Concerts

NOTE: this is an **in-person event** in Amersfoort! We are a bunch of Clojure enthusiast who meet every month to discuss every thing Clojure. Today we'll have a presentation around SSR web development, with practical examples and experiments. Further, we don't have scheduled any special activity for tonight, so here's some ideas of what we would love to hear from you: * have you started new projects with Clojure(Script)? Tell us all about it! * did you author or started using cool new libraries? Plug your laptop to the projector and show us! * ever wanted to learn more about some topics or are you just anewcomer to the Clojure world? Just ask, we're happy to help you out! See you! p.s.: food is not offered tonight, make sure to come with a full stomach!

**Welcome to our May UX Beers in Mechelen!** This time, we will host our event on Tuesday the 26th of May at [Buffl](https://buffl.be) in Mechelen. [Ariad](https://www.ariadgroup.com/) and [Creative Skills](https://www.creativeskills.be/) sponsor our events. Follow the event online? We stream live via [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBqyTDAyQBw) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# UX TALKS **Talk 1: Research Reinvented** [Michiel Willekens](https://www.linkedin.com/in/michiel-willekens/), Productmanager @ BUFFL and [Seppe Stroo](https://www.linkedin.com/in/seppe-stroo-843b82128/), Founding partner @ BUFFL In this presentation, BUFFL will demonstrate how rethinking research can drive real business results through a pragmatic case study. You’ll discover how to translate business objectives into the right customer questions and how to act on those insights immediately to accelerate growth and sales. By bringing the live voice of thousands of (potential) customers into the decision-making process, organizations can ask the right questions at the right time and turn insights into measurable business impact: from increased sales and customer loyalty/experience to stronger brand awareness and more effective activation strategies. **Talk 2: Synthetic Personas – real insights or digital illusions?** [Kate Foszcz](https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarzyna-foszcz/?locale=en), AI Product designer @ Ebay Can synthetic personas help us make better business decisions, or are we just interviewing very convincing imaginary friends? In this talk, Kate will explore where synthetic personas can actually bring value, from testing assumptions to speeding up research, and where they can quietly mislead us with biased, overconfident, or poorly grounded answers. Expect a practical look at how to design these systems responsibly, when to trust them, and when to go back to real humans. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SCHEDULE 18:00 - Doors open. Drinks & snacks 19.00 - 19.15 - Introduction to UX Belgium Meetup, announcements 19.15 - 19:45 - Talk #1 19:45 -20:15 - BREAK 20:15 - 20:45 - Talk #2 20:45 - 21:30 - Socialize \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SLACK CHANNEL We have our own UX Belgium slack channel. [Come join us and say hi!](https://join.slack.com/t/ux-belgium/shared_invite/zt-1bjpnuiog-T4Di4flXYPWgbT9KrZ53CA) \*\*\* \#\#\# YOUTUBE CHANNEL All our livestreams and talks are recorded and available on our [UX Belgium youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCno7V18T-EglYXprgrUZQ7A). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# ABOUT UX BELGIUM UX Belgium is a growing community of User Experience (UX) professionals in and around Belgium. Look for these types of events: UX Beers Periodically, we gather at a different agency or venue to drink beers, network and listen to speakers on various themes in the world of UX and digital design. UX Antwerp: Each last Tuesday of the month UX Brussels: Each second Tuesday of the month, 4x per year UX Workshops Now and then we organize events to dive deeper into specific skills and techniques in UX. These are smaller, hands-on workshops designed to boost your UX toolbox. \*\*\* The UX Belgium Meetup Team

