Sierra Club

Small curated movie nights in a hidden garden in Ixelles, next to Place Flagey. A mix of: * **cult classics** * **recent movies** * **international cinema** * **comedy nights** * **karaoke & dubbing chaos nights** * **comfort food and summer vibes** **This is not a giant public Meetup** where 40 strangers stand awkwardly around overpriced drinks pretending networking is fun. Humanity already suffered enough. Our idea is simple: we gather in a private home and transform the courtyard into a small outdoor cinema. Sometimes we cook together before the movie: Italian, Thai, Lebanese, Japanese, Balkan, Greek, Latin American street food etc. Sometimes people simply grab pizza from the excellent pizzeria next door and join the screening. Food is intentionally relaxed: bowls, finger food, street food, popcorn, snacks, comfort food. **Some nights are more gourmet.** Some are glorified pizza-and-movie nights. Both are valid forms of civilization **;-)** ## **What makes this different** The group is i**ntentionally small**: usually 6 to 8 people maximum. **People are introduced properly.** Nobody gets abandoned in a corner. The atmosphere stays human, social and safe. **No heavy drinking.** **No creepy behavior.** No random people showing up uninvited. Smoking is allowed because is outside in the courtyard and occasionally we may have **hookah nights** depending on the movie/theme. ## **Typical evenings** * Wong Kar-wai + Asian comfort food * Spaghetti western + Italian street food * Anime + sushi night * Greek cinema + mezze * Balkan chaos cinema + burek * Cult movie dubbing nights where people voice scenes live karaoke-style Yes, this is a real thing now apparently. ## **Important** Because Meetups and public internet are full of bots, spam accounts and socially radioactive individuals, **we do NOT post the exact address publicly.** To join: scan the QR code on the image and request access to the private WhatsApp group or send me a DM. From there: * we announce movies * vote on menus * organize cooking nights * coordinate places **If you are new in Brussels, introverted, traveling, recently arrived, or simply tired of giant impersonal events, this may be your thing.**

**Welcome to The Club.** A **curated** social community in Brussels for people who want real connections, memorable experiences, and **better energy than the usual random meetup chaos**. Most of our events happen in **private homes**, gardens, hidden places around Brussels, or unusual locations outside the city. The goal is simple: create the kind of atmosphere where people actually talk, laugh, connect, and want to come back. We organize things like: • gourmet lunches & dinners • picnics & roadtrips • cooking nights • walks around Brussels • karaoke & movie nights • debates & discussions • card and social games • occasional “chaperoned” social evenings where people can meet naturally in a safe environment The difference is that we personally curate and vet new members. The host actively introduces newcomers, helps people integrate into the group, and keeps the atmosphere respectful and relaxed. We have zero tolerance for creepy behavior, unwanted pressure, spam, random uninvited people, or drama. *Unfortunately, posting too many details publicly on Meetup or on the internet in general quickly attracts bots, scammers, fake profiles, crypto weirdos, and people who completely ruin the vibe for everyone else.* That’s why most of our real coordination happens privately through our ***vetted WhatsApp community***. To join, simply scan the QR code in the image. If you are on your phone and cannot scan it directly: • take a screenshot of the image • open the screenshot in your photo gallery • most phones can automatically detect QR codes from photos by long pressing or using Google Lens / iPhone scan feature Then request access to the group and introduce yourself briefly. See you soon

Making the new Friends after work or in your vacation.

