Sketchbooks

**What we do:** We post books on monthly basis; everyone who reads or has read the book on their own time can join in. We get together, share opinions and thoughts about the book. We are here for the love of reading and sharing thoughts. **Book of choice:** Tar Baby Toni Morrison 4.00 stars 23,957 ratings 1,485 reviews An unforgettable and transformative novel that explores race and gender with scorching insight from the Nobel-prize winning author of Beloved.Into a white millionaire's Caribbean mansion comes Jadine, a sophisticated graduate of the Sorbonne, art historian – a black American now living in Paris and Rome. Then there’s Son, a criminal on the run, uneducated, violent, contemptuous – a young American black of extreme beauty from small-town Florida. As Morrison follows their affair, she charts all the nuances of obligation and betrayal between blacks and whites, masters and servants, and men and women.Winner of the PEN/Saul Bellow award for achievement in American fiction‘Toni Morrison was a quintessential, unabashedly American writer. Like her fellow giant, Walt Whitman, her work was, above all, audacious. She seized the landscape with a flourish and wove it, unwove it and put it back together’ Bonnie Greer, Guardian https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23351024-tar-baby Safar Book Group book shelves [https://www.goodreads.com/group/bookshelf/48954-safar-book-group](https://www.goodreads.com/group/bookshelf/48954-safar-book-group)

**Basketball training and coaching for beginners and intermediate.** Training and coaching adults basketball. Beginners and intermediate. Whats app +971568723607. S-Basketball. Тренировки по баскетболу в Дубай. Начинающие и опытные. Запись через ватс ап +971568723607 #basketball #dubai #баскетбол #дубай

**\* Please note: RSVPing on Meetup does *not* guarantee entry. To secure your spot, kindly register through our website — priority is given to website sign-ups.\*** **Fast-paced, unpredictable, and hilarious.** Ten of Dubai’s virtuoso actors converge for a night of scenes, songs and games based on audience suggestions. You score the players on a scale of 1 to 5, and after each round, the players with the lowest scores are eliminated. When only one remains, they are crowned the Maestro! ★★★★★ *“A hidden gem in Dubai, laughs are guaranteed and it’s always unexpected and different. The performers are incredible. And the venue just invites you to have a good time! Love it love it” – Dora Murgu* [Register here](https://courtyardplayhouse.com/event/wednesday-night-improv-maestro-wed-22-apr-2026/)

Freindly basketball Game indoors Game for both gender and all levels 🏀 2 Hours Refree available **Please join our WhatsApp community 👇** https://chat.whatsapp.com/KmLfGw3KDSCKW9Mwv98L4v **Message admin issam on WhatsApp** 0506319390 Entry fee 50AED Including free waterr

Masnavi Book 1 Weekly reading and discussion group

# Join The Royals: Social Indoor Cricket @ Insportz Club (Al Quoz) 👑 **Are you looking for a consistent, competitive, and social indoor cricket game in Dubai? Welcome to The Royals.** We aren't just a weekly game; we are building Dubai’s most elite social cricket community. Whether you are a seasoned pro or someone looking to get back into the nets, our sessions at the iconic **Insportz Club** are the perfect place to play. ### 🏆 WHY PLAY WITH THE ROYALS? We believe in rewarding performance and commitment. Every game we track your runs, wickets, and overall impact to crown a **Most Valuable Player (MVP)**. * **The Monthly Grand Prize:** If you secure **10 MVPs in a single month**, you win an **AED 500 Noon Voucher!** 🛍️ ### 📍 THE VENUE: INSPORTZ CLUB, AL QUOZ We host our games at the legendary **Insportz Club**. It is the heart of indoor sports in Dubai, offering: * Professional-grade courts and nets. * Fully air-conditioned environment (perfect for Dubai weather). * Excellent facilities including changing rooms and a cafe for post-game banter. ### 📅 OUR SCHEDULE We play three nights a week to keep the momentum going: * **Mondays:** The Week Kick-off * **Wednesdays:** The Mid-week Grind * **Fridays:** Prime Social Night ### 📊 DATA & THE FUTURE Every game you play with us is recorded in our **Royals Registry**. We track your runs and wickets because, in 6 months, we are launching the **Royals Dubai Cricket App**. By joining us now, you’ll have a verified player profile and history ready for the big launch! ### 📝 HOW TO JOIN 1. **RSVP** on this Meetup event. 2. **Confirm your spot** via our WhatsApp group (Link provided upon RSVP). 3. **Show up & Play:** Bring your gear or use the high-quality equipment provided by Insportz. **Cost per session:** $$AED 35$$ **Format:** 8-a-side / 16 overs per side (Social Rules) **Don't just play the game—Join the Court. Become a Royal today!** 👑🏏