Hey Everyone! 👋 **Location:** \- On\-site: INDUSTRIEMUSEUM Minnemeers 10 9000 Gent \- Online: TBA **Practicalities for the evening on Tuesday, May 26th:** \- 18:00: Doors Open\, snacks & drinks \- 19:00: Speaker Talks \- 20:30: Networking & Drinks **Transport:** * **Parking:** Paid parking at Dok Noord * **Arriving by Train:** Minnemeers 10 in Gent is an easy **10 minute walk** from Dampoort Gent Station. **Note:** As this is an invite‑only event, you may be asked to show your calendar invite upon arrival. **Welcome to edition 15 of the Generative AI Belgium Meetup! 🚀** This time, we look at how AI is changing the Way We Work. For a long time, work was built around a simple exchange: time for money. You showed up, spent hours on tasks, and value was measured by effort, output, and expertise. Generative AI is starting to question that model. AI agents are no longer just tools for writing better emails. They are entering workflows, taking over tasks, writing code, coordinating information, and becoming part of how teams operate. Tools like Claude Cowork & Microsoft Copilot are already omnipresent in our daily work and expectations to use them are rising quickly. At the same time, robotics is making the story physical again. Machines are not only thinking with us behind a screen. They are starting to move through factories, labs, hospitals, warehouses, and most importantly homes. This raises a new question: what happens when AI becomes both a colleague in your browser and a body in the room? In this edition, we are inviting: * Startups building the tools, agents, and workflows that make this future happen * Researchers exploring human-machine interfaces and robotics * A broader discussion on what a “union of the future” could look like when work is shared between people, software agents, and machines Let's see what meaningful work, when intelligence becomes abundant. Join us on May 26th! **Line-up:** 🤙 Tom Pluym (Wonderful) — on why cracking enterprise AI demands a new type of engineer 🤖 Ruben Janssens (Ghent University) — on socially interactive robots as the next frontier of human-machine collaboration 🛡️Jarno Goossens (Aikido Security) - on what happens when security becomes the default and software starts securing itself Big thanks to Stad Gent for hosting us and to our sponsors: In The Pocket, BruCON, Red Hat, Collibra, Plainsight & Volta Ventures for supporting the community.

**3D Workshop** * **Ontwerpen met Fusion360** * **Scannen in 3D** * **Het gebruik van 3D printers** **Je bent nu welkom in de nieuwe locatie NewTechPark** Je kunt ook online aan deze fysieke bijeenkomst deelnemen. De bijeenkomst is dan op de locatie te volgen. Als je [hier](w.j.put@hccnet.nl) vooraf een mailtje stuurt kun je dinsdagavond tussen 19.00 en 20.00 uur inloggen met Jitsi voor vragen, of ter kennismaking met hcc!3D. Online neem je deel aan de bijeenkomst met [https://wij.hcc.nl/3D](https://wij.hcc.nl/3D) [(Alleen toegang als je zichtbaar bent met voor- en achternaam. )](https://wij.hcc.nl/3d)

**Wil jij impact maken als je voor een groep spreekt en tegelijkertijd stappen zetten in je carrière?** * Dan zijn **spreken in het openbaar, leiderschap en communicatie** dé belangrijkste vaardigheden die je moet beheersen. * Maar waar kun je deze vaardigheden leren en op een veilige manier oefenen? Bij ons! **Goudenraad Toastmasters van het Gooi**! In het prachtige **Huis van Eemnes**! * Verder over ons: * Met het bewezen en succesvolle **100-jarige Toastmasters-programma** van deze **wereldwijde organisatie** zet je stappen om zelfverzekerd voor een groep te staan en echte impact te maken. * Goudenraad is de **tweetalige club (Nederlands en Engels)** in het Gooi voor professionals, ondernemers, trainers, managers, docenten, technici en iedereen die op een leuke manier wil groeien en zijn communicatie- en leiderschapstalent verder wil ontwikkelen! * Wij komen **twee keer per maand** op een **maandag avond** samen in Het Huis van Eemnes, waar we uiteenlopende speeches in zowel het Nederlands als Engels horen en geven. Daarnaast ontvangen we **opbouwende feedback** die je van collega's misschien niet snel zou krijgen – en dat is **goud waard!** * Ook hebben wij regelmatig **mini-workshops en improvisaties** * Als Toastmaster kun je **wereldwijd netwerken** **met een internationale groep professionals,** deelnemen aan het **European Trainer's Network** en meedoen aan **Toastmasters-wedstrijden en conferenties.** En dat alles voor een **zeer betaalbare prijs!** Aarzel niet en meld je aan om **gratis en vrijblijvend als gast** een van onze bijeenkomsten bij te wonen. Email: goudenraadtoastmasters@gmail.com Adres: Huis van Eemnes, Noordersingel 4, 3755 EZ Eemnes

