Make New Friends
Meet other local people to discuss Meetups you have attended, ideas for future Meetups, and ways the Internet is changing local relationships. Please feel free to forward us any Meetup ideas.
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[Arnhem] English subs: Treat Her Like a Lady
\# 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**: Treat Her Like a Lady
**Language**: Dutch
**Subtitles**: English
**Length**: 110 min
**Director**: Paloma Aguilera Valdebenito
**More info**: https://www.focusarnhem.nl/agenda/english-subs-treat-her-like-a-lady/
**Ticket link**: https://www.focusarnhem.nl/tickets/144301/
**Synopsis:**
When single mother Sandra (radiant performance from Nienke Plas) is evicted from her apartment due to fraud, she convinces her daughters that their emergency shelter is a holiday hotel.
Sandra is just about keeping it together. Living with her two daughters and partner in a modest but colourful Amsterdam apartment, she makes ends (mostly) meet through cleaning jobs and welfare payments. But when she’s faced with a rapidly mounting series of hurdles – unpaid bills, an accusation of fraud, the revelation that her partner has been cheating – Sandra must draw upon all her determination and creativity to keep her daughters out of social care.
An effervescent second feature from Dutch filmmaker and writer Paloma Aguilera Valdebenito (Out of Love, IFFR 2016), this jewel of a film offers poignant criticism of a broken social system with all the vibrancy and optimism of a musical. Nienke Plas is masterful in her central performance as the matriarch, whose fortitude, boldness and charisma bring to mind the best of Almodóvar’s heroines.
Featuring a gorgeously saturated colour palette and a fabulous needle-drop soundtrack, Treat Her Like a Lady demonstrates how warmth and resilience can transform the most desperate situations into fresh opportunities for laughter and light.
**How it works**:
I will be at Focus around 18:30, where we can meet before the movie starts. You can message me to find us. Screening starts at 19:00. After the movie, we can have a drink together.
Hope to see you soon!
🏳️🌈 🎱🎲 Pool and boardgames
Hi there!
Tonight we're getting the best of both worlds and we're gonna play pool *and* boardgames🪄✨️. Don't worry if you're new at pool: all levels are welcome - the important thing is to enjoy and socialize in our beautiful rainbow community 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️.
The Meetup will start at 8:30h and is expected to finish at 22:30h,
Please check the guidelines in the group description before joining us 😊: [https://www.meetup.com/utrecht-lgbt](https://www.meetup.com/utrecht-lgbt)
✨️ Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram: @utrecht.lgbt ✨️
Looking forward to seeing you all you soon!
❤️🌈
LCU Meeting #809
Hi all! 🙂
On Wednesdays we welcome you to practice languages!
If you want to practice a specific (uncommon) language, please send us a message so we can find some conversation partners for you on our mailing list!
We hope to see you in Café Marktzicht!
In the last year we had tables for the following languages:
* Dutch
* English
* French
* Italian
* Spanish
* Turkish\*
* German\*
* Portuguese\*
* Danish\*
* Norwegian\*
* Russian\*
* Arabic\*
* Chinese\*\*
* Japanese\*\*
* Indonesian\*\*
*
* Most likely, but not every week present.
\*\* - Rather rare ;-)
If your language is not in this list, please let us know! We have a large database of Language Cafe visitors speaking 56 different languages! We might be able to connect you with a person that does speak the language you want to practice.
In case you are not in our database yet, please use this form: http://goo.gl/forms/oSCn9Dn8m8
Midweek Crisis Drinks 🍹 Meet Fellow Expats & Make Friends (Centrum)
===>
Follow us on **[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/midweek_crisis_drinks/)** and join our **[Telegram](https://t.me/+hkknitst7gUwZDk0)** group to stay up to date with our events (announcements only - no spam).
<===
Hi everyone!
It's time to go back to a lovely bar in the center that opened just a few months ago: **CAFÉ BLAZER**! The location is just 5 minutes on foot from Centraal Station and it looks amazing! It offers good (and reasonably priced) drinks and snacks, but you can also get a proper dinner if you want.
[Menu](https://www.cafeblazer.nl/en/menu)
The event is the same as usual: just walk in, get a drink, meet fellow expats and make new international friends! We have the whole bar just for us.
See you all there!
