Exopolitics

**@ Utrecht Internationals** \- Yearly X\-mas dinner in the city\! ⭐️🎅🎄 Staying in Utrecht for Xmas? Join us for an informal dinner night & meet great people!⭐️🎅🎄 ⭐️ We will all use the ALL YOU CAN EAT TAPAS + ALL DRINKS + 1 FREE GLASS PROSECCO ⭐️ **Arrangement (prepaid): €46,50 p.p. includes:** \- all tapas & desserts from the menu \- all regular drinks : wine\, beer\, sangria\, soft drinks \*not included: cocktails, special beers, extra prosecco/other specials **Payment (important)** Advance payment for the menu. 🎄Dinner ticket, incl.reservations 46,50 use the link [ [HERE](https://betaalverzoek.rabobank.nl/betaalverzoek/?id=Z2lDTqI4RrmMQA9fM-1EXQ) ] 🎄or BANK to: R Rijnders IBAN NL47RABO 0334224349 XMAS DINNER (or PM for PayPal) NOTE: **1\. PM us your last name** after payment (otherwise we can’t match it) 2\. Tickets are non\-refundable\, but you may send someone in your place\. . **⭐️ MEETING SPOT** **📍 Location:** Tapasbar La Cubanita, Oudkerkhof 44, 3512 GL Utrecht **⏰ Meet outside:** 19:00-19:15 (no waiting space inside) **🍽️ Reserved tables:** 19:15–19:30 🎅Organisers will be outside at La Cubanita from 19.00-19:15! . **FIRST-TIME JOINING A MEETUP ?** The first time joining a meetup is always a bit exciting! You don't know anyone yet but that will soon change. Plenty of people to meet tonight! Tonight is all about having fun and catching up with people, people you've seen before and new people to meet. Come find us organisers if you have any questions - we're looking forward meeting you! **WHAT WE DO** Here you meet friends, make new friends, hear what's going on in the city, maybe make plans with the people you meet - to go for dinner or going out in the city later this evening, when available visit other meetups, talk about work or sports or movies or activities that you like or share your travel adventures, talk about anything else that comes to mind. Most of all, don't be shy to come alone, most of us arrive alone and meet everybody here at the cafe, some might have seen each other before and some haven't, for some it is their first time meetup ever, another might just have arrived in Utrecht and is very new in town some come from out of town, like Amersfoort, Arnhem or Amsterdam or Hilversum all is possible.

⭐️🎅🎄 JOIN FOR A FUN XMAS DINNER night! ⭐️🎅🎄 If you don't have the chance to go back home or if you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere away from the family spheres to celebrate Xmas evening COME & JOIN US for a fun evening & meet some great people! *\*The evening is informal and all about having a fun XMAS dinner!* **please RSVP via our Utrecht Internationals group page** https://www.meetup.com/utrechtinternationals/events/312050596

***Are you an adult looking to learn how to swim or improve your basic swimming skills?*** Dive into a fun water workout session designed specifically for adults in ***Utrecht De Kwakel!*** Whether you are a beginner looking to improve your swimming skills or a fitness enthusiast wanting to engage in recreational water sports, this event is perfect for you. Join us for an exciting session filled with swimming lessons, exercises, and social interactions. Meet like-minded individuals who share a passion for fitness, exercise, and water activities. Our experienced instructors will guide and support you, ensuring you have a great time in a safe and friendly environment. Don't miss this opportunity to stay active, meet new people, and have a blast in the water. Sign up now for a refreshing experience and fun times with our Swimming Lessons for Adults group! ***Please RSVP to secure your spot as spaces are limited. We look forward to helping you gain confidence and skills in the water!***

Screening \| A Christmas Carol \(1984\) Christmas Eve, Wednesday December 24th @ 17:00 Food Lab Studio \| Room 20 \| Lokaal 432 #### **About the Film** A classic television adaptation of Charles Dickens' beloved story, starring George C. Scott as Ebenezer Scrooge. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by three spirits who guide him through his past, present, and future, delivering a powerful lesson about compassion, generosity, and redemption. We've got the essentials covered: popcorn 🍿, candy 🍬, and drinks. This Christmas Eve screening is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with a timeless tale of transformation and joy!