This event is unique as it happens in Griftpark usually close to the bridge next to En Public. \-\-\- Join us for an evening of good vibes! Whether you’re a local or an expat, Mingle Mania is the perfect place to socialize and make friends or even to practice languages. 🤝🤼‍♂️💬🙋‍♂️🫂 👉 Join [https://chat.whatsapp.com/GopSuzuFKRBKeYVKQrX4pE](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GopSuzuFKRBKeYVKQrX4pE) The group has many regular members, we intend to do various type of events, the goal is to build a strong community for all sorts of activities. If you have an event idea that you would like to see happen, let us know. We generally have about 20 participants, the age is between 20 and 60 averaging somewhere around 30, language exchange is not strictly enforced, culture exchange happens naturally. **mingle** (verb, intransitive): to move among people and talk to them, especially at a social event. 📍 **What We Are:** * A diverse group of locals and expats * ...going out at least every Tuesday 😊 🆓 **Event Details:** * It is free to join and operated on a voluntary basis! * Please honor the bar by ordering at least one drink.

Boardgame night #174 I cannot believe it myself but 10 years ago this boardgame club started. please join and celebrate this amazing occasion with us! The idea is: play a game, have a drink and chat with friendly people. We start around 20.00 with playing board games so that's the perfect time to jump in and play with us. We will bring a couple board games, but you're also welcome to bring your own games. Feel free to join, bring friends or family. We hope to play with you then!

**Welcome to the 23rd edition of Locals Meet Expats!** Come alone, bring a dish and leave with real connections. On Saturday, May 30th, I am hosting a special **potluck dinner**, but this is much more than an ordinary dinner party. We are creating an evening where meaningful conversations come first. **What to expect?** **Share your culture** Bring a delicious dish from your home country and discover flavors and stories from around the world. **Genuine connections** Every 30 minutes, we switch tables, making it easy to meet new people throughout the evening. **Skip the small talk** Thoughtful question cards cards will spark conversations about life, inspiration, dreams, philosophy and personal experiences. **Come as you are** Everyone joins alone, so there is no need to worry you will not be the only one coming by yourself. **A warm and safe atmosphere** I will make sure the evening feels open, respectful and welcoming. Join us at the table, share stories, enjoy good food, and leave with new friendships and unforgettable conversations. **Curious about previous events? Explore the photo albums below (available on desktop view only).** **Practical details** * Doors open at 18:00 * Venue: Boekencafé Libertas, Klarendalseweg 477-1, Arnhem * 20 min walk from Arnhem Central * 7 min walk from Arnhem Velperpoort * Ask the staff where to find us. Bring a smile and join us for an evening where friendships grow, business ideas spark and real-life connections happen. Warm regards, Julia

