Smart Cities

'THE SYMPATHIZER' by Viet Thanh Nguyen 'The winner of the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as well as seven other awards, The Sympathizer is the breakthrough novel of the year. With the pace and suspense of a thriller and prose that has been compared to Graham Greene and Saul Bellow, The Sympathizer is a sweeping epic of love and betrayal. The narrator, a communist double agent, is a man of two minds, a half-French, half-Vietnamese army captain who arranges to come to America after the Fall of Saigon, and while building a new life with other Vietnamese refugees in Los Angeles is secretly reporting back to his communist superiors in Vietnam. The Sympathizer is a blistering exploration of identity and America, a gripping espionage novel, and a powerful story of love and friendship.' ***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **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

The Dutch Heuvelrug is a hilly and sandy ridge, running from Hilversum in the north to Rhenen in the south. This National Park is covered in forest, heather and stretches of sand and dunes. On this hike, we will explore the Heuvelrug from Den Dolder. This area is mostly forested, perfect for a (hot) summer’s day! **Where to meet**: we will meet at **10 am** at train station Den Dolder. We will return to the same train station around 3pm. **This hike is fully booked.** [You may register on my website for a place on the waitlist.](https://rewildyourself.nu/dutch-nature-hikes/)

grassroots meet up for women / mothers / in Amsterdam who want to bring their children into their fun, spiritual and festival-going lives! this looks like a very family friendly festival, 30 minutes drive from Amsterdam and I do believe it is accessible by public transport. please note: I am not affiliated with this event, just a new mom / family who are finding our way back to events and spaces we loved pre-baby, now ready to enjoy them with our toddler and connecting with like-minded people along the way :) https://wonderfeel.nl

Hi everyone; alas, all things eventually come to an end, and in this case my time as a meetup organizer is coming to an end. I'll still be around, maybe contributing tango events to the community (depending on its decision and new wave of organizers). So for one last time (with me), if you want to enjoy nature, trips/excursions, and generally a more outdoors setting, let’s get together for a final hiking excursion. The plan is to meet at Utrecht Central (and/or a train station that is closest to our hiking area), and then we begin our hiking route. As always, I recommend that you wear a comfy outfit & shoes and bring water & a snack or two. At some point during the excursion, we can do a break in between to rest and eat/drink for a while. More info about the route/location: https://www.ns.nl/dagje-uit/wandelen/meijendel.html Short info from the route's site; the route is 13 km in total For pet owners, dogs are allowed but on a leash Once we reach the beach north of Scheveningen, we'll be sitting there for a while in the sunset. Then we will end up in Scheveningen Pier. And depending on the time & weather, and whether people are up for it, there’s always the possibility of follow-up drinks later at Scheveningen. More tips on finding the group along with helpful contact info with the host will follow in the comments the day before the meetup. To those willing to join, I'd be delighted to have you with me at the end of my meetup organizer time 😊 In case of bad (NL) weather, the event will be moved to another day.

The sunny and warm summer weather finally seems here to stay, which makes it the perfect time to craft outside in the park!☀️ Join us for a relaxed crafting evening picnic in the park, where we bring our projects, spread out our blankets, and create together in the open air. Whatever you're working on, whether it's knitting, scrapbooking, sketching, embroidery, or that half-finished project that's been waiting for some attention, bring it along and enjoy an evening of making things in good company. You can join us at whichever time works for you. Don't feel pressured to join from the start at 19:00. You're still just as welcome to arrive at 21:00. But we will do a little introduction in a circle around 19:20 just to get to know each other a bit more and see what everyone is working on. This get together is also a great chance to chat, share tips, and get inspired by what everyone else is making! * 🎨 **What to bring?** Your own creative supplies and projects, whatever you love to work on. * 🧺 **Picnic style** Bring a blanket to sit on, and feel free to also bring some snacks and drinks. * 🔄 **Want to swap?** Got craft supplies you no longer need? Bring them along, there will be some space to swap items. 📍 Wilhelminapark

