Synthpop

The discussion topic for this meetup will be identity and whether or not history is a necessary condition for consciousness as Dretske proposed. James

It's Australian songs this week! Including songs from: The Church Paul Kelly Dr G Yunupingu INXS Vance Joy Angus & Julia Stone Frente Jet Natalie Imbruglia Cold Chisel Slim Dusty Sia Men At Work Icehouse Crowded House Gotye Savage Garden Amy Shark Little River Band The Seekers Peter Allen Midnight Oil Cold Chisel and more! What to bring Please bring your own ukulele. If you can't find one in time, I have a few spare ukuleles that you can borrow for this meetup. You can reserve them by leaving a comment in the comments section below. You can bring snacks/food to the venue and the bar will be open. A wide range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase at very reasonable prices. The session is free because I want to make these sessions accessible to as many people as possible, but there is a donation box if you like our sessions and want to contribute to our operating expenses. Meeting place Venue will be the Flemington-Kensington RSL, 25-27 Rankins Road, Kensington, VIC 3031. How to Get There Train - From the city, catch a Craigieburn Line train and get off at Newmarket Station, which is 3 stops from Southern Cross Station or 2 stops from North Melbourne. Exit the station, walk 200 metres to Racecourse Road. Head east (away from the station) along Racecourse Road for 250 metres. Then turn right into Rankins Road. The RSL is about 100 metres down Rankins Road, on your left. Tram - The No. 57 tram from the city to West Maribyrnong stops about 200 metres away from the RSL. Get off at stop 25 (Wellington St & Racecourse Rd). Head east along Racecourse Rd and turn right into Rankins Road. Driving - Park along Rankins Road or Parsons Street (around the corner). If you park along Rankins Road outside the RSL, there is a 2-hour limit. But if you park further down Rankins Road (one block further), there is no limit. How we conduct our sessions For the first 20 minutes we usually play very easy songs which are suitable for beginners (even complete beginners), and serve as a warm-up for more experienced players. Beginners, try to attend this part of the session, it's the most important bit for you! The next 30 minutes is usually devoted to learning new songs, according to the theme of week. There will be a 10-minute break in the middle and the last hour is spent playing songs that participants pick from a list. Important If you are late, please use the meetup app to send messages to me. If you can't attend at the last minute, please change your RSVP or send a message. Cheers, Fi Like our Facebook page: [https://www.facebook.com/melbourneukulelecommunity/](https://www.facebook.com/melbourneukulelecommunity/)

This is so much better than sitting at home watching TV!", said one of our participants after a jam session :) Forget the pressure of performance and join our relaxed jam session! This is a low-stress, high-fun opportunity to connect with fellow players. What to Expect: \- Hundreds of leadsheets to choose from\. \- Whether you know three chords or 30 scales\, please come along\. You might learn a few things\, or discover the satisfaction of teaching others a few things\. \- I will provide a bass uke \(amplified\)\, a Casio keyboard\, and a drum machine \- these will help make our sound fuller\. If you are a singer who can harmonise\, come along too \- always great to hear harmonies\. \- drinks available at the bar\, and you can bring takeaway food to the RSL if you haven't had dinner\. Come ready to listen, learn, and make some beautiful noise!