Screening \| It's a Wonderful Life Christmas Eve \| Wednesday \| December 24th @ 19:00 Food Lab Studio \| Room 20 \| Lokaal 432 #### About the Film Directed by Frank Capra and starring James Stewart, "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) is a timeless holiday classic. On Christmas Eve, George Bailey, despairing over his life, is shown by an angel what the world would be like without him. It's an uplifting story about hope, kindness, and the immeasurable value of every single life. We've got the essentials covered: popcorn 🍿, candy 🍬, and drinks. Join us for this heartwarming tale that reminds us all about the true spirit of Christmas!

These are the nights that we are looking forward to the most: that's where the unexpected and the spontaneous happen - we as organisers don't know what kind of stories will be told, nor the host of the evening, and not you, the audience. The Wednesday nights are the open stage nights in Mezrab. It means that anyone is welcome to tell, purely on a first come first serve basis. If you are ready for a story or if you want to try new material or if it’s your first time, send us an email! We also leave two spots at the end of the night for the spontaneous. How do I participate in the open stage? Send a message to openstage@mezrab.nl to sign up to tell a story. *** Doors open at 19.00 Event starts at 20.00 Soup? YES! Entrance: Donation based Language: English

**For the non-readers among us:** * **Please include the code of your dinner choice in your Tikkie payment message.** * **I’ll provide candles, LED candles, candle holders, and fluorescent rods. Please bring as many colorful lights as you can wear — the more light, the better. It keeps us safe in traffic, and no wolf will mistake you for dinner.** \-\-\- As the year winds down, join us for a special evening hike filled with light, reflection, and a touch of adventure. Guided by candlelit lanterns, we combine the magic of walking in the dark with a cozy two course dinner at Beekdalhoeve Restaurant. The **€58 fee** includes a fancy 2 course dinner with multiple menu options, a guided night hike, and all candles, holders, and fluorescent light rods. We start at Oosterbeek train station at dusk and reach the "Heavenly Mountain" (Hemelse Berg), pausing briefly to reflect on the year. From there we descend to the "Origination Creek" (Oorsprongsbeek) and its mini waterfall, where we light our candles and symbolically let go of the past before walking under the waterfall for a beautiful moment. The trail continues quietly along the Nederrijn, passing the moonlit Doorwerth Castle. After 12 kilometres we arrive at De Beekdalhoeve for a warm and inviting dinner. Lanterns lit once more, we follow the river plains and the Wageningse Berg to Wageningen bus station, where the hike ends. From there it is easy to travel home (This is not a loop hike). https://maps.app.goo.gl/DUjuWW2yGp3C69fm7 **When and Where to Meet?** We'll meet at 17h at Oosterbeek train station! Please come on time as we won’t be waiting for latecomers. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Zvyx7x9AQCDYktnH6 **Restaurant break?** We will enjoy a delicious dinner at De Beekdalhoeve Restaurant around 7:45 PM. The two course meal is included in the price, while drinks can be ordered separately at your own cost. This is the two course choice menu for autumn 2025: 1\. Picatta crispy chicken fillet 2\. Beef steak with pepper sauce 3\. Fish of the day 4\. Marinated spinach in puff pastry XXX A. Mousse of the day B. Fruit sorbet C. Pistachio tiramisu **Please include your Meetup profile name and the code of your dinner choice in your Tikkie payment message. For example: *My choice would be: Hicham Daoudi 1.C.*** **How to pay?** **💸 Payment:** [https://tikkie.me/pay/89jn1sk0pjgbnbitot7k](https://tikkie.me/pay/89jn1sk0pjgbnbitot7k) Please pay latest 24 december in the evening. If you join later then that we can try to get a reservation for you too but not guaranteed. **Special Notifications:** * A lantern, two candles, two LED candles, and a handful of fluorescent rods will be provided for you. You’re welcome to take them home afterward if you like. * Bring matches or a lighter to nurture your candle along the way. * Consider wearing creative lights to enhance the atmosphere and improve visibility for traffic. * Please wear reflective clothing for added safety. * Bring a lighter to light your candle. * We must stay together as one group at all times. It’s safer for handling traffic. * Bring a torch as a backup, just in case. * The drinks are paid separately, directly at the venue. **Good to know** * Refund policy: Cancellations are fully refundable up to 1 week before the event (This is Friday 19 December 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. * Bring some water to hydrate. * 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.