**Speeddaten Utrecht** Al twaalf jaar organiseren we speeddates in Utrecht. Ontmoet je graag een groot aantal singles in korte tijd, dan is speeddaten iets voor jou! Tijdens een speeddate heb je ongeveer 15-20 dates van 4 minuten. Wanneer de bel klinkt, schuift de helft van de singles door naar de volgende tafel. Op je datekaart geef je aan met wie je verder in contact wilt komen. **Locatie** Het speeddaten vindt plaats bij [Anne&Max Domstraat](https://www.annemax.nl/vestigingen/utrechtdomstraat/), een sfeervol en ruim opgezet restaurant. We hebben een apart gedeelte van het restaurant gereserveerd, zodat je alle privacy hebt tijdens het daten. **Matchmail!** Binnen een dag na de speeddate ontvang je van ons een e-mail met de voornaam en het e-mailadres van de singles met wie je een match hebt. Heb je bij alle deelnemers ‘nee’ ingevuld? Dan is je volgende speeddate [gratis](https://aboutlove.nl/geen-klik-volgende-speeddate-gratis/)! **Kom je ook speeddaten bij About Love?** Heb je zin in een avond vol ontmoetingen in Utrecht? Schrijf je dan nu in voor deze speeddate! Bij About Love ben je in goede handen; wij zijn een ervaren speeddate-organisatie met uitstekende [recensies](https://aboutlove.nl/is-speeddaten-leuk/) en bieden speeddates aan voor de laagste prijs. Date je mee? >> [https://aboutlove.nl/event/details/speeddaten-utrecht-singles-30-45-jaar/](https://aboutlove.nl/event/details/speeddaten-utrecht-singles-30-45-jaar/)

Join us for an intimate evening of exceptional food, meaningful conversation and new connections in the heart of Utrecht. Inspired by the tradition of breaking bread together, AAN TAFEL brings together food lovers, curious minds, couples, friends and solo guests around one shared table. This is more than a dinner. It's an opportunity to slow down, enjoy great food and meet people you may never have crossed paths with otherwise. Throughout the evening, you'll enjoy a carefully curated multi-course menu, paired wines (or alcohol-free alternatives) and conversation prompts designed to spark genuine connection with others at the table. Whether you're naturally outgoing or a little hesitant to introduce yourself to strangers, the evening is designed to make meeting new people feel easy and natural. Come with friends, bring your partner or arrive on your own. Everyone is welcome at the table. **What Makes This Different?** * A chef-curated multi-course dining experience * Wine pairing or alcohol-free pairing included * Shared tables designed to encourage connection * Thoughtful conversation starters throughout the evening * A mix of locals, expats, couples, friends and solo attendees * An intimate atmosphere where food becomes the starting point for memorable conversations At Stef's Table, we believe some of life's best conversations happen over a great meal. The food matters. The people matter too. **The Menu** This summer menu combines European ingredients and techniques with flavours inspired by Asia, creating familiar dishes with unexpected twists. Expect dishes such as: * Bloody Mary Oyster * Korean Steak Tartare * Seabass with Saffron Sauce * Seasonal Summer Vegetables with three side dishes * Mango Sorbet * Rhubarb Tiramisu A complete wine pairing (or alcohol-free alternative) is included and carefully matched to each course. ***[[See the menu here](https://www.stefstable.com/event-details-registration/aan-tafel-de-zomereditie)]*** **Practical Information** **Date:** Saturday 4 July 2026 **Time:** 18:30 – 22:30 **Location:** Lucas, Utrecht **Price:** €89 per person ***[Book your ticket here](https://www.stefstable.com/event-details-registration/aan-tafel-de-zomereditie)*** **Included** * Welcome drink * Five-course dinner * Wine pairing or alcohol-free pairing * Digestif * Conversation cards and social dining experience * An evening of food, connection and new encounters **Come hungry. Leave inspired.** Because some summer evenings stay with you long after the last course is served.