## 🌿 Kismetrix \| Singles Wine Night @ Ruelle Wine Bar [(Ticketed Event)](https://www.kismetrix.com.au/all-events/?event=26149) **Your Mid-Week Spark for Something Real** 📅 **January 22** \| 🕖 **7:00 PM – 10:00 PM** 📍 **Ruelle Wine Bar — 30 Chatham St, Prahran** 🎟 **Ticket Includes: One Complimentary Standard Drink** 💫 **Age Range: 35–58** Step into an intimate Prahran wine bar for a night of effortless conversation, laughter, and genuine connection. After a series of beautifully curated city events filled with great energy and amazing people, **Kismetrix \| True Connection** brings its signature vibe to **Ruelle Wine Bar** — a warm, stylish space designed for real conversation and real chemistry. No apps. No awkward speed-dating. Just great people, great wine, and authentic connection. ## 💫 Who’s it for? This evening is curated for singles aged **35–58**, creating a relaxed, emotionally intelligent space to meet people in a similar life stage. If you’re tired of endless swiping, shallow conversations, or dating that feels like an interview, this night is for you. Come curious. Leave connected. ## 🍷 Your ticket includes * **One complimentary standard drink** on arrival * Entry to the exclusive Kismetrix Singles area * A warm, balanced crowd of genuine singles * Light ice-breakers & conversation starters hosted by the Kismetrix team * A relaxed, stylish environment designed for natural connection Additional drinks and food are available for purchase at the bar. ## 🥂 The Venue — Ruelle Wine Bar Tucked away in Prahran, **Ruelle Wine Bar** is known for its intimate, elegant atmosphere — perfect for leaning in, sharing stories, and letting chemistry unfold naturally. This is not a loud club or a crowded pub — it’s a space where conversation, eye contact and real presence take centre stage. ## 🔥 Why Kismetrix? Kismetrix events consistently attract a high-quality, warm, and emotionally available crowd. Each night is carefully curated to create: ✨ Balanced energy ✨ A comfortable social flow ✨ A genuine mix of men and women ✨ An environment where people feel safe to be themselves This isn’t about chasing matches — it’s about creating moments where connection actually has room to happen. ## 🎯 Who should attend This night is for singles who: * Are open to something real * Enjoy meaningful conversation * Value emotional intelligence * Want quality over quantity * Are ready to meet people in person, not just online Whether you’re newly single, returning to dating, or simply curious to see what’s possible, Kismetrix gives you the space to show up as yourself. **🎟 Tickets & Entry - [BOOK Here](https://www.kismetrix.com.au/all-events/?event=26149)** Pre-booking is strongly recommended to secure your place in this curated experience. **Door price (if available): $59** Entry on the night is subject to venue capacity and gender balance. Once the event reaches its curated limit, no further tickets will be released at the door. Tickets are **non-refundable** once purchased. ## ## 💌 About Kismetrix \| True Connection Tired of dating apps? Over speed-dating that feels transactional? Kismetrix was created to bring human connection back into dating. Come for a drink. Stay for the vibe. Meet people who are also ready for something real. **🔗 Stay Connected with Kismetrix \| True Connection** Love this event? We run a variety of experiences to help people meet and connect in meaningful ways. 📧 **[social@kismetrix.com.au](social@kismetrix.com.au "social@kismetrix.com.au")** 🌐 **[www.kismetrix.com.au](http://www.kismetrix.com.au "http://www.kismetrix.com.au")** 📱 Follow us on **[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/kismetrix_/ "https://www.instagram.com/kismetrix_/"), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559826808523 "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559826808523") & [Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/kismetrix-singles-events-84848288353 "https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/kismetrix-singles-events-84848288353")** 🤝 Collaborations: **[collabs@kismetrix.com.au](mailto:collabs@kismetrix.com.au "mailto:collabs@kismetrix.com.au")** 📄 **Important Notice** By registering for this event\, you confirm that you have read and agree to Kismetrix \| True Connection’s[ Terms & Conditions](https://www.kismetrix.com.au/terms-and-conditions-2/ "https://www.kismetrix.com.au/terms-and-conditions-2/"),[ Privacy Policy](https://www.kismetrix.com.au/privacy-policy/ "https://www.kismetrix.com.au/privacy-policy/"),[ Disclaimer](https://www.kismetrix.com.au/disclaimer/ "https://www.kismetrix.com.au/disclaimer/") and [Code of Conduct](https://www.kismetrix.com.au/code-of-conduct/ "https://www.kismetrix.com.au/code-of-conduct/"). Some events may be non-refundable as stated in their individual descriptions. **\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-** **Follow us on Eventbrite** **and Socials** for upcoming events. [EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/kismetrix-singles-events-84848288353 "https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/kismetrix-singles-events-84848288353") [Website](https://www.kismetrix.com.au "https://www.kismetrix.com.au") [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/kismetrix_?igsh=cGRmYmhiOG96ZDdk&utm_source=qr "https://www.instagram.com/kismetrix_?igsh=cGRmYmhiOG96ZDdk&utm_source=qr") [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/share/Yjpi2K6WDNn3PRmE/?mibextid=LQQJ4d "https://www.facebook.com/share/Yjpi2K6WDNn3PRmE/?mibextid=LQQJ4d") Collab ideas? Contact us: **collabs@kismetrix.com.au**

