Puerto Rican Culture

**CLOSED FOR EASTER MONDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY.** **\* NO POINT COOK CUBAN SALSA & BACHATA CLASSES TODAY.** **THE POINT COOK CLASSES WILL RESUME** **ON MONDAY 13TH APRIL.**

Join me for a relaxed walk and bird watching at Albert Park Lake, an extraordinary wetland habitat that is home to nearly two hundred species of birds. Created from a lagoon and originally part of the extensive Yarra River Delta, the lake and its surrounds are a popular parkland for locals and visitors alike. Together we can enjoy conversation and make new friends as we follow the path beside the water's edge and look out for gulls and cormorants roosting on the wharves. We'll wind our way around the lake and pass Gunn Island, a tranquil sanctuary and a safe nesting environment for local and migratory birds. Further around the lake we'll see waterbirds such as stilts, swamphens and coots among the reed beds. When we reach the southern end of the lake we can stop to enjoy the magnificent views of the city skyline across the water. This is a great spot for photography. We'll return to relax and socialise together in the Coots Picnic area and enjoy a snack and a drink. You can pick up a coffee and something to eat at the nearby Sir Albert Cafe or bring your own drinks and snacks. **Agenda** I will meet you at 10am on the lakeside of the Light Rail Tram Stop No.129 Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre. We'll set off at 10.10am and follow the path beside the Melbourne Aquatic Centre and through the picnic area to the lake. From there we'll stroll past the wharves and Gunn Island, follow the long stretch of reed beds and walk to the southernmost point of the lake to take in the stunning views of the city skyline. We'll then make our way back to the Coots Picnic area to enjoy a snack and a drink together. This is an easy walk on flat pathways and the distance will be about 5.5km all up. It will take us around 1hr 45mins at a leisurely pace with stops along the way to enjoy and photograph the birdlife. **Location** Albert Park Lake is located in the suburb of Albert Park, 3km from the Melbourne CBD. The No.96 tram/light rail runs from the Melbourne CBD down past Albert Park Lake. There is free street parking available on Canterbury Road which runs beside the tram/light rail. Parking Fees apply to all car parks within Albert Park. When you RSVP, please click Attend on the event page and I will be in touch via Direct Messages about the details. I will also be available in the Event Comments on the day.

Join us for a walk and lunch in St Kilda. Meeting 10:30am, on corner of Fitzroy St and Nepean HWY. Making our way to Albert Park Lake at 10:45am. Giving ourselves 1 hour for the walk, to take our time, take in the fresh air and to connect! Throughout event, I'll mix and move you around so we can all connect with each other. Walking also helps our nervous system. Then heading to a local cafe or pub (most likely the Prince Hotel). See comments on day for exact location. Dogs welcomed. Looking like a lovely day.

Monthly meeting for the Victorian Division of the Secular Party of Australia. We welcome anybody who is interested in a secular Australia. (The meeting officially starts at 7:30, with dinner prior from 6:30). http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/2/f/3/c/600_306312092.jpeg

We’re back in 2026! Come play games with us! This venue is definitely biased towards "euro" style games but any and all games are welcome. Members will bring games that they like. Anything that is fun to play and share is welcome! Don't have a game, don't worry. We've got a decent selection, but you're always welcome to bring a game if you would like. Never played a board game before or it's been 20 years? No problem, we'd be happy to show you how to play. We love beginners, because we were all beginners at one point. Life is full of stress, let Monday nights be a fun night. Some of the games our regulars own: Settlers of Catan Power Grid Dead of Winter Terraforming Mars Stone Age Elder Sign Resistance/Avalon One Night Werewolf Hanabi Race for the Galaxy King of Tokyo Puerto Rico Ticket to Ride Europe 7 Wonders Love Letter Red Planet Century Spice Road Dune and Dark Moon Also, come to a couple of Meetups and Grab your very own discount card for Mindgames in the CBD. For 10% off and other exclusive discounts.

**\*\*\*This is a pre-booking event. Please visit [artmasterclass.com.au](https://www.artmasterclass.com.au/) choose your lamp, use the MEETAMC10 coupon code, and make a reservation.\*\*\*** Join us for a hands-on workshop where families can learn the art of creating beautiful Turkish lamps together. This unique and engaging class will guide parents and kids through crafting intricate and colorful lamps. No prior experience is required, as our expert instructors will provide step-by-step instructions on design, assembly, and decorating techniques. This workshop is perfect for families and friends to bond, unleash their creativity, and take home a stunning handmade craft that can brighten any room. Come discover Turkish lamp-making's magic with your little ones in a fun and supportive environment. In this 2.5-hour workshop, you'll lose track of time and end up with a beautiful lamp to take home!

