Local History & Culture

ATTEND IN PERSON OR ONLINE This event is sponsored by the Royal institute of Philosophy. Lecture and discussion! See you there? For the full programme of events pls see pfalondon.org

Join us to meet new people, and discover the local side of Amsterdam. In a 2 hour walk, we cover the highlights from Amsterdam and share the history as well as our best local places. Join us to see the local side of Amsterdam.

Kom naar het HaHaHo Makers Lab Utrecht voor een avond vol kennis & ervaringsdelen en maken, met de focus op elektronica met microprocessoren zoals Arduino & Raspberry Pi, LED’s en meetapparatuur. 19:00 Inloop + opzetten apparatuur 19:45 Standup: wat wil iedereen doen en/of leren deze avond? 20:00 Parallelle activiteiten: – startactiviteiten voor nieuwe deelnemers (Arduino, soldering, meetapparatuur, etc.) – onderlinge kennisuitwisseling adhv de wensen uit de standup – werken aan het gezamenlijke [PraatPaal-project](https://github.com/hadoopmarc/hahaho-interactive-pole) – werken aan je eigen project – ordenen/markeren van de ladenkasten met elektronisch componenten 21:30 Start met opruimen 21:45 Einde en verlaten van de Bibliotheek Een laptop is niet noodzakelijk maar komt vaak van pas! We vragen een vrijwillige donatie van €5 per avond om de inventaris met apparatuur en elektronische componenten op peil te kunnen houden. English 19:00 Room available for setting up equipment 19:45 Standup: what are the participant’s plans and wishes for the evening? 20:00 Parallel activities: – starter activities for new participants (Arduino, soldering, measuring equipment, etc.) – sharing knowledge as follow-up on the plans and wishes expressed during the standup – working on the community [Interactive Pole project](https://github.com/hadoopmarc/hahaho-interactive-pole) – working on your individual project – sorting the chest of drawers with electrical components 21:30 Start decluttering the room 21:45 End: leave the Public Library Bring your laptop if you want to program microcontrollers! We ask for a voluntary donation of €5 per evening to maintain the inventory with equipment and electrical components.

Mark your calendars: the next Haskell Utrecht Meetup will be on February 2nd. We will be back in the University Library - room 0.21 - in the City Center. Note that you can park your bicycle under the library if you enter through the central courtyard. We hope to see you there! We have two speakers confirmed, Jaro Reinders and Niek Mulleners. Agenda: * 19:15 Doors open * 19:30 Welcome * 19:35 **Jaro Reinders - Algebraic Effects for Verified Compilers** * Break * 20:30 **Niek Mulleners - Programming with Holes, Types, and Tests** * 21:00-ish Finish * Drinks @ Florin **Algebraic Effects for Verified Compilers - Jaro Reijnders** Algebraic effects are a promising approach to reason about programs with side effects. Recent work on interaction trees has shown that algebraic effects can be used to verify compilers extrinsically. In the hope of avoiding overhead of extrinsic verification, I have researched how to use algebraic effects more directly as the intermediate representation in a verified compiler. I will present this approach and its complications. **Programming with Holes, Types, and Tests - Niek Mulleners** The duty of the compiler is to turn programs into executable code. When a program is incomplete or incorrect, it should tell the programmer exactly why their program cannot be executed and, ideally, how this can be fixed. To do so, the compiler has to understand the programmer's intentions. In this talk, I will explore how programmers can express their intentions through types, tests, and sketches (programs containing holes), and how the compiler might use this information to assist them in writing programs.

Craft night done right at the Krachtcentrale! Looking to activate your imagination? Join us for a night of abstract watercolor painting. Grab a drink at the bar, then head upstairs to the entresol for a playful evening of painting. Bring your own watercolors or use what we have on-hand. No experience needed, just your curiosity and creativity. This is a fun, social evening of painting and chatting while making our own little messy masterpieces. Come solo or with friends. About your host: Michelle is a Huizen based creative, originally from Portland, Oregon. Often crafting with paints, pens, fabric, woodblock, ceramics and more, she has loved playing with color since she was a kid.

Discover the Alternative side of Amsterdam with a local insider. What did the hippie culture do in Amsterdam? Is drugs legal? Free houseboat, free bikes? And a lot more stories of the liberal side of Amsterdam. For more info check: https://freealternativetouramsterdam.com/ Book via the website, it is the only way to book a spot.