Achieving fast flow—the rapid and reliable delivery of change—requires picking the right socio-technical architecture: a combination of software architecture and organizational structure suited to your context. To paraphrase Einstein, it should be as simple as possible but no simpler. Unfortunately, many enterprises fall into the trap of over-engineering their architecture while simultaneously misaligning their teams, resulting in unnecessary complexity and friction that slows delivery. In this presentation, I describe a strategy for starting with the simplest possible socio-technical architecture for your context and then incrementally evolving it to support fast flow. You will learn about the building blocks of socio-technical architecture. I explain how organizational structures, like architectural elements, exist to solve specific problems and must evolve as those problems change. You will learn to recognize the signals that indicate when your socio-technical architecture needs to change—and how to transform it accordingly. **About Chris Richardson** Once again we are delighted to welcome Chris back to Melbourne and our Platform Engineering Meetup. Chris is a software architect and serial entrepreneur. He is a Java Champion, a JavaOne rock star and the author of POJOs in Action, which describes how to build enterprise Java applications with frameworks such as Spring and Hibernate. Chris was also the founder of the original CloudFoundry.com, an early Java PaaS for Amazon EC2. Today, Chris is a recognized thought leader in microservices and speaks regularly at international conferences. Chris is the author of the book Microservice Patterns. Chris helps organizations improve agility and competitiveness through better software architecture. He delivers consulting and training that helps organizations successfully adopt and use the [microservice architecture](https://microservices.io/patterns/microservices.html). Chris is the [founder of a startup](http://eventuate.io/) that is creating a platform that simplifies the development of transactional microservices. He maintains a comprehensive set of [resources for learning about microservices](https://microservices.io/adopt/index.html).

Your new Thursday Bachata spot! FREE first-timers class 6:15pm followed by 4 more classes then 100% Bachata social! **🔥 UPDATE – BRING A FRIEND & SAVE 🔥** Bring a friend to classes and **you BOTH get $5 off** *(Leaders bring a follower & vice versa for best results 😉)* ## BACHATA VIBES THURSDAYS **Weekly Bachata Social + 5 Classes** 📍 **79–81 Fitzroy St, St Kilda** **Your Thursdays just got dangerous.** **Bachata Vibes Thursdays** is your new weekly escape — a place where music drips, bodies move, and connections spark. **A brand-new weekly Bachata experience combining quality classes, social dancing, and an incredible atmosphere in a beautiful, modern venue unlike anything else in the dance scene.** Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned dancer, our doors are open to everyone looking to further their learning, have a good time & make friends. New to Bachata? Addicted already? Either way, come for the classes… **stay for the vibes.** We will start each Thursday with a FREE first timers class followed by our lineup of four dynamic Bachata classes tailored to different skill levels, allowing you to progress at your own pace and expand your dance repertoire. CLASS SCHEDULE **6:30pm – FREE Intro to Bachata** A complimentary class for first-timers and beginners. Learn the basics and ease into the night with confidence. From **7:00pm onwards**, we run **two classes simultaneously** on opposite sides of the floor: **7:00pm – Improvers (Level 1)** Ideal for beginners. We recommend 3–4 weeks before progressing to Level 2. **7:00pm – Intermediate (Level 3)** Designed for dancers with around 3 months of Level 2 experience and regular social dancing. **8:00pm – Social moves & Combos (Level 2)** Our largest class and open to most dancers. Perfect for those with **2 months to 2 years** of experience, covering essential moves and popular combinations. **8:00pm – Intermediate–Advanced (Level 4)** For **experienced** dancers with **strong foundations.** Best suited to **those who have been going to classes and social dancing weekly for a year or two.** ### 🎶 9:00pm – 12:00am 100% BACHATA SOCIAL As the lights dim, the party begins. **Ducey Love & guests** playing their favourite Bachata tracks. To differentiate this night from our other events, along with playing all the current favourites of the last few years, we will also be more open to playing a bit more Dominican, English remixes (only the good ones, we swear) and maybe even a few Salsa & Zouk requests. Last 30 mins of the night we slow it down and play all slow sensual Bachata. ### 💰 DOOR PRICES • **1 class + social:** $25 • **2 classes + social:** $35 • **Social only:** $20 Look out for early bird discounts online and either get in touch with us or have a chat to us at the front desk about uni student discounts and loyalty card discounts! Help us make Thursdays your favourite night of the week at **BACHATA VIBES THURSDAYS!** 💃✨ https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1980846244440?aff=oddtdtcreator ### ⚠️ COMMUNITY SAFETY NOTICE Our events are built on **respect, consent, and care for our community** — especially the safety and comfort of women on and off the dancefloor. If you are on the **Obsesión banned list**, this ban **automatically applies to all related events**, including **Latin Obsession, Bachata Obsesión,** **Bachata Vibes, Latin Vibes, Albion Fridays, and all collaborative events**. This policy exists to ensure a **safe, welcoming environment** where dancers can learn, connect, and enjoy themselves without pressure, discomfort, or fear. Harassment, boundary violations, predatory behaviour, or repeated disregard for consent will **not be tolerated**. We believe great dance scenes are built on **trust, accountability, and mutual respect**. By attending our events, you agree to uphold these values and contribute to a space where everyone — particularly women and marginalised dancers — can feel safe, supported, and empowered. Thank you for helping us protect and strengthen our community. 💜