Maki-e is a traditional Japanese lacquer decoration technique. Techiniques are involved drawing pictures, patterns, and letters on the surface of lacquerware using lacquer, and then sprinkling and fixing metal powder, such as gold or silver, onto the surface. In our workshop, you have the opportunity to create maki-e designs using traditional Japanese patterns (wagara) or your own original designs. Then your canvas can be a glass cup or a glass picture frame. Join us for this unique Japanese art workshop in Utrecht. * Place: CLAY TO PLATE Biltstraat 55, 3572 AG, Utrecht * Price: three options you can choose from €56 pp(for a glass cup) €60 pp (for a glass picture frame) €76 pp (for a lacquerwares) Limited seats available. **Booking is essential for adequate preparations. If you've enrolled/registered on the Meetup app, we'll contact you through the app message. Kindly communicate with us accordingly, and refrain from showing up without prior contact. We appreciate your understanding** Website:[https://japanworkshopnet.com/ ](https://japanworkshopnet.com/) [MAKI-E workshop info](https://japanworkshopnet.com/maki-e-workshops/) Email: info@japanworkshopnet.com Mobile:0616059840

**Modern and Authentic kintsugi workshop in Utrecht.** Choose from three options: * 1-Day Modern Kintsugi workshop-€60 * 2-Day Modern Kintsugi workshop-€96 * 4-Day Authentic Kintsugi workshop -€180 For all details, please visit my website. [https://japanworkshopnet.com/upcoming-workshops/](https://japanworkshopnet.com/upcoming-workshops/) Location: **CLAY TO PLATE** [Biltstraat 55, 3572 AG, Utrecht](https://www.claytoplate.com/) **Booking is essential**. Please contact me if you would like to participate in the workshop. Webiste: [https://japanworkshopnet.com/](https://japanworkshopnet.com/) Email: info@japanworkshopnet.com Mobile:0616059840

Join us for an outdoor mat Pilates session in Wilhelminapark, Utrecht 🌿 This is a beginner-friendly full-body Pilates class for anyone who wants to move, feel stronger, enjoy being outside and meet new people in a relaxed way. We’ll start with a mat Pilates class in the park, focusing on strength, mobility and feeling good in your body. After the class, we can stay in the park for a little chat and connect with each other. You can come alone — many people do. Please bring your own mat if you have one. If you don’t have a mat, send me a message in advance and I can bring one for you. 📍 Wilhelminapark, Utrecht 🗓 Sunday, 5 July ⏰ 11:00 💸 Ticket: €15 Spots are limited, so please reserve your ticket if you’d like to join.