**Ursula Blythe - The Philosophy of Grief: Love, loss, and the so-called human condition** ATTEND IN PERSON OR ON ZOOM Can Philosophy Inform Grief? Death is part of the human condition, yet we tend to avoid the subject in everyday conversations and philosophical discourse. Engaging with Grief reminds people of their own inevitable losses and demise during their life-cycle. However, death remains a curious mystery where our sense of loss and confusion is somehow out of our control. This phenomena generates the concept and real-life experience of Grief itself. As a starting point, it is important to understand or appreciate: Why we avoid the topic of Grief, particularly across Western cultures? Indeed, there are many social, psychological, and philosophical reasons for avoiding the discussion of Grief. As a prelude to my talk, I have signposted some significant examples of why we may avert discussions of Grief, as follows: Emotional Discomfort: Grief is an intensely painful and overwhelming emotion. Discussing it openly can make both the grieving person and others feel uncomfortable, as it forces an acknowledgment of vulnerability and mortality. Fear of Saying the Wrong Thing: Many folks are unsure of what to say or how to support someone who is grieving. They fear causing further pain or appearing insensitive which often leads them to avoid the elephant in the room! Social Norms and Stigma: Western culture often emphasises resilience and “moving on” quickly. So, open displays of intense emotions, especially prolonged sadness can be seen as a sign of weakness or an inability to cope, leading to avoidance of the subject. Lack of Personal Experience: If an individual has not experienced a significant loss themselves, they may struggle to empathise or appreciate the depth of another’s pain. Pace of Modern Life: Everyday life moves quickly, and there is often little time or space for the extended period of mourning that Grief requires. People may feel pressure to maintain normalcy and avoid “bringing down the mood” in social interactions. In Philosophical Terms: Traditional philosophy, particularly from the Stoics onward, has often focused on how to overcome or control emotions like ‘Grief’ through reason, rather than exploring its inherent value or meaning. The goal was often ataraxia (a state of freedom from emotional disturbance) which positions Grief as something to be managed, rather than discussed openly. Solomon (2007) states that the avoidance of Grief stems from a human disposition to: Shield ourselves and others from intense pain and the profound existential challenges that Grief presents. On reflection, normative definitions explain Loss as the event of losing something or someone. However, death remains a curious mystery here a sense of loss and bewilderment is out of our control known as the ‘process’ or ‘stages’ of Grief, which I will strongly argue against. For me, Grief is nether inherently rational or irrational, as it a natural emotional, mental, and physical response to the loss of a loved one. However, everyone’s experience of Grief is different, both culturally and individually. When endeavouring to “draw out meaning” from Grief. Perhaps it is very subjective in the early stages, and more objective in the later stages, which may generate a new understanding of Grief as a philosophical concept. In this talk, I will be drawing on the work of C.S. Lewis (1963), Robert C. Solomon (2007) and Michael Cholbi (2022), in order to assess if philosophy can actually inform our understanding and meaning of Grief. **Ursula Mary Blythe** is a public philosopher, essayist, researcher, and someone who has experienced profound loss and grief in recent years. This event is sponsored by the Royal institute of Philosophy. Lecture and discussion! See you there? For the full programme of events pls see [pfalondon.org](http://pfalondon.org)

I'm excited to host the 16th edition of *Strangers to Friends*! Every event so far has been warm, fun and full of great connections. So we’re doing it again! Curious about our previous events? Check out our photo albums (only visible on the laptop version of Meetup). **What to expect** * A safe, relaxed environment to meet both locals and expats, whether you want to meet new people, experience an international atmosphere or talk about business, it’s all possible. * Start the evening with a few rounds of conversation cards: pair up with someone you don’t know, answer meaningful questions and rotate every 10 minutes. Within just one hour, you’ll get to know several people really well and enjoy meaningful conversations. * Everyone comes on their own, so it’s easy to connect. **Practical details** * Doors open at 20:00, after 30 minutes we start with conversation cards * Venue: Boekencafé Libertas, Klarendalseweg 477-1, Arnhem * 20 min walk from Arnhem Central * 7 min walk from Arnhem Velperpoort * You’ll receive 2 drink tokens for (beer/wine/soft drinks) and snacks all night! * Find us on the right side of the café at the bar, by the window and garden Bring a smile and join us for an evening where friendships grow, business ideas spark and real-life connections happen. Back to basics, away from screens, meeting face-to-face. Warm regards, Julia

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.

Join us every first Friday of the month to hang out and have a drink. Start off the weekend in a fun way :) Meet familiar faces or some new people, especially if you're new in town. February is cold, but no worries, we'll be inside. 🙂 Join us in En Public, a spacious bar/restaurant in Griftpark (near the canal bridge), at the former location of Peter's Bistro. If you can't make it on Friday, try joining Mingle Mania Tuesday drinks. For even more socializing and events in Utrecht, join our [WhatsApp community](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GopSuzuFKRBKeYVKQrX4pE). Feel free to visit our [website](https://utrechters.net). We (your event hosts) are proud to organize this gathering as volunteers, free of charge and without any financial profit for ourselves, with the intention of strengthening local community and that everyone has a nice time. With that in mind, please note that it is nice to support the venue by ordering a drink. We greatly appreciate if you settle your bills at latest by the end of the evening.

