please Read** ⚠️ Our community has grown a lot since its birth in August 2024, which is amazing — but it also means we need to handle RSVPs more carefully: * RSVP opens **7 days before** each event (apart from short-notice events) and closes at **noon on the event day**. * Please cancel your spot or contact the host directly (via Meetup message function or our [Telegram channel](https://t.me/+T4URs80l2ig3NWNi)) by **noon on the event day** if you can't make it last minute. * Members with **2 no-shows** (without notice) will be removed from the group unless a valid reason is provided. Thank you for helping us keep Origami Crafters Berlin respectful, reliable, and fun! 🙏 Get in touch if you have questions anytime and see you all at the folding tables very soon! 👾🍊

All thx to the sponsor! **Line-Up:** 👉 *TBD* by TBD **Speaker Bios:** 🗣 *TBD*

**Wooden tray making with Japanese traditional pattern** In this workshop, we will make a wooden tray with Japanese traditional pattern Asanoha麻の葉 and Kikko亀甲. They are one of the 1000 Monyo patterns from Japan. The color of choise is all yours! 10:00 Welcoming, receiving the material 10:15 Start 1\. Theory of Monyo 10 mins 2\. Sanding 30 mins 3\. Staining 20 mins 4\. Picking color pieces 15 mins 11:30 Break 15 mins 11:45 6\. Placing pieces and glueing 30 mins 7\. Assembly of Tray frame 30 mins 12:45 Cleanning 13:00 End of the Workshop **Instructor:** Maya Utsunomiya **Participation fee:** 45 Euro **Registration** is required. **Material specifiation:** Birch plywood, stained with natural oil **Language** English **Product size:** 300mm(W) x 300mm(D) x 25mm(H) **About Maya Utsunomiya Dipl.-Ing.** Maya is a licensed Japanese architect based in Berlin and founder of wanowa. She has practiced at Architecture offices in different cities such as Commune design in Los Angeles, Shigeru Ban architects in Paris and VUILD Architects in Tokyo. She currently runs a design praxis in Berlin. Her main focus has been wood construction using digital fabrication. As a life work she dedicates in community building through japanese ‘Monozukuri’, aiming to connect people beyond language barriers.

Some evenings are about more than food. They’re about slowing down, sharing a table, and feeling at home — even when home is far away. **Biryani Night** is an intimate supper club hosted in my Berlin apartment, inspired by the comfort and generosity of South Asian kitchens. This gathering is for anyone who loves good food, warm conversation, and the feeling of belonging that comes from eating together. You don’t need to know anyone beforehand. Most guests arrive as strangers — and leave feeling a little more connected. ### 🥘 Menu (homemade & generous) * Chicken biryani (shared generously, not portioned) * Tuna kebab * Fresh salad * Borhani — a tangy, spiced yogurt drink traditionally served with biryani * Shahi tukra — a rich bread dessert soaked in milk, nuts, and fragrant syrup ### 📅 Date & Time **Sunday, January 25** **6:00 PM** 📍 Location shared after RSVP (Berlin) ### 💛 Contribution €25 Per Person This contribution helps cover ingredients, hosting, and the care that goes into creating this experience. 💳 **Payment via PayPal:** paypal.me/FarzanaBintayHai385 (Please choose *Friends & Family* and add your name in the note) If you experience any payment issues on Meetup, you’re welcome to pay directly via PayPal and message me on meetup to confirm your spot. ### 👥 Who is this for? * South Asian community & friends * Anyone curious about desi food and culture * Men and women are both welcome — feel free to bring a friend or partner *** ### ✨ Group Size Limited seats to keep the gathering intimate, relaxed, and personal. If food, nostalgia, and community speak to you, I’d love to host you at the table. — Farzana *Your Appayon Berlin Host*

We invite you to join us for a shared cinema experience followed by an open discussion. Together we will watch **“Kon-Tiki”**, a film based on the true story of Thor Heyerdahl’s extraordinary expedition across the Pacific Ocean — a journey driven by curiosity, courage, and the desire to challenge established ideas. **Movie details:** 🎥 *Nor-Way: Kon-Tiki :* [Kon-Tiki Official Theatrical Trailer (2013) - Oscar Nominated Film HD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VdQUc1C1Fs) 🎞️ Rated FSK 12 📅 **Saturday, January 24, 2026** 🕒 **2:45 PM** 📍 **Cinema 1** 🎟️ **Tickets:** You can get your ticket online: [BABYLON in Berlin - Nor-Way: Kon-Tiki](https://babylonberlin.eu/programm/festivals/nor-way/9606-nor-way-kon-tiki), or we can buy tickets together at the cinema. 👉 **[Join Group Chat](https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ba8ZAaH2Yuk6FGmD3LLO7H)** After the screening, we will go together to a nearby **café** to continue the experience with an informal discussion.