**WHO ARE WE**
We're a group of locals and immigrants/expats intending to stay in Amsterdam long-term. We keep the number of attendees low to create a more intimate atmosphere.
We aim to create a small, close-knit, and welcoming environment where it's easy to make friends / good conversation, and you're always looking forward to the next event. As such, we do not tolerate any sexism, racism, homophobia, harassment or creepy/inappropriate behavior at our events.
**RSVP POLICY**
**Please only RSVP if you are sure you can come**. If you have signed up for the event but can't make it, please set yourself to "Not Going" by editing your RSVP. If you are listed as Going and then don't show multiple times, you may be removed from the group.
If the event is already at full capacity, you will be put on the waitlist. You may be picked from the waitlist if more spots open up, so keep an eye on your Meetup notifications.
Please remember that the waitlist exists for a reason. **If you're on the waitlist, please don't show up unannounced**. Thank you!
Utrecht JUG Meetup – June 3rd: Bootiful Spring from Games to AI
We are excited to announce our next **Utrecht JUG** meetup on **June 3rd** hosted by **Keylane**. Join us for an evening full of creativity,
innovation, and practical insights from the Java and Spring ecosystem.
As always, you can expect inspiring talks, great conversations, food, drinks, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow developers.
We start the evening with food and drinks before diving into our first session, where **Josh Long** and **James Ward** take the stage with *Bootiful Spring AI*. Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming part of modern software development, and this session explores how Spring AI makes integrating AI capabilities into Java applications approachable and powerful. Expect an engaging introduction to modern AI concepts and a practical look at how the Spring ecosystem embraces the next wave of AI engineering.
After the break, **Alexander Chatzizacharias** takes Spring Boot far beyond its intended use case. In a talk that combines humor, curiosity, and technical depth, Alexander explores what happens when you use Spring Boot as the foundation for real-time game development. From IoC containers to event listeners, this session offers a fresh and entertaining perspective on the Spring ecosystem and the joy of learning through experimentation.
Please join us and RSVP!
Because of the limited number of seats, please keep your RSVP up-to-date, so we can welcome someone else if you can't make it.
**Timeschedule**
17:00 Doors open
18:00 Food & Drinks
18:45 Bootiful Spring AI by Josh Long & James Ward
19:45 Break
20:00 Let's use Spring Boot to build games, because why not? by Alexander Chatzizacharias
21:00 Drinks
**Giveaway**
1 JetBrains licence
**Talks**
**Let's use Spring Boot to build games, because why not?**
If you work on enterprise grade microservices on the JVM, you have undoubtedly heard of Spring Boot. Most developers see it as the reliable backbone of enterprise software. It is stable, predictable, and safe. But what if we took all those conventions and threw them out the window? What if we repurposed the IoC container, event listeners, and bean lifecycles to reveal what Spring Boot was always meant to be? A game development framework!
Join Alexander as he attempts to deconstruct and demystify the Spring ecosystem by forcing it to do things it was definitely not designed for. We are not talking about simple text adventures here. We are talking about building complex, real-time games like a Terraria clone or a souls-like RPG, all powered by the same annotations you use for your day job.
This session explores what happens when you learn technologies by breaking them. Whether you are a Spring veteran or a newcomer, this talk offers a fresh perspective on the tools you use every day. You will leave with a better understanding of how Spring Boot works under the hood and the inspiration to build something completely unnecessary, just because you can. Come for the absurdity, stay for the laughs, and see what happens when you strip away conventions and best practices in the pursuit of a wild idea.
**Bootiful Spring AI**
The age of artificial intelligence (because the search for regular intelligence hasn't gone well..) is nearly at hand, and it's everywhere! But is it in your application? It should be. AI is about integration, and here the Java and Spring communities come second to nobody.
In this talk, we'll demystify the concepts of modern day Artificial Intelligence and look at its integration with the white hot new Spring AI project, a framework that builds on the richness of Spring Boot to extend them to the wide world of AI engineering.
**Speakers**
**Alexander Chatzizacharias**
Alexander, a 35-year-old Software Engineer at JDriven, holds dual Dutch and Greek nationality. He earned his master’s degree in Game Studies from the University of Amsterdam, where he discovered his passion for gamification and software engineering. Alexander aims to bridge the gap between game development and software engineering, believing that both industries have much to learn from each other. He is dedicated to integrating technologies and methodologies from both fields. Additionally, he enjoys experimenting with new technologies and cutting-edge SDKs.