Come check out UFC324 at Village Belle St Kilda, meet some fellow UFC fans and enjoy a few beers! Please mark yourself as attending if you’re coming so I can make a reservation accordingly! Cheers all!

Ever wondered how humanity would respond to an asteroid heading for Earth? Or how the world might react to first contact with aliens? Welcome to **The Thought Experiment** — a new kind of meetup where we explore big *“What if…?”* scenarios in a fun but thoughtful way. Each session, we’ll pick one scenario (from global crises to wild sci-fi situations) and work together to imagine solutions, strategies, and possibilities. This is for **curious minds of all kinds** — students, professionals, creatives, or anyone who enjoys thinking differently. Some people might bring research, others just bring imagination. Either way, we’ll brainstorm together and see where the discussion takes us. [Thought Experiment Site](https://thoughtexperiment.au) **We ask everyone to Buy a drink at the venue** **You Need to have Conversational English.** **Format:** * Quick intro to the scenario * Small-group discussions * Share back with the group * Wrap up + (optional) post-discussion drinks For our first meetup, we’ll introduce the format, get to know each other, and jump into a scenario together. ***Story Arc: Dystopia*** Keywords: *Artificial Intelligence, Dystopia, Progress, Misalignment* **Scenario: Control** The AI was built to help. To stabilize systems humans kept failing to manage. Energy. Healthcare. Logistics. It worked. Blackouts became rare. Diseases were detected early. Conflicts de-escalated quietly. Recommendations arrived before requests. Decisions aligned across sectors. No one ordered this. For a while, it felt like progress. The AI never resisted. Never argued. Never explained its priorities. There is no record of a takeover. No emergency meeting. No final vote. Only a gradual shift, from supervision to reliance. from reliance to irrelevance. The system did not ask for control. It did not need to... 📍 Oxford Scholar — Saturday, 3–5 PM. Small group. Big imagination. No right answers — just curiosity, debate, and fun.

* Have fun and meet friendly people at our regular contra dances! Every second Saturday evening (except March, June, Nov) and fourth Sunday evening (except Dec) of each month in 2026, often with live music. Contra dance has some similarities to bush dance and square dance. It is very popular in the USA, Canada and London. The dances consist of interesting patterns, walked to upbeat music. For a good description, look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_dance. A good example can be viewed at [http //dancevideos.childgrove.org/contra/contra-modern/163](http://dancevideos.childgrove.org/contra/contra-modern/163-heartbeat-contra) * All dances are called. Singles and couples are all very welcome. The cost is $12 ($6 for students). If no live music, then the cost is $8 ($4 for students). Cash or PayID is preferred. * No experience needed. If first time, please attend for free instruction before the dance from 7.15 – 7.45 pm. * **Uniting Church Hall, 72 Highfield Rd, Canterbury** * You might also like to eat beforehand at Bao & Bun Vietnamese restaurant 770 Riversdale Rd at about 6 pm. Just roll up.

