Social and Cultural Outings

Life gets busy, and meaningful connections don’t always happen by chance. That’s why our Fast Friending social brings like-minded ladies & gents together in a relaxed, welcoming space designed for easy, natural conversations. In just one evening, you’ll meet multiple people face-to-face — whether you’re looking for new friendships or something more meaningful, it’s a simple and genuine way to connect. **You will need to buy a ticket for attending -** [https://lux25thapril.eventbrite.co.uk](https://lux25thapril.eventbrite.co.uk) \*You can use any debit or credit card to purchase your ticket at PayPal checkout. It will ask you for your email address but that is only to send you a receipt. You do not need a PayPal account. TICKETS:- Early Bird - €5 / person Regular Ticket - €10 / person Cash at meetup: If you do not purchase a ticket in advance then you can pay Shye cash of €15 when you attend. **Here’s how your evening will flow:-** **7:00 PM – Welcome** Arrive at 7:00 PM and be welcomed by your host, Sergio, who will guide the evening and help with introductions. Feeling shy? Come a little early and she’ll ease you into small-group conversations. You’re also welcome to bring a lady friend along for free. **7:30 – 8:30 PM \| Fast Friending** Chat with a new attendee every 3 minutes, ensuring you meet a variety of like-minded ladies and gentlemen. **After 8:30 PM \| Open Mingling** Reconnect with those you enjoyed speaking to and continue meaningful conversations at your own pace \- We are not a close knit tight group\. Our evenings are warm and comfortable for members attending for the first time and those coming alone\. You will not feel alone\! \- We have many groups in this city\. Members of our other groups who RSVP are included as guests of the organisers in order to give you an indication of expected people\. \- This evening is for ladies and gents in the 21 to 45 age group\. While some will be at the younger end of this range there will also be others at the other end of the range and lots in\-between\! You will naturally gel with others of your own age range and so you will always find many attendees who fit your range\. \- We are not a dating group\. Our events are not organised to manage your dating life\. Our group is created to help ladies and gents meet other like minded ladies and gents\. Please do not attend our event if a perfect gender balance is important for your enjoyment of our meet\-up\. Why do we have tickets? 1. Cover our costs - Our host is compensated for their time and work. We also pay meetup and have dedicated staff to manage our events, hosts, venues and communication. 2. Group Safety - By securing your ticket we have a record and you contribute to a well organized evening where everyone is more committed and better behaved. 3. Management - Tickets help us better manage attendee group size, book suitable space and activity. ABOUT [fastfriends.co.uk ](https://fastfriends.co.uk/)- We have connected members successfully for the past 10 years in over 30 cities (operating as Expatsclub, MeetConnectDevelop and fastfriends.co.uk). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- You can contact our founder Dan on +447715705005 with any questions or ideas. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Here are some videos which will give you some guidance and comfort to make your attendance more productive.** Secrets of socializing at our meetups - [http://bit.ly/secrets-socializing ](http://bit.ly/secrets-socializing) How to make new friends - [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6GB0Hc_bSs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6GB0Hc_bSs)

Want to practise French 🇫🇷 German 🇩🇪 English 🇬🇧 Luxembourgish 🇱🇺 — or ANY language you can find a partner for? Then join our crew of friendly expats & locals for a night of chats, laughs & global energy 🎉 In Luxembourg, speaking multiple languages is basically a superpower 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️ — but this meetup is all about connection, not perfection. Beginners, pros & “I understand but can’t speak” people — all welcome 😄 Don’t feel like practising a language? 😎 No worries — you’re STILL totally welcome! come hang out, meet people & enjoy the international vibes anyway 🥂✨ Come for the languages — stay for the laughter, friendships & drinks 🍹 ✨ What You’ll Find ✔ Super chill atmosphere 😌 ✔ Expats from everywhere 🌍 ✔ Zero pressure — just vibes ✨ ✔ “How do you say…?” moments 🤔😂 ✔ Old friends & new — ❤️ 🍹 AFTER-EXCHANGE APÉRO 🤩 Languages warm-up… Drinks cool-down… Balance restored 😌🍺 Most weeks we wander to another bar afterwards for beer, bites & bonus socialising. Just follow the organisers — they know the 🔥 hotspots 😉 🪧 HOW IT WORKS ➡️ Sit with the group for the language you want to practise ➡️ Look for the table signs 📍 ➡️ Switch groups anytime — totally chill ➡️ Rare language? Post in the group & find your match 💫 ➡️ Luxembourgish shows up too 🇱🇺 ⚠️ By attending, you agree organisers can’t be held liable for regulation violations (or accidental grammar crimes 😜)

The weather looks good for Saturday, perfect for a bike tour! We will cycle from Luxembourg to Petange and make a loop back to Luxembourg. Distance approximately 64km. Final destination once we arrive back to Luxembourg is a Kebab near the gare. Average speed 18km/h, so a certain level of fitness is required. Note: The event is at your own risk. No shows will be excluded from future events.