## 🎨**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!🌟☕🍷🍪🍰**

𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 🌱 On **Thursday, May 28**, we are proud to host a special **Data Thursday** edition at **B. Amsterdam**: **Cloud & Climate Pub Quiz** ☁️🌍 This will not be a classic sit-back-and-listen meetup. This is a **taste-of-tech game night** where #climate, #cloud, #AI, #CO₂, #costoptimisation and a bit of controlled chaos come together in one big interactive quiz. At **Data Tribes & EcoVerum,** we believe that climate impact, sustainability reporting and regenerative transformation all start with better data. This evening brings that belief to life in the most Data Thursday way possible: with sharp questions, practical insights, team play, pizza and drinks. Your personal quiz masters for the evening: 👷‍♂️ **Henk van der Valk** Platform & Intelligence Architect 👷‍♂️ **Marcel van der Kuil** Data & AI Impact Engineer Together, Henk and Marcel will join forces as **Buurman & Buurman for Cloud & Climate**, fixing things one quiz round at a time. Think climate science, cloud optimisation, AI-assisted answers, sharp questions, practical insights and probably a few moments of **“A je to!”** along the way. The evening includes three rounds: 🌍 **National Climate Quiz** 🌡️ **Climate Interactive EN-ROADS simulator** ☁️ **Cloud optimisation: cost, CO₂ and Scope 3** Bring your laptop. Teams will compete for points, prizes and eternal Data Thursday glory. AI is allowed, but beware: some answers need to be explained in your own words. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 **// 18:00** — Doors open + pizza **// 18:30 – 19:15** — First round **// 19:15 – 20:00** — Second round **// 20:00 – 20:45** — Third round **// 20:45 – 21:00** — Wrap-up / evaluation **// 21:00 – 21:30** — Drinks & networking **// 21:30** — End 📍 **The Henry, B. Amsterdam — B.1** Johan Huizingalaan 763a, Amsterdam A big thank you to **B. Amsterdam** for once again supporting the Data Thursday community. Because without reliable data, there is no reliable climate action. And this time, we are testing what grows when cloud, climate, AI and community come together. Greetings, Data Tribes Inc & EcoVerum

Beste luisteraars, **Voor de eerste keer organiseren we op veler verzoek een meetup in het Oosten. We gaan dit keer naar Arnhem.** Aan de saté en ribs van Jan is bijna niet te tippen, maar alle ondernemers in Foodhall kunnen er ook wat van. Meer dan 10 restaurants bieden een complete wereldkeuken naar keuze. Dit wordt een speciale editie van Satoshi Radio Meetup. We vieren 28 mei namelijk 🥳 **[12 jaar Arnhem Bitcoinstad](https://arnhembitcoinstad.nl)**! De bitcoinstad van Nederland met meer dan 65 winkels en horecagelegenheden waar je met je bitcoin terecht kan. Overal betaal je eenvoudig via ⚡Lightning. Deze meetup wordt wederom mede-mogelijk gemaakt door **[Blockrise](https://www.blockrise.com)**. Het eerste drankje krijg je van Jos 🍻. **Neem een vriend of vriendin mee**. Wel even aanmelden ajb. **Wil je mee eten?** Dat kan! Bestel je eten bij een van de 10+ foodstands naar keuze. Nadat je hebt besteld ontvang je een buzzer die afgaat op het moment dat het gerecht klaar is. Als de buzzer afgaat, kun je de bestelling ophalen bij de foodstand. Zo kun je samen genieten van de heerlijke culinaire gerechten die Foodhall Arnhem te bieden heeft. De bar biedt een ruime selectie aan drankjes en cocktails die passen bij de gerechten van de food stands. Gemiddeld genomen heb je voor €30 heerlijk gegeten. Datum/tijd: 28 mei 2026, 17:00 uur Locatie: **[Foodhall](https://foodhallarnhem.nl)**, Rijnkade 49, 6811 HB Arnhem Eten: Keuze uit meer dan 10 verschillende wereldkeukens. Kosten: Deelname is gratis. Je betaalt enkel voor je eigen eten en drinken. Betalen: Pin, contant of bitcoin (lightning). **Meld je aan** via deze meetup pagina zodat we weten hoe veel mensen er komen. Er is een beperkte capaciteit beschikbaar. Zo weten we zeker dat we niemand teleur hoeven te stellen. Tot dan, Bert, Bart, Peter en Mike