**Josh Long**
Josh (@starbuxman) has been the first Spring Developer Advocate since 2010. Josh is a Java Champion, author of seven books (including Reactive Spring), creator of numerous video trainings, open-source contributor, YouTuber, and podcaster. He is a well-known voice in the Spring community and a passionate advocate for Java developers around the world.
**James Ward**
Professional software developer since 1997, with much of that time spent helping developers build software that doesn't suck. A typed pure functional programming zealot who often compromises on his ideals to just get stuff done. Currently a Developer Advocate for AWS.
🏊Learn how to swim in Utrecht!🏊
Are you an **expat** in **Utrecht** and do you want to **learn how to swim?**
Look no further!
Dive into **personalized swimming lessons** with **Your Personal Swim Coach**. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn the basics or an advanced swimmer seeking to refine your technique, our expert coaches offer **tailored sessions** that fit your needs.
**De Kwakel** is a great pool close to the city center, has free parking, and is easy to reach by bus. It's an **amazing learning environment!**
**Don't wait any longer:** **[Sign up for a Try Out Lesson!](https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl/product/try-out-adult-swimming-lesson/)**
Want to learn more first? Go to our **[website](https://www.your-personal-swim-coach.nl/)** or **[schedule a call!](https://calendly.com/ypsc/new-meeting)**
Comfort Food for Wellbeing
Food connects us, comforts us, and tells stories about who we are. ❤️ Join the Being Well Kitchen's Healthy and Tasty Planet Cooking Club, a project of The Being Well Collective, for a special evening: "Comfort Food for Wellbeing"!
This unique event blends intimate storytelling with joyful communal cooking. We'll begin with a sharing circle ice breaker (Bring your own comfort food ingredient), then everyone will join our cooks to help in the kitchen; Together, we'll prepare delicious, tasty, Healthy, and Sustainable comfort food sides and desserts, learning and laughing along the way. 🥣🥖🥗
After nourishing our bodies, we will nourish our minds and spirits with stories, exploring personal stories of how food has been a source of comfort, resilience, and support for wellbeing and mental health. We will end the evening with a short concluding remark from a nutrition and mental health expert.
We will prepare free main dishes for everyone. This event is part of the Mental Health Week activities. The event is in partnership with Missie Mentaal and the Alles is Gezondheid team. Thanks for our partner nutrition chef and wellbeing coach Margaux Raynaud for volunteering her time.
https://missiementaal.com/
https://margauxraynaud.com/
**Why join?** ✅ Connect deeply with others in your community. ✅ Share your own experiences (only if you feel comfortable!). ✅ Discover the powerful link between food, mood, and mental wellness. ✅ Enjoy a delicious, comforting meal made together.
**Event Details:**
* **Date:** Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026
* **Time:** 18:00 - 22:00
* **Location:** De Speler Buurcentrum, Thorbeckelaan 18, 3551 BR Utrecht
* **Registration:** Event is free - register in the Google form below. Bring in your comfort food/ingredient. We will need the icebreaker, and for cooking :)
**Spaces are limited, sign up soon!**
* **Agenda:**
* 18:00 Walk in and welcome
* 18:15 Ice breaker (Remember to bring your comfort ingredient)
* 18:30 Improvisation cooking sides and desserts together in groups (Remember to bring your comfort ingredient)
* 20:00 Eating together and sharing personal food stories
* 21:30 Concluding remarks from expert on food and mental health: Margaux Raynaud
* 21:45 Closing and cleaning
Come fill your cup (and your bowl!) with connection and comfort. We can't wait to share this experience with you!
Fill the form to secure your place! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHgO5iL9FGcMRGEXz-LhLU2SrB8De8-2gM_fZ4UcUgxCsW5A/viewform?usp=publish-editor
**#ComfortFoodWellbeing #Utrecht #FoodAndMood #MentalWellness #CommunityKitchen #StorytellingEvent #BeingWellCollective #CookingTogether #HealthyTastyPlanet #WellbeingEvent #UtrechtCommunity #ShareYourStory**
Make New Friends Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Brunch Social Utrecht
⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:**
[https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/)
**Join the Utrecht Brunch Club and make new friends!**
Each meetup brings together 4–6 people for casual conversations over Brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to facilitate the meetup and ensure everyone’s a good fit.
👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:**
[https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/)
We’ll share the exact location of the upcoming meetup the night before only if you have bought a ticket or membership plan.
**Why this works:**
\* Smaller groups make real conversations easier.
\* Discover new restaurants in your city, together.
\* Curated brunch venues with good food and vibe.
\* If you hit it off with your group, there’s plenty of time to hang out afterwards.
**Note:**
RSVPs on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. The event on [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) is only a placeholder.
This meetup is organized by Groupvibe, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.
First Friday of the month drinks at En Public
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.
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.
IN-PERSON Book Club Meeting - 'HOMEGOING' by Yaa Gyasi
'HOMEGOING' by Yaa Gyasi
'Two sisters with two very different destinies. One sold into slavery; one a slave trader's wife. The consequences of their fate reverberate through the generations that follow. Taking us from the Gold Coast of Africa to the cotton-picking plantations of Mississippi; from the missionary schools of Ghana to the dive bars of Harlem, spanning three continents and seven generations, Yaa Gyasi has written a miraculous novel - the intimate, gripping story of a brilliantly vivid cast of characters and through their lives the very story of America itself. Epic in its canvas and intimate in its portraits, Homegoing is a searing and profound debut from a masterly new writer.'
***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.***
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**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
50 K Nijmegen Ride + Sauna to Finish!
We'll find a nice 50 km or so road route around
https://www.komoot.com/smarttour/13539887
Nijmegen and finish up with a sauna session here :
https://kuuma.nl/en/book-now/sauna-nijmegen-lent/
If there are at least 6 of us we can book the whole sauna for ourselves. The sauna is 15 bucks per person. Maybe we can also have some food together afterwards :)
[TURNHOUT] Freedom friday bitcoin meetup
Iedereen is welkom op onze open Freedom Friday Bitcoin Turnhout Meetup @ het super gezellige café Sint Pieter - Grote Markt 60, 2300 Turnhout
Geen presentaties. Geen workshops. Gewoon 1 onderwerp: bitcoin.
**Connect with Like-Minded Minds** Engage with the Bitcoin community and mingle with fellow enthusiasts. This meetup is your chance to discuss the future, share ideas, and network with pioneers in the decentralized money world.
🏢 **Central Location**: café Sint Pieter ligt perfect centraal, een ruim cafe op de grote markt van Turnhout.
Mark your calendars and spread the word!
Hike in the Loenense Bos (Start in Loenen) (16 km)
* We **start at 11:10** in front of Hotel Restaurant de Loenermark:
Eerbeekseweg 4, Loenen
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4W6e27ij3aqjQnFg6
* Length: \~16 km (4 - 5 hr hiking)
* What to bring: lunch, water, snack.
* For whom: As always, sporty folks that like to combine social event with being active in nature.
**Getting there by bus:**
* Bus stop: Loenen, Bruisbeek
https://maps.app.goo.gl/863vGKfe8nqBvZfw7
**Getting there by Car:**
* Free parking opposite of Groenendaalseweg 15, Loenen
https://maps.app.goo.gl/W6213M7LwEQv8PMg6
or
Free parking in the streets, close to:
Eerbeekseweg 4, Loenen
https://maps.app.goo.gl/awWbkpVZJVzxmX859
**Note:**
* Please **pay a small fee (3 euro)** to help us cover the (increased) yearly Meetup contribution of 240 euro. We'll ask you to pay before the start of the hike (can be on the day itself). No refunds, but in the unlikely event that hike would be cancelled and you already paid, you don't need to pay for your next hike. Thank you so much! Use the **safe link** here: https://betaalverzoek.rabobank.nl/betaalverzoek/?id=eSkpxZf7TymaoFsvJkBCKQ
* Keep in mind that the hike can be canceled when the weather is very bad (**always check the event before you go**).
* If you RSVP 'yes' we expect you to show-up. Please do not cancel less than 24 hours before the hike. **No-shows** will lead to your removal from the group. Thanks for the understanding.
* By signing up for this event, you agree to release the organizers from any responsibility and liability in all claims. As the participation is strictly voluntary and you freely choose to join, it is the responsibility of individuals participating to ensure that they are fit enough and have adequate coverage to protect themselves.