In the United States of Africa by Djiboutian author Abdourahman A. Waberi is a satirical, speculative novel that reverses global fortunes. The idea is pretty clear ✏️:set a novel in a parallel reality where the Global South and North are flipped, where Americans, Japanese and Western Europeans rely on handouts from Haitians and Ethiopians.💰💰💰 America suffer from poverty, war, and disease. The narrative follows Malaïka, often called Maya, a european artist adopted by an african doctor, who travels to "Euramerica" to find her roots. The book won the French Voices Award, a prize that supports and promotes French-language works translated into English. It was also shortlisted for the Dublin Literary Award in 2011, a major international prize for world literature.

Outdoor calisthenics workouts are a fantastic way to build strength, improve fitness, and enjoy the great outdoors 😁🦾 Calisthenics is a form of strength training that uses the resistance of your body and gravity to help strengthen your muscles and improve your coordination, endurance, and mobility. It’s a workout that relies on body weight with little or no equipment. In fact, almost all common bodyweight exercises are considered calisthenics exercises. Some examples include: - airsquats - pushups - pullups - frogstand -handstand -musclup -backlever aso 😁 Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced athlete, calisthenics provides a holistic approach to fitness. 🏋️‍♂️💪

**AI & Everyone** is the open and the most exclusive format of the AI & Coffee community. Open to all, this in-person gathering welcomes **everyone**. Join us for an afternoon where **AI enthusiasts** and curious minds come together from the entire country and even behind the borders! This is your opportunity to connect, get inspired, share ideas, and explore the world of artificial intelligence with people from all walks of life. Whether you're a pro or just starting out, everyone’s welcome. \*\*\* **AI & Everyone** is one of many formats hosted by the AI & Coffee Team - but this one is the biggest one that only happens once a month in a special setup. There is **a limit on attendees**, so make sure to reserve your spot as early as possible. Our next gathering will be on **Sunday, 26 April**, at **Chiche! Limpersberg** **(20 avenue pasteur, 2310 Limpersberg · Luxembourg City**). The official event is **from 15h00 to 18h00**, but **make sure to come a bit eariler so you can make the most out of it**. We’ll have announcements and a couple of guests from our community sharing their projects, businesses, or initiatives during the first part of the event (30-45min). Afterwards we have the people showing demos in different corners, interviews, networking and drinks happening. After 18h00, the gathering is free to continue **as long as the restaurant is open**, so there’s space for organic conversations, networking, and community building. 💡 **Special feature:** If you would like the opportunity to pitch your ideas or share your project at the beginning of the event, please contact one of the hosts or via the Whatsapp group that AI & Coffee has for the community. (This Whatsapp group is only accessible for people who have attended one of our events.) ☕ **We’ll gather for open conversations about:** • AI news, trends, tools, and real-world applications • Personal projects, ideas, and reflections • Ethics, creativity, and the societal impact of AI • Connecting, learning, and building community 👥 **Who’s welcome?** Everyone. Students, developers, creatives, entrepreneurs, researchers, or anyone simply curious about AI. No experience required. 💡 **What to expect** • Casual, open atmosphere • Guests from the community presenting at the start • Free-flowing conversations and networking • No pressure, no presentations (except for invited pitches) 🎉 The event is free. Drinks or food are at your own expense. Bring your curiosity, questions, and an open mind — and let’s explore AI together.