## 🎨**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!🌟☕🍷🍪🍰**

It's time for a new Dutch PowerShell User Group in-person edition. This continues our community events, bringing people together around DevOps, PowerShell scripting, and automation in the Netherlands. Hosted at Info Support in Veenendaal, the evening will be a chance not only to learn but also to reconnect with fellow community members. **Speakers** As part of this restart, we have opened a [Call for Papers](https://sessionize.com/dupsug/) to give both new and experienced speakers the opportunity to contribute. The full program will be announced soon. **Agenda** The event will take place on the 4th of February, 2026. All times are listed in CET. * 17:30 – 18:00 Arrival * 18:00 – 18:45 Dinner * 18:45 – 19:00 Welcome from Info Support / Organizers * 19:00 – 19:45 Keep secrets away from AI Assistants: Secure Secrets Management with PowerShell by Jev Suchoi * 19:45 – 20:15 Break * 20:15 – 21:00 Show and tell: Show, in a short 5-10 minute session, PowerShell things that you are proud of. This could be something you made or improved, or a cool VSCode extension that everybody should start using immediately! Or a way of working with scripts that makes things easier and more efficient, etc. Sharing is caring! * 21:00 – 21:30 Networking **Speaker Information** With the restart of DuPSUG, we are opening the stage for both familiar names and new voices. The [CFP](https://sessionize.com/dupsug/) is currently live, and speakers will be announced shortly. **Sessions** As we restart our events, sessions will continue to focus on advanced topics in automation, scripting, and DevOps. **Location** We are in-person at: Info Support Kruisboog 42 3905 TG Veenendaal Participation is free, and you are encouraged to attend in person. **Tickets** We kindly ask you to register your attendance through Meetup. Our events are made possible through sponsorship, and accurate attendance numbers help us secure continued support. Please register if you plan to attend, and update your RSVP if your plans change.

'THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB' by Richard Osman 'Smart, compassionate, warm, moving and so VERY funny' Marian Keyes 'So smart and funny. Deplorably good' Ian Rankin 'Thrilling, moving, laugh-out-loud funny' - Mark Billingham In a peaceful retirement village, four unlikely friends meet up once a week to investigate unsolved murders. But when a brutal killing takes place on their very doorstep, the Thursday Murder Club find themselves in the middle of their first live case. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim and Ron might be pushing eighty but they still have a few tricks up their sleeves. Can our unorthodox but brilliant gang catch the killer before it's too late? The Times Crime Book of the Month Guardian Best Crime and Thrillers. ***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **PLEASE NOTE:** This is an IN-PERSON event in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Please cancel your attendance in advance if you are unable to join, so that those on the waitlist can participate. Looking forward to seeing you all IN REAL LIFE then! Best regards, Sandra

**🟢🟢 ABOUT OUR WATERCOLOR PAINTING PARTY / AMERSFOORT** 🎨🥳🍷🏢 Amersfoort - Utrecht Province / Center of the City / Easy access from train station. Create your very own **portrait, animals, landscape, or figurative** masterpiece in only **2.5 HOURS using watercolor and our secret mixed media techniques!🧪🧫.** This session is not about perfection; it is about capturing emotions and personal expression. **No experience required** **\- trust us\!** our professional artist will guide you step-by-step through this unique self-portrait journey. You can look forward to a fun and exciting evening with other participants, **so it doesn't matter if you want to come with friends or alone - you are very welcome!** This is the perfect after-work or weekend activity where you'll unleash your creativity while creating something deeply personal. You will create a portrait combining painting, drawing, and creative techniques to bring your unique vision to life. When finished, you'll take home your newly created self-portrait artwork to cherish or share with loved ones. Each participant will have pencils, colored pencils, watercolor, acrylic/gouache paints, and a surface. You'll work from an image we will bring. **🎟️ READY TO HAVE FUN?** Get your Ticket and book your seat **✨[HERE](https://buymeacoffee.com/artloversclub/e/430555) ✨** 🤔 **Questions?** Speak with a member of the team in **[WHATSAPP HERE](https://chat.whatsapp.com/J3Y5yeWUhvbJM98bqty2WP) 💬** .................................... **🟢🟢 WHAT'S INCLUDED?** 🔶 All supplies included 🔶 **2.5-HOUR [TICKET SESSION](https://buymeacoffee.com/artloversclub/e/430555)** 🎟️ 🎁 **EXTRA BONUS:** **FREE TICKET**🎟️ to participate in our Drawing and Painting Cafes in Amersfoort or Our Online Still-Life sessions if you live far away. 🔶 New friendships and Conversations💬 🔶 Freedom to work at your own pace 🔶 **English tutored activity** (And of course, you can speak in your local language with your friends!🍷🥰🥰🍹) ⭐ No experience needed **🎟️ BOOK YOUR SEAT🪑 IN ADVANCE ✨[HERE](https://buymeacoffee.com/artloversclub/e/430555) ✨!** 🤔 **Questions?** Speak with a member of the team in **[WHATSAPP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/J3Y5yeWUhvbJM98bqty2WP) 💬** **🕑 2026 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:** First Sunday or every month from 11.00 AM - 1:30 PM. .................................... **🎟️ ART LOVERS CLUB / ABOUT US** **ART LOVERS CLUB** is a community where art enthusiasts come together to explore their creativity and connect with new buddies through various events and sessions ( In-Person and Online) . Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting, we have something for everyone!⭐ To share with you more about what we do, you can see here the overall atmosphere of our events in Amersfoort and also follow us if you want⭐: **[https://www.instagram.com/art_lovers_social_club](https://www.instagram.com/art_lovers_social_club)** 🤔 **Questions?** Speak with a member of the team in **[WHATSAPP](https://chat.whatsapp.com/J3Y5yeWUhvbJM98bqty2WP) 💬** **🕑 2025 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:** First Sunday or every month from 11.00 AM - 1:30 PM. **See you soon. We are looking forward to painting and having Fun Together! 🎨👩🏼‍🎨👨🏼‍🎨👩🏼‍🎨🧑🏼‍🎨🎈**