🎟️ **[REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT HERE](https://www.ministryoftesting.com/chapters/mot-netherlands/events/mot-netherlands-280526)** 🎟️ **The MoaCM ... which sounds a bit like Mokum (nickname for Amsterdam).** Every tester knows there’s always more going on beneath the surface: the unspoken questions, the unexpected discoveries, the “wait… what just happened?” moments that shape our craft. Our next chapter meeting leans right into that spirit. We’re pulling back the curtain on the things we don’t always talk about, the stories that don’t make the slides, and the hidden agendas that quietly steer our testing journeys. We offer you an evening full of curiosity, connection, and a few delightful surprises. Two awesome speakers will take the stage with talks crafted especially for this event. Sorry, no spoilers, but trust me, you will want to be in the room when they drop their insights. Add great food, lightning talks, stroopwafels, and the kind of hallway conversations that only happen at Ministry of Testing gatherings, and you’ve got yourself a night worth marking in bold on your calendar. **PROGRAM:** **17:00 – Arrival & Grabbing a Seat** Ease in, find your spot, and enjoy your complimentary stroopwafel. Consider it the warm‑up round for your brain. **17:20 – Opening Remarks** A quick kickoff to set the tone and spark your curiosity. **17:30 – Talk 1: Sanne Visser** The wheel is spinning but the hamster is stuck. (Knowing Sanne, expect something sharp, thoughtful, and delightfully unexpected). **18:30 – Dinner** Fuel up with good food, because even testers need to keep their internal combustion engines running smoothly. **19:30 – Talk 2: Veerle Verhagen** tba… (And yes, Veerle will absolutely bring her ever-present energy, brilliant insight, and probably a twist we will not see coming). **20:30 – Closing & Lightning Talks** A few final thoughts from your chapter lead, followed by the community taking the mic. Share an idea, pitch a question, or drop a testing gem … lightning‑style. **Followed by – Networking Drinks** Stay, chat, unwind, and connect. No fixed end time; we leave when the energy fades or the building politely tells us it’s time to go. 🎟️ **[REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT HERE](https://www.ministryoftesting.com/chapters/mot-netherlands/events/mot-netherlands-280526)** 🎟️

\# This meetup is around a third\-party organizer\, Focus Filmtheater\. You can either purchase your ticket online or right before the session\. **Seats are numbered**. # **Title**: Love Me Tender **Language**: French **Subtitles**: English **Length**: 134 min **Director**: Anna Cazenave Cambet **More info**: https://www.focusarnhem.nl/agenda/english-subs-love-me-tender/ **Ticket link**: https://www.focusarnhem.nl/tickets/144300/ **Synopsis:** In the midst of a painful divorce, Clémence realizes she no longer recognizes her life. Seeking freedom, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery that leads to a sapphic love affair. Her ex-husband uses this against her in a custody battle for their child. Anna Cazenave Cambet adapts Constance Debré’s autobiographical novel with sensitivity and precision. Beyond its commentary on homophobia and sexism, the film offers a moving reflection on motherhood and freedom, a modern *Kramer vs. Kramer* in French form. **How it works**: I will be at Focus around 18:15, where we can meet before the movie starts. You can message me to find us. Screening starts at 18:45. After the movie, we can have a drink together. Hope to see you soon!

Join us as we get together to see Paul Rudd in the latest comedy-drama-musical from John Carney, POWER BALLAD! The film follows a washed-up wedding singer, a fading boy band singer and a stolen hit song. Here’s a description, trailer and plan for this event: DESCRIPTION: Rick, a washed-up wedding singer, and Danny, a fading boy band star, bond over music and a late-night jam session. When Danny turns Rick's song into a hit, Rick sets out to reclaim the recognition he believes he deserves. Power Ballad is written/directed by John Carney, the master of the modern musical and creative mind behind Once, Begin Again and Sing Street! It stars Paul Rudd, Nick Jonas, Peter McDonald, Marcella Plunkett, Havana Rose Liu and Jack Reynor. BUZZ & ACCLAIM: The film premiered to rave reviews at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival where critics call it “a sure-fired crowd-pleaser” that “just might be the feel-good hit of the year!” Others say, “Paul Rudd delivers a career-best performance in this charmer” that’s both “hilarious and deeply moving!” SUMMER OF ICE CREAM, VOL 2: SHAKE NO. 8! Ranked the #1 Ice Cream Shop in Columbus in 2024, this is the perfect place to kick off our Summer of Ice Cream and grab a sweet treat after the show! Their menu features an array of traditional, specialty and vegan shakes, hot cocoa, and more! You can check out their full menu here: [https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php](https://www.shakeno8.com/menu.php) PLAN: We’ll plan for a 7pm-ish showing and will meet in the lobby area about 20 minutes before the show. Once showtime is announced, advance ticket purchase is advised! Once you have yours, please list your seat number in the Comments section of this event. We'll head to nearby Shake No. 8 immediately following the show! Should be a fun one, Dan