Let’s meet in late April for a gentle, warm, and slightly unpredictable afternoon together.✨ As spring slowly unfolds, we often notice that certain thoughts keep returning, questions, ideas, small concerns, quiet curiosities, or reflections about life that don’t always find space in everyday conversations. This time, we’ll take a moment to explore: **What has been on your mind lately?** ☁️ Not everything needs to be fully clear or resolved. Sometimes it is enough to notice what is present and to hear how others experience their own inner worlds. ⭐ What to expect A small circle of open-minded people, with tea, coffee, or food in hand, sharing reflections, philosophy, psychology, or simply ideas and inspirations that arise naturally in the moment. The topic is gently suggested, and the conversation will flow organically. 🪄 We’ll explore the questions step by step, from light to deeper, in a roundtable format. For example: • What’s your name, where are you from, and what are you doing in Luxembourg? • What has been on your mind lately? • Is there a topic or question you find yourself returning to again and again? • Is this something new in your life, or something that has been present for a long time? • What makes this topic feel important for you right now? • Does this thought feel more exciting, heavy, confusing — or something else? • When this topic comes to your mind, do you usually want to act, understand, or simply observe? • Do you feel you already have clarity about it, or are you still exploring? • Is there something you wish you understood better about this topic? • Has anything recently influenced the way you see this topic? • If this topic evolved in a positive direction, what might feel different in your life? … and whatever else naturally emerges. There’s no pressure to share deeply…listening is just as welcome as speaking. ✨ 📌 Practical details 📍 Venue: Le Quai Steffen – Gare de Luxembourg | Restaurant 📅 Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026 ⏰ Time: 15:00 – 17:00 👥 Group size: Up to 12 people ☕ Food & drinks: Everyone orders and pays individually Since the topic invites reflection, the group will stay intentionally small. If you find that you can’t attend, please cancel your spot so someone else can join. If you enjoy authentic connection, gentle humour, openness to different perspectives, and curiosity about others — not just what they do, but how they see the world — you’re very welcome to join. 🫶

Join for a sketching session in Mudam followed by a coffee at the Museum cafe at 2pm. We will meet at the reception area where we can also leave the jackets/bags in the lockers. Focus will be on the British Japanese artist Simon Fujiwara Exhibition that show-cases the breadth of the artist’s works across painting, film, performance, animation and storytelling. To learn more: https://www.mudam.com/exhibitions/solo-exhibition-2 Fee: Access to the museum is subject to a fee. You can buy your ticket on the day of the meetup at the museum. Lunch: If you would like to have lunch at the museum cafe, it's highly recommended to make a reservation separately. The food is served until 3pm only, after which there are only deserts served (subject to availability). Join the WhatsApp group to keep informed and share your work: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CDtDO1GurPrA4ceFPePeQb

A warm Sunday afternoon, somewhere in Luxembourg City. A room for listeners, where songs are carried by voice, words and acoustic sound. Folk and storytelling shared without distance — intimate, unfiltered, and felt as much as heard. Discover the venue just 36 hours before the event 🤫 Limited seats - Tickets 🎫 https://www.sofarsounds.com/events/64837

Dear all, join for this discussion of Frances Ha (2012) directed by Noah Baumbach that follows the path to maturity as Frances Halliday navigates through New York City in pursuit of her dream of becoming a dancer. This black/white comedy-drama stars Greta Gerwig. Join us in the WhatsApp to continue the chat: https://chat.whatsapp.com/IfHxPbLIF2RLldyo1yGwhH NOTE: This discussion doesn't include a film screening. The participants are expected to watch the film prior to joining the discussion. However you can watch Frances Ha with Cinemateque earlier in the week: https://www.cinematheque.lu/fr/programme/cinematheque-film-club/frances-ha

Harmony isn’t just a feeling — it’s something you can design. In Feng Shui, your space reflects your energy. When your environment flows, your life flows. • Clear space = clear mind • Strong support behind you = confidence forward • Natural light = vitality • Plants = growth • Water = abundance Small changes. Big energy shift. 25 Euro / person

Dodgeball is back again! If you’ve been wanting to come out, this is an easy one to join. We’ll be playing for about 1.5 to 2 hours, you do not need to bring any equipment, and no experience is needed. We use a specific set of rules and equipment to make the games run better and keep them fun for everybody, not just people who already know how to play. If it rains, the event will be canceled.

Columbus Code & Coffee is an inclusive, informal co-working session. People of all skill levels attend, and we love it that way. Many people (optionally) bring projects to work on, and many other people (optionally) socialize the entire time. It's entirely up to you! **What to Expect at the Intro Circle** \~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~\~ Near the beginning of the event (1:30 pm), we do a standup: * Organizer announcements, updates, and logistics Round 1 - (7 secs max): * Your name * What you're working on * What you can help others with Round 2: * Community events you wanna plug. If none, that's cool too. Round 3: * Job opportunities you're hiring for OR announce that you are looking for one. If none, that's cool. After the introduction circle, everything is self-organized! Feel free to work alone, pair up, attend one of our workshops/presentations, or mingle!