Join our next meetup on June 25th! We will have 3 talks and will share some food and drinks while networking **Location:** Infrabel, Rue des Deux Gares 82, 1070 Anderlecht, Belgium **Agenda:** 17:45 : Doors open 18:00 - 18:40 : Drinks and pizza 18:40 - 18:45 : Welcome 18:45 - 19:00 : Elastic @ Infrabel 19:00 - 19:15 : Real life never-seen-before railway project 19:15 - 19:55 : From unknown and raw to real value 19:55 - 20.20 : What’s new in Elastic v9 20:15 : Wrap up **Talks:** **Elastic @ Infrabel** In this presentation, we will explain how Infrabel uses Elastic today and how it supports our current needs. We will briefly outline some future optimizations and the integration of OpenTelemetry to further strengthen and extend our Elastic platform. To showcase how we use Elastic for addressing real business use case, we will demo a never-seen-before application build in collaboration with Elastic Belgium. *Safia Souabi – Big Data Engineer at Infrabel* *Olivier-Désiré Muhimpundu – Big Data Engineer at Infrabel* **Real life never-seen-before railway project** *How Elastic helps ensure the punctuality of rail services by detecting and correlating events in real time to anticipate disruptions, ensure operational continuity and optimise the flow of rail traffic."* *Vanessa Coeurnelle – Cyber Resilience Data Analyst at Infrabel* **From unknown and raw to real value** In this talk, Chris shares how he transformed a legacy log ingestion pipeline into a structured, scalable, and insight-ready ELK-based system. Starting from loosely indexed XML/SOAP logs with minimal configuration, the project required rebuilding the data model to handle multiple message types, complex nested structures, and inconsistent field representations. Without the luxury of a full upfront redesign, Chris adopted an iterative, data-driven approach: combining exploratory analysis with dynamic mapping strategies to progressively shape the data into a usable format. He will discuss how this led to the design of flexible ingestion pipelines, including XML parsing, normalization, and generic handling of heterogeneous payloads. The talk also covers practical techniques for managing sensitive data, reducing storage overhead, and improving query performance—such as selective data retention, hashing and fingerprinting strategies, and the use of data streams. Finally, Chris will touch on how structuring the data effectively enables higher-level capabilities like anomaly detection and automated alerting. This session is aimed at practitioners dealing with messy, real-world data and looking for pragmatic ways to make Elasticsearch pipelines more robust, maintainable, and valuable. **Bios** **Christoph Evers** is a Senior Data Scientist and Data Engineer based in Brussels, with over 15 years of experience in data systems, search technologies, and analytics. He has been working with Elasticsearch since its early days, contributing to the project between 2010 and 2012 and applying it extensively as a search engine, document store, and log ingestion platform. At OpenLex, he designs and builds advanced data solutions for legal research, including full-text search engines, NLP pipelines for entity detection and anonymization, and large-scale analytics systems. His work also includes operating and optimizing ELK-based observability stacks in Linux and Docker environments. Previously, Chris held roles spanning software engineering, data science, and R&D leadership across sectors such as social media analytics, mobility and market research. His experience combines hands-on engineering with business-oriented data applications, delivering scalable systems and actionable insights for both startups and multinational clients. He mainly focuses on search relevance, data observability, and the practical use of ELK in production environments. **Olivier-Désiré Muhimpundu** is a Data Engineer at Infrabel, where he has been working for more than three years on large-scale data platforms and data projects. He holds an engineering degree from University of Mons Faculty of Engineering and a Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence. In his current role, Olivier focuses on designing, operating, and evolving enterprise data platforms based on technologies such as Apache Kafka, Elastic Stack, and Cloudera. His work spans data ingestion, real-time processing, monitoring, observability, and platform engineering in a large-scale railway environment. **Safia Souabi** is a Data Engineer with 6 years of experience at Infrabel in Brussels. With a BSc and MSc in Physics from London, she combines a strong analytical background with expertise in building and operating large-scale data platforms for mission-critical operational and asset data. Experienced with Apache Kafka, Elastic Stack, and the Cloudera ecosystem (Hadoop, Spark, Hive/Impala), she delivers scalable batch/real-time data pipelines and optimized ETL/ELT workflows. She works closely with stakeholders to translate requirements into reliable data products, with a strong focus on data quality, governance, security, performance, and platform resilience.

**Update: The event has been cancelled due to exceptional heatwave conditions.** It will be rescheduled and replanned at a later date. We will share further details as soon as a new date is confirmed. Thank you for your understanding. **"We all agreed"... did we, though? Or did we just stop arguing?** This month we open the facilitator's toolbox and test, hands-on, several techniques for building real consensus: prioritizing, gauging support with Kaner's Gradients of Agreement, getting to the true source of disagreement. You won't watch a presentation - you'll be part of the group, we'll test the tools together and reflect on what kind of situations they are best used. Come ready to disagree productively. Led by [Sylvain Vezolles](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylvainvezolles34d13d93d/), who brings his passion for theater to this interactive workshop, participants will be challenged to rethink how they connect, listen, adapt, and influence.