No Barrier will host a channel for the silent disco🎧 at Het Tweede Kerstfeest Festival!🎄 Let's warm up for the actual event a day later (https://www.meetup.com/utrecht-metalheads/events/311170587/) and dance the night away💃🏻 after all our other Christmas obligations are fulfilled✨ No pre drinks cause of said Christmas obligations 22.00 Enter TivoliVredenburg and find a spot inside for a drink. Dance!💃🏻 Tickets: https://www.tivolivredenburg.nl/agenda/41139403/het-tweede-kerstfeest-festival-26-12-2025

#This meetup is around a third-party organizer (Lux Nijmegen): you can either purchase your ticket online or right before the session# **Title**: Little Amélie or the Character of Rain **Language**: French **Subtitles**: English **Genre:** Animation, Drama **Length**: 1u 17m **Director**: Maïlys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han **More info**: [English Subs: Little Amélie or the Character of Rain - LUX Nijmegen](https://www.lux-nijmegen.nl/programma/english-subs-little-amelie-or-the-character-of-rain/) **Ticket link**: [https://webshop.lux-nijmegen.nl/nl-NL/Show/Details/ES-Little-Am-lie-or-the-Character-of-Rain-27-dec-828145?step=seatMap](https://webshop.lux-nijmegen.nl/nl-NL/Show/Details/ES-Little-Am-lie-or-the-Character-of-Rain-27-dec-828145?step=seatMap) ## About Little Amélie or the Character of Rain **Young Amélie’s life is one big adventure: as she discovers the beauty of life and encounters tragedy, a tender and moving story unfolds in a film that visually enchants and surprises.** The world is a confusing, peaceful mystery for Amélie, until a miraculous encounter with chocolate ignites her wild curiosity. As she develops a deep bond with her family’s housekeeper, Nishio-san, Amélie discovers the wonders of nature and the emotional truths hidden beneath the surface of her family’s idyllic life as foreigners in postwar Japan in the 1960s. Based on the book of the same name by Amélie Nothomb. **How it works**: I will be at Lux at 13:00 where we can meet before the movie starts. You can message me to find us. Screening starts at 13:30. After the movie, we can have a drink at Lux or a nearby cafe. Hope to see you soon!

## 🎨**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!🌟☕🍷🍪🍰**

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **This is a curated, small-group meetup make new friends in Utrecht.** Each meetup brings together 4–6 like-minded people for casual conversations over coffee. We use the Groupvibe platform to organize and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com](https://groupvibe.com) Once you register, and **buy a ticket or become a Groupvibe member**, we’ll share the exact location and match you with your group. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier \* Matching helps avoid awkward dynamics **Note:** RSVPs here on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. This meetup is organized by **Groupvibe**, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

Give your still good laptop a second life instead of ditching it because Windows 11 says it is no good... Or you heard Linux is cool. If you have a backup of your data, that is great, else indicate that you do not, so we can help you. Geef je laptop die het nog prima doet een tweede kans in plaats van hem af te schrijven omdat Window 11 dat zegt... Of omdat je hoorde dat Linux gaaf is. Als je al een backup van je data hebt gemaakt is dat perfect. Of verwacht je dat wij dat doen? In dat geval graag aangeven hoe vol je harde schijf nu is...