**This Meetup account will be deleted soon**, but the **Language Exchange hosted by JAPANEASY will continue to be held every week**. **★Notice: JAPANEASY Meetup Account Closure★** Hello everyone, Thank you very much for always joining JAPANEASY’s Language Exchange events and cultural workshops. We are writing to inform you that the JAPANEASY Meetup account will be closed in the near future. Please rest assured that JAPANEASY will continue to run events and programs as usual. If you are interested in our upcoming activities, please visit the links below: (1) **Language Exchange** https://japaneasy.com.au/events/language-exchange/ (2) **Cultural Workshops** https://japaneasy.com.au/workshops/ (3) **Japanese Lessons (Group courses & Private lessons)** https://japaneasy.com.au/courses/ (4) **日本語教師養成講座** https://japaneasy.com.au/courses/日本語教師養成講座/ We sincerely appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you at our future events. Warm regards, JAPANEASY \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- JAPANEASY Japanese Language & Culture Learning Centre Tel：0422-266-308 Address：Level 1, 183 Exhibition Street, Melbourne Email：[reception@japaneasy.com.au](mailto:reception@japaneasy.com.au) Website：[www.japaneasy.com.au](http://www.japaneasy.com.au/) Facebook：[http://www.facebook.com/EasyPeasyJapaneasy](http://www.facebook.com/EasyPeasyJapaneasy) Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/japaneasymel/](https://www.instagram.com/japaneasymel/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

Welcome to Pachanga Nights – Melbourne’s Latin Party Spot! 🎉 If you love Latin music, good vibes, and meeting fun people — this is your group! Pachanga Bar is the heart of Melbourne’s Latin nightlife, bringing together locals and internationals every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for unforgettable nights of reggaeton, salsa, bachata, and Latin hits. Join us to dance, socialize, and enjoy delicious cocktails, mojitos, and Latin energy in the city center. Whether you come alone or with friends, you’ll always find a warm and friendly community waiting for you. 📍 Location: 95 Queen Street, Melbourne CBD 🎶 Music: Latin, Reggaeton, Salsa, Bachata & Global Beats 🍹 Drinks: Mojitos, Margaritas, Latin Cocktails & Signature Shots 🕺 Events: Weekly parties, themed nights & special celebrations Follow us on Instagram for updates: @pachangaau Come experience the true Latin vibe of Melbourne — every night is a Pachanga! 💃🔥

Get ready for a night full of rhythm, passion, and Latin vibes at Pachanga Bar Melbourne! 💃🕺 Join us every Thursday for our Bachata & Salsa Social Night — the perfect midweek escape to dance, learn, and connect with amazing people. ✨ What to expect: * 🕣 8:30 PM – Free Bachata Class (Perfect for beginners and anyone who wants to improve their moves) * 💃 9:30 PM till Midnight – Social Dance Party with the best Bachata, Salsa & Latin hits * 🍸 Free Entry * 📍 Pachanga Bar – 95 Queen Street, Melbourne CBD No partner or experience needed — just bring your best energy and a big smile! Enjoy delicious cocktails, meet friendly people, and let the Latin beats take over the dance floor.

EVERY FRIDAY! FREE dance classes & social dancing and Reggaeton every week with Obsesión Latina - Salsa & Bachata & OYE Latino at The Albion Rooftop - South Melbourne! Main room: 6:45pm Doors open. Come in for a drink! 7:00pm 2 levels of Salsa classes 8:00pm 2 levels of Bachata classes 9:00pm Non-stop Bachata & Salsa 11:00pm Reggaeton all night! Rooftop: 11:00pm After the Bachata & Salsa in the main room, we can head upstairs to the rooftop for some more Bachata & Salsa until late. FREE entry all night every Friday! Book your class spots to helps us manage the class ratios and also because we may need to start capping numbers as we sometimes have over 140 students! First-timers welcome! No need to bring a partner, but the more the merrier! Dress as you would usually going to a bar or club. Guys smart casual, no trackies! https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/free-salsa-bachata-classes-social-every-friday-in-south-melbourne-tickets-1978557074471?aff=oddtdtcreator

**indoor table tennis @MSAC (Albert Park)** \- social & unstructured games \- for any age or ability \- \(bats&balls provided\) where - meet at MSAC in table tennis area of facility (**Stadium 5 - door A** \- table tennis entry\) who is it for - anyone **cost: $7** (1 hour) (1)- pay using this payment link [https://square.link/u/OMziP7K8](https://square.link/u/OMziP7K8) (2)- or payID# **678 445 433** (use your name as the reference) (3)- or bank transfer - AccName: **The Dancing Alpaca** BSB: **063-765** Acc#: **1102 2418** (use your name as the reference) \- \> to register\, use one of the payment options listed above \- FYI Registrations close 9\.30 am on Friday \- this is when table bookings are finalised \(note: if making payment after 9\.30 am on Friday \- Limited spaces may be available after this time \- just double check first\) \- cancellation: 24 hours' notice required to receive refund Got a question? contact **0431 833 624**