**How to take control of your subconscious and harness its power!** Join us for an eye-opening lecture where the speaker will break down complex ideas in a clear and practical way. You’ll gain insights into: ✅ The true definition of the subconscious ✅ How it generates unwanted emotions ✅ Its real purpose and function ✅ What determines the pressure it exerts on you And the most important topic: **How do you take control of your subconscious!** But this isn’t just another lecture where you sit and listen passively. It’s interactive and engaging—you can ask questions at any time. 📅 Reserve your spot now! Seats are limited, so don’t wait too long to sign up. Location: 1266 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215 Hosted by the Hubbard Dianetics Foundation

**History** The [Franklin Park Conservatory](https://www.fpconservatory.org/)’s roots trace back to 1852 when the Franklin County Agricultural Society purchased 88 acres of land to host the Ohio State Fair. After the fair moved to its permanent home, the city of Columbus transformed the grounds into Franklin Park in 1884. This transition shifted the space from a temporary event site to a dedicated public green space for the growing community. The park became a central hub for outdoor recreation and early civic gatherings in the neighborhood. In 1895, the landmark Victorian-style Palm House opened its doors, drawing heavy inspiration from the Glass Palace of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This iron and glass structure became an immediate icon, housing exotic plants that residents would otherwise never see in the Midwest. It remains the oldest part of the facility and serves as a primary link to the conservatory’s 19th-century origins. For decades, it stood as a singular testament to grand horticultural architecture in Central Ohio. A major turning point arrived in 1992 when Columbus hosted AmeriFlora '92, an international horticultural exhibition. This massive event prompted a $16 million renovation and expansion, adding significantly more greenhouse space and the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse. The festival put the conservatory on the international map and fundamentally changed its scale and ambition. Following the event, the facility transitioned from a city-run park to a private, non-profit organization. In 2003, the conservatory’s identity was further defined through a long-term partnership with world-renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. After a successful exhibition, the Friends of the Conservatory purchased most of the glass installations, creating the largest permanent collection of Chihuly’s work in a botanical setting. These vibrant glass sculptures are now woven throughout the biomes, blending art with nature. This addition helped cement the conservatory as a premier cultural destination rather than just a botanical garden. Recent years have seen the site expand beyond the glass walls to emphasize community engagement and outdoor education. The 2018 opening of the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation Children’s Garden added two acres of interactive landscape designed for hands-on learning. The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company Community Garden Campus also provides local residents with space to grow their own food and learn sustainable practices. Today, the conservatory balances its historic Victorian charm with modern commitments to local ecology and the Columbus community. **Maps of the Conservatory** Here is the [main map](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/franklin-park-zones-scaled.jpg) of the Conservatory grounds. Here's a [map of the areas](https://www.fpconservatory.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ConstructionMap-2026.jpg) in which the Conservatory has ongoing construction (see below). **Summary** For this event, we'll explore Columbus's highly-rated and very popular Conservatory. As mentioned above, the Conservatory is doing renovations on parts of the facility. These renovations are scheduled to be ongoing until the Fall of next year. Basically, no matter when you go to the Conservatory over the next 18 months, you're going to see some metaphorical orange barrels. So let's just go now. **Tickets and pricing** On the first Sunday of every month, the Conservatory is free for residents of Franklin County and the city of Columbus. You must bring an ID to receive this discount. (Yes, they do check.) Otherwise, tickets are $25.20. Members of the Columbus Zoo (of which I am one) do get a discount on tickets, though I have never actually bought a ticket to the Conservatory (I've always gone on free days). I believe the discount is $4. Parking is always free. If you have additional questions about pricing or whether and for what you qualify, you can reach the Conservatory at 614-715-8000. **Where we'll meet** We will meet just outside the main entrance. I guarantee there's going to be a line. The Conservatory is always popular on free days, and especially in nice weather. **Your GPS is stupid!** Be careful simply typing "Franklin Park Conservatory" in your GPS and going where it tells you. The only way to access the parking lot to the Conservatory is off of Broad Street. Unfortunately, since Google Maps is unable to find its way out of a wet paper bag, it has a tendency to want to take people to a mythical, non-existent Conservatory entrance on Nelson Road. If your GPS does this, just drive to the north side of the Conservatory along Broad Street. Your GPS should then redirect you to the main Conservatory entrance. If your GPS doesn't, then throw your phone away\* and look for the big Conservatory sign on the south side of Broad Street between Nelson Road and Franklin Park West. You also should be able to use the map pin I've provided, below, and it should properly direct you to where you need to drive. \* Don't really do this. **After the event** After stopping to smell the roses, for those that are interested, we'll head to the nearby [Columbus Brewing Company Beer Hall](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/) for [drinks](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#draft-list) and [lunch](https://columbusbrewing.com/location/beer-hall/#food-menu). The Beer Hall's actual address is [200 Kelton Ave, Columbus, OH 43205](https://www.google.com/maps/place/200+Kelton+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43205/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x883889a94ac4acad:0xadb2e60240dbc38b?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111) (it's literally just on the south side of the Conservatory). Be sure this is where your GPS is taking you when you use it, as the Brewing Company has a taproom on Harrison Avenue that is *not* what you want for this event. We should be at the Beer Hall by 1 if you can't make the Conservatory and just want to join us for drinks.