**[Learn to dance…your LIFE will change!](https://dubaidance.com)** Nervous about dancing in public? [Private lessons](https://dubaidance.com/dances/classes-for-adults) take the edge off and allow you to really let loose and see what you’re made of! *Private dance lessons are the quickest, most effective way* to improve your dancing. We personalize each lesson based on your individual needs, desires, and goals, adjusting our teaching style to your ability, personality, and expectations. You’ll discover the difference some one-on-one attention can make in your dancing! This ensures the most thorough and rapid learning process, all while keeping it fun, easy, and comfortable. **[Congratulations on your upcoming wedding](https://dubaidance.com/dances/wedding-dance)** and congratulations on wanting to make the most out of your first wedding dance! Ok, you have your wedding prepared: the wedding dress, hairstyle, flowers and even the cake and unique invitation cards are ready! What’s next? It’s the wedding dance – a key part of any wedding. *For Wedding Couples, our special wedding program provides* hours of unforgettable moments of fun, enjoyable practice, stress relief, brilliant music, incredible moves and much more will be learnt and perfected to make the dream of your [Wedding Dance](https://dubaidance.com/dances/wedding-dance)[ ]((https://dubaidance.com/wedding-dance-classes/)) come true! **Turn your wedding dance into your favorite ‘Strictly’ routine at Dance For You!** **Please note,** you will have a full 45min individual dance session with our professional dance coach, who will customized an individual dance program based on your dancing needs and it will cost **[only 100AED](https://pay.nomodapp.com/l/3af86dbb3e4b4d8a)**, which is less than your cost of lunch. For any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact our studio on: WhatsApp/Phone: [+97145520153](https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=97145520153&text=Hey+Guys+I+wish+to+learn+dancing+with+you+at+Dance+For+You&app_absent=0) [Instagram](https://instagram.com/danceforyouindubai/) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/danceforyouindubai/) [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/user/danceforyouindubai) [Quick Info](https://taplink.cc/danceforyouindubai)

Hello! Welcome to our weekly social event. It's fun, free & open for everyone (including beginners, excluding kids). \-\- You will love: \* The morning coffee in the park \* The activities: Sketching, journaling, group discussions, or simply reading... \* The Picnic in the park (bring your picnic or group delivery) \* Meeting new friends \-\- Information & booking: IMPORTANT: BOOKING by sending a WhatsApp message through the link below & wait for CONFIRMATION : [https://chat.whatsapp.com/LdM6ecgZH7BCuJefUaBxXz?mode=hqrt2](https://chat.whatsapp.com/LdM6ecgZH7BCuJefUaBxXz?mode=hqrt2) Please feel free to follow and share our Instagram page: [https://www.instagram.com/nomad.sketchers](https://www.instagram.com/nomad.sketchers?igsh=MTg1NW5ybXR1bWYwOA==) \-\- Fees FREE. You pay what you order (coffee, picnic...). \-\- What to bring: \* Notebook, journal, books \* Optional: whatever sketching/painting materials you have: pencils, pens, watercolor palettes, brushes... \* First-timers do not need to bring anything & can use shared materials Looking forward to seeing you!

Join us for our next **Freehands art** meetup! - Free 🖌️☕ 📍 **Location:** Le Pain Quotidien, Dubai Marina Mall ⏰ **Time:** 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM Unwind, sketch, and let your creativity flow in a cozy, inspiring atmosphere. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just love to doodle, this is the perfect space to express yourself, meet like-minded creatives, and enjoy great conversations over coffee. Bring your sketchbook, enjoy a warm drink, and let your imagination take over! No experience needed—just your passion for creativity! **📩 RSVP Now!** Let us know you're coming, WhatsApp: +971554413995, so we can save you a seat. Can't wait to see you there! 🎨✨ Check our previous gatherings photos: https://www.meetup.com/freehand/photos/35584362/ #FreehandImagination #ArtMeetup #DubaiArtists #SketchAndSip

Join us for a relaxed and thoughtful Sunday morning at Bookends as we dive into a modern classic: 📖 The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho 🗓 Sunday, 26 April 🕚 11:00 AM 📍 Bookends, Dubai Silicon Oasis In this session, we’ll follow Santiago’s journey across deserts and dreams, and explore themes of purpose, destiny, and listening to your heart. Whether it’s your first time reading The Alchemist or a revisit, there’s always something new to uncover. ✨ Expect a friendly and open discussion, no pressure, just good conversation, fresh perspectives, and a shared love of books.