**Sugar & Spice Vol. 5: Japan x Colombia** * **Saturday 11 April** * La Di Da — 577 Little Bourke St * 6PM – Midnight * Tickets are $14+Booking Fee on Eventbrite or $16 at the door on the day * [EventBrite Ticket Link](www.Linguas.com.au/PARTY) For one night, La Di Da brings together the energy of Tokyo, Bogotá, and Melbourne in a unique international social event. The evening features **live performances from international artists**, including Japanese singer **Chihana** and Colombian singer **Linda**, alongside a DJ set blending global music throughout the night. Expect a mix of: * J-Pop, K-Pop, Latin hits, and global throwbacks * A friendly, international crowd of students, travellers, and locals * A **welcoming, wholesome atmosphere** where it’s easy to meet new people If you’ve been to our Linguas events, you’ll know the feeling — it’s the kind of place where people quickly feel at home. Whether you come on your own or with friends, it’s an easy way to connect and experience a mix of cultures through music. Dress for a night out and stay as long as you like.

**WELCOME! BEM-VINDOS!** Come and dance Brazilian Samba with us! Meet new people, learn new skills, enjoy this awesome culture! All experience levels welcome! Join us at our Samba Dance Open Session! Our mission is to promote and share our love of Brazilian music, dance and culture, whilst making loads of noise, having some fun and working our hips. We want to build the community involved in this beautiful culture here in Melbourne, and bring together musicians and dancers to share in the experience. This is Melbourne's only weekly samba dance class where you get to experience the sound and energy of the hottest bateria in town, the drums of Bloco 3K. **WHAT** Come and dance with us! **WHEN** Every Tuesday Evening (We open our doors to newcomers at these Open Sessions - one week of the month) **WHERE** Jason Coleman's Ministry of Dance for the first hour, then across the road to NMCC to join the drummers for the last 30 mins. **WHAT YOU NEED** Wear comfortable clothes, such as gym gear and trainers with a thin sole/socks. For dancing to drums you may wish to bring earplugs. We will however have some available to buy for $2 each, cash only. **COST** Your first session is just $10. After that casual sessions are $30 each, or monthly access to all projeto and quadra sessions is $60. [Secure your spot via our eventbrite link](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/brazilian-samba-dance-classes-dance-to-drums-melbourne-tickets-1576480177649?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl) **PLAYING DRUMS** If you'd rather be playing drums than dancing to them (or maybe you want to do both?) check our other events. Any questions then shoot us a message. Looking forward to dancing with you soon!! **WHO** Led by two pioneers of Australian Samba, you’re in expert hands as you enjoy your Samba journey with Bloco 3K. Founder and Mestre de Bateria, Rob Arcari, leads the drum team, while Rainha de Bateria and Dance Director, Denise Kayan, heads up the dance element. Mestre Rob has been at the forefront of the Melbourne Samba scene for the past decade. As the Mestre de Bateria for both Bloco 3K (Melbourne) and Unidos da Cacatua (the largest samba project in Australia and New Zealand), he brings a wealth of experience and passion. Since 2017, he has made an annual pilgrimage to Rio, parading with numerous Escolas de Samba. A regular ritmista with Imperatriz Leopoldinense and Acadêmicos da Rocinha, he has also paraded with Paraiso da Tuiuti, Império da Tijuca, Estacio de Sá, and many other schools. Denise Kayan is one of Australia’s most accomplished samba dancers. Locally, she serves as Rainha de Bateria and Dance Coordinator for Bloco 3K, as well as Director of Dance for Unidos da Cacatua. Denise is well-known in Rio, where she has been a passista with Vila Isabel since 2020 and previously with Mocidade from 2017 to 2019. She has held prestigious titles such as Rainha da Escola and Princesa da Bateria at Unidos da Ponte, in addition to various Musa positions at numerous schools. With her extensive experience, Denise is adept at commanding attention and leading with confidence in front of a bateria. Come and share in our passion! We look forward to having you as a part of it.

We meet to learn and practice American Sign Language and to grow our familiarity with Deaf culture. Facilitated by hearing folks (with a connection to a professional interpreter) using Deaf-created content. People of all ASL skill levels are welcome! As we learn, we hope to connect more with the Deaf community in Central Ohio. Join us as you're able! Come regularly or just once - whatever you're looking for! Each meetup will explore different topics related to ASL/Deaf culture, and will feature time to practice conversation with one another. Just bring yourself and a willingness to learn!