**DUE TO THE WEATHER FORECAST THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MOVED TO SUNDAY JULY 5.** **RSVP's at MeetUp.com are limited to a total of 10 and will be ignored. If you would like us to wait for you when we walk, please register for this photowalk at our Clubhouse:** **[https://www.heylo.com/event/-Ov6fp-oor44jJ5ZOLHp](https://www.heylo.com/event/-Ov6fp-oor44jJ5ZOLHp)** *\* The event is listed at MeetUp for promotion only.* *\* The number of attendees listed here is not the actual number.* \~ To celebrate the end of June Pride Month, we will walk a route discovering the Queer History of Utrecht. See more at: [https://www.queerustories.nl/wandeling/](https://www.queerustories.nl/wandeling/) ("Doe-het-zelf: ontdek queer historie in je eigen tempo") Or in English: [https://www.queerustories.nl/en/walk/](https://www.queerustories.nl/en/walk/) ("DIY: discover queer history at your own pace") Check the route here: [https://utrechttimemachine.nl/routes/queer-geschiedenisroute](https://utrechttimemachine.nl/routes/queer-geschiedenisroute) Also read more about the various locations on this website during the walk. The route includes 9 locations, each featuring images and stories about remarkable people and events from Utrecht’s queer past. We will take a few detours from this posted route, but will make sure to visit all locations on the way. We will meet at Domplein, near the Sun (big orb) in front of the Academiegebouw of Universiteit Utrecht. After the walk we could stop for a drink at Mariaplaats (optional, not included and at your own expense), share our results and talk photography. ***Let's meetup and have fun!*** *Please note:* * ***The photowalk starts at the posted time.*** Try to be there early, but if you are running late... just find us. The link to live location of the group (via Google Maps) will be shared in the Event Chat in our Clubhouse at [https://heylo.group/utrechtphotography](https://heylo.group/utrechtphotography). * ***If you register for this photowalk and you can not make it, please update your RSVP!*** * The photowalk could be cancelled or postponed in case of really bad weather. * The end time is an estimate only; the length of the actual walk could be different from posted. * Check before you go if all your equipment is working properly; lens cleaned, batteries charged, memory cards empty. * ***Come prepared:*** wear comfortable shoes, bring water and a snack, check the weather forecast - and don't forget your camera * The organisation is not responsible for any personal injury, loss, or damage to personal property during the photowalk. Participants are advised to have appropriate (travel/liability) insurance. * During the walk, pay attention to your surroundings, traffic, curbs and people. * ***Be respectful of residents, their property and privacy.*** *And finally:* * Any type of camera is welcome. * If taking pictures or making photos gives you joy, you are more than welcome! ***As extra:*** If you'd like to extent this walk, you can visit more locations yourself using the following map: [) Have fun!

🌊☀️ Summer by the Seaside - Acrylic Painting Workshop 🎨 Imagine a summer escape to the French Riviera or the Italian coast-turquoise waters, colourful parasols, sailing boats, blooming coastal flowers, and a refreshing drink by the beach. In this acrylic painting workshop, we will draw inspiration from the warmth, colour, and carefree atmosphere of seaside holidays, while leaving plenty of room for your own imagination and memories to shine through. **Date:** Sunday, July 5th **Time:** 11 am – 2 pm **Location:** BUNK Utrecht, 1st Floor 🎨 All materials provided – just bring yourself and your creativity. 💶 Workshop fee: €70 
✨ Use discount code SAVE15 and pay only €55 Reserve Your Spot Now: [https://eventix.shop/jwj79yxy](https://eventix.shop/jwj79yxy) Let your creativity flow as we paint the vibrant charm of the seaside. All materials will be provided - just bring your imagination and love for art! Secure your spot today and enjoy a discount using the promo code **‘SAVE15’**. For sneak peeks of our upcoming workshops, stay connected with us on social media: [https://www.instagram.com/rangartbypooja](https://www.instagram.com/rangartbypooja) Let’s come together to create artworks inspired by sunny beaches, ocean breezes, and the joy of summer. With the warmth of good art, Pooja Artist profile – [https://www.instagram.com/poojavermastudio](https://www.instagram.com/poojavermastudio/) Join our private WhatsApp channel for updates and painting tips while remaining anonymous: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbCi44QHFxP64fZB1R1s](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbCi44QHFxP64fZB1R1s)

⚠️ **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.

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

Click Here For More Videos: [https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17vTa7EuwG/](https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17vTa7EuwG/) The Biggest Salsa Night to hit your mid-week is happening at Latin City Wednesdays. Get the feel of the Latin Beat as your hips and feet groove the right way. Viva Dance Columbus (2809 Festival Lane Dublin, OH 43017) 830pm-930pm Cuban Salsa Lessons 930pm-Midnight Open Latin Dance Party 15 With Lesson 10 Just Open Dance Free Parking, No Need to Bring a dance partner, No Sandals Please and Plenty of Space to Move Around.