Shake off the workday and train with a welcoming crew of internationals and Brussels professionals. This is a **co-hosted session with F45 Brussels**—fast, fun, and coached circuit training that fits perfectly after work. **Why join?** * **Community vibe:** Friendly, social, in English. * **All levels welcome:** Coaches demo every move with **easier/harder options**. * **Time-smart:** 45 minutes, full-body, high energy, great music. * **Accountability:** Come with the group, leave with endorphins. **What we’ll do** 1. Quick intro & warm-up 2. **F45 functional circuits** (intervals that mix strength + cardio) 3. Team finisher & cool down 4. Optional post workout social drink/rooftop bowling nearby (meet new people, not just new burpees 😉) **Good to know** * **When:** Thursday, **6:30 PM start** (arrive 6:15 to check in) * **Where:** **F45 Brussels** (Brussels Central Station) Galeries Ravenstein * **Bring:** Clean trainers, towel, water bottle * **Fitness level:** Beginner to advanced (scalable stations) * **Capacity:** Limited spots — **RSVP required** * **Price:** Free weekly tryout **Who this is for** * New in Brussels and want a **friendly fitness + social** routine * Busy professional looking for a **structured, coached** workout * Sunday Vacations regulars who want to stay fit for hikes & trips **About F45** F45 = **Functional 45-minute training**: coach-led, station-based, results-driven. Expect variety, technique tips, and a positive team atmosphere. See you on the floor at 6:30! 💪🏽✨ By joining this event, you agree to the Sunday Vacations [Terms & Conditions](https://www.sundayvacations.com/terms), [Privacy Policy](https://www.sundayvacations.com/privacy) & [Code of Conduct](https://www.sundayvacations.com/code)

**Vous souhaitez améliorer votre prise de parole en public et développer vos compétences en communication et en leadership ?** ✨ Le **Club des Orateurs**, club officiel de Toastmasters International à **Bruxelles**, vous invite à une soirée d’apprentissage dans une ambiance conviviale et bienveillante. **Prochaine réunion** : **4ème jeudi du mois** **19h15 – 21h30** **Villa François Gay (salle au 1er étage)** **326 Rue François Gay, 1150 Bruxelles** Le bâtiment est situé dans un petit parc. **Pourquoi participer ?** ✔️ **Améliorez votre aisance à l’oral** grâce à des discours préparés et des interventions improvisées. ✔️ **Développez votre leadership** en prenant des rôles lors des réunions. ✔️ **Rejoignez une communauté dynamique** qui vous aidera à progresser à votre rythme. ✔️ **Une expérience immersive** avec des retours bienveillants pour évoluer rapidement. **Déroulement d’une réunion Toastmasters** : Nos réunions incluent des discours préparés, des exercices d’improvisation et des évaluations constructives pour vous aider à progresser. **Qui peut participer ?** Tout le monde est bienvenu, que vous soyez débutant ou expérimenté ! **L’entrée est gratuite pour les invités.** **Intéressé•e ?** Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant sur Meetup et rejoignez-nous pour une soirée enrichissante !