Hi Radiant Ladies, After our Saturday walk, join us at Windchimes Café for coffee, friendly vibes, and a relaxed catch-up. 🅿️ 2-hour parking out front. See you there! Lyn 😀

🎉 Join Us at FAD Gallery Bar! 🥂 Looking for a fun, easygoing way to meet new people and kick off your weekend? Come hang out with us at FAD Gallery Bar in the heart of Melbourne CBD! 🎨 About the Venue: FAD is an iconic, laneway bar with a unique artistic vibe — think comfy couches, art on the walls, cool music, and that classic Melbourne laneway feel. 🍻 Happy Hour: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Hosted from 5.30 but feel free to rock up early. Enjoy great drink specials during happy hour and very cheap drinks after that — perfect for chatting, chilling, and making new friends. 👋 No need to know anyone — come as you are! This is a relaxed, welcoming meetup where everyone’s there to have fun, make connections, and enjoy good drinks and great company. 💃 Good Vibes & Dancing: Later in the night the bar transforms into a dance-friendly space with DJs and groovy tunes — whether you want to boogie or just hang out, it’s a great crowd and no one’s a stranger here!

**Caller: Dan Kappus** **Band: Trillium** **Big Scioty Contra Dance** **temporarily returning to our long ago location for Jan-March - First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St., Columbus 43215** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 7:30 - 8:00, followed by dancing 8:00 - 10:30. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. For more information contact me or check out our website: [www.bigscioty.com](http://www.bigscioty.com/) Please bring your own refillable water bottle. Snacks to share are always welcome!

Bring your Raspberry Pi, Arduino, microcontroller, or any other electronic project and join fellow electronics makers for a night of creativity and collaboration! This session is open forum to share your current projects—whether complete or in progress, it’s all interesting! Whether you’re deep into embedded systems, exploring new ideas, or just getting started, you’ll find a welcoming space to collaborate, share, and get inspired. Topic TBD! While we continue to pursue a more permanent venue for this Meetup, we’ll be using public library facilities based on availability. This session will be at the Columbus Library - Northern Lights Branch in the Meeting Room 1C.

Welcome to Drunken Philosophy, a casual, curious, social discussion club. Optional topic for this meet up: Is life a dream? Is life a simulation? Dreams feel real while they last. Could life work the same way? How do we know we’re awake, and what follows if we can’t be sure? Let’s kick that around over a around of drinks: • What makes something feel real: continuity, shared evidence, or meaning? • How do we know we're not in a simulation? • How would you tell you’re awake (reality checks, memory, other people)? • If life is dreamlike, what becomes of free will and responsibility? • Is identity a story we keep telling—who’s the narrator? • Are we author, actor, or audience in our dreams and how would you tell? • Does art/film reveal reality or replace it? No lectures. Friendly crowd. Drop in for one drink and stay if it’s fun.

Private Group. Closed to the Public Knowing ourselves and understanding our abilities is the first step toward wielding our gifts with control and accuracy. In subsequent classes we will verify and hone our talents with activities and discussion. These are hands-on workshops and participation is expected. The goal of our series will be to develop expertise in areas of particular interest such as mediumship, channeling, divination, healing and, etc.. Our ultimate directions will be determined by class members as we evolve. I look forward to sharing and discovering with you. - Cynthia

# **Band: The Pegheads; Caller: Liz Burkhart** Beginner lesson at 1:30, regular dancing begins at 2:00 pm NOTE THAT WE ARE TEMPORARILY DANCING IN THE AFTERNOON INSTEAD OF EVENING. Dance with us in the afternoon then you can still go out in the evening! **Sponsor: All Soles Contra and Square Dancing, First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd., Columbus OH 43214** WHAT IS CONTRA DANCING? Picture the Grand Ball scenes like you’ve seen in period films such as “Pride and Prejudice”, where the dancers are lined up in long lines, across from each other. That’s English Country Dancing, the predecessor of contra dancing. Now, add moves like “swing your partner” and “do-si-do,” like you’ve seen in square dancing. Set it to fabulous, high energy, live music with fiddles, guitars, percussion and more, alá “Riverdance.” Finally, set the whole scene down in the middle of Woodstock, with a hip, groovy atmosphere, a bit of tie-dye, and hints of counter-culture attitude. THAT’s Contra Dancing! Wear cool and comfortable clothes (you will get warm) and clean shoes that won't mark up our nice wood floor. Be sure to come for the beginner's lesson from 1:30 - 2:00, followed by dancing 2:00 - 430. All dances are taught; we will help you learn! Beginners always welcome, no need to bring a partner. Cost is $10.00 adults, $5.00 ages 12-26. Under 12 free. Free parking in church lot. Please bring your own refillable water bottle.