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. 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."

Dinner and dancing

While some are still meeting online, this is an in person event. Please note that we have attendees of all levels of speaking, including some native speakers. All are welcome! Also, as we meet at the same time and place each week, many don’t RSVP on the app, so we will likely have more attendees than noted here. Note: if you are asked to pay and upgrade the Meetup app, this is not necessary. You can ignore this and still attend our meetings. Find us on our [Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1EKw86WJCp/?mibextid=wwXIfr).

**💥 Join us THIS Saturday and EVERY Saturday!** **💥 At Columbus’ Hottest New Salsa Venue!** **.** Lincoln Street Salsa THIS Saturday and EVERY Saturday! 8 pm – 1 am **.** **💥 Gorgeously Renovated Studio!** **💥 Free Parking!** **💥 BYOB!** **💥 Easy Access from Highway!** **.** Lincoln Street Salsa 1717 Brice Rd Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43215 **.** **ENTRANCE IS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BUILDING** **Behind Anthony’s Pharmacy!** **.** **PLEASE SHARE and help get the word out!** **.** **🟣 Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue Dancing!** **.** **🟣** 8:00 pm – 8:30 pm **𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻** **.** **🟣** 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm **𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Class!** **.** **🟣** 9:30 pm – 1 am **𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆!** **.** **✅ Questions?** **Visit [LincolnStreetSalsa.com](https://columbussalsadancing.com/)** Or Text Todd: 614-774-8146 **.** **✅ No Experience Necessary!** **✅ No Partner Required!** **✅ Plenty of People to Dance With!** **.** **✅ $15 Cash / $16 Card** **✅ College Students $5 Off with Valid ID!** **✅ BYOB** **✅ Age 18+** **.** **✅ Lincoln Street Salsa is the perfect place for…** **.** **👉 Learning to Dance** **👉** Social Dancing **👉 Birthday Celebration** **👉** Bachelorette Parties **👉 Girl’s Night Out** **👉 Date Night** **👉** Getting Fit / Burning Calories **👉 Meeting New People** **👉** Having Fun, Fun, Fun! **.** ✅ **Questions?** Visit [LincolnStreetSalsa.com](https://columbussalsadancing.com/) Or Text Todd: 614-774-8146

Do you feel introverted when you are in a group setting? Are you shy? Do other people have more fun than you do? There are simple life hacks you can use to improve your connection to others and improve your social life. Talking is one thing. Truly connecting is altogether another. It's the whole experience of connecting with people and forming relationships. It includes the joy, understanding, and love formed among people. * In our meetings, you will learn: * A simple life hack to increase your liking and tolerance of other people, or even of yourself! * How to become more interested and enjoy conversations with people. * How to be comfortable in social settings. * How to be yourself * How to become more extroverted and, * How to make connections with people. Feeling lonely, isolated, or bored? This local meeting is exactly what you need! Come join us! Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to the local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is created by the Dianetics and Scientology life improvement center.

**The Data-Driven Brand: Using Analytics to Shape Perception** Can you use analytics to improve tacos? This being CBUSDAW, we think the answer is probably “yes”, but we’re not sure how to implement or test this theory. For our April meetup we’ve got Sara Kear, CMO of Condado Tacos, to investigate this delicious question. Sara will explore how she blends quantitative data and qualitative customer feedback to shape brand positioning and drive business decisions. We all know that marketing and analytics go way beyond attribution. Sara will show how Condado uses customer insights to inform product and pricing strategy. She’ll also highlight how Condado leverages customer feedback at scale to influence operational priorities, positioning marketing as the voice of the customer across the organization. In the last 12 years Condado has gone from one location in Columbus to 52 locations across 10 states, so we’re guessing there’s more to that growth than really good guac (though the guac probably helps). Ultimately, this talk focuses on the intersection of art and science—using data to inform creativity and build a brand that resonates with customers in a measurable way. **About Our Speaker** Sara Kear is Chief Marketing Officer at Condado Tacos, where she oversees brand, restaurant design, menu and pricing strategy, off-premise including catering, and customer data strategy. Since joining in 2021, she has helped grow the brand from 19 to 52 locations while building a data-driven marketing organization focused on loyalty and customer insights. Condado has since been named to the Inc. 5000, recognized as Breakout Retailer by Chain Store Age, and consistently ranked among FastCasual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers. Thanks to our 2026 sponsors: [Clarivoy](https://www.clarivoy.com), [What Box Consulting Group](https://www.whatboxconsultinggroup.com), [Conductrics](https://www.conductrics.com), and [Piwik PRO](https://piwik.pro) More info at [cbusdaw.com](https://cbusdaw.com)