Between Christmas and New Year let’s get out for some fresh air and exercise. In this walk, we stick near the city centre but walk along the various bridges over the Waal and (hopefully if the weather is good) get some great views of Nijmegen and the surrounding countryside. Along the way we encounter a number of artefacts from the city’s rich history. We’ll start where it all began, in the Valkhof/Hunnerpark, where the first settlements were built by the Batavian tribe around 15AD. We’ll cross the Waalbrug which was an important battleground in WWII and over to the area now known as Lent, which became an important strategic area in the ensuing Cold War. We’ll come back over the Lentloper bridge for an obligatory look/photo opportunity at the Face of Nijmegen and then walk westwards towards the relatively new Overstreek bridge that takes us back to the south riverside and then back into Nijmegen. We then can (if anyone wants) find somewhere to sit down, relax and get coffee/food/beer. The walk is almost all on good paths but sturdy footwear is advised, especially if the weather is harsh. Remember to bring some water and maybe snacks. The walk should take about 2.5 – 3 hours. Meeting point: Statue of Petrus Canisius - details and photo below...

Our January program is privileged to have Kristen Tregar as our speaker. Ms. Tregar is the co-author with John de Lancie (the actor who portrayed the character Q on Star Trek next generation) of a radio play depicting the events surrounding the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial. The trial decided the issue of some of the Dover school district board members attempting to insert creationism disguised as "intelligent design" into the 9th grade biology curriculum. She will discuss the trial and the process of writing the play. (Bob Leonhard has seen the play and it is riveting and tense). Ms. Tregar's bio is below: Kristen Tregar is a dramaturg, director, playwright, and theatre teacher. She earned her Ph.D. in Drama and Theatre from the UC San Diego and UC Irvine joint program. In addition, she has a MS in Forensic Science from City University of New York- John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a MA in Educational Theatre from New York University- Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. In 2013, in collaboration with Irish colleagues, she founded *The Ireland Project*, an intercontinental devised theatre work with high school students in New York and Tallaght, Ireland. Her original short story "Far From Here" was recently published in *Stay Awhile Longer: More Scenes From Temecula Valley*. She has two rescued dogs (Kira and Harry) and she rides, competes, and foxhunts with her horses, Andromache and Baker Street Irregular. Food and drinks will be provided at the event. Feel free to show up a little bit early to hang out and talk. Going forward our meetings will be hybrid. You can meet us in-person or attend online Join Zoom Meeting [https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1](https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87836564953?pwd=4Mi57ElZkDIFlb1fnlNwOJ0NiOK4tP.1) Meeting ID: 878 3656 4953 Passcode: 760812 One tap mobile +19292056099,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (New York) +13017158592,,87836564953#,,,,\*760812# US (Washington DC) The formal presentation will start at noon

We may pick a specific topic and post in advance or may discuss current events and various ad hoc topics . We would love to spend time hanging out and getting to know one another. Atheist, agnostics, other non-theists, and atheist-friendly people are welcome to join us. Note: COUNT operates a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions (http://www.facebook.com/groups/COUNT.discussions/) to promote discussions among members and visitors.

Monday December 29th at 6PM we'll be meeting up dinner at the Pies & Pints at Easton. Feel free to bring guests. Sandwiches run about $15 and large pizzas run $20-30.