**Practical Curiosity: Learning from Everyday Data** How do we actually get better at utilizing our day-to-day data? Fancy dashboards and complex models might look nice and draw attention, but that’s not where most of us spend our time. In fact those shiny outputs frequently sit unused, while the real insights are drawn from the analyst’s daily practice. Sometimes it’s as simple and as powerful as noticing that a segment is shrinking, a channel is underused, or certain links keep getting all the clicks. There’s many different places that the spark of insight can come from, but you have to keep your head in the data and know where to look. In this session, we’ll explore real-world examples of how segmentation, testing, and click behavior can uncover practical digital marketing opportunities. You’ll leave with inspiration for your own use cases, along with a few simple ways to ask better questions, spot meaningful patterns, and make smarter decisions without overcomplicating it. **About Our Speaker:** [Elaine Armbruster](https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainearmbruster/) is a Director of Digital Experience at the [American Diabetes Association](https://diabetes.org/), where she focuses on using data and insights to create smarter, more effective digital experiences. A lifelong Columbus resident, she has built her career in email marketing and the broader digital user journey, and is finding she most enjoys working in the messy middle where systems, data, and big ideas don’t quite line up yet. 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)

A great musical deserves a great dinner! Join us for dinner at the Gahanna CAP CITY FINE DINER immediately following HADESTOWN! The film takes us from Broadway to the Big Screen! Dinner will take us to a CMG favorite location for another great dinner and a fun time together! Here’s the plan: HADESTOWN: From Broadway to the Big Screen, this presentation of Hadestown is a not theatrical adaptation of a beloved musical but a chance to see the actual musical featuring many of the original cast members from the hit Broadway production, recorded at the Lyric Theatre in London! Set to New Orleans-style jazz, the musical follows Orpheus and Eurydice. Desperate to get his love back, he travels down into Hadestown! Please purchase your ticket for the 1:00pm showing and meet in the lobby area between 12:35 and 12:45pm. See separate event announcement for complete details or to RSVP for the Movie Portion of this event. CAP CITY FINE DINER: Cap City Fine Diner is part of the Cameron Mitchen family of restaurants and their menu offers “a new spin on old school – classic comfort food made modern.” From starters like their Blue Cheese Potato Chips and Tamarind Glazed Chicken Wings to Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, and Classics like Cap City Diner Meatloaf, Glazed Salmon, the much welcome return of their Vegan Veggie Plate, Cap City has something for every taste. And don’t get me started on their desserts which match the epic theme! You can check out their menu here: https://capcityfinediner.com/locations-menus/gahanna/menus/dinner/ DINNER PLAN: Join us immediately following the movie for dinner at nearby Cap City Fine Diner! Always a great meal and a fun time! Seating is limited for the dinner portion of the event, so please be sure your RSVP is firm and updated as soon as possible if your plans change. REMINDER: if you’d like to join in for dinner, please be sure to RSVP in BOTH the Movie and Dinner Portions of the event. Look forward to seeing you there, Dan

You can sleep in on the Semiquincentennial (observed), we’re shifting to the following Friday. But join the local UX community for a chat and some biscuits to catch up. If you were in CA for Figma Config, tell us all the lines and you can tell me how I can animate an SVG without coding it by hand, and why I’d even want to. Thanks to the team at Nationwide of supporting the group.

*We'll update this with the specific topic(s) once they're set for the month.* A relaxed, community-driven Unity GameDev meetup. No strict agenda — just developers getting together to talk shop, share projects, and exchange ideas. Some topics that may come up (based on attendee interest): * Frame Debugger & performance tooling * Addressables & additive scene workflows * Input System, localization, responsive UI * AI integration approaches * DevOps & LiveOps experiences * Full lifecycle: idea → cross-platform publishing * Favorite Asset Store tools and hidden gems * Weird Unity quirks we've all run into Nothing is locked in. Bring a project if you'd like, bring a question, bring a lesson learned — or just come hang out and meet other developers. All skill levels welcome. Food and drinks provided.

Topic to be announced. **CALL FOR SPEAKERS** Learn more: https://www.awscolumbus.com/get-involved/ **THANK YOU** *VEEAM* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Veeam*, please visit their website: https://www.veeam.com/ **DIRECTIONS** 8800 Lyra Dr #450 · Columbus, OH go to 4th floor. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com