**This event is free for Sunday Vacations members. Membership starts at €5/year.** 👉 Join here: [https://www.sundayvacations.com](https://www.sundayvacations.com/membership) *Please RSVP only if you are reasonably sure you can attend and update your RSVP if your plans change.* Escape the city bustle and join us for a magical evening walk from the royal gardens of Tervuren, through the ancient Sonian Forest, ending at the picturesque Rouge Cloître. This hike is perfect for anyone looking to unwind, breathe some fresh forest air, and enjoy the golden hour colors. 🗺️ The Route We will start at the Tervuren Station (terminus of Tram 44). We’ll begin by walking through the formal gardens and ponds of Tervuren Park, enjoying the open views and the sunset light reflecting on the water. From there, we will dive into the Sonian Forest (Fôret de Soignes), walking under the canopy of the majestic beech cathedrals. We will walk through the magnificent Arboretum that boasts centennial trees and majestic Giant Sequoias. The path will lead us gently downhill towards the historic Rouge Cloître (Red Closter), a 14th-century Augustinian priory nestled on the edge of the forest where we will stop for a well deserved drink. 🕒 The Plan \*Meeting Time: 14:50 * Meeting Point: Just outside the Tervuren Station (Terminus of Tram 44). \*The Walk: We depart at 15:00 sharp. * The End: We aim to arrive at Rouge Cloître around 18:00 - 18:30. \*Après-Walk: We usually grab a drink at the beautiful Maison du Prieur in Rouge Cloître. 📋 Practical Details * Distance: Approximately 12 km. \*Duration: \~3.5 hours walking time. \*Pace: Casual to moderate. We wait for everyone, but please be comfortable walking this distance. * Terrain: Mostly flat/downhill with some unpaved forest paths. 🎒 What to Bring \*Comfortable Shoes: Walking shoes or sneakers (trail runners are great if it has rained recently). * Water: Stay hydrated! \*Layers: Evenings can get chilly in the forest. 🚇 Getting Home The walk ends at Rouge Cloître. From there, it is a short 10-15 minute walk to Herrmann-Debroux metro station (Line 5), buses and tram 8 which connect you easily back to the city center. Note: This event is free of charge. Participation is at your own risk. Please **RSVP only** if you intend to come so we don't leave anyone behind! See you on the trail! 🌳✨

The Summer Solstice is a time of abundance, vitality, and expansion. Join us in the forest as we celebrate this powerful turning point of the year through the ancient rhythm of the drum and a ceremony to awaken our inner sun - the source of our personal power, creativity, joy, confidence, and inner radiance. Together, we will honour the light within and around us, celebrate what is blossoming in our lives, and connect with the vibrant energy of the season. Together we will: 🌿Connect with nature and the energy of the sun 🥁Experience the power of rhythm and ceremony ☀️Celebrate the Summer Solstice in community 💚 Relax, recharge, and enjoy a meaningful evening in the forest Come as you are and let the rhythm guide us into an evening of connection, joy, and celebration. 🤗💫 🥁[For more info and registration, click here.](https://justinspiring.org/drum-meditation-in-the-forest-2/) 🪶[To learn more about your facilitator, click here.](https://justinspiring.org/about/) 📩For questions, please contact Eirini at info@justinspiring.org or +32 (0) 487 20 14 73 (WhatsApp/Sms/Telegram/Viber).

**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 50+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community** [http://foundersrc.com/chats](http://foundersrc.com/chats) **Instagram** [https://www.instagram.com/frc_brussels](https://www.instagram.com/frc_brussels) **Global FRC**: Instagram [http://instagram.com/foundersrc/](http://instagram.com/foundersrc/) LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/](http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/) Strava [http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC](http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC) Website [http://foundersrc.com/](http://foundersrc.com/)

Hello, readers ! In June we are reading She Who Remains, by Rene Karabash. We will meet at Maison de Quartier Malibran, Rue de la Digue 10, 1050 Ixelles. **Please keep your RSVP up to date** and happy reading!

Hey Folks, Sunday seems like it's not going to be super hot :)) We can do for a light hike (8-10km). Let's make the most of the sunshine, enjoy the fresh air, and spend some time in nature! You can bring your own food and drinks with you, and then we will enjoy it next to woodpeckers at La Cambre. Very much looking forward to seeing you guys! P.S. Be on time, we leave at 10:10 Cheers Yifei

**Hike #5** You are invited to join this short hike by the Meetup group "**Walking, Talking, maybe a Picknick**". This is a great opportunity to flee the high temperature and cool down in the forest. 😊 **When** Sunday 28/06 21:30 Assembly 23:30 Ending **Intro** We're going to hike \~8**km** in the Uccle/Ukkel part of the **Forêt de Soigne/Zoniënwoud**, just before twilight until complete darkness. **Start and assembly location** Drohme park. Chau. de la Hulpe 53A, Uccle Assembly on the race track of the Drohme park near the tribune, which is the far end of the picture. Please be on time as we will leave at 21:35 **By car** Why would you? **Dogs, cats, other animal** This time no pets allowed. **The hike and your preparation** This 8km hike will take approx 2 hours, without breaks. If you have, bring your head lamp, although using it will spoil the whole thing. Just let your eyes adapt to the darkness. That will also make it easier to detect any Firefly. The weather forecast suggests blue sky, around 27 °C. There is no mention of rain. Anyway make sure to carry water. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To cover my costs as a Meetup organiser I'm going to ask for a voluntary calendar year contribution. **Community contribution:** €5 for non members What is included: \*Event organisation - Group coordination *Guided community hiking experience Not included - Public transport ticket *Any insurance - Food & drink *Personal expenses ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