Feeling down? Sometimes depressed? Can't focus? Negativity & stress? Recent losses? Creativity in career and personal life hindered by mental blocks? Sometimes we never fully recover from traumatic experiences. Whether it was yesterday, last week or a year ago, traumatic experiences - a loss of a loved one, losing a job, a breakup - can leave you scarred. You talk about it and feel a little better, but it never goes away. After you hang up the phone, it's still there; the sadness, the cloud, the over-thinking, the worry, the guilt. You try to focus, but you're blocked. You try to look forward into new experiences, new relationships but a cloud is hanging over you, casting a shadow on what you once considered a bright, cheerful future. What happened to your courage? Your strength of character? You're 'why not' attitude? Whoever said 'time heals' must have had a special time machine, because after weeks, months, years, you're wondering - when exactly does that kick in? Sometimes it seems like drinking or drugs are the way to go. But they wear off, and now the problem is still there with added side effects from the drugs. At this free local Meetup event we will talk about: * What causes grief, anxiety and depression to become chronic. * Is it possible to regain your joy and happiness even after traumatic experiences? * How to break away from negativity and focus on the future * What are the steps to take to get control of your mind and your emotions? Learn about a safe, gentle, do-it-yourself counseling that can be done in the comfort of your own home. Let's explore safe, effective solutions for healing from traumatic experiences. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center.

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

This is the 50th Anniversary of the Judgment of Paris. Significantly, in 1976, California wines unexpectedly outperformed French wines in a blind tasting with nine French judges, challenging the perception that only French wines were of the highest quality. This event helped elevate the status of California wines on the global stage and is considered a pivotal moment in wine history. House Wine, in Worthington, modestly, recreates that moment in history with a tasting both American and French wines in a fun, casual atmosphere. Come at 6:45, pay your fee at the register and join your friends for this "Judgey" tasting. https://www.wineenthusiast.com/culture/wine/the-judgment-of-paris-turns-40/ Arrive when you can and we'll have a table for gathering. Feel free to bring your own food as it is welcomed at this local gem or order from the newly opened Worthington Inn, or local favorites such as Dewey's, Everest, Jet, Worthington Tavern and The Whitney. Each person pays their tasting fee, typically $15, and gets their wine glass, then approximately five pours of the wines being served. **Parking is tough**. Try the second lot behind House Wine accessed by the land by the back parking lot or the municipal lot one block north of House Wine. **Waiver and Liability and Attendance Policy.** Participation by you and your guests means you agree to the Waiver of Liability and Attendance Policies on our Group Page. People who have two more or Attendance policy violations are subject to removal from the group.