Jimmy V's Grill & Pub in Grandview Heights. You are responsible for your own meal/drinks. We usually don't have any agenda other than eat, drink and talk. :) If the weather is nice we will be on the back patio, otherwise we are in the cigar room. This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us. COTA bus #5 comes to W. 5th and Wyandotte Rd. And it's a minute walk to the restaurant. Did you know that there are atheists everywhere?!?! You may not know it, but we are! We're in your schools, diners, police force, military, government, and some are even still in your churches! So come and join us and meet other local atheists, along with agnostics, heathens, humanists, skeptics, and anyone else who's 'hell bound'! Vision: a Central Ohio that accepts atheism as a viable alternative in all areas of public and private life. Mission: grow, support, and provide community for atheists in Central Ohio. Social meetings held most Tuesdays at a local pub/restaurant at 7:00 PM (and often into the wee hours). Attendees call themselves agnostics, skeptics, humanists, non-theists, deists or even theists. All attendees are welcome but should support our vision. Atheists of Columbus (AoC) is part of Omnipresent Atheists (OA). AoC members are invited to join this OA meetup and/or OA Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/omnipresentatheists/ ) but are free to continue conversations on the AoC Facebook group ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/columbusatheists/ ). AoC was founded in 2012 as a networking, social group for Central Ohio area humanists, skeptics, atheists, agnostics, nonbelievers, freethinkers, and the curious. It was a member of Columbus CoR and held weekly meetings, mostly on Fridays, for several years but then operated as an online only group for some time. In November 2018, Omnipresent Atheists (OA), a group that routinely meets on Tuesdays, invited AoC to merge. Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason (ColumbusCoR.org). Omnipresent Atheists is a member of the Columbus Coalition of Reason ( http://www.ColumbusCoR.org ). Omnipresent Atheists endorses the mission of the Secular Coalition for America ( http://secular.org ). This group has been meeting every Tuesday evening for over a decade. Many attendees do not RSVP on meetup. Please don't let the small number here discourage you. Anyone/everyone is welcome to come. We'd love to have you join us.

[The Board Walks](www.theboardwalks.com) are for curious people who love deep conversations. If that sounds like you, **bring a thoughtful topic** **and join us for a 5-mile walk** (10,000+ steps!). **What to expect:** We walk as a group and dive into topics that go beyond small talk. Recent topics include: * "What are you passionate about right now?" * "What makes a good friend?" * "What's a belief you used to hold that you've completely changed?" * "How do you want to be remembered?" * "What would you do if money wasn't a factor?" This isn't a fitness event with casual chitchat. It's a walking think tank where we explore life's big questions together. *If you're looking for light banter or a standard networking event, this probably isn't the right fit.* But if you crave depth, genuine connection, and conversations that make you feel alive? You'll love it here. **Come prepared:** We ask that you bring a thoughtful topic with you. At the start of the walk, everyone shares their topic with the group, and these become the launching points for conversations throughout our 5 miles together. Think of your topic like the dish you're bringing to our conversational potluck. If everyone brings an A+ dish (i.e. energizing, uplifting, expansive), we'll all walk away feeling lighter and brighter. Be a good egg and bring a topic that'd make people go "Oooh, interesting." **Important notes:** * Wear casual athletic attire and sneakers. It's a long walk! * We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, and industries who align with the [intention](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules) of this space. * This walk is designed for everyone to *move together at the same steady pace* (about 20 min/mile). We want everyone to have a great experience, and this format works best when the whole group moves in unison. If you have mobility limitations, we kindly encourage you to find an event better suited to your needs. **FAQs:** * We have multiple first-timers on each walk! We work hard to create a welcoming, inclusive, clique-free space. * Rain or shine, we've been out here nearly every week since July 2022. If the event is cancelled, we'll let you know. * Dogs, babies in strollers, parents, and friends are very welcome — please text/email them the event link so they can RSVP and prepare a topic! **Logistics:** * **Arrive on time.** If you'll arrive over 10 minutes late, we kindly suggest that you skip the event. It's hard to find us once we start walking, and one of our goals is to create a "phone-free" space — which means everyone (including the host!) will be fully present. We can't answer messages during the event. * **Read our [Ground Rules](https://www.theboardwalks.com/ground-rules)**. Our host gives an overview of what to expect at the beginning of the walk. * **Share the magic**. If you enjoy the event, send **[this](www.theboardwalks.com)** to a friend. We're currently in 7 cities with more on the way (Austin, SF, NYC, Denver, Columbus, Boone, London). 🤠👋 **If you want to go deeper...** [The Board](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board) is the next step: a high-trust collective for renaissance people devoted to creating, connecting, and building lives that light us up. * This is a global HQ for people who crave big talk, deep connection, and dream collaborations with people across industries. If the walks feel like a spark... The Board is the fire. * We're currently building our waitlist. Apply [here.](https://stan.store/ellebeecher/p/the-board)