*Canvas & Contemplation: Deep Reflections Through Paintings* **Fee:** AED 30 **Duration:** 2 hours **Format:** Two paintings, one per hour — deep group discussion follows each What happens when philosophy meets paint and canvas? Welcome to **Canvas & Contemplation: Deep Reflections Through Paintings**, a unique gathering where we explore the profound connection between visual art and the human experience. Each session, we’ll sit with two powerful artworks — not to critique them like art historians, but to let them speak to our minds and souls. You'll be surprised by the range of interpretations one painting can evoke — where one person sees despair, another may find hope; where one sees chaos, another finds divine order. This is a space for meaningful, respectful conversation that opens us up to new perspectives and helps us see more — in the art, and in ourselves. Whether you're a philosopher at heart, an artist in spirit, or simply curious about how we see and feel, this event offers a space to slow down, look deeply, and think together. **Come with an open mind, leave with new eyes.** **Whatsapp group link**: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FytQQgS85I61vS6nkduLm5

This month, we’re using Worst Idea Ever by Jane Fallon as a starting point, but the focus is on the conversation, not the book. Reading is completely optional. 🗓 Date: Saturday, 25th April 2026 🕚 Time: 11:00 AM 💭 Conversation Themes: - Real friendship vs the version we perform online - Do we ever truly know our closest friends? - Jealousy between friends, normal or toxic? This is a space for open, honest discussion around friendship, perception, and the complexities of relationships. Expect thoughtful questions, different perspectives, and meaningful exchanges. Come whether you’ve read the book, heard about it, or are simply interested in the topic. The value is in the conversation and the people around the table.

**💥 Sip n Paint, Reconnect 💥** Step into a calming, creative space where art becomes more than just paint on a canvas—it becomes a form of play, release, and self-expression. This Sip n Paint session gently weaves in elements inspired by art therapy, inviting you to slow down, tune in, and express what words often can’t. Through intuitive painting, free exploration of colors, shapes, and patterns, you’ll experience the restorative benefits of creative play—reducing stress, quieting the mind, and reconnecting with your natural sense of curiosity and joy. There’s no right or wrong outcome here; the process matters more than the result. As you paint, you’ll also share the space with like-minded creatives—socializing, laughing, and enjoying a beverage in a warm, supportive atmosphere. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, emotional release, or simply a fun and meaningful way to connect, this session offers a gentle reset for both mind and spirit. Come as you are. Play freely. Leave lighter, inspired, and creatively nourished. ✨ Fee - Aed 4 Payment linked below: https://pay.ziina.com/annuevents/N4CHAj4XN

Whether you want to journal your thoughts, do a brain dump, experiment with words, or simply sit and write, just show up. Bring your notebook or laptop and join us. We’ll sit quietly and write, maybe chat a little after. It’s an invitation to consume less and create more with words, whether to process, reflect, or share with the world. Whatsapp group link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DK9JcD6RbPqIj6Et8Ce4uj?mode=gi_t

Posting this early because seemingly all Sundays in May are holidays or busy! I picked a shorter thriller that's hopefully a fast read/listen. [Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3458940) Location: Grandview Cafe, *1455 W. 3rd Ave*, Columbus, OH 43212 [Menu](https://www.grandviewcafe.com/menu) Book summary: Daniel leads a rich life in the university town of Athens, Georgia. He's got a couple close friends, a steady paycheck working for a regional airline, and of course, for a few glorious days each Fall, college football tailgates. He considers himself to be a mostly lucky guy -- despite the fact that he's suffered from a debilitating disease since he was a small child, one that has left him unable to speak or to move without a wheelchair. Largely confined to his home, Daniel spends the hours he's not online communicating with irate air travelers observing his neighborhood from his front porch. One young woman passes by so frequently that spotting her out the window has almost become part of his daily routine. Until the day he's almost sure he sees her being kidnapped.

Let’s meet and share our thoughts about Carson McCullers’ novella, The Ballad of The Sad Café.

Welcome, readers! Our April read is **_Martyr!_ by Kaveh Akbar.** The story follows a young Iranian American poet grappling with grief, addiction, and the aching question of what makes a life meaningful. Drawn into an unexpected friendship with a terminally ill artist, he begins to confront faith, love, and the seduction of self-destruction. Lyrical, darkly funny, and emotionally piercing, the novel wrestles with beauty and despair in equal measure. It’s a story about longing—to be seen, to be forgiven, and to matter. 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 **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, April 22 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

Join us for our April Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss *[Stop Me if You've Heard This One](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/stopmeifyouveheardthisone)* by [Kristen Arnett](https://www.kristenarnettwriter.com/about) in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.

**Let’s catch up and take an afternoon break.** **Grab a coffee or snack and let’s chit chat! Gayle and I will bring adult coloring books and/or a simple craft if you’d like to unwind and relax.😊**

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!