Dale Gnidovec, Curator of the Orton Hall Museum of Geology at The Ohio State University, will be presenting a program he has wanted to share with us for a long time: Plate Tectonics. His description of his program: Continents on the move - Nothing in Earth history makes sense without moving continents - it tells us why mountains, volcanoes, minerals, and fossils are where they are. This talk examines the evidence for continental drift, why it was disbelieved, and explains how the more-encompassing theory of plate tectonics was developed and eventually proven. Dale is an energetic, incredibly knowledgeable, and very entertaining speaker and this will be another wonderful program by Dale. Hope to see you there! 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

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

Inspired by the successful events like "Pot Luck in the Park" and "Saturday Mornings @ East Market," this meetup promises a fun and engaging atmosphere where like-minded individuals can connect over a shared love for languages and cultures. Whether you're a language learner, ESL student, or simply passionate about exploring new cultures, this event is perfect for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a diverse and welcoming community. Come join us for an enlightening afternoon of language, culture, food, of course, and connections! (Everyone will individually choose from the buffet and pay for their own meal, by weight.)

**[note: ‘registering’ here doesn’t get you a seat; go to [THIS LINK](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=Columbus-In-Person-Chapter-Meeting-Build-Your-Network-Get-Mentored-Night-14-2-3-2026) to download your guest pass or just let us know you’re coming]** At our in-person Columbus Chapter meetings, we love to get you next to local investors who aren’t just experienced but also supportive, collaborative, and ready to answer your questions. At February’s meeting, the whole 3 hours is about getting you face-to-face with our experienced local members for some local advice and mentoring. Here’s the whole agenda: 5:00 Free light dinner and networking tables, meet the vendors 6:00-6:15 Buy-Sell-Trade (Members) Guest Orientation (Non-Members) 6:15-8:00 p.m. **Build Relationships + Get Mentored Night!** We bet you’re figured out that the best way to profitably navigate a rapidly-changing market it to get with real people who already know how to find the deals, get them financed, get them fixed, and most importantly, get them sold or rented fast and profitably. That’s why we’re devoting a whole meeting to giving you the chance to build some real relationships with those experienced, supportive colleagues, ask them your ‘big picture’ questions, or even bring a deal that you’re working on to have them give their opinion. You’ll have the chance to sit with these mentors in small groups and make connections you want…we’ve got members who can answer questions on anything from getting financing to rehab to tenant issues, asset protection, wholesaling, shared housing, and more! If you’ve been intimidated by the success and knowledge of these folks (or just didn’t know who to go to for what questions), this is your chance to pick their brains in an easy, structured atmosphere where THAT’S WHY THEY’RE THERE! (If you’re more experienced yourself, how about showing up to BE a mentor for the night? After all, someone helped you when you got started…pass it on!) Members and first-time guests attend free; repeat guests are $35 (and for real, it’s cheaper to just join [HERE](https://www.coreerocks.com/MembershipInfo.aspx) and get ALL the benefits of membership, including a free website for your business and 20 other educational and networking meetings every month than it is to keep paying that guest fee). Register below to reserve your seat! Members and first-time guests attend free; repeat guests are $35; Register at **[THIS LINK](https://www.coreerocks.com/Events.aspx?ID=Columbus-In-Person-Chapter-Meeting-Build-Your-Network-Get-Mentored-Night-14-2-3-2026)** to reserve your seat!

Let’s meet and discuss whatever comes to mind about one of Tennesse Williams’ most famous plays.

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [Paris Baguette](https://parisbaguette.com/locations/oh/columbus/3969-merchants-row/)!