You are invited to a Cookies&Boardgames evening in Charlottenburg. There is enough space for 3 board game tables and about 15 people. In addition to this meetup participants, other people from my board game group will join. My games collection includes party games like Code Names, Saboteur, Camel Cup, euro games like Wingspan, Ecos, Photosynthesis, dexterity games like Menara and Junk Art, and some heavy weights like Tapestry and Civilization. Feel free to bring your own board games too :) My apartment is in short walking distance from Messe Nord subway station. You will get the full address to my apartment via meetup app message. Kind regards, Sebastian

Hello group! Let's start the new year with an awesome event full of music, dances and food from all over the world. We don't need to leave the country to enjoy other cultures's traditions. I hope you can join me at this new adventure, I can't wait to meet you all and have a great time! Address: 24950 Riding Center Drive, South Riding, VA 20152

HSLC has many cats and kitties hoping to find their fur-ever families! Come meet them at the Petsmart in Leesburg from Noon to 2:00pm on Saturday, January 24th. For a sneak peek of our adoptable animals, please visit [Humane Society of Loudoun County](https://humaneloudoun.org/adopt/) If a particular fur-baby (or two) catches your eye, [complete an no-obligation application today](https://humaneloudoun.org/adopt/adoption-process/) to expedite the application process.

A Star Trek convention

**Note the address says SE but it should be SW** HSLC is excited to collaborate with October One Vineyard for a monthly Yappy Hour! To support our local animals, please bring a pet food donation and you’ll be entered into a raffle for free tastings and glasses! You can also purchase raffle tickets. Your monetary donations help cover much-needed medical expenses for homeless and at-risk animals. This event will be 5-8pm on the last Friday of every month at the October One Vineyard tasting shop in Downtown Leesburg. This event is free to the public, so stop by and raise a glass. HSLC will be on hand to answer questions and let you know about available animals. Let’s “cheer” up our local area animals in need!

***PLEASE*** be sure to RSVP if you plan to come so I can give the restaurant advance notice! Come on out and join us for a fun evening of conversation, laughs, friends (new and old), and delicious food. If you're looking for a chill, no-pressure event geared entirely toward meeting new furs in a low-key setting, look no further! Fursuiting is NOT allowed at this event, but tails and accessories are perfectly fine. These meets will be recurring every month at the IHOP in Fairfax. We might switch up locations in the future, but for now, this one seems to work great for us. We will begin to congregate at the benches out front around 6:30 PM, and heading inside at 7 PM. If you have any questions, or need any help locating us once you arrive, please message me on Telegram - @VelvetyFoxxo, or in the event chat on Meetup. Can't wait to see you all there!!

Join us for Fundraiser Bingo, where fun meets community impact! Whether you’re coming out to support HSLC or simply want to play a few rounds of bingo, everyone is welcome! 🎉 Free to Attend 🍽️ Lost Barrel Brewing donates 10% of all food sales during the event to HSLC 🏆 Prizes to be won & fun guaranteed 👨‍👩‍👧 All ages welcome ⏰ Sundays | 4:30–6:30 PM Come hungry and thirsty, enjoy great company, and help support at-risk animals in our community—one bingo card at a time! About this month’s non-profit: Humane Society of Loudoun County HSLC is a foster-based, all-volunteer rescue that saves and improves the lives of vulnerable animals by providing care and placing adoptable animals into loving forever homes.

DC Anime Club will be hosting Free Screening of Marvels Wonder Man on Thursday January 29, 2026 at 9pm at the crescendo 8101a US-29, Falls Church, VA 22042 Marvel’s Wonder Man Struggling actors [Simon Williams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Williams_(Marvel_Cinematic_Universe) "Simon Williams (Marvel Cinematic Universe)") and [Trevor Slattery](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevor_Slattery "Trevor Slattery") try to earn roles in the remake of the superhero film *Wonder Man*. We hope to see you there. Cosplay (Costume play) is encouraged as long as you don’t bring any prop weapons and keep the cosplay family friendly. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the screening. This event is free and open to the public.