*Due to the summery weather forecast lets meet in Parc Royal instead. Find us at one of the tables at Woodpecker. If you cannot find us call* me via 0032 485 38 09 23 ----------- Let's read and discuss non-fiction together. In **June** we will be discussing "The Pragmatist’s Guide to Life: A Guide to Creating Your Own Answers to Life’s Biggest Questions" by Simone and Malcolm Collins. For more information about the book check out goodreads: [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38452905-the-pragmatist-s-guide-to-life](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38452905-the-pragmatist-s-guide-to-life) How it works: - 10-15min Introduction round - 1 - 1,5h Free discussion around the book - 10min selection of the next book. (We will vote between three possible books. I bring two suggestions and we select a third one from the group. So if there is a book you like to discuss feel free to put it forward.) Don't worry if you cannot finish it in time. Just join us for a coffee or tea and a good conversation. :) Happy reading!

Welcome, readers! Our June read is ***Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible*** ***Voyage*** **by Alfred Lansing.** A work of nonfiction, and one of the most astonishing survival stories in history, we follow Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew after their ship is crushed by Antarctic ice. Stranded in one of the harshest environments on Earth, the men endure months of isolation, freezing temperatures, and near starvation—yet refuse to give up hope. Lansing brings their ordeal to life through vivid detail and firsthand accounts, capturing both the brutality of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. At its core, the story is a powerful testament to leadership, perseverance, and the unbreakable will to survive against impossible odds. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **all** **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Open Shelter has teamed up again with Red White and Boom! Friday, July 3rd & we are looking for volunteers to run the event’s alcohol booths. Proceeds from sales go to the Open Shelter’s organization. There are two available shifts: 12-6p & 5-11p. There will be an ipad-like device to process transactions in addition to cash. Everything will be in bottles or cans, so transactions should be very easy. Must be 21+. There are multiple beverage stations along the Civic Center Bridge. The stations are covered and also have beverage trucks next to them, so volunteers can cool off in the trucks. As far as parking, it is suggested those who are coming from the east use the Columbus Commons Garage, and those from the west use the Belle Street Garage. Harry from the Open Shelter will be your contact. (614)562-2169 mailto:harry@theopenshelter.org More information about the event: https://redwhiteandboom.org/ More information about the organization: https://theopenshelter.org/

We meet at lunch each week and each meeting follows a fairly organized agenda. First all participants pass their business cards around. Then each member and guest is invited to give a one-minute overview of their company and what is a perfect referral for the week. We always have a 10 minute presentation from one of the members about their business in more detail. And finally we pass referrals. You're welcome to visit. Nobody is ever put on the spot. Bring plenty of cards!

**Our July novel is: *Listen for the Lie* by Amy Tintera** **This month’s novel was named one of the best books of 2024. It’s a domestic thriller with crime, mystery, and murder, told from women’s perspectives. The story includes a detective, an unreliable narrator, and plenty of suspense. The book is 352 pages in print and 9 hours and 18 minutes on audiobook.** What if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thought so too? And what if the truth doesn't matter? After Lucy is found wandering the streets, covered in her best friend Savvy’s blood, everyone thinks she is a murderer. Lucy and Savvy were the golden girls of their small Texas town: pretty, smart, and enviable. Lucy married a dream guy with a big ring and an even bigger new home. Savvy was the social butterfly loved by all, and if you believe the rumors, especially popular with the men in town. It’s been years since that horrible night, a night Lucy can’t remember anything about, and she has since moved to LA and started a new life. But now the phenomenally huge hit true crime podcast "Listen for the Lie," and its too-good looking host Ben Owens, have decided to investigate Savvy’s murder for the show’s second season. Lucy is forced to return to the place she vowed never to set foot in again to solve her friend’s murder, even if she is the one that did it. The truth is out there, if we just listen.