Make New Friends Events Near You
Connect with your local Make New Friends community
Cookout bonfire party free camping
🚗 **Only about 20 minutes from floating down the river!**
This is one of those events you’ll be glad you showed up for. Especially since it **may be one of the last** cookout bonfire party that is held.
Cookout, potluck, racing, camping, bonfire, music, games, and late-night hangs — all in one night.
Com**e for a few hours or stay** for the whole thing.
## 🍔 Cookout + Potluck — 4:30 PM
We’ll be hanging out, grilling, eating, drinking, and socializing before the races start.
Please bring something to share **USE "SIGN UP"** so we don’t end up with 14 bags of chips and 9 packs of cookies 😅
[https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABA92EA2FAC70-64315973-saturday](https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABA92EA2FAC70-64315973-saturday)
**What to bring:**
* Chair, BYOB — no glass inside the racetrack, Water or youself even if you leave it in the car, **$15 cash to support the venue** by watching some of the race
* Something for the potluck USE **"SIGN UP"**
[https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABA92EA2FAC70-64315973-saturday](https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E49ABA92EA2FAC70-64315973-saturday)
We’ll have a grill and a **generator** available for crockpots, Instant Pots, etc.
## 🏁 Racing Starts — 7:00 PM
After the cookout, we’ll head into the stands for the races.
Not really into racing?
Come for the drinks, stay for the wrecks 🍻
This night includes Late Models, Thunder Cars, Compacts, and a wet & wild Enduro race.
Be sure to bring **water balloons to fill up and** throw during the final race 💦🎯
Please support the venue by checking out some of the racing.
💵 **$15 cash will be collected during the cookout.**
Please bring exact change or a $20.
## 🏕️ Free Camping — June 5 & 6
Camping is free both nights.
No tent? No problem. You can crash **in your car under the stars.**
There will be a bonfire, music, games, and late-night hanging out.
Please be responsible: **do not drink and drive.**
## 🎯 Other Stuff Happening
* Karaoke, Beer pong, Cornhole, Bonfire, Music, Late-night hangout
Have a favorite karaoke song? Let me know.
## Important Notes
📸 Photos/videos may be taken and shared on this or other platforms.
⚠️ This is a volunteer-led event. You participate at your own risk.
📵 Cell signal may be spotty, so ask questions ahead of time if needed.
Stay for a bit or go all in — just don’t miss this one.
**Stop scrolling. Start doing stuff.**
Two For Tuesday : Social walk and Duckpin (option)
**Not everyone will come. That is exactly why you should.**
**Two for Tuesdays** is for the people who actually want to get out and do something instead of just talking about it. We’re kicking off the night with a one-hour social walk before Duckpin Social.
**Expect a laid-back** But an Intentional 1 hour walk (2-3 miles), good people, and a better way to spend your Tuesday than staying home and doing the same thing you always do.
**If the weather does not cooperate, we’ll move indoors.**
A small contribution helps keeps events sustainable and ensures those **who RSVP actually show up.**
Payment **Link Found in comments**.
Walk RSVP **$2**
Walk / DuckPin Social **$5**
Walk / DuckPin Social + 1 game of duckpin **$12**
Please be sure **to Put Event and Event Date** in the note when paying RSVP Fee
Two For Tuesday : Social walk and Duckpin (option)
**Not everyone will come. That is exactly why you should.**
**Two for Tuesdays** is for the people who actually want to get out and do something instead of just talking about it. We’re kicking off the night with a one-hour social walk before Duckpin Social.
**Expect a laid-back** But an Intentional 1 hour walk (2-3 miles), good people, and a better way to spend your Tuesday than staying home and doing the same thing you always do.
**If the weather does not cooperate, we’ll move indoors.**
A small contribution helps keeps events sustainable and ensures those **who RSVP actually show up.**
Payment **Link Found in comments**.
Walk RSVP **$2**
Walk / DuckPin Social **$5**
Walk / DuckPin Social + 1 game of duckpin **$12**
Please be sure **to Put Event and Event Date** in the note when paying RSVP Fee



![[Arnhem] English subs: Treat Her Like a Lady](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/a/c/1/highres_534455521.webp?w=640)











![[TURNHOUT] Freedom friday bitcoin meetup](https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/d/9/f/highres_525563967.webp?w=640)