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [Grandview Grind](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063534163841)!

**History** The history of [Blendon Woods Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/blendon-woods/) began long before its 1951 opening, rooted in a landscape of rugged ridges and deep ravines that made the land unsuitable for traditional farming. In 1945, a report proposing a metropolitan park system for Franklin County specifically highlighted these cliffs of Bedford Shale as some of the "wildest land in the vicinity". Following this recommendation, the recently formed park district purchased the first 229 acres in early 1949. Because the terrain was so uneven, developers had to cut a mile-and-a-half-long roadway through dense woods just to bring in heavy equipment. This initial preservation effort ensured that the mature second-growth hardwood forests remained largely untouched by the urban expansion spreading toward Westerville. Opening day arrived on Labor Day, September 3, 1951, marking Blendon Woods as the second park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system. The final push to open was a frantic race; the State Highway Department only finished the primary gravel access road four days before the gates opened. Early staff members, consisting of just four full-time employees, had to hand-dig pit toilets and learn construction skills on the fly to build the first picnic shelters. Despite the dusty conditions and limited facilities, the park was an immediate success, drawing massive crowds from across Central Ohio. By the end of the 1950s, annual visitation had already climbed to over 190,000 people. As the surrounding suburbs grew in the 1960s, the park faced severe overcrowding that threatened its natural habitats. In response, Franklin County voters passed the first Metro Parks levy in 1960, providing the funds necessary for a decade of steady expansion. During this era, the park nearly doubled in size, growing from 264 acres to over 570 acres by 1968. Planners also addressed a critical water shortage by collaborating with the U.S. Soil and Conservation Service to build a lake in 1964. This body of water originally served as a temporary reservoir before its role shifted toward conservation and wildlife support. The 1970s marked a transition toward the specialized wildlife and educational focus for which the park is known today. In 1971, the Walden Waterfowl Refuge was established around the 11-acre Thoreau Lake, creating a sanctuary that remains restricted to provide a quiet habitat for migratory birds. A formal nature center was also developed during this period, expanding on the guided Sunday walks that had been a park staple since the early 1950s. The park’s famous "Monarch Mansion" also became a prominent fixture, starting a long tradition of raising and releasing thousands of monarch butterflies each September. These initiatives cemented the park’s reputation as a premier destination for birders and nature enthusiasts. In more recent decades, Blendon Woods has continued to modernize while maintaining its wilderness character. The 10-acre Natural Play Area was added in 2017, encouraging kids to explore the ravines and woods off-trail. This was followed by the opening of a $1.5 million inclusive playground in April 2025, designed to accommodate children of all physical abilities. The nature center also underwent major renovations to include immersive, three-dimensional exhibits and a new butterfly house. Today, the park encompasses 653 acres, preserving a unique geologic and biological corridor amidst the bustling Westerville and Northeast Columbus area. **Map of the Park** Here is a map of [Blendon Woods](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/BLN_map_Inclusive-Playground-and-Butterfly-Trail_May-2025_1980px.png). **Summary** For this event, we will hike the Lake View, Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook, Brookside, and Sugarbush Trails. This sounds like a lot, but it will really be only a little over five miles. Blendon Woods has a few hills here and there, but it's not one of the more strenuous metro parks. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet just in front of the Nature Center. This is about a mile into the park from the main entrance. You have to go past the Ranger Station and the Shadblow Reservable Area to get to it, so don't stop too early at the Ranger Station and get it confused with the Nature Center. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/) at Easton for [drinks](https://forbiddenroot.com/restaurants/columbus-ohio/#dinner-menu) and [food](https://forbiddenroot.com/wp-content/uploads/Cbus-Food.pdf). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks. The brewery's actual address is [4080 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219](https://www.google.com/maps/place/4080+Worth+Ave,+Columbus,+OH+43219/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88388a86d10b6619:0x4d42b470a5cf11d3?sa=X&ved=1t:242&ictx=111); however, I recommend pointing your GPS to the [Worth Garage](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Worth+Garage/@40.0542293,-82.9137962,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88388b4df6082825:0x17582f0eccd9dda1!8m2!3d40.0542293!4d-82.9137962!16s%2Fg%2F11rzfvvv8b?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI2MDQxNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) across the street. Parking in this garage is free as long as you're not on the first floor, and it is literally right next to the brewery.

**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.